Skyrocketing Cases

MASKS PRESENTED - S.C. Senate District 10 Republican candidate Billy Garrett (wearing mask) donated masks to the Saluda County emergency workers within District 10, including Emergency Management, Sheriff’s Office, Saluda Police Department, and EMS. Garrett made the presentation at the Courthouse Fri., May 1. He then took masks to several Saluda businesses. (Standard-Sentinel photo)

Saluda County Cases
Skyrocket To 67

  In three week’s time, Saluda County’s COVID-19 cases hav e increased over ten times.
  The latest report said Saluda County had 67 reported cases, compared to six just two weeks ago. The report says the county had 412 estimated cases, and 479 possible cases. fity-nine of the county’s cases are in the 29138 zip code.
  Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: Edgefield - 32; Aiken - 108; Greenwood - 55; Lexington - 420; Newberry - 30.
  South Carolina health officials announced 226 new cases of the coronavirus and 11 more deaths in the state on Saturday, May 2.
  That brings the total number of cases to 6,489 and the number of those who have died to 267, according to data from the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
  South Carolinians are encouraged to monitor for symptoms, practice social distancing, avoid touching frequently touched items (such as doorknobs and handrails), and regularly wash their hands, especially after being in a public place.
  Additionally, residents can prepare for a possible illness or quarantine by:
  Periodically checking regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply at home
  Having nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins
  Getting copies and maintaining electronic versions of health records from doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other sources and store them, for personal reference
  Talking with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.
  Individuals with signs of illness are asked to stay at home and not attend public gatherings.
FACTS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS
  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, is spread mainly from person-to-person by those in close contact, or through coughing and sneezing by someone who’s infected.
  Symptoms of the coronavirus can show up between two and 14 days of exposure, health officials say. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
  For most people, COVID-19 causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But some severe cases can lead to death.
  Most people can recover from the virus at home using over-the-counter medications to treat their symptoms.

2020 Saluda High
School Graduation Plans

  On Friday, May 29th at 7:00 P.M. Saluda County Schools will host its Commencement Ceremony in Bettis Herlong Stadium at Mathews Field. Please make note that due to the Coronavirus, numerous additional rules will be implemented in an effort to keep our students, families, and staff members healthy. These guidelines will be strictly enforced.
  1. Each graduate will receive two tickets per the directive from state officials for family members and friends to attend the ceremony. Tickets will be required for admittance into Herlong Stadium.
  2. Each attendee will be required to sit in pre-marked areas that will be six feet apart. No more than one person will be allowed to sit in each area as we are required to practice social distancing per Governor Henry Mc-Master’s orders.
  3. Sanitation Stations will be set up throughout Herlong Stadium. We encourage attendees to frequently sanitize their hands and to avoid touching their faces, specifically their eyes, noses and mouths.
  4. Attendees will be dismissed in shifts in an effort to prevent large crowds from forming.
  5. Due to social distancing guidelines, district officials request that families take group photos at home before or after the ceremony. Participants are reminded to maintain social distancing guidelines at all times inside of Herlong Stadium and in the parking lot.
  6. Graduates will be positioned several feet apart on the field in an effort to practice social distancing.
  7. The ceremony will be broadcast live on Saluda Now.
  Saluda County Schools thanks everyone in advance for their willingness to comply with these rules for the well-being of all involved.

Supt. Spearman Convenes
Task Force  for Summer and
Fall School Operations

  Columbia, S.C. –  State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman announced the convening of a task force charged with studying barriers to school operations and student learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and providing recommendations on how schools and districts can best restart in the fall.
  The task force, comprised of educators and administrators representing all aspects of the K-12 public education system, will also be examining how best to proceed with summer learning activities.
  ”The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to the operation of South Carolina’s public school system,” said State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman. “We know that virus has the potential to cause disruptions over the summer and into the next school year and want to be prepared to meet those challenges with common sense solutions that allow for continued learning while protecting the well-being of students and educators. The task force brings together some of our state’s brightest and most innovative thinkers and I look forward to seeing the recommendations they make to move our state’s education system forward.”
  The task force, named AccelerateEd, will be chaired by Dr. Kathy Coleman, director of Clemson University’s Sandhill Research and Education Center and chair of the Saluda County School Board.
  AccelerateED is comprised of twelve core members and will also receive input from a larger advisory group as well as the education community and general public. The task force’s first meeting

Shooting

Saluda Man Dies in Shooting

  A Saluda man lost his life Sat., April 25, in a shooting that involved at least three people.
  Alexander Daquan Henley, 29, of Saluda was dead at the scene. The other two individuals were taken to Prisma Health Richland Hospital, one critically injured.
  The incident took place at 10 p.m. near 109 Myranda Ave. in the Town of Saluda.
  An autopsy of the victim was performed Monday afternoon at Newberry Pathology Group, LLC.
  The Saluda County Coroner’s Office, Saluda Police Department and SLED are actively investigating the incident.
  Coroner Keith Turner would like to thank all those who assisted at the scene and with the ongoing investigation. Thanks to Dispatch, EMS, Saluda Police Department, Saluda Sheriff’s Office, SCHP, SLED and Saluda Fire Department.

Saluda County Cases
Rapidly Increase - 6 to 35

  In a matter of two weeks, Saluda County’s COVID-19 cases has almost increased six times.
  The latest report said Saluda County had 35 reported cases, compared to six just two weeks ago. The report says the county had 215 estimated cases, and 250 possible cases. Twenty-seven of the county’s cases are in the 29138 zip code.
  “During the past several days, we have seen a significant increase in the number of cases in Saluda County.  We are encouraging everyone to continue to practice social distancing and good personal hygiene to help prevent the spread of Covid-19,” said Saluda County EMD Josh Morton
  Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: Edgefield - 12; Aiken - 89; Greenwood - 36; Lexington - 273; Newberry - 21.
  The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has announced 237 new cases of the novel coronavirus and 8 additional deaths as reported to DHEC.
  South Carolinians are encouraged to monitor for symptoms, practice social distancing, avoid touching frequently touched items (such as doorknobs and handrails), and regularly wash their hands, especially after being in a public place.
  Additionally, residents can prepare for a possible illness or quarantine by:
  Periodically checking regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply at home
  Having nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins
  Getting copies and maintaining electronic versions of health records from doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other sources and store them, for personal reference
  Talking with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.
  Individuals with signs of illness are asked to stay at home and not attend public gatherings.

This poem was written by Kerri Bradley, a WKA sophomore,  about COVID-19, and we thought we’d share it with our readers.

Council Goes Virtual

County Council Goes Virtual

  In its most unusual meeting in history, Saluda County Council gave first reading to the 2020-21 school district and county budgets Mon., April 13.
  Because of COVID-19, the meeting was not open to the public, but citizens could watch the proceedings over YouTube  through a link on the County website.
  Council members and staff attending the meeting kept their proper distances, while Councilman Justin Anderson “attended” the meeting virtually. In iPad was stationed when Anderson normally sits, and Anderson could be seen on the screen. There were no technical glitches in the short meeting.
  The Saluda County Schools’ budget is exactly the same as last year.
The local support portion of the school district’s $19,664,537 budget is $7,551,956, 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 $4,867,802  from ad valorem taxes.
  The county budget currently stands at $13,806,810. The difference between revenue and expenditures is $850, 514. Last year, the budget was out of balance $2,470,628 on first reading.
  Piedmont Technical College is requesting $241,914. They are funded through millage and this request is not included in the above figures.
    Council approved the Fair Housing Month resolution to comply with the Fair Housing plan.
    A policy Council  approved on use of sick leave for child care due to school closures caused by COVID-19 in   March was terminated, due to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act signed into law by President Trump on March 18. It is effective April 1 through Dec. 31, 2020.
  The transfer for funds from Contingency to balance the budget was approved.
  Council approved freezing year-end spending. Only normal monthly bills and necessary purchases to perform the job and safely operate equipment and vehicles will be allowed. Requested purchases will be submitted to the County Director.

Saluda County Has
12 COVID-19 Cases

  According to DHEC, Saluda County now has 12 COVID-19 cases, doubling the count from last week.
  The latest report sys Saluda County has 12 reported cases, and 74 estimated cases
    Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: Edgefield - 12; Aiken - 69; Greenwood - 36; Lexington - 273; Newberry - 21.
  The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) April 19 announced 136 new cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
  This brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 4377, and those who have died to 120.

STORM DAMAGE - Marie Cockrell took this photo of storm damage at her home Mon., April 13.

April 13 Storm Report

  As more storms were predicted for Sun. and Mon., April 19 and 20, here is the report on last week’s storm from Emergency Management Director Josh Morton:
  “As storms moved through the county on Monday morning, we received numerous calls regarding trees and powerlines down from the storm.  We also had at least six homes that received damage from trees falling on them, as well as damage to equipment at a cell phone tower in which case a tree came down on a generator causing a small fire and damaging equipment causing disruption to T-Mobile Cellular service in the area.  No significant injuries were reported.
   Saluda County was very fortunate to have been spared from the widespread tornado activity that affected many areas of our state.  NWS reported that more than 20 tornadoes were recorded in South Carolina, with at least 6 of them being EF-3 tornadoes.  This is the most EF-3 tornadoes seen in the state since 1984.  As a point of reference, only about 4% of the tornadoes that impact the state of South Carolina are EF-3 or higher.”