APRIL
Hannon Hauling celebrates 100 years of service
Beginning on Feb. 1, 1912, William H. Hannon started Hannon Hauling, making deliveries in Tryon with a horse and buggy. Hannon would be proud to know his descendants have kept the business going strong for 100 years. Hannon’s is one of the oldest businesses still operating today in Polk County.
O’Shields, Still take on new District 1 roles
The District One Schools board of trustees named Lana O’Shields assistant principal for O.P. Earle Elementary School in Landrum, while Jennifer Still became the assistant principal at Campobello-Gramling School.
Taylor arrested for arson in connection with Abril fire
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested David Charles Taylor, 78, of Columbus in connection with a fire that destroyed the home of Colleen Abril on March 20.
Amendment 1 stirs debate in Polk
Nearly 200 people packed the Womack building in Columbus April 2 for a meeting in which the Polk County Board of Commissioners was expected to consider a resolution in support of N.C. Amendment 1. Amendment 1 was an amendment to add a new section to the state constitution stating that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid in the state. Commissioners chose not to take a vote on the issue. The referendum was later approved across the state.
Construction begins on Green Creek Dollar General
Contractors began clearing the site for a new Dollar General store in a multiple use zoning area of Green Creek. Polk County officials said because of the area’s zoning, restrictions could not be placed on the style of the building as was done in Saluda and Tryon previously.
Family Dollar store in Tryon closes
The Family Dollar on Hwy. 176 in Tryon closed May 19 after being open for more than 50 years. Some workers and customers said they remembered shopping at the store with their parents when they were children or when they were newly married years ago.
Foothills Music Club announces scholarship awards
The Foothills Music Club announced its 2012 scholarship recipients. Winners included Paulina Ray-Zorick, Tyler Graeper, Katelyn Duncan and Rachel Richards. The Foothills Music Club has supported student musical talent since the group’s beginning in 1988. To date, more than $36,000 has been awarded to young musicians in the area.
Landrum swears in new police chief
Landrum Mayor Robert Briggs swore in Tim Edgens as the city’s new police chief on April 10, following the retirement of former Chief Bruce Shelnutt.
Crews began filming ‘Distraction’ in Landrum
City leaders and business owners celebrated the beginning of filming for a science fiction TV pilot in April. Writer and director Jeff Prince said he wanted to film the pilot in Landrum because it offered the look and feel of an All-American town. Crews wrapped up filming around April 22.
Columbus police arrest fugitive wanted for attempted murder
The Columbus Police Department arrested Justin Enrikus Jackson, 23, of Inman, S.C. during a traffic stop on I-26. Jackson had multiple felony warrants out of Greer, S.C. including two counts of attempted murder.
Elwell, Regoni win Lanier poetry contest
Lynn P. Elwell of Durham, N.C. took the top prize in the adult division of the Sidney Lanier Poetry contest with his poem “Mr. and Mrs. Gregg.” Meanwhile, Chelsea F. Regoni of Campobello won the student division with her poem, “In the End, Dear Sister.”
‘Knock Knock’ opened April 19 at TLT’s Workshop
“Knock Knock,” Tryon Little Theater’s last show of the season was described as a “knockabout farce.” The show, written by Jules Feiffer included actors Elvin Clark, Chris Bartol, Lavin Cuddihee, Nancy Winker, Lorin Browning, Becky Oliver and Joshua Moffitt.
Polk Democrats honor party members, plan for year
Polk County Democrats honored their own during the county convention Saturday, April 14. Recognized were Jack Jolley, Liston B. Ramsey award; Dr. Mary Bosien, Lifetime Achievement; Jean Pruitt, Volunteer of the Year; and Franklin Smith, Community Service.
25-year-old killed in Coxe Rd. accident
A 25-year-old Polk County resident was killed in a one-vehicle wreck along Coxe Road in the Green Creek community April 18. N.C. State Trooper Robert Cochran said Caleb Armand Newlon Grindley died at the scene.
Polk to give schools an extra $150k next year
The county board of commissioners on April 16 approved adding an additional $150,000 in funding to the budget for Polk County Schools in the 2012-2013 fiscal year, which began July 1. Superintendent Bill Miller requested the funds because the system expected additional cuts and the lack of previous federal stimulus money.
Tryon approves new three-year BBQ festival contract
The Town of Tryon, Harmon Field Board of Supervisors and the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce all agreed on a new contract for the Blue Ridge Barbecue Festival. The three-year contract included a tiered payment system to Harmon Field based on admissions.
Polk to apply for $250,000 expansion grant for Allrail Inc.
The Polk County Board of Commissioners approved applying for a $250,000 grant to help a local company, Allrail Inc., with expansion plans. The company planned to add 10 new jobs and contribute $100,000 toward the expansion.
Polk to switch to U.S. House of Representatives District 10
Polk County moved to U.S. House of Representatives District 10 after state redistricting. Polk was previously included in District 11 under Heath Shuler (D). Patrick McHenry (R) will now be Polk’s representative.
Cardinals softball region champs again
On April 19 the Lady Cardinals beat Blacksburg 14-4 to win their sixth consecutive region title. Since Tucker Hamrick took over the team four years ago, Landrum has been 42-1 in region play.
Crowley, Divine Fortune win Block House
Jockey Brian Crowley rode William Pape’s Divine Fortune to victory at the 66th Block House Steeplechase April 21.
Cash tackles Saluda Grade again to fight cancer
John Cash made his fourth fund-raising trek up the Saluda Grade by bike in his annual Climb to Conquer Cancer on April 28. He rode his bike 10 times up and down the Saluda grade section of Hwy. 176 from the Tryon Youth Center to Saluda and back. The event raises funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the survivorship program at Gibbs Regional Cancer Center in Spartanburg, S.C.
Columbus improves fire protection rating to 5
The Columbus Fire Department improved its fire protection rating from a class 7/9 to a class 5/9, which will mean lower homeowners’ insurance rates for residents within city limits.
24-year-old dies at Big Bradley
Rescue workers recovered the body of Jesse Pague, 24, of Saluda from the bottom of Big Bradley Falls April 26 after hours of efforts, said Saluda Deputy Fire Chief Zach Pace. A 911 call originally came in at 10 p.m. April 26 reporting the hiker missing. The American Red Cross was called out shortly after midnight to support rescue crews working into the early morning hours to find the man and later to recover his body.
Zieler completes embezzlement payments
Former Polk County Tax Office employee Jenny Zieler appeared in a Polk County Superior Court administrative session April 18. Her probation was terminated because of the completion of payments. Zieler pled guilty in December 2009 to embezzling $49,744 from the tax office while she was employed. She was sentenced to 13 to 16 months, with the sentence being suspended for her to serve three years of supervised probation and the requirement to pay back the money.