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Volume 115 • Issue 7
75¢
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
City Council agenda covers planning, zoning proposals; staff end-of-year reports Two employees recognized for years of service to City CHS Principal Kevin Doran, Ben Hayes, and Athletic Director Scott Harrill each posed last week with Ben’s Lowe’s Campus Captain Award and Certificate, and his letter from NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media)
CHS senior Hayes gets Lowes Campus Captain Award by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
Cherryville High School senior Ben Hayes recently was awarded the NCHSAA and Lowe’s Campus Captains Award for the month of January for helping bring sports back to his high school. He is one of three to be so honored, according to a Feb. 1, 2021 letter from NCHSAA Commissioner Marilyn Que Tucker, sent to him, congratulating him on his nomination and selection.
Hayes was nominated for the award by Athletic Director Scott Harrill on Jan. 12, 2021. Harrill noted that Hayes, along with junior Landrie Wofford, started the Kindness Club. While Harrill said Wofford came up with the idea for the Club, Hayes got on board quickly and helped her with it implementation and getting the word out. The award, added Harrill, is. “…more so for being a great team captain and following all COVID-19
by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
The regular session of the Cherryville City Council, held Monday, Feb. 8, resulted in Council voting on and approving many of the last week of January’s work session agenda items. First though, the City recognized two employees for their years of service: Water Plant Operator Tim Abernethy (5 years). With Tim was his wife, Margie, and his brother, Jon Abernethy, who is a City Councilman. Also recognized for 5 years of service to the City was City Mechanic Don Helms. Of the main issues on the agenda, most notably among them was the Terrace Estates Project, discussed by City Engineer Recil Wright; a proposed new wireless telecommunications tower, discussed by Planning and Zoning Director Derrick
Mayor H.L. Beam, III hands City Water Plant Operator Tim Abernethy a certificate, recognizing him for his 5 years of service to the City. With Tim is his wife, Margie, and his brother, Councilman Jon Abernethy. (photos by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media) Mackey; and a rezoning request for property at 112 Howell Street. Mr. Wright updated Council on the Terrace Estates Subdivision project, which is a project of Piedmont Companies, Inc., of Lincolnton, NC, compris-
ing about 72 parcels of land north of Cherryville, on Black Rock School Road. Mr. Wright said the water lines to the estates would be need to be paid for by the City. It was suggested to Council that a fee would need to be assessed to the
company, with the number of $1,000 per lot brought up. Finance Director Dixie Wall recommended to Council they approve that amount. Councilman Abernethy moved Council accept her recommendation and See COUNCIL, Page 6
See HAYES, Page 4
Ironmen basketball coach Scott Harrill breaks county record for most wins Gets #380 against BCHS on Feb. 5, passing Coach Marty Hatchell by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
This student is busily working on a chemistry project at one of Gaston County’s many high schools, hopefully in preparation for a future career in either medicine or one of the biological sciences. (photo provided by Gaston Count Schools)
Gaston County Schools is offering 21 school choice programs for 2021 The deadline to apply is Feb. 28 It’s school choice time in Gaston County Schools! For the upcoming 2021-2022 academic year, 21 dynamic programs are being offered for students that focus on careers, col-
lege prep, health sciences, leadership, public service, STEAM, technology, engineering, and other areas. Below is a list of the 21 school choice/magnet school programs in Gaston County Schools: ■ Elementary Schools Gifted and Talented Academy at Pleasant Ridge Elementary School; and Hawks Nest STEAM Academy Leadership Academy at See GASTON, Page 2
Ironmen head basketball coach and CHS Athletic Director Scott Harrill has many accomplishments attributed to him, along with a slew of letters and initials pertaining to his teaching and coaching prowess. Now he can add a couple more – record breaker and record setter! Harrill recently surpassed his friend and fellow roundball coach Marty Hatchell, who retired from coaching in 2009, as Gaston County’s all-time winningest men’s basketball coach with 380plus wins. He got number 380 on Feb. 5, in an away game against the BCHS Yellow Jackets, winning 78-67. His current tally (and percentage of wins) is – with the recent win at Piedmont Community Charter School – 381, against 171 losses for a 70 percentage of wins. Harrill noted the record is for varsity wins only and doesn’t factor in any of his JV wins.
CHS Head basketball coach Scott Harrill (fourth from left) during one of the Ironmen’s 2018 basketball games at Nixon Gym. With him are his three assistant coaches: Coach Antonio Griggs, Coach Harrill, Coach Dennis Tate, and Coach Dr. Bud Black. (Eagle/CF Media file photos) Coach Harrill’s career started as a JV coach at South Point High in 1995, then he came to Cherryville in 1999 as the JV coach with the late Coach David Watkins. “I took over after Coach Watkins passed away in December of 2000,” he said. In addition to coaching Cross-Country at CHS, Harrill said he has coached football at South Point and Cherryville for 13 years. “I have also coached as the head men’s golf coach,
and a couple of JV baseball games.” Harrill, a 1989 CHS grad, received his undergraduate degree from Appalachian State in 1993, then got his Master’s degree from ASU in 2008. As for how it feels to catch up to and pass Coach Hatchell’s many wins, Harrill was somewhat philosophical. Said Coach Harrill, “It has been a little overwhelming thinking of the great coaches along the way. This is a team
achievement with Coach (Dennis) Tate, Coach (Bud) Black, and Coach (Antonio) Griggs. Those men are just as much a part of this as I am. We work together really well. I will be forever grateful for them taking in a young coach, sticking with him, and being by my side the entire way. Marty is a friend and former coach who I coached against. He had all of his wins at those two schools. I look back at all the great kids we have had the See HARRILL, Page 3
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