Edwards retires as elections director after 31 years
Polk County Board of Elections Director Dale Edwards retired from her career with the county on Feb. 28. She was just 20 years old when she began working for the county.

Tryon Country Club added to National Register
Tryon Country Club celebrated being added to the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination was submitted to the North Carolina Historic Preservation Office pursuant to the diligent efforts of Jane Templeton of Tryon and Clay Griffith of Acme Preservation Services in Asheville, N.C.

County to pay for all of medical director’s salary
The Polk County Board of Commissioners made changes to how the medical director position will be funded and considered splitting the current EMS director/fire marshal and emergency management director position. Formerly St. Luke’s Hospital contributed to the position. Now the lease with the hospital says the county will fully fund the medical director position and the hospital will fund patient transports within the county.

Man charged with second-degree sexual offense with minor
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Detectives arrested Anthony Kyle Biggs, 44, of 1620 Green Creek Drive, Columbus, and charged him with one count of second degree sexual offense with a minor, one count of indecent liberties with a minor and one count of crimes against nature.

Engineering contract for E. Howard Street sewer approved
The Town of Tryon hired Watermark Engineering P.A. to design a sewer line replacement along East Howard Street. Council met Feb. 19 and approved a $67,400 engineering contract that includes designing the approximate 2,900 linear foot sewer line. The contract includes $38,200 for the engineering design, $19,200 for construction administration and $10,000 for surveying and mapping.

Chamber honors members at annual banquet
Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce honored Heartwood Gallery owner Shelley Dekay as its 2012 Chamber Member of the Year during its annual chamber banquet.

Mullins charged again with sexual offense on child
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office charged Alfard Steven Mullins Jr. with sexual offense on a child. The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office arrested Mullins on similar charges in January. The Polk County case involves a separate alleged victim than the case in Spartanburg County. In Polk County, Mullins was charged with first-degree sexual offense and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to Polk sheriff’s office records.

Repealing MRPO against county’s comprehensive plan
Polk County’s new board of commissioners’ action of rescinding the former mountainside and ridgeline protection ordinance (MRPO) went against the county’s current comprehensive plan and required commissioners to approve a statement of inconsistency. Commissioners also tabled work on the ridgeline section of its proposed unified development ordinance (UDO).