Band Practice

A SIGN OF NORMALCY -  It isn’t often in these pandemic times do we see something that borders on normal,but the Saluda High School band practicing on a hot August morning last week certainly comes as close as anything seen lately. (Standard-Sentinel photo)

Earthquake Felt In County

  The earthquake that struck Sparta, NC, Sun. morning was felt in parts of Saluda County.

  The 5.1 magnitude quake happened at 8:07 a.m. in the town that is located near the Virginia border.

  The tremor was felt in seven states.

  Soon after the earthquake, some Saluda County residents start-ed posting on social media that their homes shook.

County Ranks Ninth In

Property Tax Study

  A recent study by financial technology company Smart Asset finds the places in South Carolina where residents receive the most value for what they pay in property taxes. 

  The study has Saluda ranked ninth.

  First, the study measures the effective property tax paid in each county to determine the relative property tax burden. From there, the study analyzes the quality of public schools within the county. Finally, it measures how much value properties in the county have gained throughout a five year period.

  Taken together, these factors determine where residents are seeing the most value for their property taxes. For a look at the top performing counties in South Carolina, check out the table below.

  Additional details on the study, including the methodology and interactive map, can be found here: https://smartasset.com/taxes/south-carolina-property-tax-calculator#southcarolina.

District Plan Approved

SPEARMAN VISITS - State Superintendent of Education Molly M. Spearman, center, visited her home school district last week, after she approved the District’s reopening plan. Welcoming her were, L to R, District Supt. D. Harvey Livingston, Assist Supt. Dr. Abby Duggins, and administrators Tammie Shore and Sarah DeLoach. (District photo)

District Reopening Plan Approved

  Saluda County School District was one of the first six approved for reopening by State Superintendent of Education Molly M. Spearman.

  “Saluda County is offering a hybrid option and a fully-virtual option “with strong communication procedures with students and families to ensure they stay on track,” Spearman, who visited her home district soon after the plam was approved,  said.

  She added the district has a framework for helping special populations, such as students with disabilities and English language learners.

  “Saluda County Schools was excited and honored that our reopening plan was one of the first approved in the state and the first approved in the Midlands.” District Superintedent Dr Harvey Livingston said.   

  “The Saluda Reopening Task Force began its work in March to begin the process of developing a plan for the safe reopening of schools this fall. The task force was composed of over 50 teachers, administrators, parents, staff members, state/local agencies, and community leaders.   “The task force divided into three groups, as we addressed the issues of safety, instruction, and the social and emotional health of our students and staff. With the continued support of our teachers, parents, students, and the Saluda County School District Board of Trustees, we are confident that our plan will allow us to safely reopen our schools on August 31.

  “Our goal is for every school to return to five day face-to-face instruction as quickly as safety conditions allow,” Spearman said. “South Carolinians can support their neighborhood school by wearing a face mask, practicing social distancing, washing their hands regularly, and staying at home when sick. These precautions have the potential to significantly expedite our education system’s return to normalcy.”

Spearman said for a district’s plan to be approved, it must meet the following criteria:

  1. A virtual option for all students

  •Districts may choose to deliver their own virtual program, take advantage of VirtualSC, suggest enrollment in one of the public charter virtual schools, or contract the service.

  •Districts must ensure that any virtual model includes at least an initial in-person contact with students. Intermittent face-to-face contact with students is also strongly encouraged.

  2. An in-person option for all students

  •Hybrid/blended learning models will be considered an in-person option for students.

  •If a five day a week face-to-face instruction model can be safely offered, districts are encourage to do so; however, it is not required for plan approval.

  3. A time-frame for when districts intend to review operational plans so that implementation of a full face-to-face instruction model can be worked towards as health and safety conditions improve.

  4. Establish how high quality instruction will be provided, regardless of instructional model, and demonstrate how a broad range of student services will be provided. This includes ensuring all federal and state law requirements are met.

State Champs Serve Saluda

Saluda High’s defending 2-A State Championship football team doesn’t just rest on its laurels. Head Coach Stewart Young posted the above pictures on social media showing some members of the team taking part in the ServeSaluda project, which renovates homes in the community in need of repair.

County Cases Pass 400

  Saluda County’s COVID-19  death cases now top 400.

  Saluda County’s total cases has risen to 414, 39 more than at the same time last week, with three deaths.

  The latest DHEC report says the county had 2543 estimated cases, and 2957 possible cases. Of the county’s cases, 348 are in the are in the 29138 zip code. 

  Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: Aiken - 1491; Edgefield - 279;  Greenwood - 1255; Lexington - 4592; Newberry - 772. 

  The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Sun., Aug. 2, announced 1,110 new confirmed cases and 1 new probable case of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, 27 additional confirmed deaths and no new probable deaths.

  This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 91,257 probable cases to 531, confirmed deaths to 1,709, and 68 probable deaths.

Saluda Masks

Saluda Requires Face Masks

  The Town of Saluda has passed an ordinance requiring the wearing of face masks
  Following are the exceptions:
  a) in outdoor or unenclosed areas appurtenant to Retail Establishments or Food service Establishments in which social distancing of at least six feet is possible and observed;
  b)for people whose religious beliefs prevent them from wearing a Face Covering;
  c)for those who cannot wear a Face Covering due to a medical or behavioral condition;
  d)for children under five years old, provided that adults accompanying children age two through five shall use reasonable efforts to cause those children to wear Face Coverings while inside the enclosed area of any Retail Establishment or Foodservice Establishment;
  e)for patrons of Food service Establishments while they are dining;
  f)in private, individual offices;
  g)when complying with directions of law enforcement officers;
  h)in settings where it is not practical or feasible to wear a Face Covering, including when obtaining or rendering goods or services such as the receipt of dental services or while swimming;
  i)While exclusively with members of a family or the same household, and no person other than such family or household is within the same enclosed area.
  Any person violating the provisions of the Ordinance  can be fined  not more than $25 each day.

Five County COVID Deaths

  Saluda County’s COVID-19  death cases has risen to five.
  Saluda County’s total cases has risen to 375, 33 more than at the same time last week, with three deaths.
  The latest DHEC report says the county had 2304 estimated cases, and 2679 possible cases. Of the county’s cases, 323 are in the are in the 29138 zip code.
  Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: Edgefield - 225; Aiken - 1224; Greenwood - 1127; Lexington - 4159; Newberry - 660.
  The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Sun., July 26,  announced 1,170 new confirmed cases and three new probable cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, 25 additional confirmed deaths and three new probable deaths.
  This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 80,856, probable cases to 343, confirmed deaths to 1,436, and 55 probable deaths.

Fundraising Event For Caylie

  “Gray for Caylie,” a fund-raising event for seven-month-old Calyie Berry will be held Sat., Aug. 8, at the Hollywood Ruritan Building, beginning at 11 a.m.
  Included will be a silent auction, raffles and barbecue chicken plates for $10 each.
  Caylie  was diagnosed with an embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes on her brain. This is very rare and on May 19,  2020, she had brain surgery at Prima Children’s Hospital. After surgery she was sent to St. Jude’s for further treatment. Since there, two more tumor s were found on her spine. Since starting her chemo the tumors are responding well. She just started her second round of chemo and will be in Memphis,  TN,  at St. Jude’s for several month’s.
  Right now friends are raising funds to help relieve the financial burden of the family of having to move out of state while maintaining their home in Saluda. More importantly, they are asking for prayers for our sweet Caylie and all of her family.
  Hollywood Ruritan Club is located at 1274 Hollywood Rd., Saluda.
  For tickets, call Katie Rodgers,  864-344-2242,  or Brittany Rowe, 803-724-7811.