New Ridge Spring Bank

Security Federal Coming to Ridge Spring

Security Federal announced the future opening of their Bank in Ridge Spring.  What perfect weather for such a delightful announcement. Mayor Asbill along with  Sen. Setzler welcomed them and all received applause from the community.  Then we all adjourned to the Ridge Spring Library where corn chowder and sandwiches were served by Chef Brandon Velie of Juniper Restaurant. Pictured, left to right: Roy Lindburg, Frank Thomas, Chris Verenes, Thomas Moore, Timothy Simmons, G.L. Toole, Tony Ateca, Richard Harmon, Dr. Sean Alford, Mayor Pat Asbill, Dr. Robert Alexander and Senator Nikki Setzler. (Submitted by Harriet Householder)

LOTT HONORED - Sherman Lott was honored by Board Members and Administrative staff at the November 28th Saluda Nursing & Rehab Center Board dinner for his 2+ years of service. (Pictured, left - right)  Steven Spire, CFO; Keith Paul, Administrator; Sherman Lott; Dr. Sam Wheeler, Board Chairman; Dr. Bill Sawyer & Courtney Priester, Board Members.

STUDENTS DECORATE TREE - Students from Saluda Primary School walked to the Courthouse today to decorate the Saluda Primary Tree with ornaments they made. The courthouse lobby also has trees from Hollywood Elemetary, Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary, and King Academy decorated. To be decorated soon are trees for Saluda Elementary and Butler Pre-School.

Sheriff’s Office
Food Drive

  The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office is having a food drive to help those in need this holiday season. Donations will go to Christ Central Ministries to be distributed to those in need. Please help those who are less fortunate.
  Please bring your canned goods or non-perishable food items to the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office located at 100 Law Enforcment Drive,Saluda, December 11th, 2017 - December 18th, 2017. We appreciate your support!!!!

Parade Sunday De3c. 2

Saluda Parade Saturday

  Saluda Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday’ December 2, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.
  The lineup will start on West Butler Avenue near the schools. The parade route is printed above. Organizers encourage you to have your vehicle or float lighted. Please make sure people in your entry are visible.
  If you have any questions about the parade, the theme, or to enter please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 445-4100, or Town Hall 445-3522.

NEW DROP BOX - Hugh Gray (L), executive director of Westview Behavioral Health Services, and Saluda County Sheriff John Perry stand beside a new prescription drug drop box installed at the Sheriff’s Office.

IN NUTCRACER CAST -     Malani Bryan of Saluda was cast in the Columbia City Ballet’s 2017 production of the Nutcracker. She will be performing on the second weekend, December 16th & She has the part of a cherub Tickets are on sale now at www.kogercenterforthearts.com.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP - The South Carolina High School League sponsors Student Leadership Summits at colleges located throughout the state. The students are selected by their high school coaches to attend this workshop that promotes good sportsmanship and positive leadership in the school and sports. Coach Lytes as well as four students represented Saluda High School at the event  held at Newberry College in September: Raquon Hartley, Joseph McGrath, Kaylee Long, and Bailey Chariker.

Traffic Safety

Law Enforcement Agencies Joining Forces For Safety Patrol

  Law enforcement agencies are joining forces in Saluda County to promote highway safety on Nov. 27 and Nov. 28.
  Taking part in the event are the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, Saluda Police Department and S.C. Transportation Police.
  The officers will be primarily patrolling S.C. 39 and 121, and U.S. 178 and 378.
  They will be looking for DUIs, speeding and distracted driving.
  One deputy said out of every ten suspected DUI stops he makes, nine of the drivers were not drinking, but were distracted by their phones.
  Saluda County has had seven highway fatalities this year, compared to only one last year. Most of the fatalities have taken place on U.S. 178 and S.C. 121. The fatalities occurred between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. until midnight.
  Of the seven fatalities, four were not wearing seatbelts.
  Saluda County is a part of the S.C. Highway Patrol’s Troop 2. Thirteen troopers serve Saluda, Edgefield and McCormick counties.
  The Highway patrol is apprecia-ive of the help it gets from the Sheriff’s Office and Saluda Police, who often handle the scenes of an accident until a trooper gets there.
  Last year, the Highway Patrol and the Sheriff’s Office combined forces to conduct 100 check points, and got many DUI offenders off the roads.

Court Features Some
Lengthy Sentences

  The last term of General Sessions Court until March 2-018 concluded last week.
  There was only one jury trial during the two week term, and it was covered in detail in last week’s newspaper.
  Demarcus L. Robinson, of Ridge Spring, was found guilty of Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, and Possession of a Weapon during commission of a Violent Crime.
  He was sentenced to twenty-five (25) years by Circuit Court Judge Robert E. Hood.
  Judge William Keesley presided during the first week of court/
  Following are the sentences for guilty pleas:
  Tommy Cary Adams II, possession of crack cocaine, three years, upon service of 37 days, suspended to two years probation. Yasjaira M. Colmenanes Menseses, simple possession of marijuana, 30 days.
Emily Josephine Cribb, possession of Schedule 10, Youth Offender Act (YOA) not to exceed six months, suspended to six months probation. Marcus Clifford Cunningham, armed robbery, 12 years.
  Tyrese Marcell Dantignac, unlawful carrying of a handgun, one year, suspended to seven days and 13 months probation. Robert Samuel Day III, resisting arrest, no assault, one year.
  Darguarious Tremaine Fuller, armed robbery while using deadly weapon, 23 years; attempted murder, 23 years. Dwayne Scott Harper, voyeurism, three years, suspended to time served and three years probation.
  Dar’twon Marquinese Laounda Hill, unlawful carrying of a pistol, YOA not to exceed one year, suspended to six months probation. Justin Bostic Heath, unlawful carrying of a handgun, six months or $200 fine.
  Edward Holloway, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony, three years, suspended to time served and 12 months probation. Quinton Cortez Jerry, armed robbery, 12 years.
  Meria A. Jones, ill treatment of animals, 30 months, suspended to time served and 15 months probation. Terrell Daniel Lockett, accessory after the fact, five years, upon service of 142 days, suspended to two years probation.
  Charzavia Keonjae Long, assault and battery, 1st degree, three years. Stefan Jaleel McKelvin, unlawful carrying of a pistol, YOA not to exceed one year, suspended to one year probation.
  Christopher Shane Miller, possession of narcotics, Schedule I (d), C, LSD, and Schedule II 1st offense, 303 days time served. Caryn Ann Molter, burglary 3rd degree, four years, suspended to time served, two years probation.
  Rondell Morris, failure to stop for a blue light, three years, suspended to time served, 12 months probation. Stephen Lee Morris, possession of meth 1st, 10 months.
  Christopher Leneer Perry, possession of meth 1st, three years, suspended to 42 days, two years probation. Matais Lopez Pinto, DUI 2nd, 45 days.
  Andrea Michelle Inabinet Reynolds, use of vehicle without owners permission (temporary purpose), 60 days, one year probation. Edgardo Sierra Rivera, burglary 2nd, non-violent, five years, suspended to 164 days, five years probation.
  Gregory Shaquille Tolen, burglary 2nd violent, ten years, upon service of two years, suspended to five years probation. Frederick Donnell Williams possession with intent to distribute marijuana, two years, upon service of four days, suspended to two years probation.
  Steven Dyllan Wilson, pointing and presenting a fire arm, five years; receiving stolen goods, eight years. Billy Wayne Zachary, possession of meth, two years, suspended to time served and 18 months probation.

FLIPPING OUT - Saluda’s Daquain Brunson cut a flip after the Tigers warpped up their third straight trip to the 2-A Upper State Championship game with the 30-26 win over Lee Central. (SHS photo by Dean Roesner)

Two Local Teams In
Upper State Finals

  Two local teams will play in their respective Upper State Championship game Fri., Nov. 24.
  For the third year in a row, the Saluda Tigers will travel to Abbevile to take on the Panthers. Abbeville has won the previous two meetings, and went on to in the state title.
  Ridge Spring-Monetta will host Lamar in the 1-A upper state. The Trojan stage a big comeback to defeat Lewisville last Friday.
  An other nearby school with a coach and several players from Saluda County, Wardlaw, won the SCISA 8-man football championship last Friday.