Trip To Store May Have Been Life Saving

Trip To Store May Have Been Life Saving

  James Valentine’s decision to go to the store to buy a soft drink before the Wed., July 6, storm may have saved his life.
  When he returned to his Graham Street, Saluda, home after the storm, he discovered a tree had literally split his house into two parts.
  Valentine has cancer and takes medication.
  “I usually lay down after I take my medicine,” Valentine said.
  Had he taken his medicine instead of going to the store, Valentine would have been in peril, because the tree fell through the living room and bedroom where Valentine would have been resting.
  Valentine would like to thank those who have assisted him, since the storm.

Council Approves
Ordinance Readings

  Saluda County Council spent much of the Mon., July 11, meeting approving readings of ordinances.
  Second reading of the ordinance to adopt the County Comprehensive Plan, compiled by the Planning Commission, was approved. Updated plans are mandated by the state.
  County Council Chairman Don Hancock said the complete plan may be found on the county website.
  Second reading of the ordinance to have the County Registration and Elections office conduct elections for the Town of Ridge Spring  was also approved. Ridge Spring will pay all expenses. The county has the same agreement with the Town of Saluda.
  First reading of an ordinance allowing the Association of Counties to serve as a debt collection agent for the county.
  Along with that, first reading was approved for an ordinance to establish a $50 administrative fee collected on delinquent accounts set by the Association of Counties set off debt program for ambulance service in Saluda County.
  Council agreed to enter in an independent auditing service agreement for Saluda County Detention Center’s Prison Rape Elimination Act Standards. Deputy Jail Administrator Lorine Kelley presented the information.
  Larry J. Payne was appointed to the Saluda County Airport Commission.
  Regarding what happened last week, Councilwoman Gwen Shealy, at the beginning of the meeting, expressed appreciation to the county law enforcement officers and emergency workers for what they do.
  “You are our guardian angels,” she said.

New Exhibit at the Museum

  The Saluda County Historical Society would like to thank each person that contributed to the Vietnam War exhibit. It was seen and appreciated by many people. The exhibit ended on July 1st.
  We are currently setting up an exhibit to emphasize black history in our area. It is to coincide with the Daniel-Jay Family Reunion tour planned for Saluda County on July 22, 2016. Other family names include Graham, Hurley, and Bugg. If you would like to loan items to display please bring them to the Museum from 10:00-4:00 week days. Some items of interest would be Riverside annuals, church histories, crafts, and quilts. The exhibit will last for three months then you will be able to pick your items up.
  The Saluda County Historical Society hopes that everyone will come to the Museum to appreciate and learn from our new exhibit.

Nordin Receives NWTF 2016 National Scholarship

Riley Nordin (center) was surprised with a $10,000 national scholarship by the NWTF’s Assistant Vice President for Hunting Heritage Scott Vance (right) and NWTF Winchester Museum Director P.J. Perea (left)

Nordin Receives NWTF 2016 National Scholarship

  EDGEFIELD, S.C. — On a recent visit to the National Wild Turkey Federation headquarters while chaperoning his local 4H group, Riley Nordin of Saluda, South Carolina, was surprised to learn he won the 2016 NWTF National Scholarship, sponsored by Mossy Oak.
  In front of the Saluda 4H group, NWTF headquarters staff and local media, Nordin received a check for $10,000, something he says will help fund his education when he enrolls at Clemson University this fall.
  “I am truly thankful. $10,000 is a lot of money, and it will be helpful, especially with the long-term education goals I have,” Nordin said.
  He plans to pursue a degree in genetics with a focus on plant sciences. “The sciences are something that I always have enjoyed,” Nordin said. “And as I have gotten older, I realized it is what I want to do for a living. It won’t really seem like work because I love it so much.”
  Nordin recently graduated near the top of his high school class despite a rigorous academic course load and a schedule packed with extracurricular activities. His impressive résumé includes:
  •Boy Scouts of America
  •National BETA Club
  •National FFA
  •Saluda County 4-H
  •Saluda County Garden Club volunteer
  •NWTF Youth Art Contest participant
  He received a scholarship through the local and state-level NWTF chapters, making him eligible for the national honor. To date, the NWTF has contributed more than $4.6 million in scholarships to students making up the next generation of hunters and conservationists.  “Individuals like Riley are the ones who will ensure that our wildlife is healthy and future hunting opportunities are secure for generations to come,” said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. “Students pursuing degrees and careers in wildlife and habitat conservation will always have the NWTF in their corner.”
  Visit www.nwtf.org for more information, or download the scholarship application.About The NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. InitiativeThe NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to give the NWTF more energy and purpose than ever. Through this national initiative, NWTF has committed to raising $1.2 billion to conserve or enhance more than 4 million acres of essential upland wildlife habitat, recruit at least 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting, shooting and outdoor enjoyment. Without hunters, there will be no wildlife or habitat. The NWTF is determined to Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.To learn more about the NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative, visit www.nwtf.org.

Local Teen Headed to
National Competition

  Saluda County resident Laney Edwards was crowned National American Miss South Carolina Teen on June 26.
  Laney and her SC sister queens will travel to California this November to represent our state at the week-long National American Miss Pageant to be held in Anaheim. Delegates at the national pageant will vie for a $5000 cash scholarship and be judged in the following areas: Resume, Community Service, Interview, Onstage Personal Introduction, and of course, Formal Wear. It won’t be all work and no play, however. Laney and the other contestants will have photo shoots, spend a day at Disney Land, and tour the famous streets of Hollywood.
  They will enjoy a Thanksgiving banquet and walk the red carpet during the “NAMmy” Awards Show, where they will be recognized for participation in optional competitions. Laney is looking forward to representing Saluda County and the great state of South Carolina on the national stage.
  Laney is the 18-year-old daughter of Thomas and Aly Edwards of Batesburg and a 2016 Saluda High School honor graduate. She is a rising freshman at Clemson University, where she will major in Biology: Pre-Physical Therapy with the ultimate goal of becoming a pediatric physical therapist. You can keep up with Laney’s journey to NAM Nationals by liking her Facebook page (2016 National American Miss South Carolina Teen) and by following her on Instagram (@namscteen). If you would like to support Laney’s journey to Anaheim with a sponsorship, please send an E-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For more information about the National American Miss program, go to www.namiss.com.

Council Passes 2016-17 Budget

Council Passes 2016-17 Budget

  Saluda County Council gave third and final reading to the 2016-17 county budget, and heard concerns from employees about the county’s decision to take over the EMS from the Saluda Nursing Center.
  The budget stands at $11,537,759, with debt service $128,411.35, for a total of $11,666,170.35. Council Vice-chairman Gwen Shealy, who presided in the absence of Chairman Don Hancock, said the budget will require a .25 percent millage increase.
  Council also approved the transfer of $350,000 from contingency to balance the 2015-16 budget, and $534,883 to balance the 2016-17 budget.
  In the public hearing, citizens expressed concern about what the new Emergency Medical Services Department was getting in compared to what the other departments were getting.
  County Auditor Memmus Forrest said he was speaking as a citizen, not as an elected official.
  Forrest questioned council on what other departments, included the sheriff and detention center asked for in the budget process. He then asked how much money the EMS had brought in since the county took over in October 2015.
  Councilman Jacob Schumpert said, “$499,000.”
  “And their budget is $1.7 million?”
  Schumpert said it is projected EMS will bring in  $1.1 million during the year, and with the $650,000 the county normally funds EMS will almost make the department break even.
  Forrest also asked about the buildings, furnishings and vehicles the county had put into EMS.
  Schumpert said some of those expenditures were one time things.
  Forrest said he had no complaints with EMS, but he felt all departments should be treated equally.
  Toby Horne from the Sheriff’s Office said his department has asked for five new officers.
  “We can’t get five officers, yet you take in a whole department that has 30 employees.”
  Horne, too, said he had nothing personal against the EMS, but he said the sheriff’s officers were tired and overworked.
  Melinda Kneece wanted to know a comparison in salaries with other counties, and asked how much was in the reserve fund.
  She was told $4,981,000.
  EMS Director Jacob Starnes said he welcomed anyone to visit him, and he would discuss salaries.
  He said he was making less this year as director than he made last year.
  County employees will not get an official raise, but will get an extra pay because there are 27 pay periods in the fiscal year, compared to the normal 26.
  County Director Sandra Padget said this happens every eight or nine years. Employees on longevity will also get a percentage increase.
  Mrs. Shealy praised an article in last week’s Twin-City News that sxplains how state cutbacks to aid to local governments has hurt counties. The article is reprinted in the print edition.

Mrs. Longshore
Goes To Washington

  School might be out, but it’s just starting for some members of Congress.
  Sarah Longshore, principal of Saluda High School in Saluda, SC, ventured to Washington, DC in late June to meet with federal elected officials about the most pressing issues facing schools in South Carolina, including the transition to the new federal education law, resources for student literacy, and greater support for the ongoing development of principals. The meetings were part of the annual Advocacy Conference for principals, conducted by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), in cooperation with the SC Association of School Administrators (SCASA).
  Longshore visited congressional offices on Capitol Hill to meet with Representative Jeff Duncan, Representative Joe Wilson, Senator Tim Scott, and Senator Lindsey Graham. The agenda was driven by the need for South Carolina to focus efforts on implementing the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which President Obama signed in December and which takes full effect in August 2017. The law require states to use other factors in addition to standardized test scores to determine school success. The law also requires a renewed emphasis on reading and writing across the curriculum and includes language that encourages states to dedicate up to 3 percent of professional development dollars specifically for principals.
  “The importance of educators visiting with and talking to their members of Congress cannot be overstated,” Longshore said. “So that they can hear real stories of actual practice and experience and to help them clearly see how their decisions and policies impact our children in real life and not in some imaginary land where everything follows a predictable script.”
  Longshore plans to maintain communication with her elected officials and meet with them during the year in their local offices.
  “Advocacy requires ongoing effort,” Longshore said. “It’s not a one-time thing. We need to build relationships with elected officials so they get to know us, and more important so they understand the needs of our schools.”