Editor’s note: Over the next several days, we will take a look back at some of the top stories, news makers and images that shaped the year.

July

Annual Fabulous Fourth bike ride tour
The annual Fabulous Fourth Bike Ride Tour began at 7 a.m. Friday and featured two routes, the 67-mile metric–century ride with over 7,800 feet of vertical climb through the Blue Ride foothills in two states, and the shorter route, which covers 34 miles in the Polk County area. Proceeds from the charity ride benefit The Rotary Club of Tryon’s Gift of Life Program.

Polk arrests woman for stealing $100k of Civil War antiques
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Columbus woman last week accused of breaking into a home and stealing more than $100,000 worth of Civil War era antiques, many of which were hand crafted in Charleston during the Civil War. Willow Miller, 36, of 160 Shuford Rd., Columbus was arrested and charged with 16 counts of felony breaking and entering, 16 counts of felony larceny and 16 counts of obtaining property by false pretenses, according to sheriff reports.

Old St. Luke’s building suffers numerous break-ins
The owner of the old St. Luke’s Hospital, known as the Jervey Palmer building in Tryon says he is being robbed blind before he can renovate the property. Jerry Thomas purchased the Jervey Palmer building from Polk County last year and in the last few months the building has been broken into numerous times, with metal and copper ripped from the ceilings. Tools, appliances, air conditioning units, electrical and plumbing and other items and supplies were stolen.

Polk stops over 2k pills from reaching college campus
Western Carolina University will be short a large delivery of narcotics after the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a student transporting more than 2,500 dosage units, including Ecstasy, LSD, marijuana, amphetamine salts and Adderall, according to sheriff reports.

Tryon Resort encouraged by positive public forum
In front of a standing room only crowd at the Polk County Board of Commissioners meeting, Tryon Equestrian Properties’ Managing Partner Mark Bellissimo said he is excited about the positive energy from Polk residents about the project. Bellissimo provided a question and answer session for the public during the county’s July 7 meeting about the new equestrian center, Tryon Resort, which opened last week off the Pea Ridge exit of U.S. 74. Bellissimo showed a video about the resort then answered questions from the almost 200 residents who attended the meeting.

Hounding it up in Saluda
Thousands packed the streets of Saluda on Saturday, July 5 for the 51st annual Coon Dog Day. The weather was perfect for the festival, which included a parade, vendors and Coon Dog judging. The festival ended with the annual street dance.

Republican Party’s Fourth of July booth stirs controversy
A dunking booth sponsored by the Polk County Republican Party at the Columbus Fourth of July festival last Friday brought some residents to the board of commissioner meeting on Monday, July 7 calling it a disgrace. The booth included pictures of President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton where participants could throw a ball to dunk a person sitting in the booth. Republicans were also selling t-shirts that brought controversy to Monday’s meeting.

Tryon approves no tax, no rate increase budget
After changes to the 2013-2014 fiscal year budget, including a 2.5 cent tax increase, Tryon Town Council approved its new budget with no increases in the tax rate or water/sewer services. The new fiscal year began Tuesday, July 1. Tryon Town Council met June 17 and discussed the latest draft of the budget as well as held a public hearing with no comments being made.

Polk to move forward with DSS repairs
After approximately two and a half years of issues, Polk County Commissioners decided to move forward with some repairs to its human services building. Commissioners met Monday, July 7 and awarded a bid to GEM Constructors Inc. for a total of $82,146. The human services building, or department of social services (DSS) building has had issues since the county moved into the new building in December 2011.

Saluda to enforce temporary sign ordinance
Temporary and directional signs in Saluda could soon be removed from the city’s streets as city council agreed to enforce its current sign ordinance. Saluda City Council met July 14 and discussed several temporary signs that have popped up recently.

Polk registers 70 new companies in first three months of 2014
With the recent announcement of Tryon Resort and work continuing at developments such as Bright’s Creek, Polk County’s economic picture has turned around in the last few years. Between January and March 2014, Polk County had already registered 70 new companies, which could set the county up to exceed last year’s 160 new companies registered.

Digital textbook technology comes to Polk County’s elementary schools
Eleven teachers from Polk’s elementary schools attended a digital science textbook training session at Stearns on Tuesday led by Cheri Ewald of Discovery Education, a division of Discovery Communications. Based on the North Carolina state science standards for each grade, teachers will be able to use the digital textbook to access, plan and customize their curriculum. Students will be able to work individually, in groups, or in a whole class setting to progress through the lessons.

Goats begin clearing at Saluda’s WWTP
If you see goats within an electric fence at Saluda’s wastewater treatment plant on Pearson Falls Road, know that the critters are simply doing the job for which they’ve been rented-eating kudzu. The goats, rented from Wells Farm Weed Management of Horse Shoe, N.C., by Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) are enjoying their first of two visits this year to the facility. The goats were at the facility once last year, before near-constant rains prevented a second visit. However, the15 goats will be back this fall to dine on more of the kudzu at the plant.

Media Center addition in progress at Sunny View Elementary
When the halls and classrooms of Sunny View Elementary School fill up in August with the sounds of excited children starting a new school year, Librarian Angela Hall will be putting the finishing touches on school’s newest space. Contractors began work on a 986 sq. ft. addition to the media center in June, a week after classes were over. Principal Kevin Weiss plans for the addition to be completed just before or as school opens on Aug. 25. The media center’s addition will increase the center’s total square footage to 2,815 sq. ft.

Landrum’s welcome center to get a makeover
By the end of this year, visitors to the South Carolina Welcome Center on Interstate 26 near Landrum will see some significant changes to signage, landscaping, and traveling amenities as part of a recent transfer of the management of the state’s nine welcome centers from the S.C. Department of Transportation to the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. The move is an effort by the state to improve the traveling public’s first impressions of South Carolina by utilizing knowledge gained over the past 20 years from the hospitality and tourism industries.

Seasons of Life adult day services now open in Columbus
With hopes dwindling last year if Polk County’s adult day life services could continue operation, June Beddingfield decided to step up and keep the dream Betsy Freeman had years ago alive. Seasons of Life Adult Day Services opened on June 30 after taking over Rutherford Life Services’ Polk facility, which decided last year to close. The Polk County Board of Commissioners funded the operations for six months until a new provider was found.

 

 

 

 

Students receive commendation certificates
The Columbus Explorers Post 911 received certificates of commendation from Chief Beddingfield of the Columbus Police Department Thursday evening for their assistance during the Fourth of July festivities in downtown Columbus. The students are members of the police department’s Explorer Program, a mentorship program that offers activities and training for students to become familiar with law enforcement and to contribute to the community. Officer Ron Diaz leads the group’s activities and physical training.

Saluda’s McCreery Park master plan approved
Saluda has its sights set high to one day make McCreery park a prime recreational destination for all ages. The Saluda Board of Commissioners recently approved a master plan for McCreery Park, which over time and in phases includes almost $400,000 in improvements. Planned improvements include the installation of ADA compliant ramps, the installation of safety surfacing, the creation of trails, new landscaping, a Saluda train climber, a tree house and new play equipment for all ages.