Thursday nights in Downtown Kings Mountain will sound much sweeter this Summer as the City of Kings Mountain and the Cleveland County Music Hall of Fame partner to host Pickin’ at the Park.
Pickin’ at the Park is an acoustic jam session which will run every Thursday night at the Gazebo located in Patriots Park. Kick-off to this FREE series begins May 19th at 6:00 pm.
• Bring your lawn chair and join the fun.
• Want to participate? All pickers are welcome!
• Patriots Park is located at 220 South Railroad Avenue, Kings Mountain.
For more information on Pickin’ at the Park, contact the City of Kings Mountain’s Special Events Department at 704-730-2101, or the Cleveland County Music Hall of Fame at 704-860-4068.

The hours for Early voting ahead of the May 17 Primary Election are 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. weekdays beginning April 28 and Saturday, May 14 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the H. Lawrence Patrick Senior Life and Conference Center, 909 E. King Street, Kings Mountain.
• No photo is required to vote.
• If you haven’t registered, you can register, vote, and make address changes all in the same day.
• 17-year-olds can vote in the Primary if you will be 18 by Nov. 8. You can’t vote in the county-wide beer and fortified wine referendum nor in the Kings Mountain city election.
• Republicans must vote a Republican ticket, Democrats must vote a Democrat ticket, Libertarians must vote a non-partisan ticket, Unaffiliated may choose a Republican or non-partisan ballot.
• Deadline to request absentee ballot from the Cleveland County Board of Elections, Shelby, is May 10.
• The Primary Election is May 17.
• If a second Primary is needed, it will be held on July 5. The General Election is Nov. 8, 2022.
See early voting information and sample ballots on page 2A.

If you are eager to get outside and enjoy the natural environment around you, make plans to attend the annual Earth celebration on Saturday, April 30, 2022. The City of Kings Mountain will host the Earth Day celebration in partnership with the Kings Mountain Gateway Trail. Various community organizations and vendors will provide free activities. Festivities will include, a Drum Circle, Animal Petting Zoo, Instrument Petting Zoo, Balloon Art, Face Painting, Chainsaw Art, Food Vendors, Upcycle Artisans, Entertainment and so much more!
Survivalist and star of the Discovery Channels Hillbilly Blood, Spencer Bolejack will be on hand for meet and greets. Enjoy music provided by Spencer’s band, Spencer and Company and Vintage Vibe as well.
Ed’s Dinosaurs Live will bring some very cool dinosaur friends to the trails.
The Butterfly Release is by far a crowd favorite! Crowds will gather to participate as we release 10 dozen butterflies back into their natural habitat. This activity supports the national and environmental cause to save our pollinators.
Extra parking is across the street from the trailhead and along Quarry Road. Come out, celebrate our beautiful earth, and enjoy a walk on the trail!
For more information on the Concert Series or Cruise-In, contact the City of Kings Mountain’s Special Events Department at 704-730-2101, or visit their website at www.KingsMountainEvents.Com. You may also visit their Facebook page at @cityofkmspecialevents.

By Loretta Cozart

Second Appreciation, at 108 W Gold St in Kings Mountain, will celebrate their fourth anniversary with a Cinco de Mayo craft event on Thursday, May 5 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and have an Ojo de Dios (God’s Eye) FREE Make It or Take It activity hosted by Tammy & Marie Lafitte. The kit comes with yarn, sticks & how-to instructions.
Owners Cole Freeman and Will Ayers started Second Appreciation after meeting at Catawba Antique Mall in Belmont. “We combined inventories and began our adventures together with this store,” said Cole.
When you walk into the store, you are greeted with an eclectic collection of things, from household items, vintage clothing, and repurposed items, the most interesting pieces of which have been acquired or found.
“We used barnwood to decorate the store, and Will made console tables and other pieces of furniture from that wood,  as  well,” said Cole.
“We even found a chair on the side of the road and kept it for a while until we found some retro fabric and reupholstered it. It is one of our favorite pieces.”
It is not unusual for customer to comment, “This is what Aunt Bessie had,” said Will. “People love the store because what we have is different and unique. We enjoy giving pieces a second life.” And that is why they named their store “Second Appreciation.”
“Seventy-five percent of the items in the store found us, or we found them,” Cole said. “Real wood furniture is hard to come by these days, so we try to refinish it or just oil it. On occasion, we will paint the item if it is laminated. But those instances are rare.”
“We do not do consignment anymore, but sometimes local artists reach out to us. That is how we met Tammy Lafitte and we have some of her work on display, including tapestries and mixed media.”
In addition, they have an old icebox from the Paul Neisler home on Gaston Street. “We were also given an aluminum cabinet with a cast iron top by the new owners of that house, and we now use it,” said Will.
 “We cater to folks who are looking for interesting and unusual items you just do not see in the stores anymore, and for those who appreciate upcycling when they decorate their homes. Of course, folks can always stop in and take look around.” said Cole.
   One thing is for certain, when you walk through their store you will find an item that transports you back in time. 
 

The City of Kings Mountain Special Events Department will kick off the 2022 LIVE Music at Patriots Park Concert Series and Cruise-In, Saturday, May 7, 2022. Several roads in the Downtown area will be impacted during the events. Railroad Avenue, West Gold Street surrounding Patriots Park and a portion of West Mountain and South Cansler Streets will be closed beginning 2:00 pm, Saturday, May 7th, 2022 and remain closed or barricaded until 11:00 pm. Further information regarding road closures is listed below.
• Partial barricade placement will begin at 8:00 am – some roads will still be accessible during this time but vehicles must be moved by 2:00 pm
• Additional barricade placement will begin at 2:00 pm
• Roads closed at 2:00 pm and remain closed until 11:00 pm (All unauthorized vehicles will be towed after 2:00 pm)
• Arrival time for Cruise-In participants will begin at 4:00 pm with the Cruise-In beginning at 5:00 pm. Concert will begin at 6:00 pm
• Participants in the Cruise-In and concert goers, must use thoroughfare King Street to Cansler Street for access to Railroad, Mountain and Gold Street
Motorists are urged to use extreme caution when traveling through Downtown Kings Mountain due to the increase in motor vehicles and pedestrians walking. Please plan to travel different roads if you are impacted by this change.
For more information on the Concert Series or

By Lib Stewart

A candidate forum for Republican candidates for county commissioner and county board of education will be held Thursday, April 21, by Cleveland Community College.
The forum for commissioner candidates is at 6:30 p.m. and the board of education forum for candidates is at 8 p.m.
Tune-in to C19TV on Spectrum Cable and to stream online at www.c19tv. Repeat telecasts will be aired over the following weeks leading up to election day May 17.
Seating at Cleveland Community College is limited to one guest per candidate. Seats will be available on a first-come basis.
Four  candidates are running for two seats for county commission  and  seven candidates running for four seats for school board.
 

The Catawba Two Kings Casino Share Change program has raised a total of $7,000 for two organizations: the Mental Health Association of Cleveland County and Children’s Homes of Cleveland County.
Share Change, the Catawba Nation’s charitable initiative through the casino, enables patrons to donate the remaining change on slot vouchers by dropping them in wishing wells and large ticket barrels located on the casino floor. Each organization received $3,500, with the funds being raised from January through March 31, 2022.
“The Share Change program is an important initiative to help the Catawba Nation and Catawba Two Kings Casino make a positive change in the community,” Catawba Assistant Chief Jason Harris said. “We are thankful for our generous casino patrons and are happy to support these worthy organizations.”
Since its founding in 1962, the Mental Health Association of Cleveland County has advocated for the needs of adults and children   with   psychiatric  and emotional difficulties in Cleveland County.
The mission of the organization is to promote mental health in the community through education, advocacy, and support. It strives to eliminate the stigma of mental illness and create an informed community of citizens, who then promote mental health and defend and support the rights of those persons impacted by mental illness.
“We are extremely grateful for the generous contribution from the Catawba Two Kings Casino,” said Melodie McSwain, executive director for the Mental Health Association of Cleveland County. “As a small organization, this donation will go a long way toward helping us accomplish our mission of helping individuals and families facing mental health challenges in Cleveland County.”
   Children’s Homes of Cleveland County is a human services agency that began in 1969 as a shelter home serving homeless youth. It has evolved to include two group homes, an outpatient therapy clinic, adoption services, parenting and coparenting classes, supervised family and sibling visitation, and independent living readiness. It also offers residential options for youth aging out of the foster care system. All programs and services are trauma-informed and evidence-based and are available to the community at large.
   “We are so grateful for the support of Catawba Two Kings Casino and their patrons,” said Peter Bagley, executive director of Children’s Homes of Cleveland County. “The generosity is helping to meet the daily needs of abused and neglected children, in addition to supporting and restoring families, to helping kids find new forever homes, to helping people of all ages with their mental health needs. It will help young people successfully transition from foster care to full independence and is the kind of collaboration that makes Cleveland County such a great place to be.”
   The casino launched the Share Change program several weeks after its July opening, and new charitable recipients are designated every three months. The program has now raised $27,000 for local organizations.

To help keep the city’s stormwater from having a negative effect on the quality of water flowing to downstream neighbors, and to help meet the mandates of the Federal Clean Water Act, the City of Kings Mountain Storm-
water Department asks that all yard waste (grass, weeds, flowers, limbs, and leaves) be placed behind the curb and out of gutters, ditches, or roadway for collection.
Leaves and grass must be bagged and placed behind curb, except during Leaf Season which runs from Mid-October until Mid-February. They also ask that when cutting your grass, you do not blow grass onto street or in ditch lines. If you use a lawn service, please advise them of these rules so that we can keep the stormwater system clear and prevent flooding conditions which can occur when catch basins and ditch lines are covered by debris.
If violations are found, a door hanger will be placed at the resident’s home to make them aware of these rules. The city thanks you in advance for your cooperation in keeping the stormwater system clean.

April 16 at Mayor Rick Murphrey Children’s Park

Kings Mountain’s Easter Egg Hunt is back! Hop on down to Mayor Rick Murphrey Children’s Park, April 16 for a HOPPY good time! More than 10,000 prize and candy filled eggs will be hidden across 3 sections of the park.
The City of Kings Mountain is proud to partner with King City Church and Big Red’s Cafe to bring a Spring Carnival filled with Special Needs EGGcessible activities to the Kings Mountain YMCA as well. The Spring Carnival will open at 10:00 a.m. at the YMCA Walking Track. Look for inflatables, music, food, sensory activities, train rides and a lot more fun. Wendell the Easter Bunny will be there too.
The EGGcellent Egg Hunt will be separated into three age categories - 2 years and under, 3-5 and 6-12 years old. Scoop Kings Mountain and Subway, Cleveland Mall are proudly sponsoring a golden egg in each category. Inside each golden egg, a lucky egg hunter will  find  gift certificates redeemable at Scoop Kings Mountain and Subway.
The EGGstravaganza will include a petting zoo, compliments of Son Ridge Farms, music, and a visit from the Wendell the Easter Bunny himself! Along with all the fun, Battleground Community Church will be providing free hotdogs and local businesses such as, Child Care Connections, Cleveland County Partnership for Children, Kings Mountain YMCA and Scoop Kings Mountain will offer activities for participants.
   The City of Kings Mountain will also partner with King’s City Church to offer special needs and differently-abled children some fun attractions at the Deal Park Walking Track.
   The event begins promptly at 10:00 AM.  Don’t forget to bring your basket and camera!
The Rick Murphrey Children’s Park is located next to the Kings Mountain YMCA at 211 Cleveland Avenue, Kings Mountain.
   For more information, you may call the City of Kings Mountain’s Special Events Department at 704-730-2101 or visit their website at www.KingsMountainEvents.Com.

Cleveland County Sheriff's Office is trying to locate Francois Bernard Johnson. Johnson was reported missing on April 5, and he has not been seen since April 2. A silver alert has been issued.
The Sheriff’s Office received information that Johnson may be attempting to travel to Minnesota.
If you have any information about the whereabouts of Mr. Johnson, please contact the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office at 704-484-4822.

By Loretta Cozart

GFWC NC Kings Mountain Woman’s Club announces their Spring Vendor Fair, scheduled for Saturday April 23, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at their Clubhouse at 108 East Mountain Street. Vendors of all kinds will participate, including Arts & Crafts, Handmade Goods, and Independents. This event supports local artists in the community. Hot dog plates will be available for sale starting at 11 a.m.
More information can be found at the club’s Facebook page. Just search for GFWC NC Kings Mountain Woman’s Club and homemade treats by members of the Woman’s Club will also be available for purchase.

By Loretta Cozart

On April 2, the area around American Legion Post 155 at the Post at 613 E. Gold Street in Kings Mountain was abuzz with activity from early morning until 7 pm. At 9 a.m. the Legion sponsored their Veteran’s Breakfast, held monthly on the first Saturday. Seventy veterans and guests enjoyed a made to order breakfast, fun, and fellowship until 11 a.m.
At the same time, the Kings Mountain’s White Plains Shrine Club, part of the Oasis Shriners, held a barbecue from 9 a.m. until noon in the parking lot of American Legion Post 155. They did a brisk business selling BBQ Pork Butts and Chicken. The members setup on Friday evening and usually sell out by noon. This year was no exception.
American Legion Unit 155 held their inaugural Spring Fling Craft and Vendor show from noon until 7 p.m. More than 30 local vendors signed-up and a steady stream of shoppers kept them busy throughout the day. Vendor types included baked goods, jewelry, woodwork, metal arts, t-shirts, plants, candles, along with other crafts. The Auxiliary also sold hot dog plates.

By Loretta Cozart

City of Kings Mountain kicked-off the Streetscape Project on April 11, but demolition will not begin until April 18. A Streetscape meeting held by the city introduced the contractor and discussed phasing and sequencing for Phase 2A, specifically the work being done between April 11 and the end of July.
Between now and April 18, Greene Building Construction will place a work trailer on the city owned parking lot between the old Fulton’s Department Store and Martin’s Electric, according to Nick Hendricks.
Richard Flowe, of N-Focus, explained that the initial phase will address the area of West Mountain Street between Battleground and Piedmont Avenues. Construction will also occur along Cherokee Street from the City’s parking lot entrance going North, through the intersection with Mountain Street, and continuing behind the police station. Construction will stop at the last building on the left behind UnCommon Artisans.
The traffic signal at Cherokee and Mountain Street will be decommissioned and the intersection will become a 4-way stop.
Project Manager Mike Loveless of Greene Building Construction explained that his company has done work like this before as the contractor for City of Shelby’s Washington Streetscape. The firm also specializes in hospitals, including projects for Atrium Health, as well as industrial projects.
According to Loveless, the first week of the project will include underground marking, setting up the work trailer, fencing the area, and other related work before demolition.
The roads will close on April 18 between Battleground Avenue and Cherokee Street. Initial demolition will begin at Battleground Avenue and move East toward Cherokee Street.
Another road closure includes Cherokee Street behind the Police Department down to the public parking lot. Near Dellinger’s Jewel Shop, they will try keep access to that parking open, and there is significant storm water and electrical work that needs to be done in that area.
When Cherokee Street opens in July, it will be a one-way street from Mountain Street down to the public parking lot. However, it will be a two-way street from the entrance going South down to East Gold Street. This phase of the work will take until the end of July to complete.
   Once this area is complete, Greene Building Construction will move to Phase II and begin work between Cherokee Street up to Piedmont Avenue.
   Owner of 133 West, Iris Hubbard, asked when sidewalks would be demolished in Phase I. Loveless replied, “We move faster when everything is closed. This section will be completely closed, sidewalks and road. We won’t mill the road until sidewalks and curbs have been replaced. Once we mill the road and replace the pavement, we’ll open the road.”
    David Stone of StoneWright Realty, Inc. asked if owners might have access to the road for deliveries of construction materials. In reply, Loveless said, “We will work with owners who need access to their buildings for deliveries.” The project manager will be in the trailer every day, and people can coordinate with him.
   Businesses, like ScissorSmith & Co. Salon, at the corner of West Mountain and Cherokee may have a bigger challenge due to their parking, specifically when new curbing is going in, according to Richard Flowe. There may be times when access may be difficult due to project work and coordination will need to happen.
   Cosmetologist Natalie Newsome shared her concern for elderly customers with walkers and wheelchairs regarding accessibility. She explained, “There are women that need their hair done who can’t use steps.” Nick Hendricks offered, “We’ll need to sit down and discuss. It may be that we add a temporary ramp back there.” The Salon is open long hours sometimes, often from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m., according to Newsome. Nick Hendricks suggested that the salon coordinate with the Project Manager.
   Director of the Tourism Development Authority, TDA, asked if there were plans for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations downtown? Hendricks replied, “We are considering that.” Flowe added, “Not on the public street, right now. But we are evaluating them as far as the project.”
   Flowe thanked those who attended, saying “On behalf of the city, I want to extend my appreciation for your tolerance. This team who has worked on this for so long understand how important it is get a project done and understand how important it is to minimize the impact on you.”
   Hendriks added, “This section of street, the area we are starting with first, is the most challenging.
   Jackie Falls asked, “How are you going to communicate with building owners and business owners on this street? It would need to be timely, because I understand project management and how quickly those schedules to change.”
   Loveless asked owners to share their email addresses so he can communicate directly with them on updates and changes in a mass communication. Hendrick added that it would be on the city website as project updates.
    Falls added that those who are working in downtown, or have buildings being worked on, need a weekly or daily update, or notices as changes occur.
   Loveless then clarified that communications should go directly to the city and the city would communicate with Greene Building Construction. Direct communication wouldn’t occur directly with them unless it was regarding temporary ramps, or similar challenges.
   Hendricks said, “I don’t want to sugar coat it. Once they block this road (in Phase I), it’s going to be a disaster area. It’s going to be dug up piles of dirt.” He explained, “It is going to be noisy, with heavy machinery, jack hammers and backhoes. It is not going to be pleasant.”
   “But this is something we’ve asked for 10 or 15-years,” Falls added. Newsome agreed saying, “The end result is exciting.”
   Before closing, Loveless shared that the typical hours of construction will be Monday through Friday, 7-7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Kings Mountain Ministerial Association will be leading in an Easter Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday, April 17, at 7:00 A.M. at Mountain Rest Cemetery in Kings Mountain. The service will be held around the huge white cross. Rev. Ron Caulder, Pastor of Eastside Baptist Church in Kings Mountain, will bring the message. Special music will be provided by Mr. Bill McMurray and Mr. Jonathan Frady.  Mr. Rev. Scott Whitney, Pastor of the East Gold Street Church will be assisting in the service.
Everyone is invited to come and worship as we celebrate the greatest event in history—the Resurrection of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ!
In the event of inclement weather, the service will be moved to Eastside Baptist, 308 York Road, Kings Mountain.

By Loretta Cozart

Weather permitting, City of Kings Mountain’s Streetscape Project will kick-off on Monday, April 11. This work involves construction on the streets and sidewalks outside downtown businesses on West Mountain Street between Battleground and Piedmont Avenues.
It is suggested that business with rear entrances urge their customers to use them to access their establishments. However, not all businesses have rear entrances. Access to those shops will be provided during the construction so those businesses can continue to serve their clients.
Keep the merchants along this thoroughfare in mind and support them with your patronage during the construction. The inconvenience experienced now will bring the reward of a beautiful street come summer.
With this construction, the two-block span of West Mountain Street will become a jewel in the crown of downtown as the area becomes a destination spot to visit, work, and play in the months and years ahead.
City of Kings Mountain urges everyone to drive with caution near the construction zone and to visit www.cityofkm.com for project updates and potential street closings.

By Loretta Cozart

UnCommon Artisans, at 124 W Mountain Street in Kings Mountain, began opening early on March 28, to serve hot coffee, cold brew coffee, and breakfast to-go.
Owner Cobb Lathi said of the new offering, “I would like to eventually become a hub for people in downtown Kings Mountain, and beyond. My hope is to create a space folks can come and shop if they want or sit and enjoy the space while drinking a fabulous cup of coffee.”
“I met a gentleman from Gastonia who owns and operates Gold Medusa Coffee Company, a direct trade coffee company. He has family in Columbia that sends him fresh coffee, then he grinds to order for his customers. It is a superior coffee.”
Also offered is a selection of to-go breakfast foods - hot tea, croissants, bagels, muffins, boiled eggs, juices, smoothies, and more. No food is prepared on site – it is all ready to go.
Customers can order online at their website and use pickup curbside or in the store. Or customers can just walk in and select what they want. The shop also delivers to downtown businesses at no extra charge. Shop hours are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
UnCommon Artisans sells a variety of fabulous art from local artisans and has been known for doing that since opening its doors downtown. “With this new offering, I just saw to-go coffee and snacks as a need for downtown. I hope folks will stop in to see me,” Lathi said.

By Loretta Cozart

American Legion Unit 155 is hosting their Spring Fling Craft and Vendor show on Saturday, April 2 from noon until 7 p.m. at the Post at 613 E. Gold Street in Kings Mountain.
More than 25 local vendors have signed-up. Vendor types include baked goods, jewelry, woodwork, metal arts, t-shirts, plants, candles, along with other crafts. All vendor spaces have been filled.
Hot dog plates will also be for sale by the Auxiliary. Come support local veterans and artists.

On Tuesday March 22, at 5:42 pm, local law enforcement officers responded to a reported shooting on southbound Interstate 85 near exit 13. When officers arrived on scene, they found one victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to Caromont Regional Medical Facility by Gaston Emergency Medical Services where he succumbed to his wounds.
The victim was identified as Uriah Diondreus McCree, 19, of Kings Mountain.
Officers from the Bessemer City Police, Gastonia Police, Gaston County Police, Kings Mountain Police and Gaston County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the incident. Bessemer City Fire Department also assisted on the scene.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting are still unclear at this point. Police are currently looking for a 2012 or later white Dodge Charger. The vehicle was observed traveling southbound on Interstate 85 where it took exit 10 towards Kings Mountain/Shelby on Highway 74. with dark tinted windows, spoiler, and possibly factory chrome rims that was involved in the homicide. Police are seeking the identity of the occupants and request the public to provide any information they have that can lead to the resolution of this case.
This is an active investigation. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Det. J. L. Henderson with Bessemer City Police Department at 704-629-2235 or Det. S. J. Brogdon at 704-866-3320. Information leading to the identification of the suspect(s) can be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00 through Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000.

Kings Mountain’s Easter Egg Hunt is back! Hop on down to Mayor Rick Murphrey Children’s Park, April 16 for a HOPPY good time! More than 10,000 prize and candy filled eggs will be hidden across 3 sections of the park.
The EGGcellent Egg Hunt will be separated into three age categories - 2 years and under, 3-5 and 6-12 years old. Scoop Kings Mountain and Subway, Cleveland Mall are proudly sponsoring a golden egg in each category. Inside each golden egg, a lucky egg hunter will find gift certificates redeemable at Scoop Kings Mountain and Subway.
The EGGstravaganza will include a petting zoo, compliments of Son Ridge Farms,  music,  and  a  visit  from the Wendell the Easter Bunny himself! Along with all the fun, Battleground Community Church will be providing free hotdogs and local businesses such as, Child Care Connections, Cleveland County Partnership for Children, Kings Mountain YMCA and Scoop Kings Mountain will offer activities for participants.
The City of Kings Mountain will also partner with King’s City Church to offer special needs and differently-abled children some fun attractions at the Deal Park Walking Track.
The event begins promptly at 10:00 AM.  Don’t forget to bring your basket and camera!
The Rick Murphrey Children’s Park is located next to the Kings Mountain YMCA at 211 Cleveland Avenue, Kings Mountain.
For more information, you may call the City of Kings Mountain’s Special Events Department at 704-730-2101, or visit their website at www.KingsMountainEvents.Com.

By Loretta Cozart

Albemarle Lithium invites the public to a community meeting on March 28 at 7 p.m. at City Hall in Kings Mountain to discuss the possibility of reopening the lithium mine just behind the Gateway Trail/Hounds property along Battleground Avenue.
The original mine was open from the 1940s until it closed in the 1980s. It went by various names over the years, Foote Mineral, most recently Rockwell Lithium, which was acquired by Albemarle Lithium.
The company’s property stretches from the Gateway Trail down to Tin Mine Road and is bounded on both sides by Battleground Avenue and I-85. That property encompasses approximately eight hundred acres. Another four hundred acres lies across I-85 on Galilee Church Road, North of Carolina Power Partners.
The demand for lithium for energy storage has skyrocketed due to the nation’s goal to make significant strides toward electronic vehicles by 2030, and the increasing popularity of Electronic Vehicles (EVs).
Recently, Toyota announced its Greensboro-Randolph Megasite, where Toyota will build a $1.29 billion, first-of its-kind battery factory to meet demand for its growing fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles. Manufacturers are now looking for a U.S. supply chain for lithium. And Kings Mountain’s Lithium deposits are ranked among the top ten in the world.
During the community meeting, Albemarle Lithium will share with citizens the history of the mine. The company will soon begin a viability study to determine if they should resume mining in the  original  mine  to start. In addition, they plan to discuss details on permitting and drilling and community input is a part of that process.
Alex Thompson, VP, Lithium Resources said, “It is important we do things in the right way according to the most responsible mining standards out there. We want to work collaboratively for the best outcome to make people aware and invite community participation.”
Another part of the process is to conduct an environmental study and resource characterization to determine what product remains in the mine.
According to Glen Merfield, Chief Technology Officer for Albemarle Lithium in Kings Mountain, “In my opinion, the Ford F-150 is an EV game changer. In the beginning, EVs focused on fuel economy. With the Ford F-150, the focus shifted to performance.”
“Here in Kings Mountain, we have a Technology Center for Advanced Material Development (built in 2012). There we have our R&D organization that focuses on advanced, or novel forms, of lithium to make batteries even better. Automobile manufacturers are asking how we can make batteries have longer range.”
“In July of 2021, we announced our new Battery Materials Innovation Center (BMIC) where we produce two key products: forms of lithium salts and forms of lithium metal used in products like hearing aids and pacemakers utilizing single-use lithium batteries. We are working on different metals for the future of rechargeable lithium batteries that will perform 50 percent farther,” Merfield said. “This is a big deal and opens up a lot of application space.”
Beginning September 2, 2021, Albemarle Lithium announced it had begun an independent, third-party assessment using the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance’s (IRMA) Standard for Responsible Mining at the company’s lithium brine extraction site, located in Northern Chile in the Salar de Atacama. While the Kings Mountain is a hard rock mine, the standards for IRMA remain the same for the assessment.
IRMA is globally considered the most comprehensive and rigorous certification standard for assurance of responsible mining. The organization specifies objectives and requirements with the greatest depth, breadth, and specificity for environmentally and socially responsible mining practices.
According to a press release from Albemarle Lithium, prior to beginning the independent audit with ERM CVS, Albemarle was the first lithium producer to complete and submit IRMA’s self-assessment process at the Salar Plant in February 2021. The third-party assessment covers 26-areas, including water management, human rights, greenhouse gas emissions, fair labor, and terms of work. Public input plays a significant role in IRMA certification.
Albemarle Lithium anticipates the need for two hundred new employees once the mine becomes fully operational.

By Loretta Cozart

The second informational meeting for Project South, the proposed wastewater treatment facility in the Dixon Community, was held Tuesday, March 15 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Senior Center in Kings Mountain.
Citizens from the Dixon Community and other impacted areas questioned municipal employees from Grover and Kings Mountain, along with consulting engineers, regarding the placement of rights-of-ways and planning behind the location of the proposed project.
Not all attendees left the meeting satisfied. Most guest questioned the placement of pump stations and the location of the wastewater treatment plant itself. That decision has not yet been made. Other residents are concerned for the type of waste the project will process, along with odors the plant produces.
The new wastewater treatment plant will allow for further growth in Kings Mountain and the Town of Grover and facilitate expansion of both industrial and residential growth in that area.
According to Assistant City Manager Nick Hendricks, no other meetings are planned to discuss the project at this time. Hendrick  also  explained  in an  email, “The estimated project timeline that was part of the first meeting materials is only a guide to show timelines of items. These dates are in no way intended to be guaranteed dates because dates and timelines can, and probably will, change due to many factors when addressing construction or approvals beyond our control.”

Kings Mountain resident Brianna Baity will compete with the best off-road racers in the world on Saturday, March 26. The 10-year-old ATV racer will compete at the Tiger Run GNCC, in nearby Cross Anchor, SC, round four of the 13-stop Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship.
More than 1,500 racers are expected to compete over the weekend, as the event includes four-wheeled ATV racing on Saturday and dirt bikes on Sunday. Classes range from riders as young as four and as old as the 60-plus divisions. The top GNCC pro classes feature some of the world’s top riders, including talent from England, Europe, and Australia.
“The unique thing about GNCC Racing is that an average racer gets to race alongside some of the top racers from across the world” said GNCC Trail Boss Jeff Russell. “Even with all of this talent, local racers always seem to have an advantage because the course is so similar to the terrain they’re used to riding.”
The tough local terrain makes for a great equalizer when it comes to the talent. Racers will start together on a massive Starting Line before rushing onto a course featuring tight trails, mud and rolling hills. Spectators can watch the action from a variety of vantage points throughout the course, which will be marked on race day.
Baity is in the fourth grade at a local Kings Mountain school. Baity has been racing ATVs for five years and competes in the highly competitive Girls Jr. class. She is currently tied for second in her class for the national championship and rides a Yamaha Raptor 125 with help from her sponsors, Action Off-Road, O'Neal, Penske Racing Shocks, Custom AXIS Racing Shocks, Honda Motorcycles of Shelby, BAD Plastics Skids, Custom Covers Racing, Fowler Motorsports, PRO Works Racing, Senge Graphics Inc, Alba Racing, Lone Star Racing, and Nine2Crew Goggles. Baity uses #RidePink on social media.
So far this year, Baity has competed in GNCC rounds in the states of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. This is the second year in a row Baity has contested the prestigious series for a national title. In addition to the GNCC, Baity also competes in the local Mid East Hare Scramble series in 2 different classes!
Saturday’s race format starts with Micro (50cc) ATV racers at 8 a.m., Micro (50cc) bike racers at 8:45 a.m. and Youth racers at 9:30 a.m., Amateurs racing at 11 a.m., and the Pros and top amateurs at 2 p.m., rain or shine. Sunday’s race format will begin with Youth racers starting at 8 a.m., then move onto Amateurs at 10 a.m., followed by the Pros and top amateurs at 1 p.m., rain or shine. GNCC events are grueling, endurance races, with Youth riders racing for 90 minutes, Amateurs two hours, and the Pros a whopping three hours. Baity will race on Saturday with the youth division starting at 9:30 am for a grueling 1 hour.
   Spectator passes run $25 for adults and $10 for kids (6-11), and ages five and under are free for the full weekend. Gate admission includes pro pit access. Sponsor displays and food concessions will be available. The economic impact for a community hosting an event of this magnitude is estimated more than $1.3 million dollars.
   Each round of the GNCC Series is streamed LIVE on RacerTV.com, showcasing the top amateur racers and professional athletes. For more information on the GNCC series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.com or call (304) 284-0084.

By Loretta Cozart

On Friday, March 11, smoke rose adjacent to I-85 North, as The Keith Corporation prepares the land for the upcoming construction of Kings Mountain Corporate Center on Canterbury Road. The brownish white smoke bellowed into the air, as remaining debris on the property was gathered into piles and set ablaze.
This work is part of the process for Keith Corporation to begin construction on a speculative industrial building of nearly 1.3 million square feet in Kings Mountain. It is the largest spec building in Cleveland County, North Carolina, and the southeast.
Kings Mountain Corporate Center is a 164-acre, master-planned, business park in Kings Mountain. The business park has extensive I-85 frontage with access to the interstate by two interchanges. And with Charlotte Douglas International Airport just twenty-six miles away via I-85, the location is ideal for many large companies.
“We appreciate City of Kings Mountain’s and Gaston County’s incentive grants, which will help draw potential tenants to this property,” said Justin Curis, Vice President, Industrial Development for The Keith Corporation. “Our intention for this property is for one company to occupy. We anticipate completion at the end of 2022, with a new tenant operational during the first quarter of 2023.”

On March 5, roof work continued at Mauney Memorial Library. A crew worked on the ground preparing the roofing for installation, as roofers replaced sections of the roof above the Harris Children’s Wing. This is an ongoing project by City of Kings Mountain, replacing the old clay tiles with modern metal roofing that can last many decades with proper maintenance.                         Photo by Loretta Cozart
 

On Thursday, March 10, the North Carolina House approved HR 981, a resolution expressing support for Ukraine as its people fight for freedom, and urging Congress to increase domestic energy production.
North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore said, “We stand firmly with the Ukrainian people as they fight to defend their country from Russian aggression. As millions of refugees flee and hundreds of civilians have been slaughtered, it is crucial that civilized nations of the world stand with them now.”
He continued, “Furthermore, it’s time for our leaders in Congress and in the White House to reverse course on unnecessarily limiting our production of energy. We must increase our domestic energy production to strengthen our security here at home.”

By Loretta Cozart

A special meeting was called for Tuesday, March 8 at 5 p.m. for a motion to adopt a Resolution directing the city clerk to investigate a Voluntary Contiguous Annexation Petition for property located near 102 Woodlake Parkway in Kings Mountain. There are 92.677 acres in Cleveland County and an additional 33.127 acres in Gaston County.
The request to annex was received from Michael Eugene Bumgardner, II, Rebecca Cashion Bumgardner, Faylene Falls Voet, Michael Eugene Bumgardner, and William Zura Cashion, Jr.
The property is in Cleveland County and being identified Parcel #12661, and Parcel #12656 and Gaston County Property identified as Parcel #154966 and consisting of approximately 125.804 acres.
The notice for the special called meeting was shared by the city on Friday, March 4 at 4:35 p.m.