The Cherokee Chronicle

12/18/2025

Blacksburg Receives Grant
Funding for Streetscape Project

The Town of Blacksburg has secured multiple grants to move forward with key components of its 2024 Streetscape and Placemaking Master Plan, town officials announced Thursday morning.

The funding includes an $851,952 Community Development Block Grant that will support Phase 2 of streetscape and placemaking improvements along a portion of North Shelby Street. The project aligns with the master plan developed in 2024 by Blake Sanders of Studio Main LLC.

Town officials said they plan to apply for additional funding through the Appalachian Regional Commission to complete the remaining section of North Shelby Street. That grant application is due in February 2026.

In a separate award, Blacksburg received a South Carolina Department of Transportation Transportation Alternatives Program grant in August 2025. The funding will be used to implement part of Phase 1 of the master plan along East Cherokee Street between Shelby and Rutherford streets.

The town also secured $1.5 million in loan forgiveness through the State Revolving Fund’s Bureau of Water to replace and upgrade a water line along Cherokee Street. Once the water line work is completed, street and sidewalk repairs will follow in accordance with the master plan.

Town officials said coordinating multiple funding sources around a single plan allows Blacksburg to improve infrastructure while enhancing the safety, appearance and functionality of its streets. The investments are expected to support walkability, economic development and long-term downtown revitalization.

The town thanked local and regional partners involved in the projects, including the Appalachian Council of Governments, which assisted with several of the grant applications.

11/20/2025

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette will host a Town Hall event Thursday night starting at 6:00 p.m. at The Capri Theatre in downtown Gaffney. Evette, who is seeking to become South Carolina’s next Governor, will meet with voters and also take questions from the audience during the town hall. To RSVP for the free event, visit the following link: https://efg.nucleuspages.com/landing/1120-gaffney-town-hall.

11/05/2025

BREAKING NEWS — 500 Pounds of
M**h Seized in Blacksburg

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday afternoon that it had seized over $1.5 million in m**hamphetamine following search warrants executed at a residence in Blacksburg, marking the second largest m**h seizure in the county's history.

According to a press release from Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller, narcotics investigators executed a search warrant at a residence on Kings Creek Ford Road in Blacksburg, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of over 500 pounds of m**hamphetamine. The m**hamphetamine is worth over $1.5 million on the street

Billie Lee Pitts and Joseph Todd Martin were charged and booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center.

"The work of our Narcotics Team has removed a lot of poison from our streets not only in Cherokee County but York County and several North Carolina counties as well," Mueller said. "This is phenomenal narcotics work and a historic seizure for law enforcement, I am very proud of this team and our federal partnerships.”

During the investigation, police also seized a stolen 2005 Range Rover found on the property.

"Those arrested thus far were players in the operation but certainly not the masterminds behind the operations and our narcotics team will continue to purse those suspects," Mueller said.

10/08/2025

Cherokee County School District Names
Dr. Fitzpatrick as New Superintendent

The Cherokee County School District Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Dr. Raashad Fitzpatrick has accepted the position as the district’s new superintendent effective Jan. 1, 2026. The Board was unanimous in the decision to hire Dr. Fitzpatrick.

Dr. Fitzpatrick is no stranger to Cherokee County having served as Principal at Gaffney High School from 2013 to 2019 before accepting a position as Assistant Superintendent and District Ombudsman for the Greenville County School District. Most recently, Dr. Fitzpatrick has served as Lancaster County School Superintendent since October 2023.

“It is with a deep purpose and enthusiasm that I accept the position of Superintendent of Cherokee County School District,” Dr. Fitzpatrick said. “A significant part of my leadership journey was in Cherokee County, where I had the privilege of serving as principal of Gaffney High School and watching my two oldest children graduate. Now, my two youngest children will be in the Cherokee County School System, and I look forward to seeing them graduate here as well.”

Dr. Fitzpatrick brings a servant’s heart and a record of district-level success to his new role; he has demonstrated his ability to lead with vision, integrity and results.

“I am grateful to the Board of Trustees for this vote of confidence,” Fitzpatrick said. “I have many wonderful memories and long-established relationships with people in Cherokee County and am looking forward to renewing friendships and creating new partnerships.”

Board Chair Shanese Dawkins expressed the Board’s collective excitement and confidence in Dr. Fitzpatrick’s leadership and willingness to serve: “We are thrilled for the return of Dr. Raashad Fitzpatrick to Cherokee County. We sensed his passion for coming here to lead our schools,” Dawkins said. “We are confident his leadership will guide our district toward continued success and innovation.”

“Our community’s input was a key factor in the Board’s search,” Dawkins said.

“This was a thorough, comprehensive, and thoughtful process,” she explained. “It was clear that Dr. Fitzpatrick’s vision for Cherokee County Schools and his dedication to our students and teachers make him the ideal choice as superintendent.”

“I have known Dr. Fitzpatrick for a very long time,” stated Dr. Thomas White, Interim Superintendent. “He is a man of great integrity, character, and faith, and he is a dedicated husband and father. I applaud the Cherokee County Board of Trustees for this decision. I believe Dr. Fitzpatrick possesses the human relations and administrative leadership skills to lead Cherokee County School District to excellence.”

The Board of Trustees will hold its regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 13. During that meeting the Board will officially approve the new superintendent’s contract. The finalized contract will then be made available.

Dr. Fitzpatrick brings extensive experience to the superintendency, having served in various leadership roles throughout South Carolina.

“I believe Cherokee County School District is poised to become one of the premier school districts in South Carolina,” Fitzpatrick said. “We will accomplish this by putting students first, supporting educators, and forging strong partnerships with families and community stakeholders. With its strong traditions, talented educators, and dedicated families, this District has all the ingredients for greatness. I’m eager to bring my servant leadership philosophy back home to help realize that potential.”

Dr. Fitzpatrick earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from West Virginia State University in 1997. His Master of Arts in Leadership Studies was completed in 1999 at Marshall University, and his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership was completed in 2012 at South Carolina State University. His training and preparation also includes the following:

• South Carolina Association of School Administrators, Center for Executive
Leadership: District Level Leaders Silver Strand 2022-2023
• National Dropout Prevention Center, Trauma Skilled Schools 2019
• National Dropout Prevention Center, Dropout Prevention Specialist 2019
• Leadership Cherokee, Class of 2015
• South Carolina School Leadership Executive Institute Program 2013
• Harvard EdRedesign Place-Based Education Leader Design Fellow 2025
• Furman Riley Institute Diversity Leadership Institute Fellow 2024

Dr. Fitzpatrick’s professional organizations and community services organizations are numerous. He has been a presenter for state and national organizations. His previous experience includes Graduate Assistant at Marshall University; Defensive Line Coach at West Virginia State University; Adjunct Professor at Converse University; teacher and coach at Chesnee High School; assistant principal at Whitlock Junior High School and Spartanburg High School; principal at Carver Middle School and Gaffney High School; Assistant to the Superintendent and District Ombudsman for Greenville County School District; and Superintendent for Lancaster County School District.

08/19/2025

08/18/2025

***Attention 2025 GHS Football Booster Club Members***

Members of the Gaffney High School Football Booster Club can pick up their booster club packages Tuesday, August 19th at the Booster Club room from 4:30pm - 6:30pm.

Please email the booster club at [email protected] or call 864-444-2435 if you are not able to pick up during this time.

The booster club thanks its members for their continued support as the new season kicks off Friday night at The Reservation.

08/13/2025

OLLIE'S BARGIN OUTLET
TO OPEN IN GAFFNEY

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet will open a store in Gaffney next year, filling the former Big Lots space at Cherokee Plaza, local officials announced Wednesday afternoon.

The deal, finalized this week, will bring the discount retailer to the shopping center in the second quarter of 2026. The project was made possible through a partnership between the Cherokee County Development Board, Retail Strategies and the owner of Cherokee Plaza Shopping Center.

County leaders said the addition of Ollie’s is part of a broader effort to grow the area’s retail and commercial base.

In addition to Ollie’s, Beall’s is set to open in the same shopping center this October.

08/07/2025

PREVATTE STATUE ARRIVES AT GHS

Crews from Sossamon Construction were onsite at Gaffney High School Thursday morning, placing the statue of Bob Prevatte just outside The Reservation. The bronze statue is being moved from Limestone University to Gaffney High following the closure of the historic institution.

Donated by Carolina Panthers Founder Jerry Richardson, the statue was the showpiece of Limestone's athletic complex named after Prevatte, who coached Richardson during high school in North Carolina.

Prevatte arrived in Gaffney in 1956, taking over a downtrodden football program. Over the next 14 seasons, Prevatte captured five state titles, scored 119 victories, and became a beloved legend amongst the Indian faithful.

Crews are planning to complete the work ahead of the start of the 2025 gridiron season, which begins August 22. (Staff Photos: Brock Hamrick)

07/02/2025

SC PEACH FESTIVAL PARADE
TO BE HELD IN BLACKSBURG

Blacksburg Town Council voted unanimously in favor of accepting a request from the South Carolina Peach Festival to host the 2025 parade in Downtown Blacksburg. The vote was taken during a special called town council meeting Wednesday afternoon. The parade will be held July 12th at 10:00 a.m. through the streets of the Iron City.

06/20/2025

The Gaffney High School Football Booster Club hosted a meet-and-greet Thursday night with new coordinators Brad Van Horn and Ian Cooper, along with first-year head coach Donnie Littlejohn. The three coaches gave a brief introductory speech to the large crowd gathered in the Booster Club Room before shaking hands and talking with the Gaffney fans. The event also offered members a chance to save $25 on their memberships for the upcoming season. The booster club is still accepting applications, which are due by next Friday, June 27, to guarantee football program recognition. (Staff Photos: Brock Hamrick)

06/19/2025

BRIGHT NAMED NEW
VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICER

The Cherokee County Legislative Delegation has appointed Mr. Steven Bright of Gaffney as the new Cherokee County Veterans Affairs Officer. He will replace Mr. Todd Humphries who recently announced his resignation. Mr. Bright’s appointment is effective Monday, June 23, 2025.

The Cherokee County Veteran’s office is located 110 Railroad Avenue, Gaffney, South Carolina.

05/06/2025

HUFF DECIDES IT'S TIME TO STEP AWAY

By: Brock Hamrick
Sports Editor

Seven years after stepping away from coaching for the first time, Gaffney High School head girls basketball coach Mark Huff has decided once again that it’s time.

And unlike in 2018, this time – it will likely be for good.

Huff shared his decision with his team and administration at Gaffney High School Tuesday afternoon, marking the end of one of the most dominant coaches to ever roam the basketball sidelines.

“I just feel like it’s time,” Huff told The Chronicle Tuesday afternoon. “I’ve talked with other coaches over the years, and they’ve told me that ‘you’ll know when it’s time.’ I’ve been thinking a lot about it, and I’ve been praying about it – and I just feel like it’s the right decision. I don’t have the same energy and enthusiasm that I used to have.”

A native of Greenville, Huff arrived in Gaffney in 1997 and took over a struggling boys basketball program that had only won a handful of games the prior few seasons. Within a few seasons, the Tribe was in the playoffs, and not long after, competing for state titles.

Huff won three straight state titles from 2003-2005 with the Indians, marking the most impressive run at the premier level in South Carolina prep basketball at the time. Somehow, Huff managed to build a basketball program in a football town.

“People told me I was crazy to leave JL Mann in 1997 to take the Gaffney job,” Huff said. “But looking back now, it changed my family’s life. I told those people that if Gaffney was that good in football, I could find five guys that could play basketball. The Lord blessed me with a lot more than five.”

He won two more state titles in 2010 and 2012 before retiring in 2018. Of his 42 years spent in education, Huff only spent three years not coaching.

“I’ll be honest, I got the itch during those three years when I wasn’t coaching,” Huff said.

For the past four seasons, Huff returned to the bench – leading the Lady Indians basketball program. Last year, Gaffney won the Region II-5A Title and threatened as one of the best teams in the state midway through the year.

Huff retires with an overall coaching record of 610-233, combing his time at Southside, JL Mann, and both Gaffney teams.

“I’ve enjoyed these past four seasons with the girls team, but I don’t want to be a figure head sitting down there on the bench,” Huff said. “The team needs someone with more energy and enthusiasm than I am able to put in. It’s a hard decision to make because it’s all I’ve ever done.”

Huff said he and his family plan to remain in Cherokee County, calling it "their home."

And while Gaffney fans will no longer see the familiar face on the bench, the memories of the exhilarating victories, and even the heart-breaking losses, will last forever.