SHS Class of 2022
Saluda High School Class of 2022
Saluda High School heldcommencement exercises Sat.,June 4, 9 a.m., at the Bettis Herlong Stadium at Mathews Field.
Passenger Dies In
One Vehicle Wreck
A Hepzibah, GA, woman died in an one vehicle accidents in Saluda County last week.
On Tuesday, May 31, 2022, just after 11:00 AM Saluda County Coroner’s Office responded to a motor vehicle collision on Hightower Road near Berryland Road in Saluda.
The collision involved a single vehicle, Dodge Ram 1500 extended cab truck, exiting the left side of the gravel road, hitting a ditch and fence before overturning in a field. The occupant of the vehicle, later found to be the passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim has been identified as Kailey Blumel, age 20 of Hephzibah, GA. The preliminary investigation revealed the collision occurred on Monday, May 30th between 10:00 PM and 11:45 PM. The overturned vehicle was discovered and reported by a passerby on Tuesday morning.
The driver, who has been identified as 22 year old John Bannister from Evans, Georgia was injured and taken to a local hospital where his condition his unknown.
A full investigation is ongoing by the Coroner’s Office, SC Hwy. Patrol and the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office. The Coroner’s Office wishes to extend heartfelt sympathies to the family of Miss Blumel. The Coroner’s Office would also like to thank the agencies mentioned above, as well as other first responders to include Saluda County EMS, Saluda County Fire Service and Saluda County Dispatch for their special care and concern at the scene.
ATTENTION!
NEW DEADLINE
As most of our readers know our newspaper is printed by the Index-Journal in Greenwood.
Wed. June 1, the I-J announced it was cutting back on the number of days it is printing. Because Tuesday is one of the days being cut, the Standard-Sentinel must now send its pages to the printer on FRIDAY (starting this week), rather than MONDAY, so that the paper can be printed on Sunday night.
The deadline for submitting advertising, stories, photographs and classifieds is now THURSDAY by 2 p.m. We will still pick up our paper at the printers and put some papers in the stores on Tuesday morning. That will not change.
We apologize if this causes any inconvenience. The I-J says the eliminated days of publication may be reinstated if the economy improves.
Thanks, Ralph
County Does Well In
Small Business Ranking
SmartAsset has released an analysis of the small business landscape in South Carolina.
The study measured IRS data on the number of small businesses operating in each county, how much income they generate and the amount they pay in taxes.
Saluda County ranked among the top places in South Carolina for small business owners! For a look at where other top counties in South Carolina ranked, check out the table below:
Additional study details, including the methodology and interactive map, can be found athttps://smartasset.com/checking-account/savings-calculator#southcarolina/smallBusinessIndex-3
2022 Commencements
W. Wyman King Academy Class of 2022
W. Wyman King Academy held commencent excercises on Fri., May 20. Pictured above are the members of the class. Front Row L-R:Kerri Bradley, Madison Metts, Madelyn Polk, Naomi Salinas, Rylee Smith. Back Row L-R: Tucker Amick, Carter DuBose, Trevor Fulmer, John Roy, Tripp Richardson.
Ridge Spring-Monetta Class of 2022
Ridge Spring-Monetta High School will hold commencement exercises Thurs.,June 2, at 5 pm, USC-Aiken Convocation Center
Saluda High School Commencement
Saluda High School will hold commencement exercises Sat.,June 4, 9 a.m., at the Bettis Herlong Stadium at Mathews Field. The class photo will be published later.
Only One Local Contested
Race In June 14 Primaries
There will only be one local race in the June 14 primaries.
Incumbent Republican District 39 member of the House of Representatives Cal Forrest is being challenged by Katie Hall.
There was a race for House District 82 in the Democratic Primary, but Brian Ryan B Doyle, originally challenging incumbent William Bill Clyburn, withdrew his name. Doyle withdrawal was too late to remove the office from the ballot. It is not necessary to make a selection for this office.
Following are the candidates for statewide office:
DEMOCRATIC
Governor - (Vote for 1) (Does not allow Write In)
Carlton Boyd (Democratic)
Joe Cunningham (Democratic)
Mia S McLeod (Democratic)
Calvin CJ Mack McMillan (Democratic)
William H Williams (Democratic)
State Superintendent of Education - (Vote for 1) (Does not allow Write in)
Gary L Burgess (Democratic)
Lisa Ellis (Democratic)
Jerry Govan (Democratic)
U.S. Senate 2 - (Vote for 1) (Does not allow Write In)
Catherine Fleming Bruce (Democratic)
Angela Geter (Democratic)
Krystle Matthews (Democratic)
REPUBLICAN
Governor - (Vote for 1) (Does not allow Write in)
Henry McMaster (Republican)
Harrison Musselwhite (Republican)
Mindy L Steele (Republican)
Secretary of State - (Vote for 1) (Does not allow Write In)
Keith Blandford (Republican)
Mark Hammond (Republican)
Attorney General - (Vote for 1) (Does not allow Write In)
W Lauren Martel (Republican)
Alan Wilson (Republican)
State Superintendent of Education - (Vote for 1) (Does not allow Write In)
Travis Bedson (Republican)
Bryan Chapman (Republican)
Cindy Coats (Republican)
Sheri Few (Republican)
Kizzi Gibson (Republican)
Lynda Leventis-Wells (Republican)
Kathy Maness (Republican)
Ellen Weaver (Republican)
Commissioner of Agriculture - (Vote for 1) (Does not allow Write In)
Bill Bledsoe (Republican)
Bob Rozler (Republican)
Hugh Weathers (Republican)
Council May 2022
Council Explores
Government Change
At the May 9 meeting, Saluda County Council gave first reading to an ordinance that would allow voters to decide if they want a change in form of government.
If the ordinance passes in three readings, a referendum will be held and the county voters will decide of they want to keep the present council form of government with five council members, or adopt the council-administrator form of government with five council members.
Scott Neely of Dominion Energy informed Council of a planned power outage in a small section of the Ridge area of the county on May 22. The outage will run from midnight to 4 a.m., and will allow Dominion to switch out equipment. If it rains, the outage will be held on May 29.
Neely said the company has sent post cards to all residents who will be affected. Another planned outage will be held in October in the Batesburg area of the county, Again, residents will be contacted in advance by post cards.
Council gave second reading approval to the Saluda County Schools and county budget.
The local support portion of the school district’s $23,159,456 budget is $8,476,594, minus revenues and credits reflected on tax receipts from Property Tax Relief, Homestead Exemption, Tier 3 Property Tax Relief, and Motor Carrier for a net amount of $5,343,556 from ad valorem taxes.
The county’s budget stands at $14,999,977, and is currently balanced. One more readings is required for both budgets.
The purchase of a $37,400 heavy equipment trailer was approved. It will be funded from the Heavy Equipment Reserve Fund.
The low bid for the purchase of an ambulance remount was awarded to EPA for $128,126.18. It will be paid from the Ambulance Fund.
Timothy Taylor was appointed to the Fire Board to fill the unexpired term of Tanner Quattlebaum. Randall Porter was appointed the alternate.
Inducted Into S.C. Lions
Club Hall of Fame
At the SC Lions State Convention on April 30, late Saluda Lions Club member Charlie Rentz was inducted into the S.C. Lions Hall of Fame for his leadership as a Lions District Governor and his support of Lions charitable causes. Accepting the award is Lion Brooksie Rentz, his widow.
Special EMS Project At
‘One Saluda’ Fireflies Game
Come celebrate with the Saluda community for “One Saluda” night at Segra Park in Columbia on Sunday, May 22. Included will be a special county EMS promotion.The Fireflies play the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at 5:05 p.m.
Each ticket purchase will include a Fireflies group hat voucher. Tickets will be left at will-call!
To order tickets for the One Saluda game, go to: https://www.firefliestickets.com/group/event/Saluda22/
Things to know before you go:
Segra Park is a clear bag policy and cashless! Saluda & The Fireflies have partnered together for exciting festivities! 1.) Community Organization of the Game: GOLDEN GATE MOVEMENT 2) Saluda HS Band on the field 4 minute performance in the outfield 3). National Anthem Group: TANYA GOFF & TONIA HUDSON.
Saluda County EMS has issued the following announcement:
“We have been working together with the Columbia Fireflies and on May 22nd we will be showcasing one of our new ambulances at Segra Park.
As you enter the park please bring two or more non-perishable food items and help us “Stuff A Ambulance” All food items will be brought back to a local food pantry in Saluda.
As a gift for bringing the non-perishable items you will recive a discount booklet to local stores and restaurants in Saluda while supplies last. Included in the booklet are: Punks PB and Jam; File and Style; A Touch of Country; Southern Roots; Migs Pizza; Three Maria's; Root 121.
Please help get the word out! Together we can make a difference.
Special thanks to our sponsors:
Punks PB and Jam; Crouch’s Hardware; Southeastern Helicopters; Do it Best Hardware; H&R Block - Marcia Shealy; State Farm Agent Kelly White; Cromley’s Ford
Also thanks to the businesses participating, SHS printing department and all those who made it happen.
Keep a watch on our Facebook page for more exciting info in the upcoming days...we worry that all the excitement released at one time will blow your mind.”
Also thanks to the businesses participating, SHS printing department and all those who made it happen.
Keep a watch on our Facebook page for more exciting info in the upcoming days...we worry that all the excitement released at one time will blow your mind.”
Duggins Honored
(Left to Right: The Honorable Molly Spearman, Dr. Abbey Duggins, and Dr. Harvey Livingston)
Dr. Duggins Receives
State Recognition
Saluda County Schools is proud to announce that Dr. Abbey Duggins has been named the South Carolina Association of School Administrators’ District Level Administrator of the Year.
Dr. Duggins currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in Saluda County Schools.
In additional to her role in our district, Dr. Duggins serves on several state boards and committees, most notably serving as Chair of the South Carolina English Language Arts standards revision committee.
Dr. Duggins is well known throughout the State as an expert in literacy and learning.
County Man Dies In Greenwood Wreck
A Saluda County man was killed Mon., May 2, in a one-vehicle accident in Greenwood.
Jabacus Kawanza Culbreath died of blunt force trauma when the pickup truck he was driving crashed into a guard rail on a bridge, according to Greenwood County Coroner Sonny Cox . The 40-year-old resident of the Saluda County portion of Batesburg died at the scene.
The single-vehicle collision happened at about 1:20 a.m., according to Cpl. Joe Hovis of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Culbreath was driving a 2012 Dodge pickup north on Airport Road when the truck hit the guard rail on a bridge at Rocky Creek , officials said. That’s near the Greenwood County Airport, about four miles from the intersection of U.S. 178 and U.S. 221.
The crash caused the pickup to flip over, Hovis said.
The crash remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol and coroner’s office.
Left to Right: Holly Brazell, Dr. Abbey Duggins, Megan Schulte, Alyssa Ball, Elizabeth Schumpert and Dr. Harvey Livingston
Induction Teacher Of
The Year Named
Saluda Elementary School fourth grade teacher, Ms. Alyssa Ball, has been named Saluda County Schools’ first ever Induction Teacher of the Year!
Induction teachers are first-year teachers. During their Induction year, these teachers participate in specialized professional learning and are assigned a mentor in order to ensure success in the classroom.
Alyssa is a graduate of Newberry College and fell in love with Saluda through her student teaching experience. She is incredibly committed to her students and has said, “My students have inspired me to be the absolute best teacher I can be every single day, and in turn this allows me to hopefully inspire them as well.”
Alyssa will represent Saluda County Schools at the state level. South Carolina ASCD awards the statewide Induction Teacher of the Year honor at the organization’s 2022 Fall Conference at Furman University in Greenville.