2021 Year In Review
2021 YEAR IN REVIEW
The Year 2021 was highlighted by continued Covid concerns.
Saluda County began the year with 1078 cases and 24 deaths, and ended the year with 2645 cases and 50 deaths.
Saluda County began the year with 1078 cases and 24 deaths, and ended the year with 2645 cases and 50 deaths.
The rest of the news was fairly typical.
The best news, perhaps, was prpovided by sports’ teams.
The Saluda High School girls basketball team won the state championship for the first time in school history.
Saluda County’s youth baseball program began in 1961, and in those previous 60 years, no local team had ever won a state championship or gone to the World Series.
In 2021, a girls’ softball team won the state championship and finished third in the World Series, and the minor league all-stars finished second in the state, got invited to the Dixie Youth World Series and finished as the runners-up.
Following is the Year In Review:
JANUARY
•The swearing-in ceremonies for Saluda County’s newly elected officers were held Tues., Jan. 5. Sworn into office were Sheriff Josh Price, the Sheriff’s Office deputies, County Councilman Jack Atkinson and Carey Bedenbaugh. Along with the county officers, District 10 Senator Billy Garrett of Greenwood also came to Saluda County to be sworn in.
•In his second week in office, Sheriff Josh Price’s officers have made five arrests in two separate incidences.
On Jan. 14, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Chappells Highway in reference to a larceny in progress. The subjects fled into the woods. The bloodhound tracking team responded to the scene and shortly after, Phillip Derrick and Christopher Claphan (both of Greenwood County) were both arrested and charged accordingly.
Three suspects were arrested on Jan. 15 in connection to a burglary that occurred near Holly Ferry Road. Jessie Brazell, Nicholas Bullock, and Melyssa Skowron (all from Lexington County) are currently behind bars at the Saluda County Detention Center.
•Wed., Jan. 20, the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a residence on Little Country Road, resulting in the arrest of two people on burglary charges.
Stolen property was recovered that was related to several unsolved burglaries in Saluda County. Natasha Smith and Ryan Hallback were arrested and charged with multiple counts of burglary and larceny.
•Sat. morning, Jan. 23, a military ordnance was located underwater near Black’s Bridge in Saluda County on Hwy. 391.
The ordnance was removed from the water and transported to a nearby safe location where it was destroyed.
The ordnance was identified as an 81 millimeter military mortar round by the United States Air Force EOD detachment. Authorities said that it is hard to say the age or length of time the ordinance was in the lake.
•The driver injured in a highway accident died eight days after the incident.
The Saluda County Coroner’s Office reported a one vehicle collision occurred on January 15, 2021 on the Denny Hwy / Hwy 194 in Saluda County.
The driver of the vehicle, Chester Chrisley, age 76, of Saluda County, sustained injuries and was transported by Saluda EMS to Prisma Health Richland Hospital.
We said good-bye....
Caylie Crystal Berry, 1, whose battle withy cancer at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital was widely followed by county citizens, passed away Tuesday, January 12 at her home.
Longtime Town of Saluda employee Joseph Steven Rhinehart, 68, passed away Thursday, January 7.
Francis Eugene “Gene” Todd, 84, longtime Saluda District One teacher., passed away Saturday, January 23.
Josie Rinehart Black, 89, retired Hollywood Elementary School secretary, passed away Monday, January 25.
Richard Wilson Ergle, 65, owner and operator of Ergle Tree and Construction, passed away Wednesday, January 27.
FEBRUARY
•Saluda County was awarded $4,502.00 Federal Funds made available through the Phase 38 under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board program. Saluda County has been chosen to receive $4,502.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the County.
•The Town of Saluda’s newly re-elected Town Council members Obie Comb and John Mark Griffith
•Christy Corley Nichols, a board member for Saluda County Schools, has been recognized by the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) for 15 years of school board service. She received a pin and certificate from the SCSBA for her years of service were sworn into office Tues., Feb. 2.
•The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office has made seven drug arrest recently.
“The Sheriff’s Office is working proactively to attack the dangerous drug problem in Saluda County,” Sheriff Josh Price said.
Below are recent drug arrests:
James Adams- Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine, DUI
Davey Keith Bedenbaugh - Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine
Kimberly Lee Hall- Possession of Methamphetamine
Anthony Holmes- Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine
Michelle Lewis- Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine
Louis Medina- Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine
Emily Moore- Possession of Methamphetamine
•Legendary Saluda educator Dr. Bela Herlong died Mon., Feb. 15, at the age of 89.
The 1967 South Carolina Teacher of the Year was one of five finalist for National Teacher of the Year that same year.
She was the English teacher to thousands during her five decades at Saluda High School.
•For the first time since 1953, the Saluda High School girls basketball team earned the right to play for the State Championship. The Lady Tigers won the Upperstate Championship Sat., Feb. 27, at Clinton High School with a hard fought 62-56 win over Blacksburg.
•Saluda High’s Kalisha Hill was named the 2A girls state Player of the Year by the S.C. Basketball Coaches Association
We said good-bye...
Gayle Smith Williams, 74, a former Miss Saluda, passed away Thursday, February 4.
Harry Bradley Rude, 75, owner and operator of Bradley & Rude House Moving, passed away Saturday, February 6.
Winton Marie Foster Edwards, 86, part owner and operator of Edwards Auto Service, passed away Sunday, February 28.
MARCH
•Coach Jeanette Ergle Wilder’s Saluda Lady Tigers won the school’s first girls’ State Championship with a convincing 61-41 win over Silver Bluff Wed., Mar. 3, at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center.
•Saluda High School student Hunter Hopkins was accepted into the Clemson University LIFE program.
“Clemson LIFE is a program offered at Clemson university which allows students with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to have a college experience of their very own, learn skills for self sufficiency and self efficacy, and in fact, train them to become employable,” Saluda High School Director of Guidance, Dr. Bryan Vacchio said.
•Thurs., Mar. 11, was a tremendous day in Saluda County Schools! All district students took advantage of an e-learning day at home, while every district employee
and many Saluda County residents had the chance to get their first dose of the COVID-19, vaccine!
•The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office made several narcotics related arrests last week.
Earlier last week, the Sheriff’s Office executed a a residence on Spann Road. Kimberly Hall was arrested for multiple methamphetamine charges to include distribution and possession of methamphetamine.
Other narcotics arrests this week include:
Joseph Goodman, Leo Abney, Cameron Atkins, Lindsey Davis, Bailey Gibson.
•Hector Ortiz , a triple major from Saluda, studying biology, philosophy and Spanish, was named Wofford College’s 38th Presidential International Scholar. He will spend the 2021-2022 academic year studying the relationship between public health and culture in Argentina and South Africa.
•Saluda High’s 2A State Champion girls basketball team was saluted Sun. afternoon Mar. 21 by their fans as they marched from to Courthouse to the football stadium.
•Two men, Aaron Hood and Shawn Pridgen, have been arrested in connection with the shooting death of a Saluda man.
The victim was pronounced dead on scene by Saluda County Coroner Keith Turner. The victim has been identified as Xavier Cancer of Saluda County.
Aaron Hood has been arrested and charged for the crimes of murder and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature following a shooting incident that occurred on March 16, 2021 on Keisha Avenue in the Town of Saluda.
After the shooting, Hood and Pridgen fled the scene on foot. Hood was arrested soon after the shooting. Deputies located Pridgen and took him into custody on the evening of March 16, 2021. Shawn Pridgen has been charged with Accessory to Murder.
•Saluda County’s Gene Berry, Jr., beloved teacher, conservationist, and devoted friend, was honored posthumously by the Upper Savannah Land Trust as the 2021 Peggy Adams Conservation Award winner.
•The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged three individuals for Trafficking Methamphetamine and Distribution of Methamphetamine.
Arrested were Larry Craig Boatwright, Amysue Robinson, and Stephen Burgess were all taken into custody after a narcotics operation that was executed on March 24, 2021.
(Continued on page 2)
Happy New Year 2022!
Arrest Made In
Golf Cart Theft
Two people have been taken into custody for the theft of a golf cart in Saluda County.
During the early morning hours of December 13th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a U-Haul truck on Greenwood Highway. Deputies located a golf cart in the back of the U-Haul.
Deputies at the time, could not determine if the golf cart was stolen, but three occupants in the vehicle appeared to be very suspicious and did not provide the same story to deputies.
The golf cart was impounded at the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, and the driver was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. A few hours later, the Sheriff’s Office received a phone call reporting the theft of a golf cart from a residence on Greenwood Highway.
The driver of the U-Haul, Terrance Gilchrist, was additionally charged with Grand Larceny, Burglary 2nd Degree, and Criminal Conspiracy.
Warrants were obtained for the two other occupants of the vehicle, Alonzo Craig Hawes ll, and Alonzo Craig Hawes Jr for the same charges related to the theft of the golf cart. Alonzo Craig Hawes Jr. was arrested Dec. 20 and booked into the Saluda County Detention Center. The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office is working with the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office on additional larcenies that have occurred in Greenwood and Saluda Counties. Alonzo Craig Hawes ll is still wanted by the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Price asks that you remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office.
Lambries Named To Piedmont
Technical College Commission
Former Saluda County Council Chairman Dennis Lambries, Ph.D., has been appointed to the Piedmont Technical Education Commission to represent Saluda County, succeeding the late BillWhitfield.
Lambries is currently instructor of political science at Newberry College.
The commission is the governing body for Piedmont Technical College, which serves Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda counties. Members are recommended by their legislative delegation and appointed by the governor for four-year terms.
Lambries teaches a variety of political science courses at Newberry College, including American government, state and local government, parties and elections, public policy, public opinion and emergency management.
Prior to his arrival at Newberry, Lambries taught graduate and undergraduate courses at the University of South Carolina. He has also served as assistant director of the Survey Research Laboratory at the Institute for Public Service and Policy Research.
Lambries holds a bachelor’s degree from Chapman College, along with a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in public administration from the University of South Carolina.
2022 Saluda County Council Meetings
Regular meetings of Saluda County Council are held on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Saluda County Administration Building, 400 West Highland Street, Saluda, South Carolina. The agenda for each regular meeting will be posted at the County Council office, the County Courthouse and on the Saluda County website at www.saludacounty.sc.gov.
Meeting dates for 2022 will be as follows unless changes are made by Council: January 10; February 14; March 14; April 11; May 9; June 13; July 11; August 8; September 12; October 10; November 14, and December 12.
Last Council Meeting of 2021
Council Ends Year
With Long Meeting
Saluda County Council closed out 2021 with a lengthy meeting on Mon., Dec. 12.
Public hearings, public presentations, ordinance readings and a long executive session accounted for the over two hour meeting.
Vice-chairman Carey Bedenbaugh presided in the absence of Chairman Jerry Strawbridge.
Ann Forrest Watkins and Brittin Bryan Padgett addressed the animal control problem in the county.
Mrs. Watkins said no citizen of Saluda County is unaware of the problem, and listed several instances of stray and mistreated animals. She also told of an out of county case of a stray dog chasing a child into the road and the child was struck by a car and killed.
Mrs. Watkins asked about the funds for animal shelter Saluda County citizens approved when they voted for an addition one cent sales tax.
“We should know where that money is going,” she said.
Mrs. Padgett said she works at a veterinary clinic in Newberry and sees stray animals on her commute every day. She said her clinic gets calls form Saluda County citizens about problem animals almost everyday.
Saluda County law enforcement answered over 300 animal complaints this year, she said.
She suggested the county pass an animal control ordinance, which would include fines for noncompliance. She mentioned Richland County has fines up to $500.
Animal control could be partially self supporting if the county would implement fines and licenses for all pets. She estimated Saluda County had 13,400 pets, and at five dollars a license that would raise $67,000.
Both women mentioned to need for pet owners to have their pets spayed or neutered.
Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority director Jason Fell asked Council to consider using some funds the county has received from the American Recovery Plan Act to go toward water and sewer projects.
Fell said the SCWSA has partnered with the Town of Saluda to build a sewerage treatment plant, and has entered into an agreement with Ridge Spring to provide water and sewer for that town. The Ridge Spring project is due to go into effect in 2023. These projects and others total $70 million.
Fell said he would be happy to meet with Council to further explain the projects.
Public hearings were held on the following:
An ordinance to adopt a false fire alarm ordinance for the County of Saluda. This ordinance it to encourage business and home owners to maintain alarms systems properly.
An ordinance to lease T-Hangars at the Saluda County Airport.
An ordinance to repeal the old T-Hangar leasing ordinance.
No one spoke at the public hearings.
In the old business portion of the meeting, third readings were givens to an ordinance providing for the naming of roads and the addressing of properties in Saluda County, an ordinance to repeal No. 11-91, naming of roads and the addressing of properties in Saluda County, and an ordinance to adopt a false fire alarm ordinance for the County of Saluda.
Second readings were given to an ordinance to lease T-Hangars at the Saluda County Airport, an ordinance to repeal the old T-Hangar leasing ordinance.
The third reading of the ordinance to transfer real property located at to 101 Civic Street, Saluda, to the YMCA hit a snag.
Councilman Jack Atkinson raised some concerns. Unfortunately, his microphone was not working and no one listening to the meeting on Facebook live could hear a word he said.
Council voted to postpone voting on the ordinance until January. After coming out of executive session, however, Council decided to bring the ordinance back up for a vote and it passed.
In new business, first reading was given to an ordinance granting a fee in lieu of ad valorem taxes for Project Thunder II, and authorizing the expansion of a multi-county business park.
Fire Coordinator Luke Downing asked permission to apply for V-Safe Grants that can be used for to purchase equipment at the Fire Departments. The grant if approved would provide $30,000 for each county department and there is no required match.
Emergency Management Director Josh Morton asked approval of the rental of space on the county’s radio tower.
Downing returned to seek funding for the replacement of the Mayson Fire Department’s squad truck, which was totaled earlier this year. The county received $50,000 from the insurance company, and a new vehicle can be purchased for $63,285. Downing asked permission to use the insurance payment, plus $13,285 from the Fire Truck Account to purchase the new truck.
All three of these requests were approved.
The final item on the agenda was reappointing members of the GLEAMS Board.
Teens Die In Wreck
Two Saluda High Seniors
Die In Newberry Wreck
Two popular Saluda High School seniors died in a two car collision near Newberry on Fri., Dec. 10.
The driver in the other car also died.
According to Newberry County Coroner Laura Kneece the victims were 17-year-old Jasmine Rosas of Saluda, who was driving, as well as 17-year-old Jason Santos, also of Saluda, who was her passenger. Also killed was 21-year-old Colin Kittrell of Greer who was the driver of the other vehicle.
According to Master Trooper Brandon Bolt of the S.C. Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at approximately 3 p.m. on Hwy. 34, near Hwy. 121, about 2.8 miles from Newberry.
The 2016 Nissan Sentra, driven by Rosas, and the 2019 Jeep Cherokee, driven by Kittrell, collided head-on.
All the victims were seatbelted and were entrapped.
All were pronounced dead at the scene according to Kneece.
Autopsies have been scheduled for the upcoming week as the coroner’s office and the SCHP MAIT unit continue their investigation.
The tragedy marks the second time in less than two years that Saluda High School has lost two students in a highway accident. On Jan. 27, 2020, Drayton Black, 17, and Jaden Coleman, 16, died in a one vehicle accident.
Santa Visits Saluda Tech Campus
Santa Charlie made a surprise visit to the PTC Saluda Campus Dec. 9 to spread holiday cheer to students, staff, and PTC President Dr. Rivers. After meeting one furry resident of the campus, Santa may be renegotiating his Dec. 24 transportation contract. (Piedmont Technical College photos)
Piedmont Tech Fall
Graduations Set for Dec. 16
Piedmont Technical College (PTC) will hold two in-person fall commencement exercises on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021.
An afternoon ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. for Administrative Office Technology, Business, Computer Technology, Commercial Art, Public Service, and Engineering & Industrial Technology graduates.
An evening ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. for Health Care, Associate in Arts, and Associate in Science graduates.
Both commencements will take place in the James Medford Family Event Center on PTC’s Lex Walters Campus-Greenwood.
The student speakers for the 3 p.m. ceremony will be Amy Marshall, a Human Services major from Leesville, and Haylee Godfrin, a General Technology, Advertising Design/Photography major from Greenwood.
Student speakers for the 7 p.m. ceremony will be Jake Roberts, an Associate Degree Nursing major from Greenwood, and Jaqueline Escobar-Rivera, a Cardiovascular Technology major from Newberry.
In the interest of safety, PTC has increased security measures for all graduation ceremonies. Face coverings are required, and all guests are encouraged to leave unnecessary items in vehicles. Umbrellas and balloons will NOT be allowed into the event. Any bags carried into the Medford Center must be made of clear plastic.
This is a ticketed event. Each individual ticketholder, including children, will be entitled to one seat only. The Emerald City Brass will provide musical entertainment.