Editor’s note: With another memorable year winding down, the Bulletin chose to reflect on those stories that kept the community talking. Over the next several issues, we’ll present highlights of those stories.
OCTOBER
• The Tryon Fire Department was awarded a grant up to $168,000, which will help the department recruit and retain volunteers, purchase air packs and a new command vehicle.
• Columbus Town Manager Jonathan Kanipe announced at a town meeting that the Mills Street beautification project should go out to bid in November, with tree planting expected to be done in December or January.
•  Prosecutor did not seek the death penalty in the case of Travis McGraw, who faces trial for the murder of his wife, Vanessa Mintz.
• Polk County named Libbie Johnson the new economic tourism development director. Her employment began Oct. 5.
• When Polk County Board of Commissioners met Monday, Oct. 3 they approved a resolution asking the state to change Polk’s hunting season classification from conservative to moderate, extending deer hunting season two more week.
• Alexander’s Ford officially becomes certified as part of Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail Oct. 5
• Tryon Arts & Crafts holds its fourth-annual fall festival Oct. 15 – 16.
• Saluda Medical Center announces it telemedicine project, which aimed to link patients that come into SMC with specialty care needs.
• An ordinance approved Oct. 11 by Landrum City Council allows horses to be kept on property within the city limits.
• Polk County and Advantage West officials unveiled a sign on U.S. 74 on Wednesday, Oct. 12 marking Polk as a Certified Entrepreneurial Community (CEC).
• Susan McRostie, art teacher at Saluda Elementary School, was named Polk County Teacher of the Year.
• After 33 years of working with area families, Polk County Department of Social Services (DSS) Director Sue Rhodes retires. Her last day was Oct. 31.
• Team No. 958, one of several Polk County High School teams that competed in the U.S. Marine Corps Mud Run in Columbia, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 15, won the All-Female Division.
• At the Tryon Town Council meeting Oct. 18, Tryon officials consider selling the Harmon Field community center building to purchase 2 acres and a house adjacent to the equestrian side of the park.
• Dyrell Laprince Dalton of Mill Spring was arrested the week of Oct. 17 in Operation Pill Sweep. He was found in possession of opium/heroine and morphine, according to sheriff’s office reports.
• The Rotary Club of Tryon Thursday, Oct. 20 presented a $5,000 donation to Tryon Elementary School (TES) in honor of retired Principal Walker Williams. The donation was put solely toward stocking the shelves of TES’ library.
• Local resident Bonnie Zelinskie, 83, jumped out of a plane and parachuted back down to earth Oct. 9. Jumping out of a plane was the number one item on Zelinskie’s bucket list.
• The Town of Tryon applies for a $40,000 N.C. Rural Center grant to develop a plan for the replacement of the East Howard Street sewer line, one of Tryon’s largest problem.
• Polk County Clerk of Superior Court Charlene T. Owens retires after working in the courthouse almost 35 years. Her last day is Dec. 31 of this year.
• Columbus Town Council met Thursday, Oct. 20 and addressed parking concerns in the town. Council agreed to have the planning board work on parking regulations and for town manager Jonathan Kanipe to speak with town business owners.
• The Polk County Department of Social Services (DSS) planned to move into its new building on Nov. 21.
• Columbus resident Becky Bell told town council she felt discriminated against with regard to yard sale signs. At a council meeting Oct. 20, she said her signs are always taken down, while other signs throughout the town are not.

In Memoriam
Diana Henderson Johnson
Mary Jo Pittman
Carroll Scoggins
Anna Maria Deudne
Arnold Lee “Al” Wright
John Vincent Hammett Sr
Karen Marie Northrup
Joyce Elaine Painter
Linda Lou Cogdell
Allene Wells Williamson
Charlotte Lewis Brady
David ‘Rod’ Moore
John Nash II
Brooke Ashley Goings
Lester Lee Powell
James Alfred Ruff Sr.
Sloan Hawkins Ward
Alva Maude Haynes McDade
John Mather Siegel Jr.