(April 7, 2021 Issue)

By Loretta Cozart

Andrew Stuart (Andy) Underwood, Public Safety Answering Point Manager for the 911 Center for the City of Kings Mountain, passed away on March 17.
Chief Lisa Proctor spoke during City Council regarding Underwood saying, “Andy was our PSAP Manager. Because Kings Mountain is in two counties, our call rating was low at 77.55%. Calls would go to Gaston County and then get routed to us. We wanted to fix it to better serve our citizens, so I assigned the job to Andy. Within 30-days the problem was solved, thanks to dual routing. After he solved the problem, our call rating went to 99.9% and we were ranked #1 in the state.
Andy Underwood described his process to Chief Proctor saying, “You set goals, strive for excellence, and you never settle for less.”
City of Kings Mountain will dedicate the call center at Kings Mountain Police Department to Andy Underwood. A ceremony is being planned and his family will be invited as soon as a date is set,” said Chief Proctor.

(March 31, 2021 Issue)

By Loretta Cozart

Bin Raiders is open for business. Srimaha Rithiphong, who goes by Hale, along with his wife Jee and his sister Aricka, operate Bin Raiders, a family-owned business that opened on January 23. The shop is so popular that customers wait in line for the store to open each day.
Bin Raiders purchases inventory in lots and passes the savings on to their customers. Much of the inventory items are Amazon returns or overstock. Most items are in the original packaging. “Sometimes we get an item wrapped in bubble wrap and we don’t know what is inside. I’ve had customers find cell phones and Fitbit watches that way,” Hale said.
When asked why he decided to open a store, Hale answered without hesitation as he pointed to his son, Lee. “I started the store for him. If I worked in a plant on the second-shift, I would get home after he goes to bed. In the morning, I would only have time with him until I dropped him off at school. That is not what I want.,” Hale said.
Hale got the idea of opening a discount store in Kings Mountain while shopping in similar stores in other communities. However, Kings Mountain did not have this type of store. ‘I just observed how they did things, how they priced items and when they brought out more inventory. Then, I went online and found other people who were doing the same thing and they shared how they were doing it. Later, I learned how to buy lots online and it all came together from there.”
Once he got his plan formalized, Hale reached out to Dan Potter, his soccer coach and friend from high school, asking him to help getting the store ready. “It was a lot of fun to be part of this and hopefully it will take off. I want to see him succeed,” Potter said. Together, they built bins for the store.
Bin Raiders’ model opens the store Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, from 10 am until 6 pm. On Friday and Saturday, items cost $6 each. On Monday, the price drops to $3, Tuesday it drops to $2, and on Wednesday, the price drops to $1 each. Or customers can buy a big bag full for $10.
Inventory ranges from electronics, kitchen items, clothing, pet supplies, snacks, toys, purses, gun cleaning kits, ammo crates, smart cameras, razors, home theater items, curling irons, video game components, vehicle security systems, sheets, backpacks and more. Inventory depends upon the lot, but Bin Raiders posts sneak previews of items for sale that week.
Hale points out that many of the folks in the neighborhood have already become regular customers. “When they come in, we try to get to know them. I hope the rest of Kings Mountain will come check out the store. Folks who shop here can get high end items at below retail prices. We just want to help people save money.”
Bin Raiders is located at 205 Walker Street, at a corner store known for decades as the hub of the Pauline Mill community. Charlie and Mary Spearman operated their neighborhood store here for decades. Dewey Allen ran the Pauline Store before Charlie. A church was located there for years before vacating several years ago. Since then the property sat empty.
Hale and his family came to Kings Mountain from Laos, via San Francisco, in 1984. Hale, Jess, Lee, and Aricka Rithiphong are a new generation of business owners, thankful to have this location at the  corner of Walker and Gantt Streets. With their vision and hard work, their business will help revive the once bustling Pauline community.

Faster opening of Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort will accelerate job creation for region 

KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C. – The Catawba Nation today announced it will fast-track the opening of the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort project in Kings Mountain by opening a “pre-launch” facility this summer with 500 slot machines.
The pre-launch facility, which will be constructed using prefabricated modular structures, will provide an initial opportunity for patrons to game with limited food & beverage and other guest amenities.
“With the completion of our compact with the State of North Carolina, the Catawba Nation is eager to open the casino as quickly as possible to begin bringing economic benefits and jobs to the state and region,” Catawba Chief Bill Harris said. “We’re working with Delaware North, our consultant on the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort project, as well as our developer, Skyboat Gaming, to make that happen by opening what we are calling a ‘pre-launch’ facility this summer.”
An introductory phase of the full casino is still planned and will feature an additional 1,300 slot machines. It will be a permanent structure that will become part of the full casino. Its construction is expected to take about a year.
“It makes sense to have the temporary pre-launch facility to start, and it will continue to operate during the construction of the introductory phase and possibly subsequent phases,” said Brian Hansberry, president of Delaware North’s gaming business. “It gives us a place to teach incoming staff and accommodates people in the region who are anxious to start gaming this summer.”
The 17-acre casino site off Dixon School Road in Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, is near Interstate 85 and about 35 miles west of Charlotte. The total $273 million casino resort project is expected to create 2,600 permanent jobs at full buildout and thousands of construction jobs in the region.
“This project will prove to be a long-lasting and sustainable economic engine for the residents of Cleveland County, we are excited about the expedited timeline” said Cleveland County Commissioner Johnny Hutchins.
“Chief Harris and the members of The Catawba Indian Nation are great partners. Our team looks forward to continuing to work side by side as the project develops” said Cleveland County Manager Brian Epley.
The Catawba Nation and the State of North Carolina in January signed a compact that allows the state to share in revenues generated by the new casino, which will be operated by the Catawba. In March 2020, the U.S. Department of the Interior, following a thorough, years-long review, took the 17 acres of land into trust for the Catawba Nation. The action recognized the Catawba Nation’s historical and ancestral ties to its aboriginal lands throughout North Carolina, as evidenced by names such as Catawba County and Catawba College, as well as in the six counties, including Cleveland County, specifically identified by Congress as part of the Catawba’s service area. The state compact acknowledges this connection to North Carolina as well.
In addition to creating revenue for the State of North Carolina, the casino will help support an education fund that will benefit environmental conservation, provide educational support for members of federal and state-recognized tribes, support local communities on economic development initiatives and foster employment opportunities on or near Catawba lands.
# # #

(March 24, 2021 Issue)

By Loretta Cozart

Last week the Kings Mountain Herald covered a story regarding Mountain Street Pharmacy’s sponsoring a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Central United Methodist Church. Organizer and Pharmacist Allan Propst assembled a team of professionals who immunized 300 people in a single day. Propst was very complimentary of one of his immunizers and explained, “He is one of a very few Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician Immunizers in the nation. He is an amazing guy who does many things. If you talk with him, ask him about his snakes.” Intrigued, an interview was scheduled.
Certified Pharmacy Technician Mark Woodall works with Propst in many of his stores, and sometimes trains pharmacists, though he is not a pharmacist himself. “In January of this year, I received my Advanced Pharmacy Technician Certification. That required I take four more boards, which I did in September of last year. However, they had to wait until enough people had taken the test to determine the pass rate. As of January, there are less than 1,000 Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technicians in the nation. I am also a Tech check Tech, meaning I can do the final check of a prescription like a pharmacist would do.”
In addition to his job with Allan Propst’s stores, Woodall teaches three classes at Cleveland Community College. He teaches the entire Pharmacy Technician Program, with morning and night classes. “Thanks to recent changes in the work pharmacy technicians can handle, and the reputation the program has achieved at Cleveland Community College, companies where our students intern (pre-COVID-19) have called wanting to hire four of the students before they graduated,” he said.
“Atrium Health Cleveland sends students to my Sterile Chemical Compounding class, specifically technicians who need to learn how to do IVs. After passing their boards, the IV Technician receives a $2 raise and a promotion after completing the three month class,” Woodall commented. “The hospital also calls us to hire new technicians. CVS calls, too. We have also partnered with six to eight local pharmacies to place technicians. After passing their boards, students can make $20 per hour to start.”
Currently, Woodall wears many hats. He works with Allan Propst at his pharmacies, at Cleveland Compounding, part-time at the Dermatology Center, and travels doing immunizations during COVID. He also teaches three classes at Cleveland Community College. And he teaches pharmacists compounding.
When asked where he sees himself in five years, Woodall said, “I want to move more toward teaching and elevating pharmacy technicians as a career. I might get involved with the Board of Pharmacy, or even with Board of Pharmacy Technicians. They have positions like president and vice-president, like the Board of Pharmacy does. Maybe I’ll get involved in that to help evolve the career.”
“If there is any bright side to the pandemic, it would be that it has caused changes in the way pharmacies work. Pharmacists are working more with patients, like a clinician would. Some pharmacists can even prescribe medicines,” he said. “Technicians are taking on the jobs of immunizations, screening patients, and in some states even doing COVID-19 testing. In the 90s, it could take 10 years to see changes in pharmacy. In the last two years, I have seen major changes in what we can do as technicians. If nothing else, COVID has made lots of new opportunities for jobs in this field.”
When asked what he does in his spare time, Woodall said he works 18-hour days but has time for family. He has one daughter and a grandson.
In what little time he has left, Woodall breeds Ball Pythons. “I’ve always loved snakes and I played with them as a kid. Three years ago, I decided to buy a Ball Python. Then I decided to try breeding them. After getting my first set of eggs and selling them, I decided it was a good way to make money in my spare time. After three years, I now have a good breeding colony.”
Luckily, snakes are easy to keep. They do not make noise, make few messes, and require basic care. Ball Python females grow to about 5-feet long; their male counterparts are about half the size of the female. “I feed them once a week because they need to be fat and happy to breed. Many people only feed their Pythons once a month. When the female stops eating and wraps herself in a ball, that is a good sign she is pregnant. I’ve hatched most of the Pythons I own, and I have held them since they were born, so they are pretty friendly,” Woodall said.
Mark Woodall stays busy teaching future pharmacy technicians, Once trained, he helps place those students in good jobs, which in turn helps local hospitals and pharmacies. His students benefit because they have been trained well as pharmacy technicians in a career that continues to grow. He works in local pharmacies and also teaches pharmacists how to compound medicines.
   Woodall loves his work, no doubt. One can hear it as he speaks passionately about his career. But he does not stop there. He is active on the front-line, vaccinating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is a father and a grandfather. And, he has found a way to relax in his spare time in a hobby he also loves. His is a full life, yet he aspires to elevate the career of pharmacy technicians in ways one can only imagine. Allan Propst was right, Mark Woodall is quite an amazing guy.

(March 24, 2021 Issue)

A resolution sponsored by Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) that proposes adding Congressional term limits to the US Constitution was approved by the North Carolina House of Representatives on Wednesday.
House Joint Resolution 172 Term Limits for Congress is sponsored by Speaker Moore, Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-Haywood), Rep. Jeff McNeely (R-Iredell), and Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Stanly).
The resolution supports an application to the US Congress for an Article 5 'Convention of the States,' submitted for the specific purpose of proposing an amendment to the US Constitution to impose term limits on members of Congress.
Speaker Moore said Wednesday a broken legislative process in Washington D.C. is harming the federal government and the American people, requiring serious measures to command accountability for leadership of the United States.
“I sponsored House Joint Resolution 172 because I think term limits for members of Congress is an idea whose time has come," Speaker Moore said Wednesday.
"When you talk to the American people, they support term limits for the US Congress. They know the President is term-limited. So I am proud to advance this important proposal that has broad bipartisan support among our citizens.”
"This bill is a step forward giving the states an opportunity to put in place term limits and is narrowly drawn to address this issue. If a Convention of States were held to consider an amendment proposing term limits, it must be ratified by 38 states, and each state has just one vote."
"This is what the framers had in mind - a procedure they put in the US Constitution. This is an important issue that Congress has not done, and that they presumably won't do. So if you want to see term limits at the federal level this is your best, and I would say this is your only, opportunity to do so."
"We talk about reform on the Democratic side of the aisle, and on the Republican side of the aisle. This is a bipartisan reform that is much-needed in Washington D.C., and I urge you to support term limits for Congress today."
HJR 172 was sent to the North Carolina Senate.

(March 24, 2021 Issue)

The Kings Mountain Ministerial Association will be leading in an Easter Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday, April 4 at 7:00 a.m. at Mountain Rest Cemetery.
The service will be held around the large white cross in the cemetery.
In the event of inclement weather, the service will be moved to Eastside Baptist Church, 308 York Road, Kings Mountain.  If the event is held inside, everyone  is requested to wear a mask.
The Easter Sunrise message will be delivered by Pastor Ron Caulder from Eastside Baptist Church.  Special music will be provided by East Gold Wesleyan Church.
Everyone is invited to attend.  The service will be approximately 30 minutes.
Come and let’s celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus!

(March 24, 2021 Issue)

Jenna Ramsey was crowned Kings Mountain High School Homecoming Queen for 2021 at the Friday, March 12 Homecoming football game  at John Gamble Stadium. Ramsey was nominated by the KMHS Band. Students chose her as one of the five finalists for the Homecoming Court and elected her as Homecoming Queen prior to the football game. She is the daughter of Tandra Ramsey and Billy Ramsey. She is pictured with her father who escorted her.    
                                                                              Photo provided by KMHS 
 

(March 24, 2021 Issue)


By Loretta Cozart

During the January 26 city council meeting a sewer slip-lining capital project related to the upcoming streetscape project downtown was approved. Last week, city crews began the work budgeted at $400,000.
City Manager Marilyn Sellers explained during the January meeting that the condition of the sewer in downtown is not good. Using cure in place slip-lining eliminates tearing up the street to replace the existing sewer  pipes, expedites the process, and creates less disruption for citizens.
Only one lane of traffic was closed as city crews mapped the pipes in advance of placing the slip-liner allowing workers to know exactly where connections are that need to be cutout after the liner cures.  Next crews will install the new 8-inch slip-lining into existing sewer pipes on Battleground Avenue from Kings Street to Falls Street and a 4-inch slip-lining on Mountain Street from Piedmont Avenue to Battleground. With this work, 12 connections to existing businesses will to be replaced.
Once this work is finished, the city will begin the streetscape project in downtown Kings Mountain.

(March 24, 2021 Issue)

Full-week schedule
begins two weeks later

By Loretta Cozart

Cleveland County School Board held a special called meeting on Monday, March 15, one year to the day after a similar called meeting was held in 2020 regarding the Coronavirus, according to Cleveland County Schools Superintendent Stephen Fisher. But this meeting was held to return students to the classroom for full-time instruction.
In a 6-3 vote, Cleveland County School Board decided to in favor of a plan outlined by the superintendent to return students in grades 6-12 to school full-time.
All middle and high school students will return to school on Monday, April 12 four days per week for in-person instruction. Two weeks later, on April 26, those students will return to school full-time.
School Board members voting for the plan include: Robert Queen, Rodney Fitch, Ron Humphries, Danny Blanton, Joel Shores and Greg Taylor. Voting against were Philip Glover, Dena Green, and Coleman Hunt.

(March 24, 2021 Issue)

By Jim Champion

Ken and Liz Pflieger, Kings Mountain Little Theatre’s Corporate Sponsor, are pleased to announce the performances of ’Til Beth Do Us Part on Friday, March 26 - 27, at 7:30 and April 2 - 3 at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Sundays, March 28 and April 4 at 3 pm.
Priority is given to season members and they are able to make a reservation to attend a performance for our plays. All others may purchase tickets at the box office. KMLT will have 30 tickets per performance for purchase at the Box Office on a first come first served basis.  Reserved seating not claimed at least 10 minutes before show time are subject to release for purchase by others seeking tickets.
Due to the limited audience capacity allowed under the North Carolina Covid-19 Plan, the protocols listed below are being followed. KMLT will maintain stringent health and safety protocols.
For more detailed information, please visit www.kmlt.org or the Kings Mountain Little Theatre Facebook page. 

(March 24, 2021 Issue)


By Loretta Cozart

Demolition around the old Spectrum Yarns, Inc. plant can be seen from both Hwy. 74 and Patterson Road. Portions of the building located at 136 Patterson Road are being torn down, while the office remains intact. The property housed Spectrum Dyed Yarns until the banking crisis of 2008, when the company announced it could no longer find financing.
In August 2013, Spectrum Yarns, Inc. filed a Brownfields Property Application due to contamination caused by a release of chlorinated solvents from a wastewater treatment lagoon associated with the manufacturing operation located on an adjacent site.
The entire property, including the subject parcel and the adjacent parcel, was developed for the dyeing and finishing of textile yarns  by  Spectrum  Dyed
Yarns, Inc. in 1972. The property was undeveloped prior to that time. Spectrum Dyed Yarns, Inc. ceased operations in October 2008.
Permits have been issued for partial demolition of the plant, but exact plans for the property are not known at this time, according to Codes Enforcement Director Clint Houser.

(March 24, 2021 Issue)

North Elementary School honored their Teacher Assistant and Teacher of the Year at North Elementary School.
First Grade Teacher Johnna Wyte received her BS in Elementary Education at UNCC and is a National Board Certified Teacher. She taught adult education for six months before she starting teaching first grade. She taught 18-years at Bethware School and 10-years at North
Elementary. She is married to Mark and has three children. She is a member of Patterson Grove Baptist Church.
Sonya Nalley - Kindergarten Teacher Assistant and Bus Driver received her Associate degree in Early Childhood Education at Cleveland Community College. She has worked with children for 25-years. 14-years in daycare, 1-year at Crest Middle, and 10-years at North Elementary School. She is married to Tony and has two children and one grandson. She is a member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church.
 

(March 17, 2021 Issue)

By Loretta Cozart

Mountain Street Pharmacy, working in conjunction with the Cleveland County Public Health Center, held a COVID-19 Vaccine clinic on Friday, March 12, hosted by Central United Methodist Church in Kings Mountain.
“I am pleased to say that we distributed all 300 vaccines,” said Pharmacist Allan Propst, BS R.PH. “I thank everyone involved including Cleveland County Health Department, Gardner Webb’s Hunt School of Nursing, Central United Methodist Church for hosting and many of its members for volunteering, Kings Mountain Rescue Squad, and the staff at Mountain Street Pharmacy.”
“I’d like to thank again DeShay Oliver, Deputy Health Director of Cleveland County Public Health Department for allowing  Mountain Street Pharmacy to administer these COVID vaccines,” Propst said. “I also want to thank Health Department Director of Pharmacy, Dr. Chris Breese, Pharm.D. for all his help.”
“We are so grateful to Dr. Tracy Arnold, DNP, RN, Dean of Gardner Webb’s Hunt School of Nursing, along with Dr. Sarah Tate, DNP, RN, Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Clinical Coordinator who provided the three nursing students for the clinic. Student nurses from their program were Zebib Zera, Caitlin Hunt, and Kiersten Laney.”
 “Of great help to us were Lila Johnson and Abilia Peeler, who normally work at the health department from the state entering all the information into the NCCVMS. Their help was crucial because it helped get this data entered quickly,” Propst said. “Helping them enter the data were Deborah Gwyn and Caitlin Queen.” Most of the data was entered that day.
Central United Methodist Church, Minister Rev. Bruce Gwyn, along with 17 church members volunteered in various roles. RNs Mary Lou Ware, Audrey Brooks, and Susan Hluch worked throughout the day drawing the vaccines. Check-in and temperature staff included Tricia Propst, Linda Childers, and Drew White.
Church facility setup was handled by Joe Patterson and Barry Brogdon. Jim Larson handled various jobs. Debbie Green and Barry Brogdon handled intake and confirmed info provided prior to immunization. Gene and Melissa Bragg assisted with the questionnaires.
Community volunteers from The Walt Disney Company included Jim Larson, Wayne Hawkins, and Barbara Justice. Tim Miller and Gibb Brazzell helped with parking. Other church volunteers included Jeff Dixon and Carol Brazzell.
Mountain Street Pharmacy provided Pharmacist immunizers including Certified Tech Immunizer Mark Woodall, Pharmacists Allan Propst, Jeff Nunnery, Carson Koone, Jacob and Heather Wallace, with the assistance of Angel Queen.
Propst also thanks Tabitha Thomas from Patrick Senior Center for taking calls and scheduling screenings. Additionally, he thanks Kings Mountain Rescue Squad Captain John Harris for allowing Lindsay Ballard and Shannon Bell to be on-site the entire day.
Those vaccinated Friday will return to Central United Methodist Church on April 16, at the same appointment time, for their second vaccine. Propst asks them to bring the immunization card they were given after their first vaccine, so it can be completed after receiving their second shot.
“I especially want to thank my staff of Mountain Street Pharmacy for all their help during our two COVID-19 clinics, Pharmacist Manager Laura Boyd, Certified Technicians Susan Sipes, Tiffany Lowrance, Sarah Parker, and Karen Tate,” Propst said. “They have been working non-stop behind the scenes for a month to get appointments set and handle all the paperwork. They are the unsung heroes because they have been working constantly to make these clinics possible. I am truly grateful and appreciative of our entire team effort.”

(March 17, 2021 Issue)

On Friday February 19, KMPD welcomed Officer Wesley Childers to the force. “Officer Childers grew up in Kings Mountain and has wanted to become an officer for this city for many years,” said Chief Proctor. “Officer Childers asked if I would pin his badge on him for his swearing in ceremony. It was an honor for me to do this for him.”
In attendance was many family members and officers of KMPD. Mayor Pro Tem Keith Miller conducted the ceremony and swore Officer Childers in on behalf of the city.

(March 17, 2021 Issue)

Dr. George Plonk was born on March 17, 1919 and celebrates his 102nd birthday this week. A lot has changed in Kings Mountain, and the world, in the last 102 years. The following information was taken from an exhibit on early doctors in Kings Mountain, and from an interview recorded by Scott Neisler in 1995 courtesy of Kings Mountain Historical Museum.
Dr. George Plonk grew up with nine siblings on a farm between Kings Mountain and Cherryville. Of the ten Plonk children, all but the youngest were born with the assistance of a midwife at home; the last-born son was birthed with the assistance of a doctor, Dr. Stokes. This was representative of a regional trend taking place in the first half of the 20th century, towards more accessible professional healthcare in rural North Carolina.
Dr. Anthony and Dr. Hord were the Plonks’ family doctors, and Dr. Plonk recalls that in those days some fresh ears of corn or whatever else was in season on the local farms were often used as payment to those doctors who made house calls to the people of Kings Mountain.
He spent his first six grades in a one-room schoolhouse on land donated by his grandfather, before attending Kings Mountain High School. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1940.
After earning his degree from Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia, he served two years in the U.S. Army as a physician in Europe. Following his service, Dr. Plonk made his way back to the Kings Mountain area. After working as a general practitioner for several years in town, Dr. Plonk returned to medical school to study surgery, this time studying at the University of Pennsylvania. From there he went on to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he practiced from 1952 until 1957.
Of his degrees, the 1937 certificate from the American Board of Surgery declaring that he is a Board-certified surgeon is the one Dr. Plonk is most proud to have earned. He also recalls in the interview with Scott Neisler that the mentors he had through his early years of studying and practicing medicine that inspired his own caring, compassionate his bedside manner.
During WWII, Dr. Plonk served two years in the U.S. Army, including serving as a physician in Europe.  In the interview, Dr. Plonk explains how he learned about the use of bone screws for the first time from prisoners of war who had been treated with them before they were released back to the Fracture Ward where he was stationed. This is a good example of how advances in military medicine translated into significant progress in civilian medicine.
Dr. Plonk’s first wife, Margaret Cooper, was also from Kings Mountain, and with a new hospital having opened there, they decided to go home. In 1957, he became Kings Mountain Hospital’s first surgeon.
In the interview, Dr. Plonk explains how the first few years of surgery at Kings Mountain Hospital were challenging. By that point, he and his wife had five children, and even though they were living in a one-bedroom apartment in his wife’s parent’s house, it was still difficult to make ends meet.
Dr. Plonk still had the opportunity to return to his practice in Raleigh, and he had made up his mind that was what he had to do to support his family. Fortunately, a group of concerned citizens circulated a petition urging Dr. Plonk to stay in Kings Mountain. Honored by the effort, and by the number of signatures, he decided to stay, continuing to practice medicine in Kings Mountain until his retirement in the 1980s.
During his long career, he tended and mended the citizens of this region as one of its most respected doctors for over forty years. Dr. Plonk frequently runs into his former surgical patients around town and receives expressions of their gratitude – it is not uncommon for him to hear, “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for you.”
  In addition to his career as one of Kings Mountain’s most esteemed surgeons, Dr. Plonk has always been an active community member, serving in the Lions Club and the Kings Mountain Rotary Club.
   During his lifetime, he saw medical care in Kings Mountain transition from backcountry home medicine to professional doctors making house calls; then he watched Kings Mountain Hospital grow from a 24-bed facility in 1951 to a full service 102 bed hospital with state-of-the-art technology. He saw the development of life-saving antibiotics and vaccines, as well as advances in anesthetics, cancer-fighting medicines, and minimally invasive surgical techniques. 

(March 17, 2021 Issue)

The City of Kings Mountain will be implementing NorthStar Utility Solutions billing software to better serve their customers on March 29. There will be changes in the billing statement and online features offered. Questions that you may have are:
• Will the due dates change? No, all due dates will remain the same. All payments are due by the 20th of each month to avoid a late fee and accounts need to be paid in full by the last day of each month to avoid additional fees and possible disconnection.
• Will I need to redo my paperwork (CSA, SSI information, Payment Arrangements, Bank Draft, etc.)? No, you will only need to complete paperwork if there have been any changes.
• Will I need to give my bank new information for sending my payment? No
• Why did my account number change? When changing software companies, the account format changed so we had no choice but to change the accounts number. You will see your new account number in the top left hand corner of the billing statement (see image of new statement below).
• Will my bill go up with you buying new software? No
• Can I still pay my bill at City Hall? Yes, the lobby and drive-thru hours will remain the same.
• How do I get to this new portal? There will be no changes as to how you get to the new portal, just the look and features once you click on the “online bill pay” link:  (see image of the customer portal below).
• What payment methods are available now? Online payment (e-check, visa, master card, american express, discover, apple pay, and google pay), check, cash, money order, bank draft, and we have added IVR feature (855) 844-0495. Note: if you have the link saved in your favorites please update.
• I have two electric meters on my property. Will I have two graphs for electric on my bill? The graphs will be one per service so if you have multiple electric meters the consumption represented on the graph will be combine consumption for each service.

(March 10, 2021 Issue)

By Loretta Cozart

Mountain Street Pharmacy and Shelby Drugstore, working in conjunction with the Cleveland County Public Health Center, will host a COVID-19 Vaccine clinic on Friday, March 12 at Central United Methodist Church in Kings Mountain.
Do not call Mountain Street Pharmacy or Shelby Drugstore to schedule an appointment. Those interested in getting the vaccine should call the Patrick Senior Center to complete the screening and pre-registration process. Call 704-734-0447 between 1:30 pm – 4 pm. Calls will be taken daily, now through March 11 or until all appointments have been filled.
Qualified individuals will be contacted later in the week if an appointment is available to you.
   The Clinic is open to the following eligible individuals:
• Persons 65 years of age or older
• Healthcare workers
• School employees/Childcare workers
  Mountain Street Pharmacist Alan Propst wants to thank Mayor Scott Neisler, City Manager Marilyn Sellers, and Patrick Senior Center Director Tabitha Thomas for their part in helping organize this COVID vaccine opportunity for the City of Kings Mountain.

(March 10, 2021 Issue)

By Christy Conner

It’s time to visit Wonderland! The City of Kings Mountain Special Events Department is excited to partner with Sigmon Theatrical to present The Wonderland Experience, an immersive, multi-sensory, intimate theater production where audience members literally walk into and through the world of Alice in Wonderland featuring live characters, interactive activities, breathtaking costumes and scenery, amazing circus feats, puppetry, special effects, and 360º immersive environments.
Fall down the rabbit hole (a magical tunnel with swirling lights) and meet Alice, the White Rabbit, Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum, solve a riddle by the Cheshire Cat, celebrate at a mad tea party with the Mad Hatter, and have a royal visit with the Queen of Hearts.
Guests can travel through the experience in their own group of family or friends, with a limit of ten (10) people per group. Tickets, with a scheduled departure time, are required to attend this event in order to reduce crowd size and maximize the guest experience. General Admission tickets are free of charge, and may be secured for your group at www.KingsMountainEvents.com/Wonderland. You can also upgrade your group to a VIP Experience for a small fee, including a souvenir photo, and a special gift that unlocks extra magic inside the experience.
The Wonderland Experience is a safe, socially distanced adventure for the entire family. Audience members will be required to wear face coverings, temperatures will be taken upon arrival, gloves will be provided to audience members to wear throughout the experience, all touch points will be sanitized between groups and a thorough deep clean will take place each evening, in addition to other safety protocols.
Experience Wonderland, Thursday, April 1 and through Saturday, April 3. The event begins each evening at 5:30 pm.
To learn more, and to reserve your experience today, call the City of Kings Mountain’s Special Events Department at 704-730-2101, or visit the web at https://www.KingsMountainEvents.com/Wonderland.

(March 10, 2021 Issue)

By Windy Bagwell

Congratulations to Mrs. Sandra Stirewalt on being selected as the Kings Mountain Middle School February Employee of the Month.  Mrs. Stirewalt is more than just a substitute teacher; she is a hard-working team player that goes the extra mile to help everyone she encounters.  She works tirelessly with individual students to promote their success. Mrs. Stirewalt is well respected throughout our school community.  Her contributions to KMMS are much appreciated and very impactful.  Congratulations Mrs. Stirewalt!  Thank you for all you do for KMMS!

(March 10, 2021 Issue)

Cleveland County Schools begin pre-school screenings March 22 – March 25, and March 29 – April 3. Schedule your child’s screening by calling 704-476-8064 between the hours of 8:30 am and 3 pm, Monday through Friday. Eligible students must live in Cleveland County and be 4-years old by August 31.
Office of School Readiness is located at 308 W. Marion Street, Shelby, NC 28150. Building B is on the grounds of the old Shelby Middle School – in the small building near tennis courts with parking in the back. Screenings are by appointment only and Cleveland County Schools will not offer make-up screenings.

(March 10, 2021 Issue)

By Loretta Cozart

Kings Mountain City Council will hold a special meeting of the City of Kings Mountain City Council on Wednesday, March 10 at 6 pm to discuss scheduling a public hearing for Tuesday March 30 at 6 pm, allowing them to consider a zoning text amendment allowing no required yard setbacks when federal tribal property is adjacent to the City of Kings Mountain ETJ.
The meeting on March 10 is to add the public hearing to the March 30 agenda, so they can consider the text amendment during that meeting.

(March 3, 2021 Issue)

On Feb. 25, Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill 4 – Extend ABC Permit Renewal Fees into law. The legislation will help bar owners by allowing them to defer ABC permit fees until they are able to reopen at full capacity. The bill clarifies an existing emergency relief law passed in 2020 to allow bar owners to defer their permit fees up to 90 days after they are able to operate at full capacity.
“I’m grateful to see this legislation signed into law,” said Chairman Moffitt. “House Bill 4 will give private bars and small business owners reprieve until they are back at full capacity. The House ABC Committee will continue to advocate for NC businesses and plans to file additional relief legislation to help even more restaurants, bars, and businesses across the state recover from the COVID pandemic.”
“This is welcome news for these struggling business owners,” said Majority Leader John Bell. “I appreciate the hard work of Representative Moffitt and other bill sponsors to get this much-needed legislation signed into law. These small businesses continue to face significant challenges due to the Governor’s restrictions, and it is critical we continue to support and stand with them during these difficult times.”
“This legislation will provide many struggling businesses a much-deserved continuation of the deferral on their ABC permit fees,” said Representative Jamie Boles.  “We know this will not repair all the damage that has been done, but any help we can provide to these bars and restaurants will go a long way in helping our communities recover.”
 “I am elated that House Bill 4 became law today,” said Rep. Paré. “I am even more happy for all of the small businesses that will benefit from this law. HB 4 will provide flexibility to private bars that were crushed by COVID and numerous executive orders. I look forward to continuing my work to support small businesses at the Legislature and provide relief to those affected by the pandemic.”
House Bill 4 was filed on January 27 by Rep. Tim Moffitt (R-Henderson), along with primary sponsors Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne), Rep. Jamie Boles (R-Moore), and Rep. Erin Paré (R-Wake). The legislation was drafted in response to news in January that countless bar owners had their liquor permits revoked unexpectedly by the ABC Commission due to delinquent fees. House Bill 4 passed unanimously through the House and Senate and was signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper on February 25. The legislation goes into effect immediately, with Section 1 retroactively becoming effective June 30, 2020.
On Feb. 24, Governor Cooper lifted his Modified Stay at Home Order that required people to stay at home and businesses to close to the public between 10 pm and 5 am. The number of people who may gather indoors will increase from 10 to 25, while 50 remains the limit for outdoors. The curfew on the sale of alcohol for onsite consumption will be moved from 9 pm to 11 pm.
Some businesses, including bars and amusement parks, will now be open for patrons indoors as they adhere to new occupancy restrictions. Many businesses, venues and arenas will have increased occupancy both indoors and outdoors. 

(March 3, 2021 Issue)

By Loretta Cozart

Kings Mountain’s Gateway Trail’s 5K is scheduled for March 13. Registration is $20 and ends March 10 at 11:59 pm. This year’s race mark the 11th year because all races were cancelled in 2020 due to Coronavirus.
The 5K race begins at the Trail Head at 807 Battleground Avenue, Kings Mountain, Lat: 35-13-49 / Long: 81-21-02. As of Saturday, 50 runners had registered. T-shirts are only guaranteed for those who register for the 5K by March 5. Runners will have a staggered start, allowing space between them as a safety precaution.
Due to new technology purchased by Race Director Starr Dowell, chips will enable runners to start and end the race without timers.  “When a runner goes through the gate on Quarry Road, they will have a chip on that will be scanned so we will know the exact time someone starts,” Brutko said. “It will scan them again when they finish. Runners can leave with their chip because they are disposable. So, we will not collect them after the race. Runners are strongly discouraged from gathering afterward. We ask that they just finish and leave.”
There is no reason for runners to gather because the winners are not being announced after the race. That evening, the winners will be announced on the Gateway Trail Facebook Page.
The 10Miler began Monday, March 1 and continues through March 12. Runners report on the honor system. Registration is $20. Each runner runs by themselves from Quarry Road to Galilee Church Road, and back. They must report their time to Starr no later than midnight on March 13. T-shirts are not provided for this race. As of Saturday, 18 had registered for this event.
All winners of both runs will pick up their trophies at the Arts Center on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday, March 16 through March 20. There will be a few members from the Gateway Trail Committee there handing out trophies. The trophies are unique pieces of pottery made by members of the Gateway Trail Committee.
If you have any questions about this race, please contact the race director starr@finishwelltiming.com.

Expanding its significant clean-energy portfolio, Duke Energy has begun construction on the 50-MW Broad River Solar power plant in Cleveland County.
The project will be owned and operated by Duke Energy Renewables, a commercial subsidiary of Duke Energy. The project was selected as part of the competitive bidding process established by 2017’s landmark solar legislation in North Carolina.
The power plant will contain more than 170,000 solar panels across approximately 500 acres near Boiling Springs. The facility will power the equivalent of 12,500 homes. It is expected to reach commercial operation by the end of 2021.
“Solar power continues to play a big role in our aggressive pursuit to reduce carbon emissions and achieve our net-zero carbon goal for 2050,” said Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “We’ll continue to deliver renewable energy by building and purchasing more carbon-free power for our customers.”
 Under North Carolina’s Competitive Procurement for Renewable Energy, proposed projects must be built where there is a need for energy capacity on the Duke Energy system in North Carolina or South Carolina. The bids can come from any company, including Duke Energy, and can be in the form of power purchase agreements (PPA), utility self-developed facilities or utility asset acquisitions.
 “In addition to increasing the renewable energy resources in the state, the project will also deliver significant economic benefits to Cleveland County,” said Chris Fallon, president of Duke Energy Renewables.
During peak construction, Broad River Solar will generate approximately 120 jobs. Along with indirect economic benefits that accompany solar project development, such as increased local spending in the service and construction industries, Broad River Solar will also have a positive economic impact on the local community by providing local tax revenues to the county and local school districts, as well as meaningful payments to the participating landowners.
The facility’s design, procurement  of  inverters, balance of plant systems and construction of the project will be performed by Swinerton. The solar power generated by Broad River Solar will be sold through a 20-year power purchase agreement.
   Because of the project, the Duke Energy Foundation recently awarded a $5,000 grant to the Cleveland County Schools Educational Foundation and Crest High School to add a renewable energy and green construction skills module into the school’s workforce development curriculum.

(March 3, 2021 Issue)

By Loretta Cozart

Kings Mountain and Shelby could see their elections moved to 2022 due to census delays. The Census Bureau ended the self-response and field data collection operations for the 2020 census on Oct. 15. The statutory deadline for the delivery of apportionment data was missed because of the delays caused by the pandemic and the anomalies found in the census data.
On Jan. 27, the Census Bureau announced the apportionment data is expected to be delivered by April 30. However, on Feb.12, the Bureau announced the timeline for releasing the redistricting data to the states would occur by September 30.
North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 160A Cities and Towns, is very specific with regard to redistricting after the decennial census and the process to move the election is very complicated. The statute reads, “Municipal redistricting must be completed by third business day before the opening of the filing period, (Wednesday, July 21, 2021). If the city or town determines that it will not be possible to adopt the redistricting changes before the third business day before opening of the filing period, the municipality may adopt a resolution delaying the election.”
This is because the council of any city which elects the members of its governing board on a district basis, like Kings Mountain, or where candidates for such office must reside in a district in order to run, like Shelby, is required to evaluate the existing district boundaries to determine whether it would be lawful to hold the next election without revising districts to correct population imbalances.
If such revision is necessary, the council must consider whether it will be possible to adopt the changes  (and obtain approval from the United States Department of Justice, if necessary) before the third day before opening of the filing period for the municipal election.
   The council must also take into consideration the time that will be required to afford ample opportunities for public input. If the council determines that it most likely will not be possible to adopt the changes (and obtain federal approval, if necessary) before the third business day before opening of the filing period and determines further that the population imbalances are so significant that it would not be lawful to hold the next election using the current electoral districts, it may adopt a resolution delaying the election.
Before adopting such a resolution, the council must also hold a public hearing on it. The notice of public hearing shall summarize the proposed resolution and shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation, not less than seven days before the date fixed for the hearing.
“The NC Legislature is also considering moving all municipal elections to 2022,” said Director of Elections of Cleveland County Clifton Philbeck. “Either way, if the election is moved, the new filing period would be noon Monday, December 6, 2021 through noon Friday, December 17, 2021.  The Legislature could also change the 2022 Primary Election from March to May 2022.  If this happens, the filing period would be in February 2022.”

(March 3, 2021 Issue)

By Loretta Cozart
Cleveland County Board of Education unanimously approved implementing a new school calendar to in the fall term. School will start on Monday, Aug 23, and end on Friday, June 3, 2022.
North Carolina law requires the term to begin on the Monday closest to August 26. Schools superintendent Dr. Stephen Fisher explained, “This is problematic because that schedule makes it difficult for students to complete exams before Christmas,” he said.
Two calendars were shared online for the community’s feedback: one that follows the current calendar, and another that would allow students to take exams before leaving for winter break.
Fisher shared that during the two-week window for community response, 769 people submitted their preference on the two school calendars offered. “Those in favor of the new calendar numbered 630, or 81%. Those who preferred to keep the current calendar numbered 139, or 18%.”
“The challenge with the new calendar is that it is out-of-balance,” Fisher said. “The first semester has 83 days, and the second semester has 97 days. But the second semester typically has bad weather in January and February, and A/P exams also take place in the spring.”
The school board unanimously approved the new calendar beginning in the fall.
In other business, it was determined that fifth-grade students in the Burns and Crest zone will return to in-classroom learning five days a week beginning Monday March 8. The Shelby and Kings Mountain zone will return to the classroom on Monday, March 22. Families who wish to continue remote-only learning continue to have that option.
  The board voted 7-2 in favor of this plan. Dena Green and Coleman Hunt voted against.

(February 24, 2021 Issue)

By Loretta Cozart

Kings Mountain’s Gateway Trail Committee confirmed that their 5K and 10Miler Run are still scheduled for March, but the races will be handled differently this year due to COVID-19. This year’s races mark the 11th year, as all races were cancelled in 2020 due to Coronavirus.
The Trail 5K Run will be held March 13 starting at 9 am. Registration is $20 and ends March 10 at 11:59 pm. Runners will have a staggered start, allowing space between them as a safety precaution. “Runners must start with their masks on and can take them off while on the trail. When the runners return, they must put their mask back on, so it is going to be safe,” according to Kings Mountain Gateway Trail President Shirley Brutko.
The 5K race begins at the Trail Head at 807 Battleground Avenue, Kings Mountain, Lat: 35-13-49 / Long: 81-21-02. As of Saturday, 50 runners had registered. T-shirts are only guaranteed for those who register for the 5K by March 5.
“Race Director Starr Dowell ordered all new equipment that automates the timing of the race. When a runner goes through the gate on Quarry Road, they will have a chip on that will be scanned so we will know the exact time someone starts,” Brutko said. “It will scan them again when they finish. Runners can leave with their chip because they are disposable. So, we will not collect them after the race. Runners are strongly discouraged from gathering afterward. We ask that they just finish and leave.”
There is no reason for runners to gather because the winners are not being announced after the race.
 That evening, the winners will be announced on the Gateway Trail Facebook Page.
The 10Miler is scheduled between March 1 – 12, and runners report on the honor system. Registration is $20. Each runner runs by themselves from Quarry Road to Galilee Church Road, and back. They must report their time to Starr no later than midnight on March 13. T-shirts are not provided for this race. As of Saturday, 18 had registered for this event.
All winners of both runs will pick up their trophies at the Arts Center on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday, March 16 through March 20. There will be a few members from the Gateway Trail Committee there handing out trophies. The trophies are unique pieces of pottery made by members of the Gateway Trail Committee.
If you have any questions about this race, please contact the race director starr@finishwelltiming.com. 

(February 24, 2021 Issue)

On February 18, at 11:45 pm, the Gaston County Police 911 Center received a report of a shooting at Lowery Wood Rd. and Lewis Farm Rd. in Kings Mountain.
Upon arrival, officers found two males, Robert Lucas (Luke) Gibby, 22 years old, and Adam Kale Wood, 19 years old, near the intersection deceased.
Approximately two hours later, another male, Todd Payton Lee Waggoner, 21 years old, entered Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem with non-life threatening injuries. This male reported to have been at the scene earlier in the night.
Through an on-going investigation, a suspect has been identified. Warrants have been obtained for 2 counts of first degree murder and 1 count of attempted 1st degree murder on:
Michael Shane Barnes, white male,19, of Taylorsville, NC. He is described as 5’ 8” with sandy hair and blue eyes.
Barnes is considered armed and dangerous. The public is cautioned not to interact with Barnes.  Instead they are encouraged to contact 911.
The Gaston County Police ask anyone with information about this investigation to contact Gaston County Police Detective J. Brienza at 704-866-3320.  Information can also be provided through Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000. A monetary reward is available for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of Barnes.
This is an on-going investigation. There is no further information to be released at this time.

(February 24, 2021 Issue)

By Loretta Cozart

Two local Kings Mountain Police officers will benefit from fundraising events being held on their behalf in March. A year ago, Officer Skinner was injured in the line of duty and is still recovering. In December Cpl. Lee Whittington was shot after responding to a call near Kings Mountain County Club.
A Back the Blue Cookout event will be held at the Cleveland County Courthouse on March 6 from noon until 6 pm by Trudie Wilson and Elmer Obovie to support both men. Donations are accepted and will be given to the families.
Lisa Cash has organized a second Back the Blue event for Officer Skinner
on March 13 from noon to 5 pm at American Legion Post 155 on East Gold Street in Kings Mountain. Hot dog plates, chips, desserts,, and a drink will be available for a donation. Police, Fire, and EMT eat for free. Raffle items will also be available, and tickets are 1 for $5, or 3 for $10. All the proceeds go directly to Officer Skinner’s family.
The community is encouraged to show their support for the Officer Skinner and his family by coming by throughout the afternoon. Contact Lisa Cash at 704-685-2930 with questions.

(February 24, 2021 Issue)

Artists are invited to express their interpretation of the feminine and compete for prizes in Southern Arts Society’s annual “I AM WOMAN” exhibit. This is a judged show with first, second and third place prizes along with three merit awards. Though the exhibit and competition focuses on the feminine or female experience, both men and women may enter work for the show, allowing for a variety of viewpoints to be expressed.
All work must be original, completed within the last two years. Painting (oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel), drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, mixed media, and fiber are eligible. Two-dimensional work is restricted to 48" by 48" including frame. Please read the prospectus/entry form on our website CALL TO ARTIST page for entry specifications http://southernartssociety.org/call-to-artists/.    All work will be accepted unless it does not meet our criteria. Entry Fees apply.
Deliver Art: Deliver artwork February 23-25 during gallery hours 10 am – 2 pm and Saturday February 27 from 11 am – 4 pm and Sunday February 28 from 1-4 pm.
Public Reception: Saturday March 13, 2021 from 6-8 pm; Awards presented at 7 pm (dependent on COVID restrictions).
Exhibit dates: “I AM WOMAN” will be on exhibit March 3 thru April 16, 2021.
Southern Arts Society (SASi) Gift Shop & Gallery is located at 301 N. Piedmont Ave. at the intersection of Piedmont and Battleground Avenues, Kings Mountain, NC, in the historic Southern Railway Depot. SASi offers a gift shop, ongoing exhibits and art competitions, programs, and classes in a variety of media for artists of all levels. GALLERY HOURS: Tues-Wed-Thurs-Sat 10 am – 2 pm and by appointment.
Information: Ph 704.739.5585 Email southernartssociety@gmail.com

(February 24, 2021 Issue)

SHIIP, the Senior’s Health Insurance Information Program, is a division of the NC Department of Insurance that offers free, objective information about Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare prescription drug plans, Medicare fraud and abuse, and long-term care insurance.
SHIIP will conduct a free seminar entitled: Welcome to Medicare – Zoom Seminar presented by the Patrick Senior Center on Tuesday, March 9 from 5:30 – 7 pm. Call the Patrick Senior Center to register and receive the Zoom link.
To register, call 704-734-0447. For additional information, contact Lynn Lail.

(February 17, 2021 Issue)

Last week, National Park Service (NPS) South Atlantic-Gulf Regional Director Stan Austin announced the selection of Diana Bramble as the new Superintendent of South Carolina’s Cowpens National Battlefield and Kings Mountain National Military Park, effective March 14.
In her role, Bramble will also oversee management of Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail and Ninety Six National Historic Site. Bramble has managed the four units on temporary assignment since September.
“Diana brings experience caring for iconic landmarks with complex operations and stories critical to America’s advancement as a democratic society,” Austin said. “As we prepare to mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Diana is wholly committed to protecting the parks’ treasured resources and enhancing collaboration with staff, visitors, partners and gateway communities.”
Bramble said, “I am incredibly grateful to have been selected for this opportunity. The staff here are profoundly dedicated to their work as caretakers of America’s heritage. It is an honor to help lead the park as a team towards an exciting future with many opportunities for partnership and engagement in anticipation of the 250th commemoration of America’s founding.”
Bramble began her NPS career in 2011 as the supervisory horticulturist for Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC, with responsibility for horticulture, arboriculture, and grounds management. Four years later, she became chief of maintenance at National Capital Parks-East, where she has managed the entire facility operations and project management portfolio for a vast set of resources spanning 8,000 acres, including historic homes, commuter parkways, earthen and masonry fortifications, working farms, marinas, and a campground. Prior to joining NPS, Bramble worked six years at the Smithsonian Institution as a horticulturist.
Originally from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Bramble holds a Bachelor of Science degree in natural resources from University of Maryland and a Master of Professional Studies in sustainable landscape design from George Washington University. She is a graduate of the NPS Facility Manager Leaders Program and now serves as a program mentor. In 2019, Bramble was awarded the NPS National Capital Area Facility Manager of the Year honor.
Outside of work, Bramble enjoys spoiling her niece and nephews, spending time outdoors, traveling and strength training.

(February 17, 2021 Issue)

Families of public school students in North Carolina could choose in-classroom learning under legislation passed by the state House of Representatives in a bipartisan 74-44 vote on Thursday. After passing the state House, the legislation will return to the North Carolina Senate for further consideration.
Senate Bill 37 In-Person Learning Choice for Families lets students continue remote learning if they choose and directs North Carolina schools to provide in-classroom instruction. The bill is supported by more than $1.6 billion in new funds sent to public schools in separate legislation signed by the Governor this week.
The state legislature also fully-funded state per-pupil allotments for schools, promised to “hold harmless” education budgets regardless of enrollment drops, and provided teacher salary step increases during the pandemic, in addition to the new federal funds.
Rep. Jeffrey Elmore (R-Wilkes), a public school teacher and co-chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said the legislation provides families
 certainty in education and economic planning.
“Currently our students are subject to shifting executive orders and mixed messages from the administration which have created confusion and led to local delays, making it very difficult for parents to plan for their jobs and their child’s education,” Rep. Elmore said Thursday.
   “This legislation gives North Carolina families certainty and access to classrooms by combining over a billion dollars of new education funding with local decision-making to implement a return to in-person learning now.”
   Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said that current restrictions keeping students out of the classroom are forcing parents to miss work or seek education alternatives, and the legislation gives school systems flexibility to adjust student assignments for in-person learning.
   “Closing schools has burdened North Carolina families economically while young people fall behind in their studies, producing a devastating impact on student achievement and exacerbating socieconomic disparities,” Moore said Thursday.
   “We are listening to educators, healthcare experts, parents, and most importantly our students, who have a constitutional right to access education communities that serve their academic needs.”
   “I appreciate the leadership of my colleagues getting North Carolina students back into the classroom with legislation that builds on powerful funding for our schools and provides flexibility to adjust student assignments as needed.”
   The General Assembly provided $335 grants to families of school-age children to assist with increased child-care costs, but experts agree that closed classrooms hurt vulnerable young people the most and widen education gaps between low-income and affluent students. Special education students are hit particularly hard by the loss of in-person learning.
   Expert medical guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control, the Harvard School of Public Health, and other leading healthcare organizations demonstrates that there is limited risk of infection in education settings that are prepared safely.