Cherokee County, SC

09/06/2026

⛈️ STORM SAFETY UPDATE

This afternoon’s severe storms have left trees and power lines down, roads blocked, and power outages throughout Cherokee County and our municipalities. Emergency crews, law enforcement, fire departments, public works personnel, utility crews, and other responders are actively working throughout the area.

As cleanup and response efforts continue, please help us keep everyone safe and keep emergency resources available for true emergencies.

📞 WHEN TO CALL 911

Call 911 immediately if:
• Someone is injured or experiencing a medical emergency.
• A fallen tree has struck a home or vehicle and someone may be trapped or injured.
• You see a fire, including electrical or transformer fires.
• Downed power lines are creating an immediate danger to people, vehicles, or structures.
• A roadway hazard is creating an immediate life-safety emergency.

Please DO NOT call 911 simply to report:
• A power outage at your home.
• Internet or cable outages.
• A tree or limb down on private property that is not creating an immediate danger.
• To ask when your power will be restored.

Report power outages directly to your electric utility. Keeping 911 lines available allows dispatchers to quickly answer calls from residents who need immediate emergency assistance.

⚡ TREAT EVERY DOWNED POWER LINE AS LIVE

Never touch, move, drive over, or attempt to remove a downed power line — even if it does not appear to be energized.

Stay well away from downed lines and do not attempt to remove a tree or limb that is touching or near a power line. Electricity can travel through trees, equipment, standing water, fences, and other materials.

🌳 TREES & ROADWAYS

Please avoid unnecessary travel while crews assess damage and clear roadways. Never drive around barricades, cones, emergency vehicles, or crews working in the roadway.

If you encounter a tree blocking a road, turn around if you can safely do so. Do not attempt to cut or move trees that may be tangled with utility lines.

🏠 IF YOUR POWER IS OUT

Use flashlights rather than candles when possible. If you are using a generator, operate it outdoors and well away from doors, windows, and vents. Never operate a generator inside a home, garage, basement, or enclosed area.

Check on neighbors, particularly older adults and anyone who may rely on electrically powered medical equipment.

❤️ PLEASE GIVE CREWS ROOM TO WORK

There are multiple agencies and utility crews responding across Cherokee County tonight. Please slow down, move over, stay clear of work areas, and be patient as damage is assessed and hazards are addressed.

If it is a life-safety emergency, call 911. If it is not an emergency, please help us keep those lines open for someone who truly needs them.

Stay safe, Cherokee County. We will continue to share important information as it becomes available.

09/06/2026

09/03/2026

NOTICE: Holiday Office Closure

09/02/2026

Cherokee County is seeking a Solid Waste Collections Manager to lead one of our community’s most visible and essential public services.

This isn’t simply a position about managing trucks and routes. We’re looking for someone who can lead people, strengthen operations, solve problems, and help build a solid waste collection system positioned for long-term success.

The right candidate will work closely with our Public Works team and County Administration to oversee daily collection operations, support and develop employees, improve efficiency and accountability, and ensure our residents receive dependable service.

If you’re a leader who takes initiative, isn’t afraid to tackle challenges, and wants the opportunity to make a measurable impact in the community you serve, we want to hear from you.

Ready to take the initiative and drive the future?

➡️ Apply through Cherokee County Human Resources:

https://cherokeecountysc.gov/human-resources/

📄 View the full Solid Waste Collections Manager job description:

https://cherokeecountysc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Solid-Waste-Collections-Manager-Job-Description.pdf

09/01/2026

Remembering Officer Timothy Norris

Cherokee County joins the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center in mourning the heartbreaking loss of Corrections Officer Timothy Norris.

Officer Norris, 29, was tragically killed in a vehicle accident Sunday afternoon in York County while on his way to work at the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Officer Norris began serving at the Detention Center in May 2025 and graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy just a few months ago, in May 2026. In his time with Cherokee County, he chose a profession centered on service, responsibility and the safety of others.

Behind every County department and every uniform are people — coworkers, friends, spouses, parents, sons and daughters — who are part of our Cherokee County family. Today, that family is grieving.

Our hearts are with Officer Norris’s family, as well as the men and women of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office who worked beside him and are mourning the loss of one of their own.

Please join us in keeping Officer Norris’s family, friends and fellow officers in your thoughts and prayers during the difficult days ahead.

Thank you for your service to Cherokee County, Officer Norris. You will be remembered.

08/31/2026

This week, we’re proud to spotlight Anna Phillips, Victim Advocate with the 7th Circuit Solicitor’s Office!

For the past 4 years, Anna has served Cherokee County by helping victims of major crimes navigate some of the most difficult seasons of their lives. She says one of the things she enjoys most about her job is being able to bring victims comfort and support throughout the court process. ❤️

Anna also appreciates the teamwork found throughout Cherokee County. She shared that our County is made up of knowledgeable, hardworking employees who are always willing to lend a helping hand and encourages new employees to build connections across departments because you never know when someone may become a valuable resource.

Outside of work, Anna enjoys spending time with her husband, Alan, family and friends, playing golf, shopping, traveling, and spending Saturdays in Columbia cheering on the Gamecocks! 🏈🐔 She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice and has been attending Gamecock football games since she was just 3 years old!

When asked what she is most proud of, Anna chose her family, sharing how thankful she is for the way they support, encourage, and push her to always give her best. ❤️

Thank you, Anna, for your dedication to the citizens of Cherokee County and for the compassion you show those you serve. We’re proud to have you on our team!

👏 Help us show Anna some appreciation!

08/27/2026

🐾 Employee Spotlight: Lydia Davis

It may only be her first week at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter & Rescue, but Lydia Davis clearly didn’t get the memo about easing into a new job. 😅

Meet Lydia Davis, our new Kennel Technician Supervisor…and yes, those dirty scrubs are evidence that she is already right in the middle of the action!

Lydia comes to Cherokee County with six years of experience in animal rescue, and for her, working with animals isn’t just a job, it’s a dream. ❤️

As Kennel Technician Supervisor, Lydia will help lead the day-to-day work that keeps our animals safe, healthy, comfortable and cared for. And if her first week is any indication, she’s not planning to supervise from the sidelines. She’s willing to get in, get dirty, clean kennels and do the work right alongside her team. That kind of hands-on leadership matters in a shelter where every day brings something different.

When she isn’t caring for animals, Lydia enjoys spending time with family and friends and being outdoors.

We’re excited to welcome Lydia to the Cherokee County team and can’t wait to see the impact she makes at our Animal Shelter & Rescue.