Polk County commissioners discuss school resource officers
In light of the Connecticut shootings Dec. 14, 2012, Polk County officials began discussions at the first commissioner meeting in January about what could be done to make schools safer.

Tryon Equestrian Properties buys White Oak Plantation for $11M
After being auctioned off in 2012, White Oak Plantation sold at the very end of 2012 to Tryon Equestrian Properties LLC for $11 million. The proposed development agreement turned into the planning board from Tryon Equestrian Properties states the developer anticipates a long-term investment that could exceed $90 million with the tax base exceeding $500 million.

Columbus police make drug arrests
On Dec. 29, 2012, the Columbus Police Department arrested Graeson Douglas Pritchard, 19, of Rutherfordton, N.C. and Joshua Robert Easley, 20, of Rutherfordton, N.C. on multiple drug charges following a traffic stop on Hayes Road.

Tryon approves $701k budget ordinance for Howard Street sewer line upgrade
With the approval of a Community Development Block Grant to upgrade Tryon’s main trunk sewer line along East Howard Street, council approved a $701,907 budget ordinance and agreement with Isothermal Planning and Development Commission (IPDC) to administer the grant.

TubaChristmas transfer of leadership
As part of the 15th annual TubaChristmas concert special thanks was given to Dr. and Mrs. Stan Howell of Columbus for their years of leadership.
Manfred Walter of Mill Spring presented them with a certificate of appreciation and Ray Gasperson made a presentation on behalf of the Polk County Board of Commissioners.

Local sweepstakes games shut down
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Columbus Police Department shut down sweepstakes gaming operations following a N.C. Supreme Court decision that upheld a ban on video sweepstakes machines.

Polk County seeking new EMS medical director
The Polk County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to seek a new medical director during its Jan. 7 meeting. Interim Polk County Manager Marche Pittman was made responsible for finding a replacement for Dr. Allison Owens, who served in the role for about a decade.

Polk rescinds mountain and ridgeline protection ordinance
Polk County no longer has an ordinance regulating building on its mountains and ridgelines. The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Monday, Jan. 7 and rescinded its mountainside and ridgeline protection ordinance (MRPO) following a public hearing. The county planning board recommended replacing the MRPO with a newly drafted steep slope ordinance but the majority of commissioners agreed instead to send a recommendation back to the planning board to have the building inspector determine what is needed.

New playground equipment installed at Stearns Park
Welcoming new playground equipment was installed at Stearns Park to replace old slides, swings and ladders deemed a danger to children in November 2011.

Polk forms school security task force
Polk County Commissioners decided to form a school security task force to assess area schools regarding security following the Dec. 14 school shooting in Newtown, Conn. Commissioners met on Monday, Jan. 7 and agreed to form the task force consisting of law enforcement and school officials.

Zipline construction underway in Saluda
Construction began on the outpost for The Gorge, a new canopy tour venture under development by Sara and Tim Bell of Green River Adventures. The Bells located a zipline outpost and parking lot for The Gorge on 1.4 acres located at the end of Honeybee Drive in Saluda, just off Holbert Cove Rd. The property is adjacent to 10,000 acres of game lands.

Polk goes out to bid to connect its water systems
Polk County continued to connect the dots with water line extensions around the county. On Monday, Jan. 7, commissioners approved going out for bid for a water line that would connect lines from Hwy. 9 to Hwy. 108, from the Peniel Road intersection along Hwy. 9 in Green Creek to the Hwy. 108 intersection in Mill Spring. The engineer estimated costs for the connection at $1.1 million.

Landrum man accused of sexual assault on minor
Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Officers arrested Alfard Steven Mullins Jr. of Landrum Friday, Jan. 11 on two counts each of incest and criminal sexual conduct with a minor – victim 11 to 14 years of age.

Meth lab busted in Tryon
The Tryon Police Department uncovered a small methamphetamine lab on June 10 and arrested two individuals for manufacturing the substance. Angela White Ross, 45, and Brian Paul Blackwell, 39, of 90 Beaver St., Tryon were arrested and each charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling/place/ vehicle for a controlled substance, conspiracy and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Tryon Police Chief Jeff Arrowood.

National trend of increased gun sales seen locally
A national discussion of gun regulation and the right to bare arms recently spawned a jump in sales according to one gun shop owner. The increase was seen locally as much as it was seen on a national level, said Foothills Gun Gallery owner Brian Ross.
“We’ve been so busy that we haven’t had a chance to sit down and actually look at the numbers – how much more business we’ve done than last year – but we have definitely seen an increase in sales,” Ross said.

Tryon considers saddle for Morris advertising
Tryon officials considered creating a saddle for Morris the Horse so that advertising signs placed on the statue do not harm it. Morris was rebuilt after a fundraising effort and the Morris committee asked town council during its November meeting not to allow advertising on the new statue for fear of damage.

No upset bids against Jervey-Palmer building offer
Polk County found a new owner for the Jervey-Palmer building in Tryon. Commissioners met Jan. 7 and heard from interim county manager Marche Pittman that the county received no upset bids following a $50,000 offer on the building from Daystar Enterprises Inc.

Landrum’s VFW Post commemorates war memorials
Landrum Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4873 celebrated a commemorative program Sunday, Jan. 13 at Landrum’s Memorial Gazebo in Brookwood Park to honor area veterans.

County looking to change EMS leadership
Polk County commissioners said little at their Jan. 7 meeting as to why they felt it necessary to make a change in the leadership of the county’s emergency medical service other than “the county’s been suffering for eight to 10 years.” Commissioner chair Michael Gage clarified that statement this week.
“What I said the other night – I shouldn’t have said it the way I said it,” Gage said. “The medical director doesn’t get paid a lot of money for the responsibility they take on. Dr. [Allison] Owens has done the best she can – I’m sure she has.”
However, Gage said commissioners voted 4-1 to seek a new medical director because of an “evolving situation in which no one trusts each other,” within the Emergency Medical System (EMS).

Mill Spring man charged with nine felonies
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Mill Spring man last week on nine felonies that included several drug charges and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Jeffrey Scott Brittain, 49, was charged with felony trafficking opium/heroine; felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance; felony possession with intent to manufacture sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance; three counts of felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule IV controlled substance; felony maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for a controlled substance; felony possession of a firearm by a felon, misdemeanor simple possession of schedule III controlled substance; and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, according to sheriff reports.

Polk receives emergency food and shelter funds
Polk County has been chosen to receive $2,800 in federal funds to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

Roseland receives PCCF grant
A new renaissance will soon take place at Roseland Community Center with the help of a major grant award from the Polk County Community Foundation (PCCF). Roseland Board of Directors recently announced receipt of a $17,400 grant, according to longtime Roseland President Dr. Warren Carson.

Polk asks state for legal trapping of furbearers
Polk County commissioners asked the state to amend House Bill 744 to include Polk County as a legal county to trap furbearers during trapping season. Furbearers listed with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission include beaver, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, groundhogs, mink, muskrat, nutria, opossum, otter, raccoon, red fox, spotted skunk, striped skunk and weasel.

Waters hired as new Polk County Board of Elections director
The Polk County Board of Elections appointed Tracy Waters as its new director.
Waters replaced director Dale Edwards following her retirement on Feb. 28, 2013.

Tryon commission considered loan to reopen ABC store
Town of Tryon Commissioners changed their tune on whether or not the town’s ABC Store could reopen and generate a profit. The store closed in September 2012 and remained closed into 2013 as ABC board members worked on a plan to reopen. In the meantime, the landlord offered a break on rent, and the board sold the store’s inventory to pay bills.

Thermal Belt Friendship Council announces scholarship winner
The Thermal Belt Friendship Council announced its 2013 Scholarship recipient.
Jonai Dawkins, a senior at Polk County High School, was selected as this year’s winner. She plans on attending the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.

Community unites to honor MLK’s legacy
A crowd of community members filled the seats of the Tryon Fine Arts Center Friday, Jan. 18, to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hosted by the Thermal Belt Friendship Council, the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration focuses on a different aspect of the Civil Rights Movement and those who sacrificed much to fight for equal rights across the country and locally.

Man arrested for stealing from vending machines
On Jan. 5, the Tryon Police Department responded to a breaking and entering and larceny from coin-operated vending machines at the Tryon IGA. The suspect took several hundred dollars and equipment from the vending machines. Christopher Lee Bowen, 37, of Landrum was arrested for the crime after surveillance video identified his vehicle leaving the scene.

Veterans Day parade planned in Columbus
Local veterans decided Columbus was the perfect place to hold an annual Veterans Day parade and began making plans for the first parade, which took place Nov. 11, 2013. A group was created to organize a parade and event celebrating the national holiday.

County looking for interim medical director
Interim Polk County Manager Marche Pittman said the county started the process of putting together a plan to seek an interim director. Dr. Allison Owens submitted a notice of resignation advising the county she would no longer continue service as medical director, effective Feb. 15.

Story family gifts Round Mountain to Saluda Community Land Trust
Through a gift from Jack and Louise Story and closing costs provided by the Bradley Fund of Polk County Community Foundation, SCLT now has the ability to protect the 55-acre property from development.

Polk school security task force organized
A newly formed school security task force sat down for the first time to organize a plan for better school security in Polk County. The task force’s first meeting occured Wednesday, Jan. 23, and consisted of Polk County School Superintendent Bill Miller, Polk County School Board Chair Geoff Tennant, Polk County Sheriff Donald Hill, interim Polk County Manager Marche Pittman, Columbus Police Chief Chris Beddingfield, Saluda Police Chief James Cantrell, Tryon Police Chief Jeff Arrowood, N.C. State Trooper Darryl Bailey and facilitator Jim Edwards, Isothermal Planning and Development Commission Director.

Foothills Humane Society receives Petco Foundation grant
Petco Foundation recently awarded a $10,000 grant to Foothills Humane Society (FHS) to support the organization’s spay-neuter programs. This generous funding sponsored about 230 spay-neuter surgeries in the coming year. FHS estimates its average cost of spay-neutering at $43 per animal.

Outreach awarded $16,000 grant from PCCF
Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry (Outreach) was recently awarded a Board Initiative Grant in the amount of $16,000 from the Polk County Community Foundation. Funds from this grant will be used to provide heating assistance during the winter of 2013 for residents of Polk County and Landrum residents with the zip code 29356.

St. Luke’s considers hiring Columbus officers
St. Luke’s Hospital has asked the Town of Columbus to hire two police officers to staff the hospital at night. Columbus Town Council met Jan. 17 and approved the town working with the hospital on an agreement after hearing from St. Luke’s CEO Ken Shull.

St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation board of trustees welcomes newest members
St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce four outstanding professionals joined the Board of Trustees: Fred Baisden, Ned Dick, Nancy McKinstry and Larry Wassong will each serve a three-year term.

Petition circulates against furbearer trapping
Polk County Commissioners’ actions to petition the state to allow legal trapping of furbearers caused some to sign a petition against it saying trapping is harmful to pets. The petition around noon Jan. 25 had 64 signatures and asked residents against trapping to attend the Polk County Board of Commissioner meeting on Monday, Feb. 4.

Columbus police bust meth lab in vehicle
On Jan. 4, 2013 the Columbus Police Department arrested George McKendre Haynes III, 32, of Central, S.C. following a traffic stop on Interstate I-26. Haynes was charged with felony manufacturing methamphetamine, felony possession of methamphetamine precursor chemicals, felony possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, felony possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, felony maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances, felony possession of a counterfeit instrument, possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed weapon.

Columbus Police Department makes multiple larceny arrests
On Jan. 9, the Columbus Police Department arrested William Gregory Pearce, 42, of East Flat Rock arising from a larceny at Advanced Auto Parts. On Jan. 13, the Columbus Police Department arrested Tianna Marie Eplee, 25, of Fletcher and Trinity Burns McCombs, 26, of Asheville arising from a larceny at Family Dollar. On Jan. 22, the Columbus Police Department arrested Cory Shane Lindsey, 25, of Mill Spring arising from a larceny at CVS Pharmacy.

Polk hires domestic/sex crime investigator
For the first time in several years, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has a special investigator to handle domestic violence, sex crimes, the sex offender registry and crimes involving children. Polk County Sheriff Donald Hill hired detective Sgt. B.J. Bayne to take on the role.

Construction work aims to enhance Tryon
Work continued on the historic St. Luke’s Thrift Store building. The property, purchased by Bob Lane last year, is one of several renovation projects under way in Tryon aiming to eventually enhance the look and feel of the town for residents and visitors. Crews also was working to complete upgrades to the Tryon Fine Arts Center as part of its improvement plans.

Columbus applies for Handmade in America program
The Town of Columbus has officially applied to be a part of Handmade in America Small Towns program. Columbus Town Council met Jan. 17 and were updated by town manager Jonathan Kanipe that the town submitted its application on Jan. 4.
Columbus was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Polk County Community Foundation to pursue a partnership with Handmade in America.

Tryon council responds to turning down Jervey-Palmer
After being offered the Jervey- Palmer building at no cost from the Polk County Board of Commissioners and turning the offer down, Tryon council members responded to questions of why. Commissioner Doug Arbogast said the town was worried about the phase II study on the property.
The county did a phase I study on the property after the town requested it, then the town requested a phase II study to check for problems such as asbestos and fuel poured on the ground.

New TFAC Board of Directors members bring expertise to table
Strong business and community leadership at Tryon Fine Arts Center continued as the board of directors welcomed new members to the team led by board president Timothy H. Brannon. Joining the board were Chris Bartol, Kevin Brode and Jeff Byrd.

New Polk County forest ranger takes over reins
Polk County welcomed new forest service ranger Brian Rogers last year who took over the position after the retirement of former ranger Dan Loudermelt.
Loudermelt was Polk’s forest ranger for approximately 26 years.