Woman Pleads Guilty

Saluda Woman Pleads Guilty
to Filing False Tax Returns

  Columbia, South Carolina  - United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon said Brenda Rodgers, age 57, of Saluda, pled guilty to Filing a False Tax Return. 
  United States District Court Judge Timothy Cain, of Anderson, accepted the plea and will sentence Rodgers after receiving and reviewing a presentence report prepared by the United States Probation Office. 
  Evidence presented at the hearing established that from 2012 through 2016, Rodgers was an employee of a property and casualty insurance agency located in Columbia.  Rodgers embezzled by writing checks from a particular client’s account to herself and forging the name of her supervisor.  During the tax years 2012 through 2016, Rodgers wrote herself 325 checks totaling over $337,000.  Rodgers concealed her activity by making false entries in the accounting records and on check stubs.  She also removed pages from the bank statements that contained photocopies of the checks transferring funds into her bank account.  By creating false entries and removing bank records, Rodgers avoided reporting taxable income associated with her embezzlement.  As a result, she avoided tax payments totaling $78,892 for the years 2012 through 2016.  As for Count 4 of the Indictment, to which she pleaded guilty, the additional tax she owed that year was at least $27,222.
  Rodgers confessed to deputies of the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, explaining that she used the money to pay bills, make car payments, and pay off her mortgage.
  The maximum penalty Rodgers faces is three years in federal prison and a fine of $100,000. 
  The United States Internal Revenue Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

Edgefield Woman Dies in
County Head-on Collision

  An Edgefield County woman died in a head-on collision in Saluda County, Fri,May 3.   According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Delphine Pickens Simpkins, 60, was driving west in a  2007 Pontiac  on Hwy. 378 a little before 3:30 p.m. when she crossed the center line and struck an eastbound 2015 Ford Truck head-on.
  Both Simpkins and the 28 year-old-driver of the truck were transported to Richland County Hospital. 
  Simpkins later died at the hospital from her injuries.   
 No charges are pending.

Two from Saluda Receive The
Charlie Foundation Scholarship

  Piedmont Technical College (PTC) recently held a Scholarship Luncheon to recognize student recipients of dozens of PTC Foundation scholarships for 2019. This year’s winners of The Charlie Foundation Scholarship are Olivia Evans and Craig McMillan, both of Saluda.
  The late Saluda County Council Chairman Don Hancock’s desire to leave a legacy that would benefit the residents of Saluda County led him to create The Charlie Foundation. The Charlie Foundation Scholarship was established in January 2018 and is available to Saluda County residents.
  Pictured from left:  Donor Representative Ann Hancock Coker, Craig McMillan, and Donor Representative Charlyn Hancock Staubes. Not pictured:  Olivia Evans.

Town Solar Project

Saluda Saves Money on Energy
Costs from Energy Efficiency
Upgrades and Solar Installation

  The Town of Saluda in South Carolina was overwhelmed with rising electricity rates. In order to maintain operating budgets, the Town understood the need to cut energy costs in its public buildings.
  Saluda identified its Town Hall as a potential building that would benefit from energy efficiency upgrades and underwent an energy audit, which resulted in the recommendation of a number of energy efficiency and renewable energy measures.
  In order to finance these upgrades, the Town of Saluda applied for a ConserFund Loan from the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff - Energy Office, which receives funding from the US Department of Energy’s State Energy Program. ConserFund provides funding for state agencies, public colleges, school districts, local governments, and 501(c)(3) organizations that are implementing energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy projects. Organizations that use this financing option are eligible to receive 100 percent of the project costs or up to $500,000 per fiscal year. The Town of Saluda was approved for a ConserFund Loan and used this financing to install LED lighting, occupancy sensors, and a rooftop solar photovoltaic array.
  Amelia Herlong, the Town of Saluda’s Mayor, reflected that, “the bills just keep getting higher and higher and it was important that we explore and see that we had this alternative for our people.” Through the following energy efficiency upgrades and solar installation, the Town of Saluda will save over $13,000 per year in energy costs:
  LED Lighting - The Town Hall received LED lighting upgrades throughout the facility. Exit signs, wall packs, and outdoor lighting were all retrofitted or replaced with LED lights, reducing the operation costs for the Town Hall. Additionally, the fire station and sanitation facilities received funds to replace lighting fixtures with LEDs.
 Occupancy Sensors - Infrared occupancy sensors – sensors that turn off lights when they detect the absence of people – were installed in infrequently used rooms such as break and meeting rooms to reduce lighting use when rooms were unoccupied. People frequently forget to shut off lights in the work place, and the occupancy sensors eliminate this human error to reduce lighting use.
   Solar Installation - In order to increase energy independence, a 26 kW rooftop solar array was installed on the Town Hall, making the Town of Saluda one of the first municipalities in South Carolina to install solar panels. The Town was able to take advantage of a bill credit incentive with the local utility, SCE&G, and receive $0.22 for every kWh of solar-generated electricity put onto the grid from the Town Hall solar array for the next 10 years. This results in the rooftop solar having an expected payback period of 3.5 years.
  The US Department of Energy’s State Energy Program provides funding and technical assistance to states, territories, and the District of Columbia to enhance energy security, advance state-led energy initiatives, and maximize the benefits of decreasing energy waste. The State Energy Program emphasizes the state’s role as the decision-maker and administrator for program activities tailored to their unique resources, delivery capacity, and energy goals.   The Town of Saluda in South Carolina was overwhelmed with rising electricity rates. In order to maintain operating budgets, the Town understood the need to cut energy costs in its public buildings.
  Saluda identified its Town Hall as a potential building that would benefit from energy efficiency upgrades and underwent an energy audit, which resulted in the recommendation of a number of energy efficiency and renewable energy measures.
  In order to finance these upgrades, the Town of Saluda applied for a ConserFund Loan from the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff - Energy Office, which receives funding from the US Department of Energy’s State Energy Program. ConserFund provides funding for state agencies, public colleges, school districts, local governments, and 501(c)(3) organizations that are implementing energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy projects. Organizations that use this financing option are eligible to receive 100 percent of the project costs or up to $500,000 per fiscal year. The Town of Saluda was approved for a ConserFund Loan and used this financing to install LED lighting, occupancy sensors, and a rooftop solar photovoltaic array.
  Amelia Herlong, the Town of Saluda’s Mayor, reflected that, “the bills just keep getting higher and higher and it was important that we explore and see that we had this alternative for our people.” Through the following energy efficiency upgrades and solar installation, the Town of Saluda will save over $13,000 per year in energy costs:
  LED Lighting - The Town Hall received LED lighting upgrades throughout the facility. Exit signs, wall packs, and outdoor lighting were all retrofitted or replaced with LED lights, reducing the operation costs for the Town Hall. Additionally, the fire station and sanitation facilities received funds to replace lighting fixtures with LEDs.
 Occupancy Sensors - Infrared occupancy sensors – sensors that turn off lights when they detect the absence of people – were installed in infrequently used rooms such as break and meeting rooms to reduce lighting use when rooms were unoccupied. People frequently forget to shut off lights in the work place, and the occupancy sensors eliminate this human error to reduce lighting use.
   Solar Installation - In order to increase energy independence, a 26 kW rooftop solar array was installed on the Town Hall, making the Town of Saluda one of the first municipalities in South Carolina to install solar panels. The Town was able to take advantage of a bill credit incentive with the local utility, SCE&G, and receive $0.22 for every kWh of solar-generated electricity put onto the grid from the Town Hall solar array for the next 10 years. This results in the rooftop solar having an expected payback period of 3.5 years.
  The US Department of Energy’s State Energy Program provides funding and technical assistance to states, territories, and the District of Columbia to enhance energy security, advance state-led energy initiatives, and maximize the benefits of decreasing energy waste. The State Energy Program emphasizes the state’s role as the decision-maker and administrator for program activities tailored to their unique resources, delivery capacity, and energy goals.

Emory School Open House

Open house was held at the recently renovated Emory School Sun., May 5. The renovation of the facility that was built in 1890, and graduated Saluda County’s only college class in 1896, was made possible by a bequest of the late Frontis Hawkins. Pictured above are, L to R, front row - House District 39 Rep. Cal Forrest; second row, Emory  Community Club board member Becky Clamp, board member Kim Porter, State Supt. of Education Molly M. Spearman, board member Betty Porter, Eagle Scout Fulton Winn, who led the “Pledge of Allegiance;” back row, County Councilman Justin Anderson, board member Randall Porter, board member Henry Clamp and board member Sherry Kirkland. (Standard-Sentinel photo)

EMORY SCHOOL ALUMNI - Several alumni were recognized at the open house at Emory School Sun., May 5.  Known alumni are Perry Black, Elizabeth Porter Camp, Helen Stoudemeyer Dasher, John Evans, Doris Porter Forrest, Ronald Porter, Donald Porter, Betty Easler Porter, Jimmy Rowe, Anne Shealy Thompson, Ruby Black Keisler, George Ray Metts. Many of the alumni are pictured above. Mrs. Thompson, 90, and Mrs. Dasher, 97, were the oldest former students to attend. (Standard-Sentinel photo)

Jumper Dies

(Sheriff’s Office Photo)

Bridge Jumper Dies

  The body of a Newberry County man was recovered less that two hours after he jumped off the bridge near Big Man’s Landing on Hwy. 391.
  According to Saluda County Coroner Keith Turner, the victim was identified as Danny Danterrio Smith, 37, of Prosperity.
  The Sheriff’s Office was called after witnesses saw Smith exit his vehicle, sit on the bridge’s guardrail, and then jump, feet first, into the water below, Chief Deputy Chris Cockrell said.
  Eye witnesses, which included a fisherman in a boat and people at the Landing, reported seeing Smith come up several time and then go under for good.
  Newberry, Lexington, and DNR marine patrols responded to assist in the search, as well as Prosperity Rescue/Dive Teams.
  Turner said Smith went into the water at approximately 10:55 a.m. and his body was recovered at 12:38 p.m. near the spot where he jumped.
  Sheriff John Perry would like to thank Newberry Sheriff’s Office, Lexington Sheriff’s Office, Prosperity Fire and Rescue and SC Department of Natural Resources for the rapid recovery.
  The sheriff asked that everyone lift up the family of the deceased.

SOUTH  CAROLINA  AMERICAN  LEGION  PALMETTO BOY’S  STATE - The American Legion’s Boys State program is a “Laboratory of Government”.  A unique way for young men to learn about the American system of government.   These young men learn politics by participating in a mock governmental system. For the year 2019, Palmetto Boy’s State will be held at Anderson University, Anderson, SC, June 9th  through 15th.   Citizens pictured left to right:  Joe Ordile, Saluda High, son of Louis and Kim Ordile; Cade Gentry, Saluda High, son of Matt and Jennifer Gentry; Jacob McCary, Saluda High, son of Thomas (Rickey) and Stephanie McCary; Matthew Herlong, Saluda High, son of Lee and Callie Herlong; Dylan Matthews, King Academy, son of Wayne and Sherri Matthews. The Saluda American Legion Post 65 wishes to thank all who interviewed and everyone supporting Saluda  American Legion Post 65 in making this 2019 encampment  possible. These Citizens are sponsored by American Legion Post 65, Saluda, SC, John Hood, Post 65 Commander.

Emory School Open House

  The public is invited to the open house at the newly removated Emory School on Sunday, May 5.
  Doors at 2 p.m. at 2:30 the school bell will ring followed by a brief history of Emory School presented by Ralph Sheal.  Among those expected to attend are Molly Mitchell Spearman , S.C. Superintendent of Education, Cal Forrest, S.C. House Representative for District 39, and Justin Anderson, County Council representative for District 3.
  lf you can not make it to the the program please drop in from 3pm-4pm to check out the latest restoration and renovations.
  The school is located at 416 Emory Road.

Saluda County’s New 1% Local Tax Begins May 1

  The Sales Tax rate in Saluda County will increase to 8% beginning May 1, a result of last November’s voter referendum.
  County voters in the general election approved a 1% Sales Tax increase for capital projects, changing the county’s Sales Tax rate to 8%.
  The 1% is in addition to the county’s existing Local Option Tax.
  The money from the Sales Tax increase is to be used for specific building projects, including replacement of the county’s jail, estimated to cost $8.4 million.
  Those paying an Accommodations Tax will pay 9%.
  The new tax will expire in eight years or when the tax generates $9.4 million, whichever comes first, unless voters approve another referendum.
  Twenty-one other counties have a Capital Projects Tax. Calhoun County voters also approved a 1% Capital Projects Tax in November. Georgetown County’s Capital Projects Tax ends after April 30.
  The tax does not apply to sales of unprepared food.
  For more information about the state’s Sales Tax, visit the South Carolina Department of Revenue’s website at dor.sc.gov/tax/sales.