Batesburg Man Dies
Batesburg Man Dies
In Monetta Crash
A Batesburg man died Fri., Aug. 19, in Monetta after his car went airborne and crashed into a house.
According to Saluda County Coroner Keith Turner, Ubaldo Tepeate Lugo, 35, of 4708 Pond Branch Rd., Batesburg, was travelling too fast for conditions when his 2007 Nissan pickup hit a railroad track and went airborne.
The truck hit a house on the right side of the road. Lugo was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected. He was pronounced dead on the scene due to multiple trauma.
The truck was travelling south on Hwy. 23 toward Hwy. 39, and the accident occurred during heavy rain.
Two passengers in the vehicle were transported to the hospital in Aiken. Neither of them were wearing seatbelts. Turner has not heard of their conditions.
The house suffered extension damage. Fortunately, no one was home at the time.
The death was Saluda County’s first highway fatality of 2016, and happened about 50-yards from the Aiken County line.
Investigating were Sgt. Quest Hallman, and Trooper Mike Alvishire of the S.C. Highway Patrol. Also, on the scene was the Saluda County EMS.
Pilots and aircraft technicians using static helicopter displays talk to Saluda Middle School students.
SOaR Visits Saluda
Middle School Students
On August 22, 2016, Saluda Middle School hosted a STEM Day event that is geared to generate interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics through the Celebrate Freedom Foundation program SOaR. Approximately 465 students, along with their teachers participated.
SOaR™ (School/Student Oppor-tunities and Rewards) is an academic out reach program that supports STEM courses (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in middle and high schools.
Utilizing subject matter experts, the program stimulates career choices by describing positions in the aviation industry. These experts emphasize the importance of learning critical skills that students will need, and the importance of staying in school and graduating.
Using a $10 million helicopter, presentations are delivered that inspire, stimulate and literally "lift off" a student’s attitude and enthusiasm. These presentations also help students who perform well in the classroom but are looking for career options and guidance.
The program actively involves students in hands-on, real-world learning experiences that:
•Changes their perception that the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is difficult and boring
•Motivates them to become more interested, knowledgeable, and skilled in these content areas
•Inspires them to become aware of the need to set personal goals to achieve success
•Instills in them a greater understanding and appreciation of the importance and advantage of working collaboratively with others to solve problems
•Makes them recognize the importance of remaining in school and graduating
•Stimulates their interest in the technology, trades and engineering fields that are essential to providing the workforce of the future and
•Encourages them establish stronger relationships with educators, influencer, community leaders, parents, and policy makers.
PERKINS RECOGNIZED - Bill Perkins was recognized on July 28, 2016, for his 18 years of service as the Saluda County Veteran’s Affairs Officer with a retirement party sponsored by Hospice Care of South Carolina. Hospice Care would like to thank those who attended and a special thank you to Bi Lo, Dan’s, Mig’s, Lunch N Treats, and Subway who donated items for the event.
Body Found
SALUDA COUNTY ORIGIN
Unidentified Body
Found in Edgefield
On Friday, August 12 ,at approximately 1:30 PM the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office was called by the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office in reference to an unidentified body in their county.
Upon arrival in Edgefield County, it was explained to the officers that the Tri-county trash truck that had the unidentified body in it had picked up trash from a location in Saluda County.
The Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office, Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, and Aiken County Sheriff’s Office all have missing persons from their jurisdictions and will be assisting in this investigation.
SLED crime scene was called and processed the scene in Edgefield and Saluda counties. The Saluda County Coroner’s Office took possession of the unidentified body and scheduled an autopsy for Saturday the 13th of August. After the autopsy, evidence was transferred to SLED for processing to aid in the identification of the body.
At this point all agencies involved are waiting for the processing of all evidence by SLED to confirm the identification of the body and the possible location where the body was picked up by the trash truck during its route.
Coroner Ruling Spawns
Special Filing
11th Circuit Presiding Judge J. Mark Hayes II in ruling Aug. 8 in favor of Saluda County Coroner Keith Turner’s suit challenging the eligibility of his opponent, said he did not like to get involved in something that should be settled by voters, but said there was no doubt what the law required of candidates for coroner.
Turner’s suit was against Republican challenger Charles "Chuck" Adams, the Saluda County Elections Commission, S.C. Elections Commission and the Saluda County Republican Party saying said Adams did not meet the qualifications to run for Coroner.
Judge Hayes agreed. Now, the Republican Party is opening a special filing and a special primary, if needed, for anyone wishing to run for coroner in November. If anyone files, that candidate must meet the requirements as well.
Turner said he is not opposed to having someone run against.He must want the person to be qualified.
"None of these would have happened if Mr. Adams had not been certified by our Saluda County Elections Office," Turner said.
(See complete ruling in the print edition)
OUTSTANDING STUDENTS HONORED AT PIEDMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE GRADUATION - At Piedmont Technical College’s recent summer commencement exercises, outstanding students from each of the college’s seven supporting counties were honored for academic achievement. Saluda County student Mollie Hallback, right, was honored for maintaining high academic success. She was recognized by PTC Area Commission member William Whitfield, left. Hallback is a surgical technology graduate.
FARM BUREAU AMBASSADORS - The Saluda County Farm Bureau Ambassadors were named at the organization’s annual meeting Sat., Aug,. 13, at Saluda High School. Pictured, L to R, are the 2015 Ambassador Michaela Ruth Hall, and the 2016 winners, Madison Price and her brother TJ Price. (Standard-Sentinel photo)
Turner Wins Suit
Turner Wins Suit
Saluda County Coroner Keith Turner has won his suit against Republican challenger Charles "Chuck" Adams, the Saluda County Elections Commission, S.C. Elections Commission and the Saluda County Republican Party that said Adams did not meet the qualifications to run for Coroner.
Turner received word Friday that a circuit judge had ruled in his favor. A similar result was handed down recently when Laurens County Corner Nick Nichols sued over the qualifications of his opponent.
The suit sought to have Adams disqualified from running for the office and his named removed from the ballot.
More detailed information on this will be published in next week’s paper.
County Council Holds Hearing
On Comprehensive Play
County Council held a public hearing on the county’s new comprehensive plan at Monday’s meeting.
The plan is required by law and was developed by the county’s Planning Commission. The 54-page plan is available on the county’s website.
Jack Atkinson listed eight concerns he had with the proposed plan, including Saluda County’s high millage compared to neighboring counties; population diversity, addressing races growing and declining; land use as it pertains to the timber industry, which makes up 75 percent of the land area; water and sewer infrastructure, including the Town of Saluda’s current problems; fire protection, regarding the difficulty to recruit new fire fighters; road and bridges, suggesting Hwy. 178 as the highway to be four-laned in future plans, as opposed to 378 and 121; animal control, suggesting if the county cannot do it on its own, don’t do it; medical support, praising the local medical professionals, but questioning a proposed alliance with Self Hospital.
Melinda Kneece asked how much money the airport generated. Councilwoman Gwen Shealy said all improvements at the Airport came under jurisdiction and requirements of the FAA.
Mrs. Kneece also suggested statistics about all the local schools and law enforcement be included in the plan.
Planning Commission Chairman Russell Altman said the commission has worked for years on the plan, with assistance of Upper Savannah, and council members Don Hancock and Frank Daniel.
Altman said the plan looks to the future. In regards to the highways, he said the state has road improvement plants locked in to 2030, so there is little Saluda County officials can do about widening highways.
He said he would take the suggestions Atkinson and Mrs. Kneece back to the commission.
Council gave final reading to an ordinance that would give the Saluda County Board of Elections and Registration the authority to conduct the municipal election for Ridge Spring, with the town reimbursing the county for the expense. Atkinson, Elections and Registration chairman, told Council the wording in the ordinance listing the Saluda County Elections and Registration "Commission" needed to be corrected.
"We are a board now," he said.
Council approved renewing the memorandum of agreement between the county and Saluda School District One for two school resource officers.
Toby Horne of the Sheriff’s Office said this is a similar agreement approved each year, only this new one is for two-years rather than one.
Council approved a "Social Media Policy" at the suggestion of II Director Mitchell Kneece.
Grant Coordinator Jill Warren was given the go-ahead to apply for an $8080 grant from the Weyerhauser Giving Fund for school crisis response.
Among the parts of the grant will be putting first aid kits in every classroom in School District One, King Academy and Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary School, EMS Director Jacob Starnes said.
At the beginning of the meeting, Councilan Jacob Schumpert reminded the audience the Little River Fest will be held at Big Man’s Marina over the Labor Day Weekend.
Fun Time On
The Square Friday
A large crowd turned out for Saluda’s second "Movie on the Square" Fri., Aug. 5. The main event was the showing of "The Peanut’s Movie" on the big screen, but prior to that attendees enjoyed food vendors, games for the children, business tents, and a car show. (Standard-Sentinel photos)
Daniel-Day Family Reunion Visits
Daniel-Day Family
Reunion Visits
Nearly 150 members of the Daniel-Day Family visited Saluda County Fri., July 22, as part of their family reunion.
The family members come from throughout the country and hold reunions every two years. Locations since 1994 include Washington, DC, Detroit, Charleston, Williamburg, Va., and two cruises.
This year the convention headquarters is in Greenville, and the family rode two buses to Saluda County Friday.
Rosalind Daniel-Day, the organizer of Friday’s activities, said the family wanted to visit where their family began.
The Homeland Heritage tour included a visit to the Saluda County Historial Society, where family enjoyed presentations at the Saluda Theater, Saluda County Musuem and Saluda County Courthouse.
From Saluda, the family travelled to Mt. Calvary Baptist Church on Long Cane Road in Edgefield County, then stopped in Johnston, where they were greeted by Mayor GTeerrence D. Culbreath.
After visiting the Daniel family site, they travelled to Mine Creek Baptist Church, where family patriarch Lawrence Daniel is buried.
After a catered lunch, the family returned to Greenville.
State 4-H Presidential Tray Winners were honored during State 4-H Congress. Dr. Tom Dobbins and Dr. Brian Callahan were on hand to present the awards. Pictures above are (L to R) Dr. Tom Dobbins, Kat Eling (Kershaw), Andrew Owens (Hollywood), Allison Harman (Gilbert), Micah Metts (Saluda) and Dr. Brian Callahan. Allison, Andrew and Micah are 4-H members in the Saluda County 4-H program.
Saluda 4-H Members Win
Three Presidential Trays
4-H throughout the county varies and has many interests for every youth. Our three 4-H Presidential Tray Winner that are from Saluda County 4-H are examples of the variety that 4-H has to offer. For the first time in history, Saluda 4-H has three members winning the 4-H Presidential Tray on the same year. Allison Harman, Andrew Owens and Micah Metts received this honor which includes a $1500 scholarship. This award is South Carolina’s top 4-H award.
To Allison Harman, 4-H is all about cows as her projects have included showing and judging beef cattle. Her 4-H career took her to many shows across the state and to nearby states. In the fall, her livestock judging team will compete at the nationals in Louisville, Kentucky. She has also excelled in the dairy judging competitions with a state team win in 2015 and competed in the National competition in Wisconsin last fall. Allison writes, "4-H has affected me in more ways than I could’ve ever imagined." She is the daughter of Tammy and Al Harman. Allison is a graduate of Gilbert High School and will be attending Clemson University this fall to pursue a degree in Animal and Veterinary Science. Her scholarship was sponsored by the South Carolina Advocates for Agriculture.
Micah Metts was the second 4-H Presidential Tray Winner announced. Healthy Lifestyles was the project that Micah excelled