Wedding & Event Venue near Gaffney, SC

GAFFNEY, S.C. (WSPA) — Friday’s slew of storms caused trees to fall in parts of the Upstate, severely damaging homes in Gaffney and injuring one person.

Gaffney Fire Captain Jeremy Broome told 7NEWS two massive trees fell on the houses — minutes after one another.

“Probably three quarters of the [Broad Street] home was crushed,” he said. “They did confirm someone was inside.”

He said the first tree fell around 2:30 p.m. Because of the damage to the home on Broad Street, Broome explained crews couldn’t use the front door to get inside.

“Inside the window, they made contact with the patient,” he said. “[Firefighters] did have to cut the wall out to get the patient. They were able to backboard the patient and get back out the window and head over to EMS.”

A few blocks away, Broome said a second tree fell onto a house on Mills Street.

The tree completely covered the front half of the home when 7NEWS arrived at the scene.

“Everyone was able to get out that home on their own,” Broome said. “Crews responded to make sure they were O.K. and then they cleared it up.”

Neighbors told 7NEWS the owner of the second home had recently moved in after her last home was damaged by a falling tree.

According to the National Weather Service, Cherokee County was hit with a microburst, a powerful downdraft of air that occurs within a thunderstorm. They’re known to leave damage in their paths, and Gaffney was no exception.

“We ended up with probably 12 calls due to trees and powerlines in a matter of an hour and a half,” Broome said.

He said the storms passed through Cherokee County, but damage was mostly within Gaffney city limits.

Broome told 7NEWS that after Hurricane Helene in 2024, firefighters are well-acquainted with having to cut people out of their homes.

“It’s really unpredictable where they’re going to pop up and really you never know if a tree is going to fall or not,” he said.

To keep up with the latest forecast, click here. See power outage updates here.

GAFFNEY, S.C. —

Entering his second season leading his alma mater, Gaffney head coach Donnie Littlejohn feels grateful to have the opportunity to lead his team this fall.

"A lot of people don't get to live their dreams; I get to live mine every single day," Littlejohn said. "I got into teaching as a way to honor my mom. She wanted to be a teacher and wasn't fortunate enough to achieve that goal. To have this ability to lead this program and try to make a difference, it means the world to me."

Gaffney has 13 starters returning from last year's team, including five on offense and eight on defense. Two players are competing for the starting quarterback job — Corey Taylor Jr. and TJ Person.

"I don't know if one has significantly separated themselves from each other," Littlejohn said. "They both have protected the ball, they both have showed flashes during scrimmages, and both are still young and have a lot to learn, so I think we'll lean on our offensive line and tailback room to carry most of the load until those guys are ready to take on the load."

Linebacker and tailback Kendaris Bailey is one player Littlejohn expects to make an impact right away.

"I don't know if I can say enough about Kendaris Bailey," Littlejohn said. "He is a very lovable person. He has a huge heart. He plays football with a huge heart. He loves the game, he loves his teammates, he loves his coaches. When he wants to dominate, he dominates. He is a dominating player — 231 pounds and runs a 5.58. That's moving. I'll take that any day."

The Indians have a motto of "Chasing 19" that they have used over the last several seasons, as they chase their 19th state title in program history.

"We want to produce a product that the kids and community can be proud of on Friday nights," Littlejohn said. "Nineteen would be great to get, but producing better men has to be the focal point of it. I am a firm believer that you can play good football and be successful and still turn out men that can be professionals, husbands and whatever they want to be in life."

Regardless of whether or not the Indians lift a trophy at the end of the season, Littlejohn just wants to see his team give it their all throughout the season.

"The motto around here is we're going to get your best," Littlejohn said. "We're going to get your best in the classroom, in the weight room, and in life. There are certain areas you have to understand: when you're a football player, you represent more than just your name. You represent the name on your chest; you represent this town. You represent the legacy that people before you laid down."

The Indians open their season on Aug. 21 against Spartanburg.

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UFP Packaging, an industrial packaging solutions company, is expanding its South Carolina presence with a new Upstate factory in Cherokee County, according to a news release from the office of Gov. Henry McMaster.

Michigan-based UFP Packaging, which is a subsidiary of UFP Industries, designs and manufactures packaging solutions for businesses. They manufacture wood pallets and crates, corrugated boxes, structural steel packaging, and horticulture racks, according to the company.

The company’s $5.31 million Upstate investment will create 136 new jobs over five years at a new factory in Gaffney, according to UFP Packaging.

“Congratulations to UFP Packaging on this investment in Cherokee County," McMaster said. "As our state continues to lead the country in manufacturing, we are proud to welcome 136 new, high-quality jobs to one of our rural counties.”

The new facility, located at 50 Peachview Blvd., will manufacture wood packaging products and strengthen UFP Packaging’s ability to serve industrial customers, according to the release.

“This investment gives our structural packaging business added capacity, expanded geographic reach and enhanced ability to deliver highly customized solutions that help customers solve difficult packaging and logistics challenges," UFP Industries president and CEO Will Schwartz said.

Operations at the Gaffney facility are expected to begin by the second quarter of 2027, and Upstate workers interested in joining UFP Packaging should visit the company's career page, according to a press release.

“We are proud to welcome UFP Packaging to Gaffney," Mayor Lyman Dawkins said. "Their $5.31 million investment and the creation of 136 high-paying jobs are a tremendous win for our community. Revitalizing the 50 Peachview facility demonstrates Gaffney’s continued momentum as a great place to invest, grow and create opportunities for our residents."

The Gaffney facility will join two other South Carolina UFP Packaging facilities, located in Orangeburg and Rowesville.

Ruth Cronin covers Greenville County business, growth and development. Contact her at rcronin@usatodayco.com.