Hancock Legacy

CHARLIE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCED - The sisters of the late County Council Chairman Don Hancock, Charlyn Staubes and Ann Coker, center, announced the Charlie Foundation at Saluda High School Fri., Mar. 29. Pictured are members of the Board of Directors, Keller Staubes, Jr, Katie Staubes Baturin, Justin Coker, Tyler Coker, and  Alan Metts, and Advisory Council including Jimmy Crawford, Rusty Denning, Dr. Harvey Livington, Sarah Longshore, Peter Manning, Supt. Spearman, Ross Terrell, Jr., and Bill Whitfield, as well as Sen. Floyd Nicholson, Rep. Cal Forrest and Dr. Rex Brooks. (SHS photo by Dean Roesner)

 Don Hancock

Saluda County High School Graduates Can
Now Attend Piedmont Tech Tuition Free

  Saluda County high school graduates can now attend Piedmont Technical College free of charge, thanks to a legacy left the county by the late County Council Chairman Don Hancock.
  The announcement came at Saluda High School at a special program on Fri., Mar. 29.
  Before his passing in Aug. 2017,  Hancock partnered with his two sisters, Charlyn Staubes and Ann Coker, to create The Charlie Foundation. One of its purposes would be to support higher education opportunities for all students in the county.
  From this point on, any high school graduate who lives in Saluda County will be able to attend Piedmont Technical College for free. There are an unlimited number of scholarships available, and the only requirement is that the student be accepted into Piedmont.
  Distinguished guests at the announcement included State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman, Representative Cal Forrest, Senator Floyd Nicholson, and Dr. Ray Brooks, Piedmont Tech president.
  Supt. Spearman, Dr. Brooks and Ms. Staubes were the featured speakers at the program.
  Mrs. Coker and Ms. Staubes first announced the foundation at the Sept. 2017 meeting of Saluda County Council.
  “Because of his love of the county, Don wanted to continue to be a part of its progress, even after his death,” Mrs. Coker said. “He wanted to establish a foundation to benefit the county. Don wasn’t quite sure how this foundation would work, but he wanted a non-profit organization, focusing on economic development, education and quality of life for the residents of Saluda County.
  Don wasn’t a showy persons and didn’t want the foundation to hold his name. So, he chose to name it The Charlie Foundation, partly because of our Daddy’s first name.
  During Don’s last hospitalization, the three of use enthusiastically spent many hours brainstorming ideas and dreaming of the potential of The Charlie Foundation.”
  Members of the Board of Directors include Hancock’s sisters, Ms. Staubes, Mrs. Coker, his nephews and nieces, Keller Staubes, Jr, Katie Staubes Baturin, Justin Coker, Tyler Coker, and his neighbor Alan Metts.
  Serving on the advisory committee are Jimmy Crawford, Rusty Denning, Dr. Harvey Livington, Sarah Longshore, Peter Manning, Supt. Spearman, Ross Terrell, Jr., and Bill Whit-field.
  Kaylyn Herlong, SHS student body president, welcomed the guests to the program. The colors were presented by the NNDCC Color Guard, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Petty Officer 1st Class Jasmine Meetze.
  FFA Chaplain Mason Haynie gave the invocation. Following the speeches, Transavia Etheredge and Brantley Price of the Saluda High Chorus led in the singing of the Alma Mater.

Alcohol Awareness Month 2019
Parents are more than an ounce of prevention

  In a society that continually promotes alcohol and drug use at every level — even here in Saluda County — the need to provide education on the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse and its effect on children has never been greater. To focus on that goal, April is designated as Alcohol Awareness Month.
  Education on this critical threat to the health of our community needs to begin as early as possible in people’s lives. Properly educated, children and youth are much more resistant to these dangers and better able to make healthy choices about substance use. Alcohol and drug use tends to begin in mid-to-late adolescence, and the earlier the age at which someone starts drinking, the greater the risk that he or she will develop alcohol-related problems later in life. In fact, research says that youth who begin drinking before the age of 15 have been found to be 5 times more likely to have addiction problems.
  Various factors can contribute to underage drinking, from insecurity to a desire for social acceptance, and while the percentage of teenagers who drink alcohol is slowly declining, numbers are still quite high. According to 2018 data, in Saluda, nearly 40 percent of youth report drinking by the age of 12, and 44 percent of drinking youth report binge drinking (drinking five or more drinks in a single session). Also, almost 20 percent of youth say that alcohol is a central part of their social life. Drinking alcohol undoubtedly is a part of American culture. Conversations between parents and children about its risks should equally be a cultural norm.
  Alcohol’s differing effects and parents’ changing role in their children’s lives as they mature and seek greater independence can make talking about alcohol a challenge and parents may have trouble setting concrete family policies for alcohol use. Yet, parents are the most effective force in preventing and reducing adolescent risky behaviors and helping our nation’s youth lead healthier lives. Research shows that kids who learn about the dangers of alcohol and drugs at home are up to 50 percent less likely to use these substances than kids who don’t learn about such dangers from their parents.
  Parents influence whether and when adolescents begin drinking, as well as how their children drink. Family policies about adolescent drinking in the home and the way parents themselves drink are important.
  So, what can parents do to help minimize the likelihood that their adolescent will choose to drink and that such drinking, if it does occur, will become problematic? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services studies have shown that it is important to talk early and often, in developmentally appropriate ways, with children and teens about your concerns—and theirs—regarding alcohol.
  Adolescents who know their parents’ opinions about youth drinking are more likely to fall in line with their expectations. Establish policies early on, and be consistent in setting expectations and enforcing rules. Adolescents do feel that parents should have a say in decisions about drinking, and they maintain this deference to parental authority as long as they perceive the message to be legitimate.
  Work with other parents to monitor where kids are gathering and what they are doing. Being involved in the lives of adolescents is key to keeping them safe. With open, respectful communication and explanations of boundaries and expectations, parents can influence their children’s health. This is especially important in young people’s decisions regarding whether and how to drink—decisions that can have lifelong consequences. Ultimately, there are many influences on whether an adolescent begins to drink alcohol at a young age, including a child’s home life and whether parents have talked with their children about rules for alcohol use.
  Whether an adolescent’s peers drink alcohol also influences his or her choice about alcohol use and another powerful influence is the media: movies and television that depict alcohol use, music that includes lyrics about alcohol use, and advertisements for different brands of alcohol.
  Reducing underage drinking is critical to securing a healthy future for America’s youth and requires a cooperative effort from parents, schools, community organizations, business leaders, government agencies, the entertainment industry, alcohol manufacturers/retailers and young people themselves.

Westview Behavioral Health Services
Contact: Hugh Gray, (803) 276-5690
*Saluda Behavorial Health is now affiliated with Westview

Mrs. SC America

Former Saludan Crowned
Mrs. South Carolina America

  Former Saludan Victoria Hopkins Halydier was crowned Mrs. South Carolina America on Jan. 26.
  A 2005 graduate of Saluda High School, Mrs. Halydier is the daughter of John Allen and Linda Oswald and Todd and Tracey Hopkins. Her first job was at the Saluda Subway.
  Victoria went on the Lander University and graduated in 2009 with a degree in business administration management.
  From 2015-2017 she worked as executive director of the Original Six Foundation. She now works at Blue Cross-Blue Shield as political action committee manager.
  Victoria and husband Nathan, along with a few others, launched a non-profit organization called Threaded Missions in Oct. 2018 that is designed to help fund adoptions.
  Mrs. Halydier is very honored to be the 2019 Mrs. S.C. America.

LEGION POST CONTRIBUTES TO LIBRARY - Pictured left to right:  Commander John Hood, presents a donation to Saluda County Librarian Lisa Lyon .  Past Commander Al Butler looking on.   Ms. Lyon was the keynote speaker at the March meeting of Saluda American Legion Post 65.  “Saluda County Library, A Place to Grow”. She shared information on Library Resources: Books, DVDs, Periodicals and Computers.  Electronic resources include DISCUS (South Carolina’s Virtual Library) and Overdrive (ebooks and eAudiobooks). Programs: Story time (ages 0-5), Tween STEAM (ages 9-12), TAB -Teen Advisory Board, Ages 13-18), Book Club (adults) and Summer Reading Program (All Ages).  Services provided by the library include Fax, Copy and Print, Scanning and Lamination. The library branch at Ridge Spring is located at 108 Maintenance Shop Circle. The Library also has what is called a “Little Free Library”.  Of course you are welcomed to  join the Friends of the Saluda County Library.  For more information, visit the County Libraries or get on the web: www.saludalibrary.org. The Legionaries thank Ms. Lyons and her staff for the great service they are providing our county.

Two Miles Of
Motorcycles

The funeral procession for famous biker Thomas “Grub” Freeland Jr. came through Saluda around 1 pm Sat., Mar. 23. The procession of bikes was two miles long. Saluda County and Town officers provided the escort and traffic control.

Best Water in the State

SCWSA Brings Home The Trophy For
Best Tasting Water In South Carolina

BY: JASON FELL, SCWSA’S GENERAL MANAGER

  On Sunday, March 11, 2019, one month after Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority’s (SCWSA’s) Water Treatment Plant (WTP) was placed into operation, it received the Best Tasting Water Award at the largest water utility conference in South Carolina. 
  General Manager, Jason Fell, and WTP Superintendent, Rip Tafta, are seen in the photo hoisting the trophy.  SCWSA was selected among seventeen (17) contestants, which included some of the largest and most prestigious water providers in South Carolina. 
  Some may think this was luck.  For a moment Rip and I were shocked and elated that we would be bringing the trophy back to Saluda County.  After a few days of reflection, I believe the victory has a deeper significance.  This award was the fruit of excellent design and hard work.
  It officially began on Friday, February 8, 2019, at 2 P.M, when SCWSA’s WTP was placed into operation.  This was not a project that happens every day.  This project was one that was nineteen (19) years in the making.  The WTP sets the foundation to be able to serve all areas that are economically viable in Saluda County.  It works in harmony with Saluda County Council’s vision for our County’s future.  Further, SCWSA is now able to serve Saluda County and the Western Midlands of South Carolina.
  It all starts with the water you are given.  SCWSA’s withdrawal point on Lake Murray provides a distinct advantage.  SCWSA’s intake location is located on what is called the “run of the river”.  There are three distinct advantages to SCWSA’s raw water intake.  First, the intake is very deep, at the bottom of the flooded river bottom.  Even at the Lake’s lowest drawdown level, the top of our intake would still be seven feet below the lake surface. 
  Second, the intake as a slow constant velocity from the influence of the Saluda River.  This provides a steady stream of water, eliminating stagnation. 
  Finally, it is located on the upper end of Lake Murray, suppressing elevated levels of turbidity during rain events.

Two Saluda County Sex
Offenders sent to Prison

  During a term of court in Saluda County last week, two Sex Offenders in unrelated cases were sent to prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting minors. Charles Gable Isdell, II, age 38, was sentenced to twenty (20) years and Gustavo Rodriguez Diaz, age 40, was sentenced to fifteen (15) years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Circuit Court Judge Walton J. McLeod IV imposed these sentences on both offenders. 
  Eleventh Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard stated, “Our work to protect children in our community remains a primary focus. Our office will continue to hold child abusers responsible for their actions. The victims of these two offenders can continue healing knowing that their abusers are in prison.” Both of these cases were prosecuted by Assistant Solicitor Robby McNair of the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
  The Saluda County Sheriff’s Department began an investigation into Gustavo Rodriguez Diaz for sexual assaults on a minor in November of 2016 following an unrelated criminal investigation in which the minor victim was a witness. The minor victim was 9 years old at the time. During an interview, the child disclosed that Diaz had sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions.
  The Saluda County Sheriff’s Department began an investigation into Charles Gable Isdell, II, in June of 2017 after receiving a report of sexual assaults committed against two minor victims, who were both 14 years old at the time. Investigators were able to recover evidence on Isdell’s phone described by the victims that corroborated their accounts of what occurred. During the sentencing hearing, Lt. Josh Price expressed to the Court that the two minors continue to be traumatized by these events and still live in fear of Isdell.
  Isdell and Diaz were both transported to the South Carolina Department of Corrections to begin the immediate service of their prison sentences.