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Volume 116 • Issue 8
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
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Piedmont Lithium updates Council at Feb. 14 regular session by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
At the Feb. 11 retirement ceremony for Capt. Chris “Pudge” Cash, held at the Cherryville Fire Department, Assistant Chief Colby Heffner, Mayor H.L. Beam, III, and retired CFD fire chief Jeff Cash all pose with the man of the hour, Chris “Pudge” Cash as he poses with a signed photo of the word, “Retired” spelled out using captured images, forming the letters of the word. (photo by MEP/The Eagle)
CFD Capt. Chris “Pudge” Cash retires after 36 years of service Began serving his community as a Junior Firefighter while at CHS by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
Cherryville Fire Department Captain Chris “Pudge” Cash has decided – after more than three decades of selfless
service to his beloved hometown – to retire. Cash, younger brother to retired Chief Jeff Cash, started his career in the fire service, he said, as a young lad while he was still in high school. “I started in 1984 at Hugh’s Pond Volunteer Fire Department when I was 16, then went to Cherryville’s Fire Department,” he said. “(The late) Joe Vandyke was
the chief then and it was him that developed the junior firefighter program.” “Pudge” graduated from CHS in 1985 and never looked back, so far as getting more firmly entrenched in the career he loves so much, and getting to serve others is, for him, just more icing on the professional cake. Serving others in the fire services runs in the family as See CASH, Page 2
City Council held their Monday night, Feb. 14 regular session and, after approving the minutes from previous meetings, kicked things off with an update from Piedmont Lithium (PL) spokesperson, Malissa Gordon. Gordon said she had two quick updates for Council on how things were progressing with their State Mining permit processes, which, she added, “…are still under review.” Gordon noted that after they get through the State Mining permit processes there will still be further rounds, as many as four altogether possibly, the company will have to go through. Gordon also mentioned a PL donation to the Cherryville High School Education Foundation that she said will help students and teachers greatly, adding that they also are working with Gaston College and their Apprentice Program as well as how to direct CHS
In this file photo from November 2021, the Cherryville City Council members listen as a citizen (off-camera) talks about an important issue they want to see addressed by the Council. (Eagle/CF Media file photo) students to that same program. “We are expecting to get out a joint press release next week on that,” she said. Council was asked to consider upset bids on a city-owned lot on the corner of W. Main and Mulberry Streets. City Manager Brian Dalton said, “The council voted to accept the offer to sell the lot to Cherryville Main Street LLC for $30,000. This property will be converted to a parking lot in the future.” Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors chairman Pete Craft gave the 2021 End-of-Year Chamber report to Council noting they had two ribbon cuttings, two dedications and groundbreakings, and two virtual seminars; took part in a number of school- and business-related events as well as a number of school partnerships, all positively highlighting the Cherryville community. The Chamber’s Festivals Committee also assisted with or took part in seven Cherryville festivals and holiday-themed events. See COUNCIL, Page 2
Tuesday, Feb. 15, Coach Scott Harrill, of the basketball Ironmen, was presented with plaque made from old Nixon Gym flooring bearing the inscription celebrating his milestone 400 wins, making him the winningest basketball coach in Gaston County (and CHS) history.
CHS’ Coach Harrill humbled by his 400th basketball win Credits God, family, coaching staff and all the players he coached for milestone by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
Gaston County’s, and CHS’, winningest basketball coach – Scott Harrill – is like a mirror in that when the sun of a milestone like 400 wins shines on him, he directs the bright light of it back to shine on others. Others like God; like
his family, like his fellow coaches, and like all the many hoops players he has had the privilege to coach through the years. And he is a very humble, spiritual man, who knows he isn’t perfect, but one who really, REALLY enjoys playing the game of basketball and teaching others how to be good at it, and at the game of life. The Eagle caught up with Coach recently and asked him the age-old journalistic question: how did it feel to get that 400th win? The answer wasn’t surprising at all; it was typical Coach Harrill. “It really felt like any other game, in the sense of you prepare so much for each
game, you don’t think as much about the win total over everything else. I know God has truly blessed us so much here. Faith, family, and basketball really has to be what we live by.” He continued, “It feels good knowing how blessed we have been at Cherryville. My relationship with God keeps me grounded and focused on trying my best to have a servant’s attitude. We (Coach Tate, Coach Griggs, and Coach Black) all work as one. This one is for all of us. These three men are also great men of faith that we can share with.” Coach Harrill noted also, “It is great to reflect on the See HARRILL, Page 9
Bright orange paint on the arched girder supports of the new Cherryville Family YMCA’s ceiling give a nice “pop”, getting your attention and moving your eyes upward. The look has an antique, yet chic industrial feel to it, but manages to be spacious and avant-garde all at the same time. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media)
Cherryville Family “Y’s” new digs coming along nicely New location a “hop, skip, and a jump” around the corner, on Mountain Street by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
The Cherryville Family YMCA’s new digs looks to be coming along nicely, and if all goes according to plans, they hope to be open very, very soon. That is certainly the hope
and dream of Gaston County YMCA CEO Sharon Padgett, who said on Tuesday, Feb. 15, in a brief tour of the new building, located in what used to be the old Chrysler/Plymouth dealership building, then the Tropical Tanning building, on Mountain Street. The new “Y”, she said, will have all of the member amenities and work-out gear as did their former “Y”, but will have it and more in a more spacious building, with more parking for the members and guests, as well as staff.
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Kevin Wilson (COO) and Padgett also noted there will be more room for their exercise equipment, all their cardio machines, their free weights and their Selectorized machines. The offices and restrooms will be in the front of the building, along with showers for the members. In the back will be, said Mrs. Padgett, space for their senior programs, such as Silver Sneakers, as well as room to expand when they begin See Y, Page 6
GASTON COUNTY SCHOOLS