The Cherokee Chronicle

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.

05/02/2025

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS:

Aerowerks Selects Cherokee County
to Establish First US Operation

Aerowerks, a manufacturer for the food service industry, today announced it selects Cherokee County to establish the company’s first U.S. operation. The company’s $10 million investment will create 52 new jobs.

With more than 40 years of experience, Aerowerks specializes in the manufacture of custom material handling systems, including return conveyers, tray accumulators and dish machines, for the food service industry. The company currently operates a production facility in Ontario, Canada.

Aerowerks’ new facility, located at 330 Huntington Road in Gaffney, will design, manufacture and assemble the company’s material handling systems. Operations are expected to be online later this month. Individuals interested in joining the Aerowerks team should contact Ping Chan ([email protected]). The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project.

"We are excited to establish our first U.S. operation in Cherokee County, a strategic location that will allow us to serve our customers better and expand our footprint in the food service industry. Our $10 million investment demonstrates our commitment to growth and innovation, and we are proud to contribute to the local economy by creating 52 new jobs. This facility will be integral to our vision of providing high-quality, custom material handling systems, and we look forward to working alongside the community to create a successful and sustainable operation."-Aerowerks Corporation of America President Balbir Singh

“South Carolina continues to build on its success in the manufacturing industry. Aerowerks’ $10 million investment in the Cherokee County community will greatly benefit the region and create new opportunities for our people, and we congratulate the company on this new operation.” - Gov. Henry McMaster
“South Carolina’s business-friendly environment and talented workforce continue to attract companies from around the world. We are proud to welcome Aerowerks and the new jobs it will bring to Cherokee County, and we look forward to building a strong partnership with the company.” - Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

"We are thrilled to welcome Aerowerks to Gaffney. This milestone is a testament to the strength of our community and the incredible partnership with Cherokee County. Together, we are paving the way for economic growth and innovation, ensuring a prosperous future for all our residents.” - Gaffney Mayor Lyman Dawkins III

05/01/2025

LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
TO PURSUE LIMESTONE CAMPUS

The Cherokee County School District Board of Trustees voted in favor of allowing Interim Superintendent Dr. Thomas White to begin negotiations in an attempt to purchase Limestone University’s campus. The board met during a special called meeting Thursday night and made the motion following executive session.

04/30/2025

LIMESTONE CONFIRMS CLOSURE

In an email to staff members and students, Limestone University President Dr. Nathan Copeland confirmed that the Board of Trustees voted in favor of closing the 179-year-old institution due to financial struggles. The university will cease all on-campus operations in Gaffney, along with athletics, and all online operations as well. More information will be in Thursday’s edition of The Chronicle.

04/29/2025

DAN JONES HEADLINES PATTERSON'S
FINAL ROUND OF LIVE INTERVIEWS

By: Brock Hamrick
Sports Editor

Five months after coaching his final football game, Gaffney High School head football coach Dan Jones will sit down with Jason Patterson Tuesday evening, headlining the final night of live interviews at the Capri Theatre.

Jones, who concluded his 15th and final season as the Indians head coach last November, will be featured as a part of Gaffney native Jason Patterson’s ProFiles series. Patterson has hosted live interviews at the Capri the past three Tuesday nights, featuring coaching and playing legends from across the Palmetto State sports landscape.

Free tickets are still available to be a part of the live audience for Tuesday night’s interviews by visiting www.pattersonprofiles.com/about-7.

Born and raised in Cherokee County, Jones returned to his alma mater to serve as an assistant coach beginning in the fall of 1992. Over the next 33 seasons, Jones was a part of seven state championship-winning teams, including two as head coach (2012, 2021).

His 15 seasons as head coach set the record for most amongst Gaffney High football history, and his 140 wins are also atop the all-time wins list for the Indians.

The doors at the Capri will open at 7:00 as the first interview will take place with former Greenville Braves pitcher Jeff Taylor. Major league infielder Wallace Johnson will take the stage after Taylor, to be followed by Jones.

“It seems fitting that we opened our first live season of ProFiles with a tribute to legendary Gaffney coach Bob Prevatte, and we’re going to close it with coach Dan Jones,” said Patterson, who still maintains his residence in Goucher. “This community, its people, its places, and its history have been foundational in my life, which is why it was so very important to bring our first round of live in person events home to Cherokee County.”

Patterson works as a play-by-play commentator for sporting events across the country. His work has appeared on multiple regional and national networks including Fox Sports, ESPN, ACC Network, SEC Network and American Sports Network.

Patterson’s voice has become the familiar soundtrack for many high school, collegiate and professional championships.

Once the final sessions are complete Tuesday night, Patterson and his team will go to work to turn the interviews into 30-minute episodes, which will be added to growing collection of ProFiles available on Patterson’s website, which can be found at www.pattersonprofiles.com.

(Accompanying photo shows Dan Jones during an early morning practice on Thanksgiving Day last season.)