Drive 'em home, boys

In another sign the gas shortage is easing, the county last week lifted its order for county officials to park their take-home county-owned vehicles.

County officials instituted the restriction in mid-September when supplies of gas and diesel dwindled in the aftermath of hurricanes that damaged the refineries located near the Gulf of Mexico.

Cherokee County Assistant Administrator Holland Belue said a total of 80 vehicles were affected by the restrictions, including county-owned vehicles driven by department heads, administration and public safety employees.

"(The restriction) reduced our usage and our demand for gas and diesel, but the gas supply has returned to normal," Belue said.

Both the City of Gaffney and Gaffney Board of Public Works reported ample supplies of gas and diesel during the shortages here.