2019 Young Farmer Scholarships

Young Farmer Scholarship Recipients

The Saluda Young Farmer Scholarship recipients were recognized Sat.,July 27, before the 41st Annual Truck and Tractor Pull.  The recipients are pictured on the front row. Their parents are behind them. Front row, L to R, , Texanna Miller,Makayla Porter,  Sarah Shore, Cody Clary, Zac Berry, Kelson Palmer, and Benjamin Buzhardt. Not pictured is Megan Corley. (Photo by  Sarah Catherine Berry)

  Clothes, computers, and school supplies are among dozens of items that can be purchased free of Sales Tax during South Carolina’s annual Sales Tax Holiday from Friday, August 2, through Sunday, August 4, 2019.
  During the Tax Free Weekend, shoppers can purchase a variety of back-to-school essentials without paying the state’s 6% Sales Tax and any applicable local taxes. Tax-free items range from school supplies, computers, and printers to clothing, accessories, and shoes.
  Tax-exempt items include school supplies used for school assignments, clothing and clothing accessories, footwear, computers and computer software, printers and printer supplies, certain bed and bath items.
  Items not exempt in-clude jewelry, cosmetics, eyewear, wallets, watches, furniture, rental clothing or footwear, items for use in a trade or business.
  In past years, South Carolina shoppers have saved between $2 million and $3 million during the holiday weekend.
  Information for Retailers
  •Sales of qualified items during the Sales Tax Holiday should be reported and taken as a deduction on a retailer’s August Sales Tax return (ST-3 – see form instructions).
  •All retailers who sell eligible items must participate in the Sales Tax Holiday and may not collect Sales Tax from their customers on eligible purchases.
 •Retailers can file and pay Sales Tax and manage all of their South Carolina tax accounts online using our free tax portal, MyDOR- WAY.
  The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) has released an updated list of tax-free items and FAQs in a consolidated guidance document (Revenue Ruling 19-4). The guidance and a variety of other resources, including shopping lists, are available on the SCDOR’s website at dor.sc.gov/TaxFreeWeekend.  
  Share the savings! Post your Sales Tax Holiday photos on social media using #SCtaxfree. RSVP to the event on Facebook and follow the SCDOR on Facebook and Twitter for Tax Free Weekend updates, resources, and reminders.

Operation Child Find

  The Office of Student Support of Saluda County Schools requests your help in the location and identification of all children with disabilities not currently being served.  
  South Carolina statutes require public schools to provide appropriate educational programs for disabled children between the ages of three and twenty-one years. ‘ Current categories of disabilities are a preschool child with a disability, developmentally delayed, speech/language impairment, orthopedic impairment, visual impairment, other health impairments, deaf-blindness, autism, traumatic brain injury, multiple disabilities, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, deaf and hard of hearing, and emotional disability.  
  Anyone who is aware of any child suspected of having any of these disabilities may contact Mrs. Elizabeth Schumpert, Director of the Office of Student Support at 864-445-8441 weekdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.. The name of the referral person will remain confidential.

Guard Units Deploy

Deployment Ceremony Held
At Saluda High School

The South Carolina National Guard conducted a deployment ceremony for more than 140 Soldiers with the 124th Engineer Company, 122nd Engineer Battalion, 59th Troop Command, July 21, 2019, at Saluda High School, to recognize the unit’s mobilization in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The soldiers will be deployed to the Middle East for approximately nine months conducting construction operations.  (U.S. Army National Guard Photos by Staff Sgt. Erica Jaros, 108th Public Affairs Detachment)

Adjutant General
Speaks at Ceremony

Adjutant General Van McCarty, a Saluda native, was a featured speaker at the South Carolina National Guard deploy-ment ceremony at Saluda High School on Sun., July 21. (Photo by Jamie Shealy)

41st Annual Truck And
Tractor Pull This Weekend

  The Saluda Young Farmers 41st Annual Truck and Tractor Pull, “Hottest Pull in the South” will be held July 27th at the Young Farmer Stadium at the County Recreation Complex.  The Carolina Truck & Tractor Pullers Southern Pullers Association professional pull will begin at 6pm.  Gates open at 4pm.  There will be 19 classes featured this year.
  Ticket prices are as follows:  Adults - $15, Children 6 to 12 - $10, under 5 – Free, and cooler/bulk beverage - $5.00 (no glass containers).  Credit and debit card ticket purchases will be available at the gate.  Concessions will also be available.
  To purchase trackside parking, contact Scott Wertz at 803-924-3124. All trackside parking spots are $50 and go on sale July 8th.  Please call after 5pm.
  The Saluda Young Farmer Scholarship winners will be recognized as well.  The 2019 winners are Megan Corley, Texanna Miller, Sarah Shore, Cody Clary, Makayla Porter, Zac Berry, Kelson Palmer, and Benjamin Buzhardt.   Proceeds from the pull go towards the scholarship program.
  Bring a chair – stand seating is limited. Also, visit the Young Farmer merchandise table to purchase your official tractor pull shirt.
  Come and enjoy a weekend of high-powered action!
  Check out www.Saluda YoungFarmer.org or syftp.us for the latest information. Like us on Facebook at Saluda SC Tractor Pull.

2019 July Council Meeting

Robert Etheredge Named
New SHS Principal

  The Saluda County School District is pleased to announce that Robert Etheredge has been selected as the new principal of Saluda High School.
  Etheredge is a 1999 graduate of Saluda High School and has served as assistant principal the past 3 years. Prior to serving as an administrator, Etheredge taught physical education and served as Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at Saluda High School and Swansea High School.
  Dr. Harvey Livingston, Superintendent, stated, “I am thrilled that Mr. Etheredge will be leading Saluda High. His knowledge of our community and students, commitment to student success, and willing to build true relationships makes him the perfect fit. I am excited to watch the growth of our students and staff under his leadership.”
  When asked about how he felt about his new role,  Etheredge stated, “It is an extreme honor that I assume the responsibility of Principal of Saluda High School. It also gives me great pride to serve in the community I grew up in. Saluda High is a special place with awesome people, and I am very happy to be a part of it.”

RETIRED TREASURER RECOGNIZED - Recently retired Saluda County Treasurer Tina Shealy, left, was recognizefd by County Council Mon., July 8, for her years of service to the County, including 17 in the Treasuer’s office. Presenting the resolution is County Council Chairman Derrick Jones. (Standard-Sentinel photo)

HORNE HONORED FOR BRAVERY - Chief Deputy Toby Horne, left, was recognized by County Council on July 8 for his brave act of entering a burning home, going upstairs and attempting to save the life of a child on April 5. Presenting the resolution is County Council Chairman Derrick Jones. (Standard-Sentinel photo)

Council Puts Hiring
Policy Into Effect

  At its last meeting, County Council voted to implement a hiring freeze and instruct all department heads/elected and appointed officials to come before Council to request filling a vacant position.
  Mon., July 8, Council saw that action come to fruition.
  Chief Deputy Sheriff Toby Horne (three deputy positions and a temporary school resource office, while the regular SRO is deployed), Assistant Jail Administrator Lorine Kelly (three positions), EMS Director Jacob Starnes (two EMTs and one part-time EMT) and Solid Waste Coordinator Jacob Schumpert (two positions), all appeared before Council with their requests.
  All of the positions are included in the 2019-2020 budget and all were approved.
  Schumpert shared some interesting information about the convenience centers. During the July 4th week, 4300 vehicles came through the convenience centers, with 1500 of those coming to the Traffic Circle site.
  Schumpert said with new developments coming to the lake, the Circle Center may have to be expanded someday.
  Sandra Calliham, county manager for the Department of Juvenile Justice, discussed the new Raise the Age Law the went into effect July 1. Now, 17-year-olds are considered juveniles, where they were previously tried as adults.
  Ms. Calliham said this will cause more youth to come under the auspices of DJJ, and the her agency is running out of office space. She asked Council for use of any available county-owned office space.
  Council approved Starnes request to purchase a new Demers ambulance for $205,959.50. Financing would be $54,519.40 annually for four years. Starnes said the sale of an old ambulance may covered the cost of one year’s payment.
  The adoption and presentation of two resolutions began the new business portion of the meeting.
  Tina Shealy was recognized for his service as Saluda County Treasurer. After 17 years in the treasurer’s office, 11 as Treasurer, she retired on June 30.
  Toby Horne, then a Sheriff’s captain,  was recognized for his brave act of entering a burning home, going upstairs and attempting to save the life of a child on  April 5.
  First reading was given to an ordinance to renew the contract for fixed base operator, Saluda Sky Aviation, LLC, at the Saluda County Airport.
  An application for a FAA grant for improvement at the airport was approved.  Emergency   Management Assistant Director Jill Warren said the $126,760 grant would be used to develop plans reconstruct apron area at the from of the terminal building and reconstruct the taxiway. The state and county would pay a $6,338 match each.
  Council approved the purchasing card policy and forms, as recommended by Financial Service Coordinator Regina Turner.