Champs Recognized
Council Recognizes
World Series Champs
The World Series Champion Saluda Ponytail All-Stars took their “victory tour” to the Saluda County Council meeting Mon.. Aug. 8.
Council recognized the young ladies with a resolution, and presented each member of the team with a copy of the resolution and a trophy.
The team won the 12u Ponytail World Series with a 4-2 victory over North Carolina at 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 4. Their bus unloaded at Saluda High School at 3 a.m. on Aug. 5.
On Sat., Aug. 6, they walked won Main Street with a good crowd cheering them on. They ended up on the Courthouse steps, where they were introduced individually and autographed pictures.
Sun., Aug. 7, they were recognized by the Columbia Fireflies at Segra Park. The players were introduced and ran to their positions, accompanied by a Fireflies’ player who played the same position.
After the presentation at the Council meeting, the team received a standing ovation.
In the public presentation portion of the meeting, Dr. Ralph Riley expressed concerns about some residents being forced to change their addresses due to a 911 update. He said everyone uses GPS to get anywhere today, and it takes six to nine months for new addresses to get into the system, and this could create a problem for emergency calls.
In May, Emergency Management Director Josh Morton publicshed the following annoucement, “Over the last few years, advances in technology have led to the development of the next generation of 911, also known as NG911. As NG911 systems are put into place in South Carolina, responders will have even better location data, which will allow them to respond to emergency situations even more efficiently. As we move towards these systems, it is more important than ever to ensure that E911 addresses are accurate. In order to improve accuracy, Saluda County is currently working to readdress areas where inaccuracies have been identified.
Property owners whose property is affected will be notified in writing in mid-2022. The E-911 office will coordinate these changes with the United States Postal Service who will continue to deliver mail to the previous address for one (1) year from the date of the notification. Property owners will not need to submit a change of address form to the United States Postal Service, but will need to notify their correspondents of the change within one year.”
Sheriff Josh Price expressed the need for additional medical services at the Detention Center. He cited prisoners undergoing drug detox. He said the county had a contract for a nurse to work at the Detention Center for 30 hours a week. He asked the contract to be upped to 40 hours a week for the nurse. He said he could find the $18,900 needed for the increase of hours in his current budget. His request was approved.
Council approved a request from Fire Service Coordinator Luke Downing to apply for a grant to get new air packs for all the fire departments. The current air packs were purchased in 2006.
County Librarian Heath Ward has two requests approved. One was to fill a part-time position using State-Aid funding, and the other was to issue an invitation to bid for library renovation.
Buildings Maintenance Supervisor John Oscar Perry presented three needs.
Council approved issuing a request for proposal to paint the exterior of the buildings at the Saluda County Airport.
A new, $8775 AC unit for the Magistrate’s Office and $17,500 roof repair at the Health Department/DSS building were approved and will be funded from the Building Maintenance Reserve Fund.
Board and committee appointments included:
Nursing Center Board re-appointment, Angie Rita, by Chairman Jim Moore; Planning Commission re-appointment, Gene Cason, by Chairman Jim Moore; Library Board appointment, Nancy Deloach, by Councilman Daniel; Library Board re-appointment, Steve Miller, by Councilman Anderson; Library Board re-appointment, Charlyn Staubes, by Councilman Anderson; Planning Commission re-appointment, William Spearman, by Councilman Atkinson; Fire Board Old Town Representative, Devin Home with Jerry Farmer as the alternate.
Scenes from the “Welcome Home” observance for the World Series champions at the Courthouse Sat., Aug. 6. (Standard-Sentinel photos)
World Series Champs!
WORLD SERIES CHAMPS
The Saluda State Champion Ponytail All-Star team made history Thurs., Aug. 4, when they won the Dixie Softball World Series in Alexandria, LA.
The local team had to play elimination games after only their second contest, and had to face the team that defeated them earlier, North Carolina, for the title. Because of a weather delay, the championship game did not start until after 11 p.m. Saluda prevailed 4-2, and brought Saluda County’s first World Series championship back home.
Teams participating in the tournament were state champions from Mississippi, North Carolina, Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, and the host team from Ward 10.
Saluda coasted to a 10-0 win over Louisiana in the opening round Sat., July 30. Sunday, the local team fell to North Carolina 6-2 in an early game, and were forced to come back and play another game later that day out of the losers’ bracket. The team crushed Florida 18-2 to advance.
The Ward 10 local team proved to be a strong opponent, and Saluda pulled out with 4-3 win in the last inning. The next day, Virginia was another tough opponent, and the S.C. state champs held on to win 13-10.
Louisiana defeated North Carolina and that set up three teams remaining with one loss each. The three coaches drew, and Saluda’s Jeffrey Jordan drew the bye, meaning Saluda went straight to the championship game.
Members of the team are Ensley Patterson, Kamryn Campbell, Nyla Jordan, Karen Almarez, Miller Martin, Aubrey “Boots Marnati, Ashlynn Vereen, Blythe Buzhardt, Resse Shaw, Kylee McGlohorn, Ava Forrest and Adylynn Holsomback. Jeffery Jordan is the head coach, and Daniel Patterson and Lee Wertz are the assistants.
This is basically the same team that won the state championship in a different classification last year. That World Series was held in Moncks Corner and the Saluda team finished third.
Championship Trophy
Saluda assistant coach Daniel Patterson and his daughter, team member, Ensley, hold the World Series championship trophy the Saluda team won Aug. 4. (Standard-Sentinel photo)
Grab your lawn chair, Bring your neighbor, and meet your local responders at this community gathering! To end the event we will be playing a movie on the Courthouse Square! Be sure to visit Facebook for more information!
2022 Tractor Pull
43rd Annual Truck
and Tractor Pull
The Saluda Young Farmers 43rd Annual Truck and Tractor Pull, “Hottest Pull in the South” will be held July 30th at the Young Farmer Stadium at the County Recreation Complex.
The Carolina Truck & Tractor Pullers / Southern Pullers Association professional pull will begin at 7pm. Ticket gates and pit will open at 4pm.
Ticket prices are as follows: Adults - $20, Children 6 to 12 - $10, 5 and under – Free, and cooler/bulk beverage - $5.00 (no glass containers). Cash, credit and debit card ticket purchases will be available at the gate. Concessions will also be available.
The 2022 Saluda Young Farmer Scholarship winners will be recognized as well. Recipients this year include: Quinten Miller, Makayla Porter, Wyatt Doolittle, Layne Crouch, and Drew Proctor. Proceeds from the pull go towards the scholarship program.
Bring a chair – stand seating is limited. There will be no charge for parking and no additional charges for entering the pit.
Trackside parking (40 spaces, 10 ft. wide) will go on sale July 5. Please check out https://saludayoungfarmer.org/trackside-parking/ before calling to know which space you would like to purchase. There are (3) handicap spaces available, but proof of handicap must be provided. To purchase trackside parking, contact Dan Rodgers at (864) 980-1758 after 5 PM. All trackside parking spots are $90 for the night. This includes 2 adult passes and parking spot.
Come and enjoy a weekend of high-powered action!
Check out www.Saluda YoungFarmer.org or syftp.us for the latest information. Like us on Facebook at “Saluda SC Tractor Pull.”
STATE CHAMPIONS
Saluda County Recreation Department’s 12U All-Star softball team won the state championship Mon., July 18, in Lancaster, earning a trip to the Dixie Youth World Series in Louisiana in a few days.
Saluda’s team went undefeated through a field that also included Lancaster, South Spartanburg, Jefferson, Sumter, Georgetown, Lewisville and Andrews. The local team defeated Andrews 10-2 to claim the title.
Members of the team are Ensley Patterson, Kamryn Campbell, Nyla Jordan, Karen Almarez, Miller Martin, Aubrey “Boots Marnati, Ashlynn Vereen, Blythe Buzhardt, Resse Shaw, Kylee McGlohorn, Ava Forrest and Adylynn Holsomback. Jeffery Jordan is the head coach, and Daniel Patterson and Lee Wertz are the assistants.
This is basically the same team that won the state championship in a different classification last year. That World Series was held in Moncks Corner and the Saluda team finished third.
Moncks Corner is a whole lot closer than Louisiana. There have been several fund-raisers to help sponsors the trip. If you like to contribute, there is a link on the Saluda County Recreation Department’s Facebook page.
Lake Murray Suspected
Drowning Death
Saluda County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim of a suspected drowning who was recovered from an area of Lake Murray near Little River Landing shortly before 9:30 AM on Wednesday, July 20, 2022.
The victim has been identified by Coroner Keith Turner as Ernie K. Wertz, age 72 of Saluda. According to the Coroner, Mr. Wertz was recovered from the water by SC DNR and pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Wertz had been the occupant of a small boat prior to apparently falling into the water from the boat on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 19th. Search and rescue teams were called to the scene late yesterday afternoon and worked until approximately midnight trying to locate the victim.
The search resumed early this morning with the continued help of dive teams from SC DNR, Newberry County Water Rescue & Dive Team, Little Mountain Rescue Squad and Saluda County Sheriff’s Office.
The Coroner’s Office is grateful for the efforts and teamwork of all of the agencies that assisted in recovering Mr. Wertz. We also would like to thank the property owners and citizens near the scene for their assistance.
The incident is under investigation by SC DNR, Saluda County Sheriff’s Office and Saluda County Coro-ner’s Office.
Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends of Mr. Wertz.
Saluda Man Dies
In Collison
The Saluda County Coroner’s Office reported a motor vehicle collision occurred on July 18, 2022 at approximately 5:45 PM at the intersection of Batesburg Highway and South Jennings Street in the town of Saluda.
The two-vehicle collision involved an SUV and a tractor trailer truck. The driver of the SUV unfortunately died at the scene and was later identified as Mr. Jahsiri Ahmad Abdul Moyenda, age 56 of Saluda. The collision is being investigated by the Saluda Police Department, SC Highway Patrol and Saluda County Coroner’s Office.
The coroner’s office would like to thank the first responders of the Saluda County EMS, Saluda Police Department, Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, Saluda County Fire Service, SC Highway Patrol and State Transport Police for their assistance at the scene.
The coroner’s office extends its heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Moyenda.
County Land Deal
Council Paves Way
For Tractor Supply
Saluda County Council took action Mon., July 11, that sets the stage for a Tractor Supply store to locate in Saluda.
Council gave third and final reading to an ordinance that will allow the county to sell acreage at the intersection of North Bouknight Ferry Rd. and Columbia Hwy. to F&A of Saluda, LLC.
The decision did not come without some controversy.
During the public hearing on the ordinance, Almastine Butler of Butler & Son Funeral Home asked Council what changed between last year and this year. Last year, she asked Council to sell her business some of the county land, so a new funeral home could be built. Her request was turned down, because the Council then wanted to keep the land for industrial development.
“This is a slap in the face to us,” Mrs. Butler said, adding the funeral home had been in business in Saluda for nearly 100-years, and was not going anywhere.
“I want to know what changed your minds,” she said. “Did it have anything to do with the color of my skin or the money?”
Kevin Crouch of Crouch Hardware said he was a former County Council candidate and is as pro growth was anyone, but said there is nothing on the shelves of Tractor Supply that can’t already be bought in Saluda.
He mentioned 100-year-old C.B. Forrest and Son, Rodgers Fertilizer and The Hardware Store that have been in business 40 to 50 years, and his Crouch Hardware, that began business eight years ago.
He asked Council if they had any concern for the local existing businesses, or were they considering selling the land just for the money.
When the ordinance came up for a vote, Councilman Jack Atkinson said he opposed the sale, because he thought the land should be saved for industries that could employ hundreds. Atkinson was the only councilman to vote against the ordinance.
The meeting was the first for new County Council Chairman Jim Moore, and it turn out to be one of the longest meetings in years, featuring many long presentations.
Ann Watkins asked Council to consider animal control. She told of a Saluda woman who was recently bitten by a dog and had to take rabies shots. Her medical bill so far has been $13,000, and she has more shots to take. The owner of the dog was fined $500.
She produced figures that showed 18 dogs running free can result in 128 dogs the next year, 512 in year two, 2048 in year three, 12,000 in year four, and 67,000 in year five.
James H. Allen of the Cherokee Nation discussed the Saluda Old Town Treaty of 1755, in which the Cherokees ceded lands to the British that now encompasses many S.C. counties. With the Revolutionary War just over 20 years away, the treaty had national and worldwide significance.
Allen said “Saluda” is a Cherokee word, like the towns of Walhalla and Seneca. He said his tribal leaders would like to meet with county leaders and issue a letter of goodwill between the two entities. The letter could be placed in the museum.
Council gave third and final reading to an ordinance providing for the recovery of costs by service charges from users of fire protection and emergency services.
Fire coordinator Luke Downing said the fee would only be charged if citizens have emergency calls included in their insurance. Atkinson asked of the fee will cause insurance premiums to go up.
Third reading approval was given to the ordinance stating 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.
Moore said he had been studying the ordinance and wondered if it would cost more money if the change in government passes, and the ordinance could fail if Council voted it down. Other councilmen said the voters should decide. The ordinance passed 3-2.
Council approved signing an agreement with Pawmetto Life Line for a spay and neuter program for Saluda County animals. A van will come from Newberry to pick up animals and they will be returned the next day.
True Blue Service was approved for painting the Westview Behavioral Health Building for $12,500, to be paid from the Public Building Repair Account.
Council awarded the contract to Aiken Electric Cooperative to install broadband to underserved areas of Saluda County.
Aiken Co-op CEO Gary Stooksbury, said the project will cost $2 million, with Aiken paying half the cost. The Saluda County Airport and 567 residences will be reached. Saluda County’s portion will be paid from American Rescue Plan Act funds.
A $500,000 grant from Upper Savannah to buy a new fire truck was approved. The county match will be $50,000.
Auditor Memmus Forrest and Assessor Justin Ridgell discussed the Agriculture Tax decision passed by the state.
Car Dealer Sentenced
Former Saluda car dealer Kelly Wesley Sanders was sentenced on Thursday, July 7, 2022 after he pled guilty on October 7, 2021 to wire Fraud.
U.S. District Court The Honorable Judge Donald C. Coggins Jr ordered Sanders to repay over $2 million in restitution to Benjamin Bradshaw, and others. He also sentenced him to five years Probation.
According to Pacer Monitor.com, beginning in 2017 Sanders purchased part ownership in Saluda Motor Sales Inc., and assumed daily operations of the car dealership.
During that time he ran up over $200,000.00 in credit card debt, sent Santander Bank invoices for over 40 vehicles totaling almost $2 million , and then the bank give him a long-term financing agre-ement listing Bradshaw as the guarantor. He used all the money for personal expenses, and sham car repairs.
He then convinced another car dealer to invest $500,000 in another vehicle dealership while using the money to make payments to Santander Bank that he owed from Saluda Motor Sales.
In late 2018 the investors filed a lawsuit saying that Sanders had trans-ferred almost a quarter of a millions dollars to the banks. He then said, and employee had put it in the wrong account.
Santander Bank asked for an audit to be done of Saluda Motor Sales, Inc. The Audit revaled over $2 Million dollars on missing inventory.
Last October Sanders pled guilty to Wire Fraud. He agreed to make restitution payments of 1.6 Million to Santander Bank, over $360,000 to Bradshaw, and over $530,000 to investors.
From SaludaNOW