2020 In Review
2020 THE YEAR IN REVIEW
The Year 2020 will always be remembered for COVID-19.
No one needs to be told about the pandemic, because practically every person in the world was affected.
Saluda County had some positives. The County, Town of Saluda and the County Water & Sewer Authority joined together for a new wastewater treatment plant project. Two new giant solar farms were announced, and Amick Farms, Best Chicken and Palmetto Gourmet Foods advertised for new employees.
Following is the year in review:
JANUARY
•The Saluda Soil & Water Conservation District presented a plaque and sign for the 2019 Cooperator of the Year Award to Mr. & Mrs. Jimmie Boland of Boland Farm.
•For the second year in a row, the month of December led the year for the most rainfall. December’s 8.92 inches clipped August’s 8.65 total. Last year, 8.50 inches fell in December.
•Tanner Quattlebaum, Saluda Fire Department, was named the 2019 Saluda County Firefighter of the Year at the annual dinner hosted by the Saluda Fire Department on January 6, 2020. Tanner was presented the award by the State Farm-Kelly White Agency Team.
•Josh Price announced his candidacy for Saluda County Sheriff.
•The Town of Saluda surprised longtime employee Rebecca Brunson at the Tues., Jan. 14, Council meeting. Rebecca recently became a US citizen, after an eight year effort. Mayor Amelia Herlong presented Mrs. Brunson a flag that flew over the State House, and a certificate signed by Rep. Cal Forrest and the Speaker of the House.
•The Saluda County Public Library welcomed its new director, Heath Ward. Ward has 10 years of experience in public libraries, working in Spartanburg County and Pickens County.
•Jerry Strawbridge won the Jan. 21 Republican Primary to fill the unexpired term of County Council Chairman, Derrick Jones, who resigned. Strawbridge got 879 votes to challengers Wesley Boland’s 433, and Billie Corley’s 186.
•Three men with Saluda County ties were among 18 law enforcement officers from around the state to be presented the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association “Medal of Valor Award” Thurs., Jan. 23, in Columbia. Receiving the award were: Chief Deputy Toby Horne, and Lieutenant Donovan Shealy of Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, and Special Agent Russ Padgett, SC Law Enforcement Division. All three men wee nominated by Saluda County Sheriff John Perry.
•George Shaw, Distribution Superintendent for Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority (SCWSA) won the WEASC Capital District as the Distribution Operator of the Year Award in Lexington, on January 16th. There are over 1000 members to the WEASC Capital District.
•Saluda County 4-Her and resident, Allie Trotter, was crowned the 2020 Miss S.C. 4-H Queen.
•Two Saluda High School students died and one was seriously injured in a crash in Saluda County Mon., Jan. 27. Drayton Wade Black, 17, and Jaden Coleman, 16, both died at the scene of the collision, while Jaden’s brother, Kadius, received injuries and was taken to Prisma Health Richland Hospital. Black was a senior and Jaden was a sophomore at Saluda High School.
•Rip Tafta, Water Treatment Superintendent for Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority (SCWSA) won the WEASC Capital District and WEASC Statewide award as the Water Treatment Plant Operator of the Year.
• At Piedmont Technical College’s recent fall commencement exercises, outstanding students from each of the college’s seven supporting counties were honored for academic achievement. Martin Martinez-Clavijo, who graduated with an associate in applied science with a major of mechatronics technology, was the honoree for Saluda County.
•The golf cart shed at Persimmon Hill Golf Club completely burned to the ground before daybreak Fri., Jan. 31. Saluda Fire Chief Edwin Riley said all the club’s golf carts were destroyed.
WE SAID GOOD-BYE..
•Brigadier General Claude Wayne Boone (known to most as “Wayne”) entered into eternal rest on January 28, at Self Memorial Hospital in Greenwood.
FEBRUARY
•The Saluda County Young Farmer and Agri-business Chapter was well represented at the 72nd annual convention held January 31-February 2 at the Double Tree Resort. During this event, Reggie Padgett was presented the Farmer & Agribusiness Award for Region II and the State. This is one of the highest awards available to a state member. Reggie manages the processing plant at Hickory Hill Milk.
•Torrential rains that began Thurs., Feb. 6, and caused flooding. According to County Emergency Management Director Josh Morton, “We did have a number of county and state roads flooded and closed during the storm. Luckily we were spared from the most significant winds and tornados. Many of our neighboring counties were not as fortunate.”
•Bruce Horne was recognized by County Council for his over 35-years of service to the county. Horne retired Jan. 31 as a County Magistrate.
• The “S.C. High School Sports Report” recognized the 2019 football State Champion Tigers. Stewart Young was named AA coach of the Year; Jeanette Wilder was named S.C. School Administrator of the Year. Named to the AA All-State team were: Noah Bell (AA Player of the Year), Dallan Wright (AA Offensive Player of the Year); Reagan Cherry, Hayden Cherry, Cade Gentry, Jacob McCary, Jervon Whitt and Montravious Baker.
•Former Saluda High School teacher of Dr. Bela Herlong published a book of poetry, A Certain View: The Poetry of Bela Herlong—A Life in Parts.
•The Town of Saluda posted on its Facebook page a photo of a coyote roaming on North Rudolph Street Fri., Feb. 21, and urged citizens to take caution.
•Samantha Nichols, of Saluda was crowned Miss Upstate at the pageant held at Powdersville High School Sat., Feb. 22.
•Mon., Feb. 24, was a big day for Ridge Spring-Monetta schools. Ribbon cutting was held for the new high school, with principal, Dr. KaRon Webb, doing the honors. Students moved into the school in January. Also held was a groundbreaking for the new elementary school that will be built on the campus.
•The Saluda High School AA State Championship football team was recognized in both chambers of the State House Thurs., Feb. 27. The Saluda County delegation, Rep. Cal Forrest, Rep. Bill Clyburn, Sen. Floyd Nicholson, Sen. Shane Massey, Sen. Nikki Setzler, and State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman joined in the salute to the Tigers. The team was treated to a meal in the Top of Carolina dining room following the State House visit.
•Sixteen Saluda High School agricultural education students attended the SC FFA-sponsored State Legislators Appreciation Ceremony in Columbia February 26.
•The Saluda High girls basket ball team advanced to the 2A Upperstate Championship, before falling to defending state champions Christ Church. The Lady Tigers finished 20-2.
(Continued on next page)
Happy New Year 2020
Saluda County Forestry Association Scholarship Winners
By: Stephen Pohlman,
Clemson Extension
Forestry Agent
Though the Saluda County Forestry Association was unable to hold their annual Christmas Banquet this year, the group was excited to be able to carry on the tradition of supporting Saluda County youth.
Each year the association provides scholarship to Saluda County youth who are currently pursuing college degrees in forestry or other natural resources related fields. This year $2,000 scholarships were provided to Grantt Doolittle, Jessica Eidson, and Drew Proctor.
A special Thank You to our Saluda County Forestry Association members and local businesses and organizations who help make these scholarships possible each year through their generous donations. Typically these gracious sponsors are listed on the Christmas Banquet program. This year, however, we will be featuring them on a billboard in the town of Saluda to recognize them for their continued support of youth and forestry.
If anyone is interested in learning more about donating to the forestry scholarships or becoming a part of the Saluda County Forestry Association can contact Stephen Pohlman, Clemson Extension Area Forestry Agent at spohlma@clemson. edu.
The Saluda County Forestry Association and Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
969 County COVID
Cases, 23 Deaths
Saluda County’s COVID-19 cases have risen to 969 (913 actual, 56 probable), with 23 deaths.
The county had 440 cases per 100,000, classified as a high incidence. Last week, the figure was 386 cases per 100,000 with a high incidence rating.
Self Regional Healthcare is offering free testing Jan. 12 & 27, 12 noon-4 p.m., at Family Healthcare North, 595 Newberry Hwy., Saluda. Call 864 725-8200 to register.
Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: Aiken - 6564, Edgefield - 1250; Greenwood -3322 Lexington - 11,931; Newberry - 2121.
Sat.., Dec. 24, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced 3,111 new confirmed cases and 151 new probable cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, and 74 additional confirmed deaths and seven new probable deaths. Positive tests at 21.6 percent.
This state total is 266,678, probable cases to 22,214, confirmed deaths to 4,736, and 388 probable deaths.
Fireworks Ban In Saluda
The COVID-19 year has hit another holiday tradition, fireworks.
The Town of Saluda has issued a statement that there will be no fireworks allowed in the town limits over the holidays. Violators are subject to fines.
Town Hall is also open by appointment only. Citizens are urged to use the outdoor drop box for payments. Call 864 445-3522.
Merry Christmas 2020
917 County COVID
Cases, 23 Deaths
Saluda County’s COVID-19 cases have risen to 917 (869 actual, 48 probable), with 23 deaths.
The county had 386 cases per 100,000, classified as a high incidence. Last week, the figure was 273.1 cases per 100,000 with a highe incidence rating.
Self Regional Healthcare is offering free testing Dec. 30, 12 noon-4 p.m., at Family Healthcare North, 595 Newberry Hwy., Saluda. Call 864 725-8200 to register.
Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: Aiken - 6564, Edgefield - 1250; Greenwood -3322 Lexington - 11,931; Newberry - 2121.
Sun., Dec. 13, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced 2,583 new confirmed cases and 25 new probable cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, and 36 additional confirmed deaths and four new probable deaths. Positive tests at 22.4 percent.
This 253,034, probable cases to 20,372, confirmed deaths to 4,566, and 369 probable deaths.
Counties With Most Value
For Their Property Taxes
When purchasing a home, you’ll need to consider property taxes as an ongoing cost.
Since not all property taxes are created equal, it’s important to know what your tax dollars are paying for. A sixth annual study from SmartAsset finds the places in the U.S. where residents are receiving the most value for their property taxes.
SmartAssest ranked Saluda County among the top places in South Carolina where property tax dollars are going the furthest. The study analyzed the following metrics, including quality of local schools, home values and effective property tax rates to find where people were getting the most value.
Take a look at the top counties in South Carolina below:
The full study results, methodology and interactive map can be found here:https://smartasset.com/taxes/south-carolina-property-tax-calculator#southcarolina
Trafficking Task Force
Human Trafficking Task Force
Dec. 8, Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the launch of the Lexington, Edgefield, McCormick, and Saluda (LEMS) Regional Human Trafficking Task Force.
Solicitor Rick Hubbard gave a few remarks about the need for this task force to fight against human trafficking in the 11th Circuit. Solicitor Hubbard stood proudly with law enforcement agencies and other community partners and leaders throughout the Circuit publicly acknowledging our commitment to ending human trafficking.
Repesentatives attending included: Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Lexington Police Department, Irmo Police Department, Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center, Cayce Department of Public Safety, West Columbia Police Department, McCormick County Sheriff’s Office, Saluda County Sheriff-elect Josh Price.
From The Chairman’s Desk
By Jerry Strawbridge
My Friends, I want to let you know the $25.00 road fee that has been in effect for this year has been repealed beginning with January 2021 vehicle property tax renewals, and every wheeled and titled vehicle required to be registered and licensed in Saluda County by the South Carolina Department of Transportation purchased after December 31, 2020.
Please be aware if you have a vehicle tax bill for December that has the fee on it, then you must pay the fee. If you wait until January, and your taxes were due in December, the Department of Transportation penalizes late registration.
On a side note, we will have a new County Council mix beginning in January and we have a lot of work to do. As I have said before, we intend to live within our means. That is our prime concern. I think all other matters in the conduction of business for the County will follow.
If anyone would like to talk to me, I am in the Council Administration building most every morning. Merry Christmas!
868 County COVID
Cases, 23 Deaths
Saluda County’s COVID-19 cases have risen to 868 (823 actual, 45 probable), with 23 deaths.
The county had 273.5 cases per 100,000, classified as a high incidence. Last week, the figure was 185.61 cases per 100,000 with a moderate incidence rating.
Saluda County is reporting 7547 tests, which a story on WRDW-TV says is the lowest per capita in the state.
Self Regional Healthcare is offering free testing Dec. 16 and 13, 12 noon-4 p.m., at Fa ily Healthcare North, 595 Newberry Hwy., Saluda. Call 864 725-8200 to register.
Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: Aiken - 6564, Edgefield - 1250; Greenwood -3322 Lexington - 11,931; Newberry - 2121.
Sun., Dec. 13, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced 2,924 new confirmed cases and 61 new probable cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, and 44 additional confirmed deaths and 11 new probable deaths. Positive tests at 21.3 percent.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 234,392, probable cases to 17,814, confirmed deaths to 4,387, and 352 probable deaths.
LEGION MEETING - Pictured left to right: Entertainers Jerry and Rose Farmer, Santa Claus, First Vice Commander Al Butler, Ladies Auxiliary President Linda Padgett and Commander John Hood. Saluda American Legion Post 65 and Ladies Auxiliary celebrated the Christmas season at their December meeting which included following Saluda County Covid-19 protocols. Following the meal catered by Matthew’s BBQ, was singing and music by Jerry and Rose Farmer. Chaplain Bob Albert shared the Christmas story. A surprise visit by Santa Clause helped with the door prizes. Thanks to all who helped make this Christmas celebration a success and wish everyone a Merry Christmas.