The City of Kings Mountain’s Special Events Department partners with Mauney Memorial Library to present It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown StoryWalk.
This unique StoryWalk features the timeless Peanuts tale of Linus Van Pelt’s dream to meet the Great Pumpkin! Located at Patriots Park in Downtown Kings Mountain, this safe, outdoor event will begin October 1 and run throughout the month of October. This month long event allows for families to visit at their leisure to prevent any mass gatherings. Photo ops will be available in Linus’ pumpkin patch. Festive music will fill the air.
“Mauney Memorial Library has hosted the StoryWalk experience at the Gateway Trail”, says Christina Martin, of Mauney Memorial Library. “We placed pages of a children’s storybook along the walking trail for families to enjoy. We are excited to partner with the Special Events Department to host this event at Patriots Park.”
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.
“This passive activity connects literacy, the great outdoors, physical activity, and the magic of the holiday season,” says Christy Conner, Special Events Director for the City of Kings Mountain. “How can you and your family participate? It’s simple. Bring your imagination, take a walk, read a book and have an adventure.”
Patriots Park is located at 220 South Railroad Avenue in Kings Mountain. For more information, call the City of Kings Mountain’s Special Events Department at 704-730-2101, or visit their website at www.kingsmountainevents.com.

The City of Kings Mountain welcomes the city’s new Main Street Coordinator, Christy Adkins.  Christy has five years of experience working within the Main Street America Program. Her background in construction, renovation and retail gives her the knowledge which has allowed her to be successful in her previous positions in Cross Plains, TN and most recently in Angier, NC.
Christy has a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Michigan and an M.A. in Cultural Resource Management from Adams State University in Colorado. Her passion is to make wherever she is a better place than she found it, and lives by the motto that “Transformation begins with a small change, again and again.”
Her hobbies are renovating old homes, refinishing furniture and having dogs. Christy has two dogs now, a 13-year-old rescued Dachshund and a 17-year-old Papillion. Christy’s other family includes a step-daughter who lives in Michigan, a son and two granddaughters who live in Kentucky and a daughter who is finishing the last year of her B.A. in Fine Art at KSU in Georgia.
Having been born and raised in Michigan, she has also lived in Florida, Georgia, and for 25 years in Tennessee. Of all of these locations, she prefers North Carolina for the diversity of having mountains, ocean, quaint small towns and thriving metropolitan areas in a vibrant economy.
Christy looks forward to meeting the people of Downtown Kings Mountain and to being the advocate for them and their businesses. She has a passion for Main Street and is proud to be part of the Local, State and National Main Street Programs. She is excited to be included on the team helping to bring new growth to Kings Mountain and to working on the upcoming city initiatives.  
When asked what she’ll be focusing on initially, Christy said, “Currently I’m going through files and familiarizing myself with city ordinances. I’m getting up to speed with ongoing projects and look forward to meeting more of the downtown businesspeople. Between that, meeting my board and city staff, it’s been a good first week on the job.”

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has launched a COVID-19 Exposure Notification app called ‘SlowCOVIDNC’, which began on Sept. 22. The app will help North Carolinians slow the spread of the virus by alerting them when they may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. It is completely anonymous and does not collect, store or share personal information or location data.
SlowCOVIDNC, which leverages Google and Apple’s Exposure Notification System (ENS), alerts users who have the app if they have been in close contact with an individual who later tests positive for COVID-19. It is voluntary to download and use and designed to enhance the state’s existing contact tracing efforts. The app completed Beta testing earlier this month and can now be downloaded for free through the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
“With SlowCOVIDNC App, North Carolinians have another powerful tool to help slow the spread of COVID-19 right in their pockets. Downloading SlowCOVIDNC is a practical step each of us can take to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our state,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D.
Here’s how SlowCOVIDNC will work:
Download the free SlowCOVIDNC Exposure Notification app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enable Bluetooth and Exposure Notifications. Bluetooth must be on for the app to work.
After opting-in to receive notifications, the app will generate an anonymous token for the device. A token is a string of random letters which changes every 10-20 minutes and is never linked to identity or location. This protects app user privacy and security.
Through Bluetooth, phones with the SlowCOVIDNC app work in the background (minimizing battery) to exchange these anonymous tokens every few minutes. Phones record how long they are near each other and the Bluetooth signal strength of their exchanges in order to estimate distance.
If an app user tests positive for COVID-19, the individual may obtain a unique PIN to submit in the app. This voluntary and anonymous reporting notifies others who have downloaded the app that they may have been in close contact with someone in the last 14 days who has tested positive.
PINs will be provided to app users who receive a positive COVID-19 test result through a web-based PIN Portal, by contacting the Community Care of North Carolina call center, or by contacting their Local Health Department.
SlowCOVIDNC periodically downloads tokens from the server from the devices of users who have anonymously reported a positive test. Phones then use records of the signal strength and duration of exposures with those tokens to calculate risk and determine if an app user has met a threshold to receive an exposure notification.
NCDHHS is partnering with institutions of higher education, local businesses and influential North Carolinians to promote SlowCOVIDNC and educate the public about how widespread use of the app can slow the spread of COVID-19.
To learn more about SlowCOVIDNC and to download the app, visit https://www.covid19.ncdhhs.gov/slowcovidnc, which also includes an FAQ.

Advent Academy held a ribbon cutting Friday, September 25 at 230 Oak Grove Road in Kings Mountain.
Advent Academy is for pre-school children ages 2½ through Pre-K with classes being held Monday through Friday from 8:50 am to 12:45 pm. Classes will begin on Thursday, October 1.
Advent Academy’s experienced staff and small classes allow for safety while providing a caring and fun environment. The Academy hopes to meet a need to provide quality care to students displaced by COVID-19 pandemic. Precautions to ensure safety and cleanliness are in place and all state recommendations will be followed.
Registration is underway and anyone interested or have questions can contact Advent Academy at advdentacademy554@gmail.com or call 704-685-6622.

Some North Carolina small businesses that have experienced extraordinary disruption to their operations due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic may benefit from a $40 million relief program to help offset fixed costs like rent, mortgage interests and utility bills, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy – powering our local communities and giving back in so many ways. They deserve our support, and this new initiative can help them weather this tough time,” said Governor Cooper.
The NC Mortgage, Utility and Rent Relief (MURR), administered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, can provide up to $20,000 in relief funds per qualifying business location.  Business applicants from certain industry sectors that have not been able to operate during the COVID period may apply for up to two of their business locations.
Applicants can apply for up to four months of mortgage interest or rent expenses, and utility expenses.  The help offers relief for some of the fixed costs a business cannot easily control on its own.
Applications to the program should open next week and will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.  Applicants must certify that they were closed during the period April 1 through July 31; they expect to be able to operate after the COVID crisis has passed; and they have not been reimbursed by any other federal source for the expenses for which they seek reimbursement through this program.
Eligible applicants include:
• Amusement parks
• Banquet Halls (with catering staff)
• Bars, taverns, night clubs, cocktail lounges
• Bingo parlors
• Bowling alleys/centers
• Dance halls
• Indoor fitness and recreation centers
• Motion picture/movie theaters (except drive-ins)
• Museums
The Department of Commerce will begin accepting applications soon.  Business leaders can learn about the MURR program by registering for one of the free educational webinars offered by the Department of Commerce over the next two weeks.  
   For the webinar schedule and additional information on the program, visit www.nccommerce.com/murr.
   Governor Cooper and NC DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen also announced that effective October 2, large outdoor venues would be permitted to open at 7% capacity with key safety precautions in place. The announcement was made today so these locations could begin putting safety measures in place in order to operate.
Large entertainment venues are those that can seat over 10,000.
“We will continue analyzing our data and indicators as we determine how to move forward safely in other areas that may be included in the new order on October 2nd. In it, we hope to ease some other restrictions, while still keeping safety protocols like masks, social distancing, and mass gathering limits in place,” said Governor Cooper.
   “With more things open and people moving around more, we need everyone to stay vigilant about wearing a mask, waiting six feet apart, and washing their hands often,” said Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “Our progress is fragile and will take our continued hard to work to protect it.”
State and public health officials will continue watching the key COVID-19 trends over the next week to determine if any further restrictions can be eased when the current Executive Order expires October 2 at 5 pm.

North Carolina lawmakers filed a federal lawsuit to stop “an alleged backroom elections deal struck by Democrats’ top D.C. attorney with his former client Gov. Roy Cooper and state Attorney General Josh Stein” on Saturday, according to a press release issued on September 26 by NC House Speaker Tim Moore.
The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order and follows a Friday press conference “that detailed the secret settlement reached by the Democratic Attorney General with a Democratic Party front group he recently gave the keynote address to at an annual convention - on elections.” A series of press releases this week by House Speaker Tim Moore laid out the case.
The settlement comes after the State Board of Elections previously tried to rewrite absentee ballot laws in May but was unanimously rejected by the North Carolina Rules Review Commission.
The Governor then filed a lawsuit seeking to disband the commission, which has protected North Carolinians against executive overreach since 1986.
In early September, a three-judge state court panel upheld absentee ballot laws the settlement now seeks to undo.
The North Carolina legislature and Governor further approved the Bipartisan Elections Act of 2020 this summer, preserving and reforming many of the important absentee ballot.
When confronted Friday regarding the settlement, “Attorney General Stein dismissed a reporter’s concerns as political noise,” the press release states.
On Thursday, two Republican members of
the State Board of Elections resigned saying they felt misled by the state attorney general’s office and staff when they agreed to a settlement weakening absentee ballot laws.
   “These resignations raise serious questions about the integrity of the Cooper-controlled State Board of Elections, Josh Stein’s Department of Justice, and the circumstances of how this collusive settlement was put forward,” Speaker Moore said.
   “Deceiving the minority Republican members of the board is completely unacceptable and damages faith in our electoral institutions. We are continuing to explore all of our legal options.”
   Over 1 million North Carolinians requested their absentee ballots, and over 220,000 returned them prior to the State Board of Elections attempting to arbitrarily change state law, the lawsuit notes, asserting the consent agreement thus violates the Equal Protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.
    According to Saturday’s release, the board is administering the election in an arbitrary and nonuniform manner that inhibits North Carolinians who have already cast their ballot from voting on an equal basis with citizens who would vote after, the lawsuit contends, actions that would allow otherwise unlawful votes to be counted, thereby deliberately diluting and debasing lawful votes.
   “By usurping the General Assembly’s constitutional prerogative to “[p]rescribe” the “Times, Places and Manners” of the federal election, the Board is violating the Elections Clause,” the lawmakers’ complaint asserts.
   “This agreement was official action, taken without constitutional or statutory authority, to influence the 2020 election after voting already started in a disgrace to American due process,” Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said.
   “We have asked the court to preserve North Carolinians’ right to a fair and nonpartisan elections system free from backroom schemes launched after over 200,000 voters have already cast their ballots.”
   Major election changes included in the “consent agreement” released well-after voting has already begun in North Carolina include:
    •    Rewriting the statutory deadline for the receipt of absentee ballots.
    •    Subverting the absentee ballot witness requirement agreed to in the Bipartisan Elections Act of 2020.
    •    Rewriting the statutory definition of “postmark”
    •    Weakening protections against ballot harvesting
   State House Speaker Tim Moore released the following statement:
   “Roy Cooper and Josh Stein are attempting to gut the integrity of North Carolina voting laws by colluding with partisan Democratic attorneys from Washington D.C. while ballots are already being cast in this Presidential Election.”
   “These actions are utterly lawless, and we will be reviewing them to assess all of our legal options.”

The City of Kings Mountain’s Special Events Department announced the nomination of the 2019 BeachBlast Festival for the Carolina Beach Music Awards Event of the Year. BeachBlast was one of six events nominated for this prestigious award.
“This nomination speaks to the excellence of leadership from our Special Events Director, Christy Conner,” stated Marilyn Sellers, City Manager. “Starting her career with the City of Kings Mountain in 2001, Christy was promoted in 2017 as the Special Events Director. Her leadership brings energy and enthusiasm to all our events. With her vision and ability to rally a team of staff and volunteers, the BeachBlast Festival has grown to be recognized across the State of NC and the Southeast.”
“The Special Events team is honored by this nomination,” stated Christy Conner, Special Events Director. “I would like to express my sincere thanks to our team of staff and volunteers. This would not be possible without the creativity, dedication and passion of this group. I am very grateful for our City Council and Administration and their continued support. Through their support and leadership, we have a beautiful state of the art venue to host BeachBlast and other festivals and events. With confidence, I can say that Kings Mountain is on the right path to creating a vibrant entertainment district in Downtown and I’m excited to be a part of it!”
Each year, members of the Carolina Beach Music Awards Association nominate the best in Beach Music entertainment, such as, radio announcers, bands, events, and clubs. After the nominations are announced, members then vote for the official winners of each category.
“It is really great that the CBMA has named BeachBlast 2019 as one of the top 6 events in the Southeast as announced on FM 94.9
The Surf.” says Mayor Scott  Neisler. “For one weekend in the piedmont of the Carolinas, we take our shoes off and pretend to walk in the sand enjoying some great beach music! This is a well-deserved accolade for our staff because we have no beach! Make plans now to enjoy us in 2021 and see what all the fun is about!”
The Carolina Beach Music Awards will be held virtually, November 15th, 2020. The awards ceremony will air online at www.949thesurf.com. The time of the event has yet to be determined.
For more information, you may also call the City of Kings Mountain’s Special Events Department at 704-730-2101, or visit their website at www.KingsMountainEvents.Com.

The Catawba Nation today announced its support and appreciation of Tuesday's introduction of the Catawba Indian Nation Lands Act (H.R. 8255) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Congressman G.K. Butterfield (NC) was joined in introducing the bipartisan bill by Congressman Jim Clyburn (SC), Congressman William Timmons (SC), Congressman Dan Bishop (NC), Congressman Joe Cunningham (SC), Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC), Congressman David Price (NC) and Congressman Joe Wilson (SC).
The bipartisan bill reaffirms the actions earlier this year of the Department of the Interior, following a thorough, years-long review, in taking 17 acres of land into trust status in Cleveland County, North Carolina, for the Catawba Nation.
The Catawba Nation’s aboriginal  lands  extend to six North Carolina counties and farther north in the Piedmont of North Carolina, as evidenced by names such as Catawba County and Catawba College.
 “The newly introduced legislation demonstrates the ongoing support from members of Congress in righting historical wrongs against the Catawba people,” said Chief Bill Harris of the Catawba Nation.
 “We are pleased that this legislation will reaffirm the Interior Department’s action recognizing the Catawba Nation’s historical and ancestral ties to the lands in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. These are the lands of not just our ancestors, but also the hundreds of Catawba citizens that reside there today,” Harris said.
   Harris noted that it is not unusual for Congress to reaffirm land-trust decisions by the Interior Department. The “Gun Lake Trust Land Reaffirmation Act” from 2014 and the “Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Land Affirmation Act” from 2019 are recent examples of such an action.

On Tuesday, September 15, Angie Shugart was robbed and shot in broad daylight at a gas station on Lawyers Road in Charlotte. She was hospitalized at Atrium Main in critical condition with gunshot wounds to her neck and face. The gunshots left devastating injuries and dozens of surgeries ahead, the family was told.
Angie and her partner, Jimbo Conner, have a 6-year old son. When Jimbo visited Angie on Saturday at the hospital, she was awake and able to use a communication board. Via a phone call, their son was able to tell his mother he loves her as Jimbo held the phone to her ear. For three days, the hospital had kept Angie sedated due to the severity of her injuries.
Upon hearing the news that Angie had been shot, Jimbo’s sister, Christy King, sprang into action to help the family. Christy also started the Angie Shugart Personal Emergency Fundraiser of Facebook.
Angie took care of Jimbo’s business for him. He is disabled, and Angie was his helper in life and business. Their car is considered a crime scene and was impounded and by the police. Unfortunately, Jimbo’s wallet was in the car, leaving him without identification or bank card. This has been both an emotional and financial struggle for their family.
For the next few weeks Jimbo will not be able to work due to caring for their 6-year old and traveling back and forth to the hospital to visit Angie. In the meantime, bills still need to be paid.
King shared, “I will be able to pay his bills out of this account, so he doesn't have to worry about it.  Anything you give will go 100% towards bills, groceries, parking fees, medical needs for their family.”
“This has hit them hard and Angie did not deserve this random act of violence. If the Lord lays it on your heart to help in this way, please help but most importantly, please pray for complete healing of Angie,” Christy asked.

By Loretta Cozart

On September 8, Alliance Bank & Trust opened its doors at their new location at 1113 Shelby Road in Kings Mountain. For more than a decade, the bank maintained a presence in downtown.
“We enjoyed being in downtown Kings Mountain but decided to move from a convenience standpoint,” said Dan Boyd, President and CEO of the bank. “We had the chance to purchase the old credit union location and couldn’t pass up the opportunity. There is plenty of parking and two drive through lanes. With COVID-19, that means a lot to our customers. And the new locations has great visibility.”
Just 16 years earlier, On September 8, 2004, Alliance Bank & Trust opened for business after raising over $11.7 million and being granted a State Bank Charter. The bank currently has four branches, two in Gastonia, one in Kings Mountain and one in Shelby.
Alliance Bank & Trust prides itself in being local, since all decision makers live nearby. The bank’s leadership shares a vision to make a difference in their communities—offering local decision-making to consumers and businesses in their market and assisting with economic development.
   “We are one of the last locally owned banks in the area and we want to remain independent. Kings Mountain has been very good for us and we look forward to serving the community. Our customers absolutely love the drive through. We are also open by appointment, wearing masks and following all safety protocols,” Boyd said.

By Loretta Cozart
A conceptual drawing of development around Catawbas Two Kings Casino Resort shows plans for the area, with adjacent development that encompasses a live, work, and play concept in close proximity of one another.

The development allows casino guests to stay nearby, while workers could lease apartments or buy homes within a short distance of their jobs.

While these plans are subject to change, developers currently plan apartments, hotels, restaurants, outparcels, residential housing, and a gas and travel center.

Single family residential lots, 50’x150’, are part of the development. As of now, 671 lots are planned, with the potential for another 160 or more lots depending upon land acquisition.

Eleven apartment buildings, two outparcels, and six hotels are also planned. Each hotel will have four levels with 120 rooms according to the drawing key, which equates to 720 hotel rooms.

The drawing also indicates that Dixon School Road will be rerouted through the complex to allow for more residential housing at the perimeter. Tim Mine Road will also be extended to a new road adjacent to I-85 to bring traffic past the gas and travel center.

The developer is also paying for a new a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) at I-85Exit 5/Dixon School Road. “The DDI moves high volumes of traffic through an intersection without increasing the number of lanes and traffic signals while providing easier access to an interstate,” according Larry Carpenter, Jr. Professional Engineer for the NC Department of Transportation.

In an Economic Impact Study done by London and Associates, they predict advantages for Cleveland County to be:

• 2,600 direct jobs

• 656 indirect and 323 induced jobs

• $273 million Facility investment

• $208 million in economic activity

• $100 million total labor income annually

• $5.1 million per year in total sales, property taxes

• $428 million in annual impact

By Loretta Cozart
One-hundred-eighteen acres of land near the casino sold for $1.77M on Monday morning. The property, once owned by the Humphries family, is located just southeast of the I-85 bridge on Dixon School Road. The property is zoned R-20.

The buyer is Let's Roll Holdings, LLC and their address is listed as Greenville, SC on the deed. Bill McCarter of Foothills Commercial Real Estate was the buyer’s agent and the closing was handled by The Schweppe Law Firm, PA of Shelby.

The Kings Mountain Historical Museum re-opened on Tuesday, September 15, just days before their biggest fundraiser of the year.

Kings Mountain Historical Museum celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and will also hold their 17th Annual Reverse Raffle and Auction between September 18 through 27.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions on the museum and the need to social distance for safety measures, they have moved the reverse raffle and auction to an online format. The museum will not have an in-person event this year.

To celebrate their 20th anniversary, KMHM also had a special logo created. The logo utilizes a design that spells out KMHM with historically significant themes for Kings Mountain. The top left block with tools is for the mining history, the top right is for the settlement of the area with a wagon wheel, the bottom left tracks is for the railroad history, and the bottom right is a loom for our textile history.

The museum’s mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret history through exhibits, educational programs, tours, and other appropriate means, in order to foster a deeper understanding of the history of our community and the region.

If you’d like to support the museum and purchase a ticket for the raffle or get more info on their auction, contact the museum at 704-739-1019 during their new hours: Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 3 pm.

The Patrick Senior Center in Kings Mountain provides donated food to more than 50 older adults in our area every week. According to Patrick Senior Center Director Tabitha Thomas, “We need food donations to continue helping our seniors.”

If you can donate food, please drop off non-perishable food in the blue barrel at their back door. Pop-tops are preferred for food items to ease the task of opening cans. The Senior Center is located at 909 E. King Street in Kings Mountain. If you would like to make a financial contribution, please call the Senior Center at 704-734-0447.

“We appreciate financial contributions because we can use that money to purchase specific food and other items needed by seniors that we may be running low on,” Thomas added.

If you need food, please call 704-734-0447 to make arrangements.

Below is a list of foods that are especially needed:

• Canned meats (chicken, turkey, tuna, ham, salmon)

• Boxes of macaroni & cheese

• Canned fruits and vegetables

• Canned chili, beef stew, spaghetti-o's and ravioli

• Cornbread mix

• Canned beans and bags of dried beans

• Cereal or variety packs of small boxes

• Fruit or pudding cups

• Apple sauce or other fruit pouches

• Pasta

• Spaghetti sauce

• Nuts/trail mix

• White and brown rice

• Peanuts and peanut butter

• Cheese and crackers

• Variety packs of chips, cooks and snacks

• Ensure/Boost

“We appreciate the community’s generous support,” Thomas added. “Your donations enable us to help older adults who depend on us for food every week,” Thomas said.

On September 5, all Cleveland County Family YMCA branches reopened indoor fitness centers with limited capacity and following all local, state and national guidelines. Kings Mountain Family YMCA hours of operation are Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 7:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 am - 2:00 pm, and Sunday 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

At their website, the YMCA shared, “While we are excited to welcome members back inside, we recognize that the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 isn’t over.”

“North Carolina’s YMCAs have spent 24 weeks preparing to reopen facilities responsibly to ensure the safety of employees and participants. To keep indoor numbers small, the YMCA will continue their virtual and outdoor fitness opportunities, keeping pools open for as long as possible and delivering programs that improve spirit, mind and body,” they wrote.

“The pandemic has hurt many, including the Y. Because of donors and members who stayed with us, the Y has remained on the front lines, serving the most vulnerable members of our communities.”

What should you expect when visiting the YMCA?

• Masks are required upon entering, exiting and transitioning through the building

• A brief health screening will be conducted at the Welcome Center for each member

• Showers, steam rooms and saunas (where available) are not open at this time

• Staff will be available to help you with any questions about available equipment and spaces

• Basketball, racquetball and pickleball are not available at this time

• Child Watch and Kid Zone services are not available during this time

What are we doing for safety and cleanliness of the facility?

• Equipment is spaced apart or either marked to maintain a social distance of at least six feet

• All equipment is thoroughly cleaned before and after use with certified disinfectant

• Deep overnight cleaning is done each day

• Sanitation stations are within each space of the YMCA for your convenience

• Members and staff are required to wear masks to keep each other safe

The YMCA shared, “We’re thrilled to welcome you back inside our Y, but not because you’re reconnecting to a gym. You’re reconnecting with a cause. Welcome back to where you belong! For more information, please visit our website at www.CleveCoYMCA.org.”
 

During a surprise visit among a small group of administrators, school board members, and select family members, Julie Rikard of Kings Mountain High was named Principal of the Year for Cleveland County.

“Cleveland County Schools has many wonderful, dedicated principals who work hard each day to meet the needs of their students and staff, said Rikard.  “It is a tremendous honor to be recognized as the CCS Principal of the Year; I was surprised and humbled with this recognition.”

During Mrs. Rikard's tenure, KMHS was recognized as being in the top 1% of all public and charter schools in the state of North Carolina in growth test scores.

The Principal of the Year program is sponsored annually by Wells Fargo, and Rikard will now vie for regional consideration for top honors.

“I look forward to sharing the great principles and practices that Cleveland County has as I represent our school district,” added Rikard.

Principal Rikard received a monetary award from Wells Fargo for professional development and will soon receive a crystal apple handcrafted by N.C. artist Robert Levin.

“I have been blessed to work in this community for the past 30 years at Kings Mountain High School and Kings Mountain Middle School,” she concluded. 
— KM Herald

By Libby Putnam 

For almost 18-years, the Community Kitchen has been staffed by volunteers from Central United Methodist Church and other churches in Kings Mountain. During that time over 500,000 meals have been served to those in need in our community.

The church is most thankful for those volunteers for their dedication and service led by Jim Potter to make this ministry a success. Jim will be retiring from his work with the Community Kitchen and the community thanks him for his faithful service.

The idea for a food ministry actually came about while Rev. Bob Little was the minister. Plans for a new activities building were being discussed and a committee was formed to help envision how that building could be used.

Of the over 50 ideas that were generated, one was a food ministry. Construction for the Christian Activity Center (CAC) was completed in 2002. John Plonk, John Maddox, and Jim Potter visited Shelby Presbyterian's five day a week food ministry to see how it worked. Contact was made with Second Harvest Food Bank and soon the Community Kitchen at Central was off and running.

In addition to having contributions of food from Second Harvest, volunteers began picking up food donations from Food Lion seven days a week. Initially meals were cooked and served in the CAC only, but later delivery of meals began after the pastor at Second Baptist and a helper volunteered for that duty. Soon volunteers began to deliver on regular routes as well as serve meals in the CAC.

On Thursday, September 3 from 3 – 6 pm., the Community Kitchen will be transitioning from a ministry that serves prepared meals to a ministry where grocery items will be available for pickup.

This new phase of the Community Kitchen ministry will continue as long as there is participation. Even though the nature of this ministry has changed, if you are interested in being a volunteer, you will be warmly welcomed, and your service greatly appreciated. For more information, please email central@cumckm.org or call 704-739-2471.

By Janet Hart, City of Kings Mountain

The City of Kings Mountain announced recently that Carolina Tree Service will continue trimming trees along the City’s mainline electric distribution circuits for the coming year. 

“As an electric utility provider, the City of Kings Mountain is required by state law to follow the regulations as set forth in the National Electric Safety Code,” said Energy Director Nick Hendricks. “This code requires that all electric utilities are responsible for trimming trees near their power lines,” Hendricks added.

The City does not trim trees along service drops that serve individual homes and businesses unless the tree or limb is placing pressure on the electric line. 

According to Hendricks, “It is imperative that as an electric utility provider, we take the tree trimming responsibility seriously as we have in the past, because the failure to keep trees and tree limbs away from our power lines could result in serious injuries to our lineman and our citizens.”

The City is also required by federal law, through our Energy Information Administration (EIA) reporting, to list the City’s reliability and outage information through Customer Average Interruption Duration Index/System Average Interruption Duration Index (CAIDI/SAIDI) reporting. 

“The City of Kings Mountain takes power disruptions seriously and we will continue to put great emphasis on mitigating all areas we can control,” said Hendricks.

“Several factors that cause blinks and outages are out of our control, such as storms and motor vehicle incidents,” Hendricks said. “However, squirrel and tree related outages or disruptions can be reduced, and we need to do all we can to reduce these types of incidents,” added Hendricks.

Therefore, the City’s tree trimming contractor will trim back all of the trees on the mainline to an approximate point of 15 feet. “This action is necessary to reduce the number of outages and blinks caused by squirrels and tree related issues,” said Hendricks.

“Even though the City did not plant the trees along the mainline, we are still required to engage in preventative tree trimming,” added Hendricks.

Taking a more aggressive approach to tree trimming will affect the appearance of some trees, but this approach will assist in preventing unplanned service disruptions.

Key points:

• The City’s Electric Division is working with Zoning to ensure that future zoning regulations consider tree growth and will specify that smaller trees be planted near power lines.

• The City understands the frustration with blinks and power outages and the disruption to daily life that can adversely impact our residential, commercial and industrial customers.

• Prospective residents, businesses and industries review reporting indexes on reliability when choosing sites to locate. With safe and reliable power as our number one priority, it is imperative that the City proactively and aggressively trims trees to mitigate safety hazards and reliability concerns.

• There is no way to trim the trees without, in some cases, completely topping or side cutting them in order to maintain a safe clearance of the branches from our power lines. This City observes a fifteen (15) foot right-of-way for mainline tree clearance and does not have the right to cut beyond fifteen (15) feet.

• Citizens will have to choose -- at their expense -- whether or not they want to remove a tree after trimming has occurred. “Beatification after such trimming has occurred is the responsibility of the landowner.

By Loretta Cozart

According to NCDHHS, White Oak Manor in Kings Mountain continues to experience higher numbers of COVID-19. As of September 4, the 156-bed facility reported that more two-thirds (105) of its patients have contracted the COVID-19 and 16 have died. Fifty-four staff members have also gotten the virus.

In an undated letter on White Oak Manor’s company website, President Doug Cecil shared, “Coronavirus (COVID-19) poses a serious threat to older adults (especially 80 years old and older) and those with underlying health conditions. White Oak Management, Inc. made the decision to restrict visitors at all of our locations as required by the CDC and state officials.”

“It has also been made mandatory for all staff and residents to obtain daily temperature checks until further notice.”

“We want to assure everyone that our team is continuously being advised by the CDC and other governmental agencies as to how best to keep our facilities free from COVID-19, while at the same time, maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for our residents and staff.”

“The following are guidelines which might be helpful in staying connected with facility residents during this time:

“Communicate with your loved ones through alternative ways for the time being, whether by phone, video, Facetime, social media, or other methods. Ask the facility about ways they can help with this.”

“Make sure your loved one’s facility has your emergency contact information. The facility may need to communicate with you about any developments regarding your loved one or about the facility as a whole.”

“I prayerfully ask for your patience and understanding as we all work through this pandemic isolation period.”

On Friday, September 4, Governor Cooper’s office released that he would sign House Bill 1105: Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0.

Governor Cooper said, “This budget followed my recommendations on school enrollment funding and invested in important areas like high speed internet access and disaster relief, but legislators should have done more to expand Medicaid, support small businesses, pay our educators, assist with rent and utilities relief and further help unemployed North Carolinians. Obviously I don’t agree with every provision, but the funding for pandemic support in this budget is critical and must move forward.”

The state General Assembly gave final bipartisan approval to a $1 billion historic relief package the day before that includes direct payments to North Carolina parents of $335 to cover unexpected childcare costs.

The relief measure also increases North Carolina’s unemployment benefits for families to the second highest in the Southeast, while maintaining tax rates for employers still recovering from the pandemic and rehiring displaced workers.

The measure delivers on a top public school priority of holding education funding levels as harmless, regardless of expected drops in enrollment.

The hold harmless funding policy was cited by education leaders as the most important measure lawmakers could take to support North Carolina schools. Today, Republicans accomplished it.

“This is a historic day of promises kept for North Carolinians, the culmination of a decade of state government reform by this Republican General Assembly that allows us to continue investing in recovery for all our citizens today,” Speaker Moore said Thursday.

Relief for North Carolinians in House Bill 1105 Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0 includes:

• Childcare support of $335 to North Carolina parents

• Better unemployment benefits increased $200/month

• $75 million for PPE to protect North Carolinians

• Promises kept to K-12 schools to “hold harmless” funding

• A total increase of $115 million to education

• $17 million in grants for exceptional children’s services

• $50 million to the Lost Wages Assistance Program

• Help for more families to qualify for scholarship programs

• Additional $45 million for small business grant program

• Bipartisan priorities like the PPE+NC program

• Elimination of education wait lists for kids with disabilities

• $40 million investment in broadband and home connectivity

• Higher enrollment in virtual education options for families

• $44.5 million for hurricane recovery from four major storms

• $38 million on direct services for behavioral health

• Support for safe voting with $5 million for elections boards

Kings Mountain native Sarah Lee Owensby, along with Paul Schadt and Geof Knight at WKKT 96.9 The Kat, have been nominated for a Country Music Award for Major Market Broadcast Personality of the year.

Sarah Lee began working at WKKT two years ago and had this to say of the award, “To say I’m honored is an understatement! Thank you for the opportunity to share my life every morning, for encouraging me, motivating me, and believing in me. God is good y’all. With Him all things are possible. To all the dreamers, keep dreaming!”

After 20 years of service, Commander Thomas Keith Morrow, II is retiring from the United States Navy.

A native of Kings Mountain, he graduated from Kings Mountain High School in 1996. He went on to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering–Aeronautical Systems. He also holds an Executive Masters in Business Administration degree from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Masters of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

Commander Morrow is a Naval Aviator with over 1,900 flight hours in the T-34, TH-57, and H-60 aircraft. He completed flight training at Naval Air Stations Pensacola (FL), Corpus Christi (TX), and Whiting Field (Milton, FL), earning his “wings of gold” in 2002. After training as an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter pilot, he joined the HSL-46 “Grandmasters” at Naval Station Mayport near Jacksonville, FL.

While there, he deployed on board USS NICHOLAS (FFG 47) in support of the Global War on Terrorism in 2003 and on board USS DOYLE (FFG 39) conducting Counter-Narco Terrorism operations in 2005. Commander Morrow also served on board USS WINSTON S CHURCHILL (DDG 79) and was recognized as part of the 2005 Naval Helicopter Association’s Region 3 Aircrew of the Year.

After graduating from the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center’s Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor (SWTI) course in 2006, Commander Morrow reported to Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) Weapons School, Atlantic where he served as an instructor pilot and program manager for multiple tactical training programs. While there, he earned the distinction as the most qualified pilot in the Wing, and in 2008 he was recognized as the HSM Weapons School, Atlantic Instructor Pilot of the Year. Commander Morrow then returned to HSL-46 where he served as the squadron’s Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor and Training Department Head.

In 2010, Commander Morrow joined the HSL-48 “Vipers” and served as the Training and Planning Director prior to deploying in 2012 and again in 2013 as the Officer-in-Charge of aviation operations and maintenance on board USS HUÉ CITY (CG 66), “shotgun” escort for the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and Carrier Strike Group EIGHT.

After completing back-to-back deployments to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Arabian Gulf Security operations, Commander Morrow returned home to serve as the squadron’s Director of Operations and Logistics and was recognized as the 2013 HSL-48 Officer of the Year.

Following a year at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI, Commander Morrow joined the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Financial Management and Comptroller, Office of Budget (FMB) at the Pentagon in Washington, DC in 2014 where he has served as the Senior Financial Manager for the readiness portfolios, providing operations and maintenance funding for all of the Navy’s ships, aircraft, and shore facilities.

Commander Morrow’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and numerous unit and campaign awards. He is married to the former Elizabeth George from Reidsville, NC and together they have two daughters, Lyla and Caroline.

By Loretta Cozart

Owner Iris Hubbard and executive chef Evan Garr have worked hard for this day, the grand opening of 133 West on Mountain Street.

The old Grayson’s Jewelry, later the home of Kings Tavern, has undergone a total transformation. Inside, the restaurant is tastefully decorated in a monochromatic black and white, with pops of color from flowers placed throughout.

The Senior Park next door was gutted and a beautiful patio with performance stage added. Plantings and benches soften the hardscapes and invite passersby to stop in and take a break from the heat.

For three weeks, Hubbard and Garr have worked through the soft opening, followed by limited hours last week. Starting Wednesday, Sept 2, the restaurant will begin normal hours, serving lunch, dinner, and brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are only required for parties of six or more.

On Saturday, Sept. 5, singer-songwriter Scoot Pittman will perform on the patio between 1 pm and 4 pm. “We hope folks will join us this week to celebrate our grand opening. Stop in on Saturday afternoon to relax and listen to music on the patio with us,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard and Garr have sifted through customer comment cards to hone the menu from items offered during the soft opening. They describe their menu as a modern and creative approach to southern cuisine.

Their Grand Opening menu offers a variety of southern dishes, Fried Green Tomato, Pork Rinds with Smokey Cheese Dip, Brie & Crackers, and Filet & Grits - an 8 oz certified angus beef filet mignon atop their house made grit-cake dressed with fresh arugula salad. They have Shrimp & Grits, too. These aren’t your mama’s grits. They also have a 3-course pairing menu and a menu sure to please the kiddos.
— KM Herald

Governor Roy Cooper today announced August 24 that $175 million will be made available to help North Carolinians with rental and utility payment support in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“COVID-19 has strained family finances across North Carolina, and many people are struggling to make ends meet,” said Governor Cooper. “People need a safe, stable place to call home, especially during this pandemic, and we must help keep people in their homes and keep their utilities on while our economy recovers.”

Today’s announcement includes three programs designed to work together to help people avoid eviction and pay their bills, per the Governor’s direction.

Eviction Prevention and Utility Payments: Approximately $94 million of the funding will be disbursed by the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) to support rental and utility payments and prevent evictions for those with a demonstrated need. The funding will be distributed to eligible community agencies around the state that will work directly with North Carolinians on an application and disbursement process. The fund includes $28 million from federal Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funding and the remaining $66 million from CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) money.

Crisis Response and Housing Stability: About $53 million of the funding is designated for the Emergency Solutions Grant-Coronavirus (ESG-CV) Program through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). The federal ESG-CV money is intended for families experiencing homelessness or who face a more immediate risk of homelessness and will be distributed by similar community agencies handling NCORR’s program. This innovative model will help streamline the process for families. Once a person applies, local community agencies will determine which program they are eligible for and then complete the application quickly.

“Families in crisis don’t have time to spare, and our state agencies are coordinating a plan to make it easier for people to get the support they need,” said Governor Cooper.

Information about how people can apply for the NCORR program and the ESG-GV program will be shared once the programs have launched in the coming weeks.

“During this crisis, it is more important than ever that government work smarter and faster to deliver relief to people facing eviction and utility disconnection. NCORR is proud to be partnering across agencies to make the most of federal funds in North Carolina,” said Chief Operating Officer Laura Hogshead.

“Having a stable, safe place to live is fundamental to well-being and health. We continue to prioritize supporting people in meeting basic needs as part of our COVID response,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen.

Local Government Funds: Another $28 million of federal funding will be administered by local governments through the North Carolina Department of Commerce. This money also comes from the federal CDBG-CV program and will be administered by incorporated municipalities under 50,000 residents and counties under 200,000 residents that apply to participate. Local governments are encouraged to prioritize the money locally to help their residents pay rent and outstanding utility bills. In addition, the funds may provide support for internet access, food distribution, COVID-19 testing and diagnosis and employment training for health care workers.

“The Commerce Department has a long history of collaborating with our local government partners to administer federal resources during times of crisis,” said Commerce Secretary Anthony Copeland. “As a ready conduit for vital assistance to North Carolina communities, our CDBG program has proven its value many times over.”

The application process for local governments to apply for the Commerce-administered funding has opened. Eligible local governments who would like to apply for the Commerce CDBG-CV program can contact the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Program.

2020 Marks the 21st Anniversary
of this Special Event 

The year 2020 marks the 21st anniversary of BeachBlast, Kings Mountain’s Carolina Beach Music Festival. The City of Kings Mountain celebrated online with a virtual event featuring DJ Johnny B’s Beach and Boogie and 2019 CBMA Group of the Year, Too Much Sylvia.

Viewers were invited to put on their favorite beach attire, grab their snacks and drinks and tune into the City of Kings Mountain Special Events Facebook page for this special event. Over 8,000 viewers tuned in with watch parties thrown all over the country, including: Montana, Florida, Wyoming, Georgia, West Virginia, Knoxville and many more.

Many viewers participated in Beach Music trivia with over 1,200 interactive comments made throughout the show. “This was by far one of the best virtual events I had ever seen,” says John Barkley aka Johnny B. “Beach Music fans may not have been able to attend in person, but they showed up tonight on Facebook and I cannot be more thrilled for the Special Events Department. They have worked so hard to make this event spectacular.”

BeachBlast is nominated for the 2020 Carolina Beach Music Festival awards for Event of the Year, as well as the 2020 Cleveland County Best of the Best Event of the Year.

Mary Elrath commented, “Sure wish we could do this in person. Watching in Black Mtn., NC. Watch party in full swing.” Randy Orton wrote, “Enjoying from Bozeman, Montana.”

Cassie Biddix shared, “Johnny B we’re tuned in over in Blacksburg, SC! Wish we could be there in person!! Jake, Anita, Will, Fld, Jennifer and Marshall!! By the pool having adult beverages and burgers and dogs.”

For more information concerning the City of Kings Mountain’s Special Events Department call by phone at 704-730-2101 or visit their website at www.KingsMountainEvents.Com.

By Janet Hart, City of Kings Mountain

The City of Kings Mountain distributed more than 5,000 face masks on Thursday, August 27 at the Patrick Senior Center.

Gaston County donated 15,000 face masks to the City of Kings Mountain from their allotment from North Carolina Health and Human Services.

There were 225 cars that came through the City’s drive-thru mask distribution and the people in each car received two or more packs with five masks in each pack. Multiple churches and community organizations also picked up hundreds of masks for their members.

The City of Kings Mountain will hold additional mask distribution events in the next few months. Wearing a face mask is one of the precautions that leading health officials cite as ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

“We appreciated the opportunity to contribute to the health and wellness of our community by giving away face masks,” said Janet Hart, Marketing and Communications Director for the City of Kings Mountain. “Everyone who picked up face masks was so happy that they could  get extra masks for family members, neighbors, and friends,” Hart added. “It’s wonderful to see how people are helping each other.”

Beginning Saturday, September 5, at 12 noon, Kings Mountain’s emergency warning sirens will be tested along with all of the warning sirens in Cleveland County. After that, on the first Saturday of each month at 12 noon, Cleveland County 911 Communications will test the emergency warning system for the entire county. This testing will help ensure that the sirens operate during a true emergency.

“It is imperative that the emergency warning system for the entire county be reliable and available to warn the public of pending severe weather 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” said Perry Davis, Emergency Management Director for Cleveland County. “The addition of Kings Mountain’s siren to the system utilized by the rest of the county is a vital piece of that coverage,” Davis added.

Kings Mountain Fire Department’s sirens have been reprogrammed to communicate on the same frequency as Cleveland County and have been through initial testing. September 5 will be the first countywide test that includes Kings Mountain’s sirens.

According to Cleveland County’s Assistant 911 Communications Director Stori McIntyre, “Cleveland County Communications is excited to partner with Kings Mountain Fire Department to provide lifesaving notifications during inclement weather.”

“We are happy that we could use our existing equipment and still become part of the system already in place throughout the county,” said Chief Thomas Harmon of the Kings Mountain Fire Department. “Cleveland County’s 911 Communications Center can simply transmit on one frequency and activate every emergency warning siren throughout Cleveland County simultaneously,” added Chief Harmon. “Now, Kings Mountain will be a part of that system.”

In addition to the monthly testing, the sirens will be activated for tornado warnings only. The sirens will not be used to alert the public of tornado watches, only tornado warnings. A tornado warning signifies that a tornado has been spotted and is in the area.

The sirens will also not be used to alert people of watches or warnings for thunderstorms, severe weather, wind, lightning, or winter weather.

“We do not want people to become immune to the sound of the siren,” said Chief Harmon. “We want people to understand that if they hear the siren, they should seek shelter from a tornado immediately,” Chief Harmon added.

“The siren testing on the first Saturday of each month is a great time for the public to review their emergency weather preparedness,” said Chief Harmon. “We hope that this will lessen some of the confusion during severe weather alerts.”

Chief Harmon continued, “Instead of people calling the fire station or 911 when the siren activates to find out what is going on, they should immediately take precautions for potentially dangerous weather.”

Tornado preparedness information can be found on multiple websites including the American Red Cross, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Centers for Disease Control, and the National Weather Center.

“As always, if you have questions about weather preparedness before a weather event occurs, you are welcome to call your local fire station,” added Chief Harmon.

By Loretta Cozart

Wayne King attended his fifth Republican National Convention last week as a North Carolina Delegate, but this year’s convention was very different than in prior years. Starting on Saturday, August 22, King spent three days in Charlotte doing party business before traveling to Washington to see President Trump’s acceptance speech.

“The Republican Convention was a lot different than in prior years, due to the Coronavirus. In Charlotte, about 350 delegates attended, along with Republican National Committee employees,” King said.

On Thursday, King traveled to Washington, DC with 1,000 invited guests and members of congress to attend President Donald Trump’s acceptance speech on the South Lawn of the White House. “I learned that this wasn’t the first time a president accepted their party’s nomination at the White House,” said King. Attending with him were his girlfriend, Nikki Massey, and son, Noah King.

“Noah really enjoyed seeing the president and his acceptance speech. There were not many kids there and Noah noticed,” King said. “I think President Trump laid out a positive vision and reviewed the challenges and accomplishments of his first term.”

King had served as Chief of Staff for NC Congressman Mark Meadows who resigned his office on March 30 to serve as Chief of Staff for President Trump. Currently, King works for Fidelis Government Relations in Washington, DC.

On July 19, 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for President shortly after midnight in a radio address and in front of newsreel cameras, according to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

In 1932, television was in its infancy and Roosevelt said he was using all means necessary “to break foolish traditions” by being the first nominee to accept their party’s nomination at the convention. He asked delegates to stay an extra day and flew with his family to Chicago to accept the nomination in person.

By Loretta Cozart

Iris Hubbard’s long awaited 133 West just completed its soft opening, a period of tasting and training of staff during which she and executive chef Evan Garr tested their menu while maintaining required social distancing.

For dinners, patrons were served a five-course meal and were then asked their opinion regarding each item.

Sunday Brunch had fewer items, but the same attention was paid to the patrons and the items they tasted.

“Evan and I touched every table. We asked everyone for honest feedback and some items just didn’t make the cut,” said Hubbard.

Full dinners will be served between August 26 to 29, with Sunday brunch.

Beginning September 2, full lunch and dinner will be served. Brunch will be served both Saturday and Sunday and reservations will only be required for parties of six or more.

On Saturday, Sept. 5, KM singer-songwriter Scoot will perform between 1 pm and 4 pm. “We offer Saturday brunch because we think folks will appreciate the opportunity to relax and listen to music in a casual atmosphere on Saturday’s while music is played on the patio,” Hubbard said.

The restaurant serves a farm-fresh seasonal menu sourced locally and prides itself on freshness and seasonality. The décor is unique, unlike any seen in Kings Mountain restaurants and exemplifies Hubbard’s flair in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere where guests can relax and enjoy chef inspired meals.

The restaurant is lovely, and from the comments left on 133 West’s Facebook page their guests wholeheartedly agree. Guest Amanda White wrote, “Everything was great! The restaurant looks amazing! Can’t wait to come back for brunch on Saturdays.”

The restaurant is located at133 West Mountain St., Kings Mountain.

By Loretta Cozart

Tony Coppola bought 238 Pizzeria last week and it opened under new management at 4 pm Monday. The new name will be Terra Mia 238 Streets of Naples.

Coppola is a native of Italy and the former general manager of Portofino Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria. In June 2019, he and partners opened Reginella Italian Pizzeria & Grill on South York Road in Gastonia. His second restaurant, Terra Mia, opened in McAdenville this year.

At Terra Mia’s website they shared, “Tony Coppola is the business owner and brings many years of experience to the area from owning other restaurants. Tony worked alongside his father for many years as they owned and operated successful Brothers Pizza Restaurants from the Eddington New Jersey area.”

“It's a place offering high quality Italian meals at excellent prices. If you love Italian food, you will love Terra Mia! Last year, Reginella Pizzeria in Gastonia opened. Reginella Pizzeria was just voted Gastonia's best pizza award in 2019. Plans are also underway for another Terra Mia to open in Belmont in September of 2020 as well as another new location in Kings Mountain,” the website shared.

“At Terra Mia, Tony prides himself on providing fresh pizza dough made in-house, three rotating varieties of pasta prepared fresh every day, and meat from Piscataway, New Jersey. Those ingredients will be used within a menu that includes staples such as pizza, homemade sandwiches, and a variety of classic Italian dishes.”

Be sure to stop in and welcome the owners of Terra Mia 238 Streets of Naples, Kings Mountain’s newest Italian restaurant.

The City of Kings Mountain will be giving away 15,000 free face masks on Thursday, August 27 from 9 am – 3 pm in a drive-thru event at the Patrick Senior Center located at 909 E. King Street in Kings Mountain. Gaston County had surplus masks and offered them to the City of Kings Mountain through an allotment from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

“The Mayor and City Council appreciates the opportunity to partner with Gaston County to distribute these face masks to help protect our citizens from COVID-19,” said Kings Mountain City Manager Marilyn Sellers. “The safety of our community members is our top priority.”

Individuals, churches, community groups, nonprofits and small businesses are encouraged to get face masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19. 

Since March 2020, Kings Mountain has had more than 350 people test positive for the Coronavirus. Wearing a face mask when you are in close proximity to other people is one of the precautions that health officials recommend, along with social distancing and hand washing.

“Last week, we distributed 5,000 face masks donated by Uniquetex in Grover to hundreds of people who needed masks for themselves and their family members,” said Tabitha Thomas, Patrick Senior Center Director. “Since then, we have heard from more people who need masks, so we appreciate having more masks to provide to the community.”

Individuals will get a minimum of five masks per person. These masks are available to anyone who needs them. If you are with a group, you can get a larger quantity of masks, while supplies last. If you are a group leader and can pick up masks at the Patrick Senior Center before Thursday, please call 704-734-0447.

By Janet Hart, City of Kings Mountain

Eighteen-year old James Levi Keever, from Kings Mountain, NC is a young man on a mission to build a career as a firefighter. He was driven from an early age and learned to work hard in order to succeed. 

“From the age of 12, I have maintained some form of employment, from cutting grass to cleaning offices,” said Keever. “Through my high school years, I worked part-time and full-time hours in a retail store, and then, in contracting,” Keever added.

Keever attended high school at Narrow Way Christian School, until his junior year. At that point, he transferred to Cleveland Community College (CCC) through a dual enrollment program to receive credit hours towards his high school diploma and a college degree.

“At the age of 15, I joined Kings Mountain Fire Department’s Junior Firefighter Program and that’s when I realized the passion that I had for the fire service,” said Keever.

“Early on young Mr. Keever exhibited all the traits required of a firefighter – smart, respectful and hard working,” said Kings Mountain Fire Department Chief Thomas Harmon.

During the winter of 2019-2020, Keever attended a 6-month long Emergency Medical Training (EMT) class and obtained his National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician Certification, as well as legal recognition in the state of North Carolina in April of 2020.

During the summer of 2020, Keever graduated from high school and then attended Cleveland Community College’s Firefighter Academy. “The academy is a ten week program that not only tests the candidate’s intellectual ability, but also tests their physical ability and fortitude,” said Chief Harmon.

Upon graduation from CCC’s firefighter academy, Keever obtained his North Carolina Firefighter Certification, as well as a Hazardous Materials Operations certification. While going to school, Keever worked as a volunteer firefighter for the Kings Mountain Fire Department.

“The classes that Levi has taken and the certifications that he has earned are quite the accomplishment,” said Chief Harmon. “These courses and certifications require hard work and intelligence, and Levi has excelled in both all areas,” added Harmon. “Levi earned the same credentials that are required of a career firefighter while he was still in high school.”

This fall, Keever plans to continue pursuing an associate degree in Applied Science in Fire Protection Technology at CCC.

“I hope to graduate in the summer of 2021,” added Keever, “and I look forward to becoming a full-time firefighter.”

“I have no doubt that Levi will be successful,” said Chief Harmon, “I am so proud of what he has accomplished, and I look forward to watching him build a career as a firefighter and seeing the benefits the he adds to Kings Mountain Fire Department.”

“You can’t stop the music”

One of the City of Kings Mountain’s most exciting festivals, BeachBlast, has been modified this year because of COVID-19 group size restrictions. In place of the festival, the City is planning a virtual beach party on August 22.

“Nothing is stopping us from having a party online,” said Special Events Director Christy Connor. “COVID can’t stop the music!”

The City of Kings Mountain invites you to join them online on Saturday, August 22 on the city’s special event’s Facebook page for a virtual beach party. Celebrate the 21st anniversary of BeachBlast with DJ Johnny B and a concert by the 2019 Carolina Beach Music Association’s Group of the Year, “Too Much Sylvia”.

“Tune into the City of Kings Mountain Special Events Facebook page to enjoy your favorite beach music, shag on your porch and have a fun watch party with us,” said Connor.

This beach party starts at 6 pm and will be packed with entertainment, music, games and fun until 9 pm.

You can “Like” the City of Kings Mountain Special Events Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofkmspecialevents to view this exclusive event.
 

By Janet Hart, City of Kings Mountain

The City of Kings Mountain has selected Darren Graves to fill a newly-created position as a Codes Enforcement Officer. Graves is transferring from his position as Equipment Operator in the City’s Public Works Department into this position. So, there is not an increase in total employees or total expenses. 

In this role, Graves will primarily focus on insuring compliance with three primary state laws: minimum housing standards, building codes for new construction and junk cars on residential properties.

“The City of Kings Mountain is a beautiful city in which to live, work and play, but we do have pockets of the city that need cleaning up,” said Mayor Scott Neisler. “The City Council has made it a top priority to address those areas.”

Graves will be assessing dilapidated properties and enforcing citations for non-compliance. Property owners will be cited for violations and will have 30-90 days to comply with the citation, depending on what issues are being cited. Enforcement could include fines, condemning the property as uninhabitable and demolition of the property if it is unsafe and not brought into compliance.

Property owners with junk cars could be subject to fines, or have the vehicles towed by the City, if they do not remove the vehicles within a specified time.

“These dilapidated properties pose a health and safety issue and they can attract criminal activity.” added City Manager Marilyn Sellers. “We want to showcase Kings Mountain as a city that is attractive for economic and residential investment.”

For more information about the City of Kings Mountain’s Codes, please visit www.cityofkingsmountain.com.

Abdul Rashid Gangoo, M.D., F.A.C.P., an internist who subspecialized in infectious diseases, retired on August 1, 2020 after practicing medicine in Kings Mountain for forty-one years.

Dr. Gangoo was born and raised in the city of Srinagar in the picturesque valley of Kashmir. He grew up with four siblings all of whom still reside in Srinagar. Upon graduating from Government Medical College, Srinagar in 1968, he was employed by the Indian government’s health services. In 1972, he moved to the United Kingdom and worked at Poole General Hospital in Dorset, England and later at St. David’s Hospital in Cardiff, Wales. He then immigrated to the United States in September 1973 and joined Long Island Jewish Medical Center’s medical residency program in Internal Medicine. 

He spent his first two years of residency at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Queens, New York City and his third year at Queens General Hospital. From 1976 to 1978, Dr. Gangoo was enrolled in a two-year fellowship training program in Infectious Diseases at Nassau County Medical Center (affiliated with the State University of New York at Stony Brook).

After completing his fellowship, Dr. Gangoo and his wife Firdous left the hustle and bustle of New York City and moved to Cherryville, North Carolina in September 1978 before settling in Kings Mountain in March 1979. For Dr. Gangoo, the slower pace of life that Kings Mountain offered was a very welcome change from his years amidst the frenzy of New York City. “A calmer and quieter atmosphere is much more suited to my natural disposition and personality,” he says.

Dr. Gangoo was the first internist in Kings Mountain and the first infectious diseases specialist in Cleveland County. He joined the medical staff of Kings Mountain Hospital (KMH), Cleveland Regional Medical Center, and two hospitals in Lincoln County. He established his medical practice at a clinic located at 810 W. King Street which he shared with Dr. George W. Plonk, a well-established and beloved surgeon, and has been seeing patients at the same location ever since.

“It’s been an honor to serve the Kings Mountain community. I am so grateful to have been warmly embraced by this town, and I am indebted to my patients for entrusting their medical care to me,” he shares.

“The most heart-warming and rewarding part of practicing medicine in Kings Mountain has been forming and building long-standing relationships with patients and their families. Being able to treat three generations of a family is an incredibly unique experience. My patients have, in turn, treated me as a part of their family as well. There is a certain level of trust, rapport, and comfort that has developed over time,” he said.

Dr. Gangoo served as President of the Cleveland County Medical Society from 1998 to 1999. He has also held the position of Chief of the Medical Staff at Kings Mountain Hospital for several years. In 2007, he had the honor of being elected a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.

The landscape of healthcare has changed drastically in the past several decades, including the management of small and rural hospitals. Dr. Gangoo witnessed this first-hand when Kings Mountain Hospital transitioned to Carolinas HealthCare System-Kings Mountain in 1995 and more recently to Atrium Health Kings Mountain. In 2015, Carolinas HealthCare System-Kings Mountain received national recognition when it had been named as one of the country’s “Top Rural Hospitals” by The Leapfrog Group.

Since 2015, however, certain patient services were gradually phased out, and more recently, the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit was downgraded to a Progressive Care Unit. “I would like to see specialized inpatient and outpatient services and the ICU return to the hospital once again so that it can better serve the needs of Kings Mountain. The care services a hospital provides ought to align with the needs of the community.”

In addition to thanking all of his patients, Dr. Gangoo wishes to express his gratitude to his fellow physicians who have helped him with patient care. He is especially indebted to Dr. Everette Thombs, Dr. Martin Stallings, Dr. Christian Anderson, Dr. Cornelius Okonkwo, Dr. Temidayo Adelekun, and Sigrid Smith of Charlotte Area Health Education Center for their friendship and support. He also would like to thank all of the former and current nurses and technicians, hospital staff members, and hospital administrators. “Their tireless hard work and dedication made my job easier.”

Last not but least, Dr. Gangoo is thankful for his office staff members: Julie McDaniel, Kathy Brooks, Janet Burns, Sherry Sellers, Amber Norman, and his wife Firdous for their invaluable contributions in caring for their patients. “This practice simply would not have been possible without them.”

In his retirement, Dr. Gangoo plans to spend more time with his wife and children, Talia and Basit, and pursue his hobbies of gardening, woodworking, and painting. “I wish all of my patients and members of the community the best of health. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives.”
 

By Janet Hart, City of KM

In 1982, Robert Bolin left his hometown of Kings Mountain to join the U.S. Army. After his tour of duty was over with the Army, he decided to move back home.

“When you have a passion for your hometown, you want to help in any way that you can,” said Bolin.

Since he loved food, Bolin decided to open a restaurant. The first restaurant was 238 Cherokee Grill which opened in 2010. Next, came 238 Pizzeria in 2016.

While both restaurants share some similarities, they are definitely different. 238 Pizzeria has a casual atmosphere and serves a variety of pizzas and Italian foods. Whereas, 238 Cherokee Grill is more upscale and serves steak, fish, burgers, wraps and salads.

Both restaurants are located in downtown Kings Mountain, but 238 Cherokee Grill is not actually on Cherokee Street. It’s located at 222 S. Railroad Avenue next door to Patriots Park and 238

Pizzeria is located at 238 Cherokee Street.

If you get confused, just follow the amazing smell of garlic, onion and Italian spices to either restaurant. The restaurants are only about a block apart.

“Having both restaurants in downtown Kings Mountain is the primary reason for our success,” said Bolin. “We get tremendous business when the City of Kings Mountain has special events in the Park and festivals downtown.”

In the past six months, the City of Kings Mountain has canceled or modified all of its festivals and special events because of COVID-19 restrictions that limit crowd sizes and require social distancing.

“Our inside dining has been negatively affected,” Bolin said. “COVID-19 restrictions have required us to reduce dine-in traffic, stagger tables at six feet intervals and have customers wait outside at times,” added Bolin.

“However, the volume of takeout orders has been unreal,” said Bolin. “Plus, we can take food over to Patriots Park for customers who want to eat lunch or dinner in the Park.”

Both restaurants have survived COVID-19 because of the community’s support.

“We believe that when you support the community, they will support you in return and the community of Kings Mountain has been so good to us,” Bolin added. “We appreciate their support.”

For more information or to view menus, please visit www.238CherokeeGrill.com or www.238Pizzeria.com.

By Loretta Cozart

Local businesses Uniquetex, LLC and their sister company, Ecoguard Inc., donated 5,000 masks for distribution in Kings Mountain and Grover within the next two weeks.

Masks will be distributed through a concerted effort between Uniquetex and Ecoguard, Kings Mountain Herald, City of Kings Mountain’s H. Lawrence Patrick Senior Center, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Wat Lao Temple.

The purpose of the distribution to get masks into the hands, and on the faces, of Kings Mountain and Grover residents as Coronavirus numbers continue to rise. Facemasks are one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from the Coronavirus.

Distribution sites and times are listed below. Walk-ups are welcome.

City of Kings Mountain will distribute masks at the H. Lawrence Patrick Senior Life and Conference Center at 900 E. King Street on Thursday, August 13, in drive thru fashion from 9 am to 4 pm. Drive around the front of the Patrick Center around to the back under the canopy to pick up. Phone: Phone: 704-734-4489

Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 220 N. Waterson Street, will distribute masks on Sunday, August 16 from 2 – 3 pm via drive thru in front of the Family Life Center.

Ebenezer Baptist Church will distribute masks on Sunday, August 16 from 10 am to 1 pm, and again on Saturday, August 22 from 10 am to 1 pm.

Wat Lao Temple will distribute masks within the Laotian community to those in need. Sak and Tawny Athithang are coordinating the distribution. 704-619-2035.

Town of Grover will inform citizens regarding their mask distribution in a note included the power bill, according to Mayor Roy Dyer. 704-937-9986

“Supporting our local community is an important part of the business, and Uniquetex and Ecoguard are committed to going above and beyond,” said Director of Public Relations Lina Sheng. ”We are thankful that our local government agencies help distribute these masks to the needed groups and we sincerely wish our residents to be safe and healthy!”

In addition, Ecoguard donated tens of thousands of masks to the state governments of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kentucky, as well as local small businesses and non-profit organizations.

As the pandemic became an increasing threat, the company realized how critical and necessary it was to produce high quality PPE locally. As a result, Uniquetex’s sister company Ecoguard, Inc. was formed in February, with only one mission and that was to produce face masks.  Both companies continue to provide high quality PPE during the coronavirus pandemic.