(WSPA) — Cold air and snow will move into our area through the night.

Snowfall is expected to start in the mountains of western North Carolina by 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Upstate could see snowflakes around midnight.

Impacted areas could see a dusting up to two inches of snow, which could get heavy at times.

Snow and freezing temperatures are expected to make for dangerous driving conditions Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon.

Wednesday’s highs aren’t expected to reach above freezing temperatures, while much warmer and sunshine are expected this weekend.

GREENVILLE (WSPA) – Tuesday is the first day parents can pre-register their children for 4-year-old kindergarten this fall in Greenville County.

The school district reports it has six child development centers and multiple schools that offer this service, but pre-registration doesn’t guarantee enrollment.

A district spokesperson says children selected for 4K programs must demonstrate academic/developmental needs and/or risk factors such as low family income and low parent education level.

Children will be screened in March and will be ranked district-wide. Those considered most at-risk for school success will receive initial assignments.

“The goal is to ensure that all children begin kindergarten on a level playing field,” said GCSD Director of Communications Beth Brotherton is a statement, “and that children who might not have access to private pre-school programs have the same level of preparedness as their peers.”

You can learn more about 4-year-old kindergarten in Greenville County by clicking here

GREENVILLE (WSPA) – Most of the Upstate is under a winter weather advisory for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning and the state’s largest school district is watching conditions to determine status for schools.

The Greenville County School District Director of Communications says leaders will try to make a decision on whether to open or delay schools on Wednesday by Tuesday evening.

“We will evaluate the timing of the possible storm and how it could affect travel conditions for buses and car riders in the morning,” said Beth Brotherton in a written statement.

The National Weather Serice has issued the advisory – from 10:00 pm Tuesday to noon Wednesday – for Greenville, Spartanburg, Cherokee, Union, Laurens, Pickens and part of Oconee counties.

Brotherton says district leaders are consulting with with the National Weather Service, emergency preparedness officials, the Department of Transportation and law enforcement as they monitor the latest forecasts.

The district says it’s primary concern is for all students and staff along with students who travel across Greenville County to attend magnet schools plus teachers or staff who may not live close to the school where they’re employed.

District warehouses are preparing trucks with ice melt and plows to clear entrances, sidewalks and parking lots at schools. The district ICE team also travels bus routes to determine if there are any icy or dangerous spots.

Parents are encouraged to check GCSD social media and main websites. 7 News will post any school closings or delays on wspa.com and on the 7 News app.

The district is also offering alerts to cell phones by texting “follow @gcsalerts” to 40404.

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. (WSPA) – Police say 15-year-old Kailey Griffin has been found.

NEWBERRY, SC (WSPA) – A man has been charged with 2 counts of attempted murder after dragging a deputy to the ground and hitting another with his SUV, according to Newberry Co. Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say Joshua Miles Mathis, 26, was fleeing a checkpoint after deputies found marijuana in his vehicle.

It happened on January 10 after 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of Vincent St. and Giff St.

A deputy looked inside the SUV and saw a large bag of marijuana lying on the seat, according to the report.

When the deputy opened the door to removed the suspect, Mathis accelerated, catching the deputy in the door. The deputy was knocked to the ground and dragged a short distance.

Mathis also hit a Newberry Police Officer who was at the checkpoint.

The report says the officer was able to evade the SUV and was hit with a glancing blow.

Both were treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital.

The SUV sped away, but law enforcement was able to find it a short distance away.

They said Mathis had ran from the vehicle and they weren’t able to find him

The report says Mathis turned himself in on January 12 and was charged with:

Attempted Murder (2 counts)
Possession With Intent to Distribute Marijuana
Failure to Stop for Law Enforcement

His bond was denied.

Investigators says Mathis’ girlfriend, Titilayo Khadija Robinson, 25, was arrested and charged with Filing a False Police Report.

They say she reported the vehicle Mathis was driving as stolen in an attempt to cover Mathis’ crime.

(WSPA) – South Carolina state senators may vote today in Columbia to spend more money on the aging school bus fleet.

The Senate will consider overriding Gov. McMaster’s veto to spend more than $20 million.

The governor has said he didn’t want money from the education lottery used to buy buses.

The House has already voted to overturn it.

If the Senate does the same today, the state could buy 210 new buses.

PICKENS Co., SC (WSPA) – SC Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (SC-HART) will be conducting training exercises over Table Rock and Horse Pasture on Jan. 17 – 18, 2018.

They says there is no reason for alarm.

There will be low-flying Black Hawk and Lakota helicopters.

They say this a joint with SC-HART, Pickens Co. Emergency Management and the SC National Guard.

They will be simulating real world events and Pickens Co. Emergency Services will be acting as victims in a remote location emergency rescue.

(NEWS RELEASE) – Greenwood School District 50 will begin registration for the 2018-2019 school year on Monday, January 22, 2018 through Friday, January 26, 2018. New Kindergarten and New First Grade Students Should REGISTER. Parents and/or guardians should register their new to kindergarten or first grade children at the school that serves their attendance area between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Applications for New Child Development (4K) Students will be taken the same week. Students applying to the Child Development program must have an active Medicaid card or the family must be eligible for free/reduced lunch in order to qualify for the full-day program. Child Development applications are taken at the Greenwood Early Childhood Center located at 1125 East Cambridge Avenue.

Choice programs’ applications are located on the Greenwood District 50 website. Online applications for the three-year old half-day Montessori program, the full-day Montessori program for four and five-year olds as well as for Kindergarten or first grade at the Greenwood School of Inquiry must be completed online by January 26, 2018. Students applying for these programs are chosen by lottery. Parents applying for the choice programs for their students should also complete a registration form at the school the students are zoned to attend.

Documents to be presented to the school during registration are the child’s legal birth certificate, SC Record of Immunization (white state certified copy, not the pink card), and proof of residence. A current utility, telephone, or cable bill is acceptable. Applicants for the Child Development program must also bring an active Medicaid card or proof of eligibility for free/reduced lunch (pay stub or income tax return).

ANDERSON COUNTY, SC (WSPA) – South Carolina Department of Transportation officials said an inside lane of Interstate 85 southbound in Anderson Co. has been closed due to bridge deck failure on the interstate at mile marker 14.2.

SCDOT officials said a large pothole, approximately 3 feet by 3 feet in size, was found in the bridge deck.

There were reportedly no issues with bridge support structures, just the deck surface.

The bridge is reportedly over Lake Hartwell and Three and Twenty Creek.

Repair work is expected to begin tomorrow, weather permitting.

“Until exploratory demolition work is accomplished to determine the extent of patching needed, we are unable to give a time frame for how long the closure will have to remain in place. Every effort will be made to get the repair completed and lane reopened as soon as possible.”

SCDOT asks drivers to use caution in all work zones.

To check on road conditions, visit http://www.511sc.org/.

ANDERSON Co., SC (WSPA) – The SC Highway Patrol is reporting a fatal crash on I-85 southbound at the 17 mile marker in Anderson Co.

It happened around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

SCHP says a tractor trailer was slowed for traffic when a car hit the truck from behind.

The deceased driver wasn’t wearing a seat belt and died at the scene.

The truck driver was not hurt.

(WSPA) – We’ve told you this past week how almost all of the hospitals in our viewing area are restricting visitors because of the flu.

And data from hospitals across our area show the spike in just the last few weeks is undeniable.

Anmed Health in Anderson was the first hospital in the Upstate to restrict visitors, and with good reason.

Anmed says there’s been 484 positive flu cases in the last 7 days, compared to just 37 cases for the first nine days of January.

Today leaders at the CDC explained how this flu season is measuring up against past year.

“All of the states, 49 of them at least, are reporting in the same week widespread activity and from what I understand that hasn’t happened in the last 13 years and maybe hasn’t happen once in the past,” said Dr. Dan Jernigan with the CDC.

The agency says the South and the West are getting hit the hardest right now.

The most common strain coming back in recent lab test, H3N2, Is associated with more severe flu seasons.

“H3N2 viruses evolved more rapidly than other viruses,” said David Wentworth with the CDC.

That may explain why Greenville Health System is seeing a spike, in not just flu cases, but flu related admissions to the hospital.

Check out the data.

Last year in the first week of January, GHS had 390 positive tests with 13 admissions. This year, it had 1331 with 51 admissions that same week.

Spartanburg Regional had 70 cases the first week of January and it jumped to 138 the second week. Both are higher than last year.

The CDC recommends most patients get antiviral drugs. But with the surge in cases, there’s a growing risk of a shortage.

“We are working with manufacturers to address these existing gaps. And clinicians should consider advising their patients that they may need to call more than one pharmacy,” said Alicia Fry with the CDC.

GREER, SC (WSPA) – Greer Police Department detectives are searching for the suspect in an attempted murder that happened on Sunday at a home on Biblebrook Drive.

According to a GPD news release, detectives are looking for Ahkeem Jabarr “AJ” Rector, wanted on arrest warrants for attempted murder, burglary -1st degree and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

Officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 200 block of Biblebrook Drive Sunday and found one person suffering from a gunshot wound.

According to the release, the shooting victim was then taken to the emergency room.

Rector has not yet been located by police and anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Greer Police at 864-848-2151.

ASHEVILLE, NC (WSPA) – North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Tuesday as a second widespread winter storm hits the state in less than a month.

“I like the snow,” said Burnsville native Tyler Sanders, who we met in downtown Asheville. “It’s cold. It’s nice. It’s beautiful.”

For Northeastern transplant David RAHN, he’s had his fare share of snow over the years.

“Lived in Manhattan for 20 years and from Princeton New Jersey,” said Rahn. “It’s great as long as you don’t have to get in the car and drive around.”

The North Carolina Department of Transportation tells 7 News, roads in Western North Carolina got pre-treated with salt Tuesday or already had a layer of salt from the previous winter weather event.

“We salted Saturday for the ice after the rain,” said NCDOT Henderson County Maintenance Engineer Roger Ayers. “We will be working 24 hours a day until we know that all the roads have been cleared.”

Going into Wednesday, he said if temperatures remain low, that could create ice on the roads.

“We’ll be salt and sanding a lot of our roads if they turn to ice,” said Ayers. “If there’s an accident, we’re not allowed to get out there and treat it and it doesn’t allow the heat that’s built up in the tires of the vehicles to help us out on the roads so when they’re sitting the roads are getting colder.”

It’s dangerous conditions that everyone can help avoid.

“Take it easy,” said Sanders. “Don’t be in a hurry.”

Click here to read more about how the state is preparing for this winter weather event, and advice for motorists.

(WSPA)–Snow is falling across the region and is expected to stick to surfaces as temperatures continue dropping.

The Upstate and western North Carolina are under a winter weather advisory. A winter storm warning is in effect in Spartanburg, Greenville, Union and Laurens counties where about 2 inches of snow is expected. The National Weather Service also upgraded McDowell, Polk and Rutherford counties to a winter storm warming through Wednesday afternoon.

The S.C. Department of Emergency Management is asking Palmetto State residents to monitor weather conditions and take safety precautions, such as avoiding snow-covered roads.

Schools were closed or delayed in 25 counties in South Carolina as of 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Numerous area schools and businesses are closed or have delayed opening today due to winter weather. Click here for a complete list of closings and delays.

The S.C. Department of Transportation said winter weather will move through the Midlands before ending later today.

The DOT said forecasts are calling for 1 to 4 inches of accumulation and crews are on the roads. As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, more than 1,400 maintenance employees have been treating the roads.

Tonight’s temperatures will plummet into the teens and low 20s, making for dangerous roads and slick surfaces.

Wednesday’s snow in Upstate and WNC

(From: Bonnie Malone)

(From: Alan and Meredith Foy)

(From: Katlyn Owens)

(From: Rebekah Earls Wright)

(From: Nicole Patterson Reed)

(From: Danyell White)

(From: Ashley Barrios)

(From: Ashley Barrios)

(From: Elizabeth Taylor)

(From: Elizabeth Taylor)

(From: Elizabeth Taylor)

(From: Rebeca Zepeda)

(From: Rebeca Zepeda)

(From: Rebeca Zepeda)

(From: Laurie Foy Norton)

(From: ‎Tiffany Newbern Smith)

(From: Angie Painter)

(From: Angie Painter)

(From: Tamra Kaitlyn Blackwell)

(From: Taylor Stone)

(From: Alma Santiago)

(From: Mike-Tori Wilkins)

(From: Patrick Kimberly Henderson)

(From: Sunita Dahal Gautam)

(From: Jonathan Bryant)

(From: Krystal F Owens)

(From: Tori Peake)

(From: Tay Carlton)

(From: Heather Sander)

(From: Deborah Gardner Shirley)

(From: Andrea Myria Spencer)

(From: Brook Reep)

(From: Marissa Durham Mace)

(From: Marissa Durham Mace)

(From: Marissa Durham Mace)

(From: Yohana Beatriz de Hernandez)

(From: Sharon Dawkins)

(From: Brooke Fisher)

(From: Brooke Bolin)

(From: Leroy Pruitt)

(From: Brittany Fair)

(From: Kayla Marie Taylor)

(From: Morenita Quiahua Hernandez)

(From: Kayce Garrison Lowe)

(From: Kayla Fowler)

(From Joshua and Kasey Scruggs)

(From: Kim Philson Norris)

(From: Amber Nicole Holt)

(From: Cindy Donahue)

(From: Ryan Parker)

(From: Sonya Evans)

(From: Angelica C. Ellis)

(From: Corey and Carla Gibson)

(From: Katherine Pittman)

(From: Kim Martin McCracken)

(From: McKenna Painter)

(From: Brandi Mabry Gentry)

(From: Brandon Foggie)

(From: Brandon Foggie)

(From: Leah Wicks Scruggs)

(From: Wendy Cook)

(From: Candace Marie)

(From: Candace Marie)

(From: Brittany Rochester)

(From: Jessica Shell Westmoreland)

(From: Heather Peeler)

(From: Lorraine Iavarone Stiffel)

(From: Kala Burrell)

(From: Casey Powell)

(From: Casey Powell)

(From: LayLay Porter)

(From: LayLay Porter)

(From: Erin Vipperman)

(From: Kay Lindsay Sporrer)

(From: Casi Henderson)

(From: Jason Frady)

(From: Ashley Peeler)

(From: Ashley Peeler)

(From: Stacey Michelle Lefler)

(From: Julie Nuzum Key)

(From: Torie Danielle Stanley)

(From: Jessica Nicole Phillips)

(From: Cynthia Johnson)

(From: Stormy Wooten)

(From: Brittany Moss)

(From: Jennifer Montjoy)

(From: Francina Scott Miller)

(From: Francina Scott Miller)

(From: Francina Scott Miller)

(From: Angelito Orozco)

(From: Katie Byars)

(From: Katie Byars)

(From: Ashley O'Dell)

(From: Michelle Nance Timms)

(From: Chantelle Jackson)

(From: Jamica McNeely)

(From: Jamica McNeely)

(From: Brian and Brittany Lane)

(From: Brian and Brittany Lane)

(From: Ashley and Chris Smith)

(From: Ashley and Chris Smith)

(From: Dee Self)

(From: Dee Self)

(From: Amberlynn Marfice)

(From: Brittany Pittman)

(From: Sky Young)

(From: Brittany Pittman)

(From: Brittany Pittman)

(From: Brittany Pittman)

(From: Mikella Smith)

(From: Lacey Marr)

(From: Casey and Austin LaRoche)

(From: Matthew Amanda Pruitt)

(From: Jennifer Cothran Newton)

(From: Charlie Joanna Smith)

(From: Tracie Peeler Thomas)

(From: Taylor Jackson)

(From: LaTasha B Tate)

(From: Dusty Lee Helton)

(From: Vivian Boone Smith)

(From: Nancy Prosser)

(From: Kelsey Bailey)

(From: Megan Morgan)

(From: Travis Smith)

(From: Megan Brown)

(From: Mekayla Allison)

(From: Mekayla Allison)

(From: Destiny Briana Hawkins)

(From: Destiny Briana Hawkins)

(From: Jennifer Finley Parker)

(From: Brian williams)

(From: Katie Kohring McDowell)

(From: ‎Scott Hughes Russell‎)

(From: Ree Holmes Monserrate)

(From: Alexis Wyte)

(From: Tina MeiMei Cothran)

(From: Jordan Hope Lundeen)

(From: Gwen Farris)

Williamston snow (From: Michael Lollis)

(From: Kaylee Byars)

(From: Gail Duncan)

(From: Bradley Burdick)

(From: Jessica Adams)

Piedmont (From: Chris Chiles)

Piedmont (From: Chris Chiles)

(From: Eric Graham)

(From: Eric Graham)

(From: Eric Graham)

(From: Cheyenne Mullinax)

Campobello (Credit: Ruby Fowler)

Cliffside, NC (Credit: Melissa Hawkins)

Eastside of Spartanburg (Credit: Mary Lu Saylor)

Eastside of Spartanburg (Credit: Mary Lu Saylor)

Eastside of Spartanburg (Credit: Mary Lu Saylor)

Greer (WSPA)

Inman (Credit: Cece Mills)

Inman (Credit: Cece Mills)

Spartanburg (WSPA)

West side of Spartanburg (WSPA).

West side of Spartanburg (WSPA).

Travelers Rest (WSPA)

Woodruff snowman on work truck (Credit: Johnathan Jordan).

Gaffney (Credit: Cora Stepp)

Gaffney (Credit: Cora Stepp)

The northern area of Greer reportedly received 3 inches of snow (Credit: Richard Jeffress).

Williamston (Credit: Michael Lollis)

Piedmont (Credit: Chris Chiles)

Piedmont (Credit: Chris Chiles)

(WSPA) — Snow and dropping temperatures could create dangerous driving conditions.

The area is under a winter weather advisory, while a winter storm warning has been issued in several counties across the Upstate and western North Carolina until noon Wednesday.

Click or tap here for road conditions from the S.C. Department of Transportation. Click here if you’re traveling in North Carolina.

Early Wednesday morning, Spartanburg County roadways were wet.

Corporal Bill Rhyne with the S.C. Highway Patrol warned those surfaces could turn slick as temperatures drop.

Rhyne cautions people to stay home if they can. For those who must drive, he says to give yourself extra time to reach destinations, slow down and leave plenty of space to stop between yourself and the driver ahead of you.

Here is a list of current accidents on the S.C. Highway Patrol Website.


Cant see the list or map on the app? CLICK HERE

(WSPA)–Governor Henry McMaster’s State of the State address has been canceled.  A spokesperson released details on Twitter.  It is rescheduled for Wednesday, January 24.

GREENVILLE (WSPA) – A driver is dead after an accident in Greenville Wednesday morning.

The Greenville County Coroner says the driver of a car died after he collided with an 18-wheeler in the 6700 block of Augusta Road near White Horse Road.

Snow from a winter storm was falling at the time of the crash.

The accident was reported around 7:45 a.m. according to the S.C. Highway Patrol website. The coroner’s office investigator says the car went under part of the tractor-trailer.

The coroner can only tell us the victim is a man. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

7 News will update this story

GREENVILLE Co., S.C. (WSPA) — A Greenville County deputy was hit by a suspect following a pursuit.

The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy pursued the driver of a vehicle that had been reported stolen. The suspect was boxed in just before crashing into the deputy’s patrol vehicle, according to Sgt. Ryan Flood.

The S.C. Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Troopers report the wreck happened shortly after noon Wednesday at Highway 291 and Keith Drive in Greenville.

No one was hurt in the crash, according to the S.C. Highway Patrol’s website.

According to the release, a firearm and methamphetamine was found in the man’s possession.

Flood said the man is in custody and faces charges for attempted murder, possession of a stolen vehicle, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and driving under suspension.

This is a developing story.

CHEROKEE Co., S.C. (WSPA) — Firefighters say a plow truck driver is expected to be OK after crashing along Interstate 85 near Blacksburg.

Antioch Fire Chief Lucas McDaniel said a SCDOT plow truck is OK after he overturned into an embankment.

Troopers are investigating the accident.

Corporal Bill Rhyne with the S.C. Highway Patrol said the driver is a 22-year-old York County man. He was taken to a hospital with injuries, according to Rhyne.

The driver was on the entrance ramp to northbound I-85 near mile marker 104 when he ran off the road and overturned, Cpl. Rhyne said.

Cherokee County was one of several counties in the Upstate under a winter weather storm warning on Wednesday morning.

Here is a list of current accidents on the SC Highway Patrol Website.


Cant see the list or map on the app? CLICK HERE

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC (WSPA) – A man and a woman were arrested Tuesday afternoon following a police chase in Spartanburg County.

According to a Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office report, a deputy was traveling on Old Canaan Road towards Canaan road and saw a burgundy Nissan Sentra traveling in the opposite direction with two busted tail lights and no rear bumper.

The deputy recognized the vehicle as belonging to a known drug user.

According to the report, the deputy turned his vehicle around and the Sentra then turned right onto Seay Lane.

The deputy then tried to stop the vehicle, but the Sentra then sped up in an attempt to get away.

The deputy followed the speeding suspect vehicle to Gaskins Road, where the Nissan accelerated through a locked pole gate.

According to the report, the deputy followed the suspect’s vehicle which ended up sideways on the gravel road.

Christopher Lee Cox, identified as the driver of the vehicle, took off running before being caught by the deputy a short time later on Woodwind Drive.

During Cox’s arrested, the deputy found two sets of digital scales and a syringe in his possession.

The passenger in the vehicle was identified as Michelle Cox. The deputy learned she had an active warrant for violation of probation and she was arrested.

A tin box, containing a plastic bag with a white crystal-like substance, believed to be methamphetamine, as well as a small spoon, was found in the driver’s door of the vehicle.

Christopher Cox and Michelle Cox were taken to the Spartanburg County Detention Center.

Christopher Cox reportedly had a suspended driver’s license with five prior convictions in the last five years, and was designated a habitual offender.

According to the report, Christopher Cox faces methamphetamine charges, driving under suspended, habitual traffic offender and blue light violation.

Michelle Cox was charged with probation violation.