General Election Nov. 8 2016

General Election November 8

  Voters in Saluda County will join the rest of the nation in going to the polls Tues., Nov. 8, in the General Election.
  Of course, the main contest is the battle for President between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, but there are also some important local races.
  Democratic Saluda County Sheriff John Perry is being challenged by Republican Robin Freeman, a Saluda police captain. Both men are sons of police officers and have years of experience in law enforcement in Saluda County. Freeman defeated former Sheriff Jason Booth in the Republican  Primary.
  Democratic Saluda County Coroner Keith Turner will meet Republican Randall Maffett.
  Turner challenged the qualifications of the original Republican candidate Chuck Adams. A judge ruled in Turner’s favor.
  Because Adams was disqualified, the Republican Party was  able to open the books again and Maffett, a retired Highway Patrol lieutenant, filed. He meets all the qualifications.
  All of Saluda County’s voters can cast ballots in those two elections. The other contested races are in districts.
  In County Council District 2 incumbent William Pugh, a Democrat, faces Republican DJ Miller, a former county IT manager.
  In State Senate District 10 Democratic incumbent Floyd Nicholson will meet Ninety Six auctioneer Bryan Hope, a Republican.
  State Senate District 26 will see Democratic incumbent Nikki Setzler meeting Republican Brad Lindsey.
  Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
  Saluda County has 30 different ballots with all the districts in county, school and state elections, so it is impossible to print all of the sample ballots, but following are all the races:
 
President and Vice President
  Hillary Clinton and Timothy Kaine, Democratic
  Donald Trump and Michael Pence, Republican 
  Darrell Castle and Scott Bradley, Constitution
  Evan McMullin and Nathan Johnson, Independence
  Jill Stein and Ajamu Baraka, Green  
  Peter Skewes and Michael Lacy, American
  Gary Johnson and Bill Weld, Libertarian

US Senate
  Thomas Dixon, Democratic
  Thomas Dixon, Working Families
  Bill Bledsoe, Constitution
  Thomas Dixon, Green
  Tim Scott, Republican
  Rebel Michael Scarborough, American  
  Bill Bledsoe, Libertarian

U.S. House of Representatives. District 03
  Hosea Cleveland, Democratic
  Jeff Duncan, Republican
  State Senate, District 10
  Floyd Nicholson, Democratic
  J Bryan Hope, Republican
  State Senate District 25
  Shane Massey, Republican
  State Senate, District 26
  Nikki Setzler, Democratic
  Brad Lindsey, Republican

State House of Representatives, District 39
  Tillman Gives, Democratic
  Cal Forrest, Republican

State House of Representatives, District 82
  William Bill Clyburn

Solicitor Circuit 11
  Rick Hubbard, Republican
LOCAL RACES 
Sheriff
  John C Perry, Democratic
  Robin Freeman, Republican
Clerk of Court
  Sherri Coleman, Republican
Coroner
  Keith Turner, Democratic
  Randall Maffett , Republican
County Council District 02
  William Billie Pugh , Democratic
  DJ David Miller, Republican
County Council District 04
  Jones Butler, Republican
Soil and Water District Commission
  P Kevin Yon,  Non-Partisan
School Trustee District, 03 (Lexington School District)
  Craig A Caughman
  Stacey B Derrick
  Leon Drafts
  Lancer Shull
School Board District, District 01 (Aiken School District)
  Ronnie West
School Board District 1 Seat 3 
  William Eberz
School Board District 1 Seat 1  
  Sharon Williams Holloway
School Board District 1 Seat 5 
  James M Holloway Sr
School Board District 1 Seat 7
  Arlene S Puryear
Probate Judge
  Brenda Griffith, Republican

Fall Fest

Richland Creek Antique Fall
Festival  November 4, 5, 6

  The 21th Annual Fall Festival/Tractor/Engine show and pull will be held at  Richland Creek Farms, 542 Richland Creek Road, Ward, S. C. 29166.
  The festival    site is located between Batesburg-Leesville, Ridge Spring and Saluda. From  Batesburg-Leesville take Hwy. 178 north toward Saluda or from Ridge Spring take Hwy. 39 north toward Saluda from Saluda take Hwy. 39 south toward  Ridge Spring follow the signs and exit onto Duncan Road which leads to Richland Creek Road.                                
  This family event has activities planned for everyone with demonstrations  of old farm machinery, steam engine, saw mill, hit miss engines,  syrup cooking, shingle making, thrashing of grain, blacksmith shop, a barnyard   exhibit, pedal tractor race/pull and a antique tractor pull for tractors through   1960 also vendors and exhibitors plus great food vendors.
  The gates open each day at 9:00 A. M. and the tractor pull begins with    a demonstration pull  at 7:00 P.M. on Friday and the Saturday competition pull beginning at 1:00 P. M.                               
  The highlight for the weekend is a visit to Richland Springs Baptist Church  for Old Fashion Day on Sunday beginning at 10:00 A. M. The church is located    at 1895 Duncan Road.    
  Admission is $5.00 a day for Friday and Sunday and $10.00 a day on Saturday     for adults; children under 12 years old are admitted free. RV hookups are available    by reservations  at $45.00 for the weekend for water/electric only.     This is an educational/family event and NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR OTHER    CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCE WILL BE PERMITTED!!!    
  For additional information see our web site at: www.richlandcreek antiques.com,    or call 864 445 2781/e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Veterans Day
Program Announced

  Al Butler, Commander of Saluda American Legion Post 65, announced “that the Veterans Day program will be held at the Saluda Theater, Friday, November 11th, 2016, at 4 pm”.  
  Pictured above is a young 20 year old Specialist 4 Marvin Gootee surveying the tank damage and crater from a land mine planted by the Viet Cong.
  Gootee, a highly decorated soldier and Vietnam combatant is the recipient of 3 Purple Hearts and other decorations for valor and service. The Saluda High School’s Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) Color Guard will post the Colors. Followed by Jerry Farmer leading the singing of the National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”. Next, Gootee, an active  member of Saluda American Legion Post 65, will be the keynote speaker. Gootee will narrate a slide presentation depicting some of his experiences fighting the Viet Cong (VC). 
  Following the keynote speaker, American Legionnaire Tena Buffington will present a slide presentation portraying Saluda County Veterans. A wreath laying ceremony will be held at the Veterans Monument following the program at the theater. The public is encouraged to come and help celebrate Veterans Day.  Veterans Day is a Federal Holiday devoted to all living armed service members, who served honorably in war time and peace time, thanking them for their noble service to this great nation of ours. Remember Freedom Is Not Free.

Hall of Fame

2016 Saluda District Hall of Fame
Class To Be Inducted Friday

  The Saluda County School District OneHall of Fame Class of 2016 will be inducted Fri., Oct. 14, duriing halftime of the Saluda -Keenan football game.  
  The inductees include:
  Molly Spearman - A graduate of Hollywood High School. Mrs. Spearman spent 18 years as a teacher and administrator at Hollywood.  She currently serves as SC State Superintendent of Education.
  William “Bill” Whitfield - Served 33 years as a teacher and principal at Saluda High School.
  Gloria Caldwell - Served 31 years as a teacher and media specialist at Saluda High School.  Published several works involving Saluda schools and community.
  Diedra “Didi” Clark Rankin - Clark was named All-State in basketball and an All-American in softball in 1980.  
  Jonell Bosket - First female basketball player in Saluda history to score 1,000 career points.  She played 1977 North-South All-Star basketball game and started at point guard for four seasons at Lander University.  She is a 33 year veteran of Air Force and Air Force reserves.
  Tommy Hite - Head coach of the 1941 Class A State Championship football team.  He went on to coach at Abbeville, where the stadium in named in his honor.

Ridge Spring Harvest
Festival This Weekend

  The Ridge Spring Harvest Festival will beheld this weekend with the  festival theme, “Bluegrass and BB.,”
  “The Harvest Festival Committee introduced a music theme this year because music festivals are fun and energetic, and members agreed that bluegrass bands were a good fit for Ridge Spring’s grassroots feel,” said Dr. Ann Marie Taylor, chairperson of the Committee. “The new theme presents opportunities to showcase regional musicians, with most of this year’s talent hailing from South Carolina.”
  Musical entertainment begins Friday, October 14, with a 6 p.m. performance by the Carolina Rebels. On Saturday, Back Porch Bluegrass kicks off a day filled with music at 1 p.m.; West End String Band plays at 3 p.m.; Columbia Bluegrass Company performs at 5 p.m.; and Steam Drill plays at 7 p.m. All performances take place at the gazebo on Highway 23. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets and relax on the grass around the gazebo.
  In addition to the bluegrass performances, this year will also feature a new BBQ cook-off, with judging taking place Saturday, October 15, plus a photo booth, a mechanical bull, and a balloon artist.
  Festival mainstays are still on the schedule. Bingo at the Ridge Spring Civic Center is Thursday, October 13 at 7 p.m., with concessions starting at 6 p.m. The parade on Main Street begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 15. Other festival favorites include the popular country store, arts and crafts, concessions, and children’s rides and games.
  “I believe a true sense of community pride develops when there’s an event in the heart of town in which everyone can participate,” Taylor said. “That sense of community pride is one reason the Harvest Festival is so important.”
  Mark your calendar for the Ridge Spring Harvest Festival October 13 to 15 and come ready to enjoy food, music, fun and time spent with friends old and new.
  For more information about the 2016 Ridge Spring Harvest Festival, including a full schedule of events, visit www.ridgespringharvest festival.com.

Saluda County EMS
helps out in Lowcountry

  Saluda Co. EMS sent an ambulance to the Lowcountry to assist with Hurricane Matthew.
  The crew consisted of Ridge Hosteen  (Paramedic) and Angela Gibson (EMT). The crew spent a total of 48 hours stationed at one of Berkeley County’s sub station. They assisted in several different things from overloaded call volumes , shelters , and evacuations.
  EMS Director Jacob Starnes stated that he received a call from the state late Thursday evening wanting to know if Saluda had any available units that could assist in the Lowcountry. Fortunately, we had an extra unit that we were able to send.
  The crew left on Friday morning and returned back to Saluda late Sunday evening. Starnes also stated that he was very thankful for the crew’s willingness to leave home and go help our state in a time in need.