Cherryville Eagle 7-28-21

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Volume 115 • Issue 30

75¢

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Fire Chief/City Manager Cash retirement effective Jan. 1, 2022 Asst. Fire Chief Wofford promoted to Fire Chief effective Jan. 2, 2022 by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

Coach Tim Pruitt is seen here going over some passing skills with the Ironmen at their July 13 7 on 7’s. (photos by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media)

CHS football Ironmen run ‘7 on 7’ drills at Rudisill Stadium by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

It will soon be time for CHS gridiron fans to say, like the television commercial lyrics belt out, “Are you ready for some football?” With that in mind, Ironmen football head coach Tim Pruitt said the young men of the CHS 2021-2022 gridiron squad took to the

field recently at Rudisill Stadium to work on some 7 on 7 drills with a couple of other teams. Said Coach Pruitt, “On July 13, we had two 7 on 7’s at home. On Tuesday we competed against Lincolnton and Polk County, and on Thursday, we played against East Burke. We had 20 players participate.” Coach Pruitt noted that See CHS, Page 6

Gaston COVID cases, hospitalizations rise as Delta variant spreads GASTONIA – After more than a month of low COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations, last week Gaston County began to see a rapid acceleration of both as the Delta variant begins to spread in the community. The Delta variant is now estimated to account for more than four out of every five COVID-19 cases in the United States, and is causing severe disease and death in unvaccinated individuals. “The Delta variant is much more infectious and transmissible than the original strain,” Gaston County Public Health Medical Director Dr. Tia Robertson said. “The viral load builds up quickly, making it more contagious earlier on in the course of the disease.” Robertson urged anyone experiencing COVID-like symptoms to get tested at one of the numerous pharmacies, clinics or medical facilities across the county – particularly if they are unvaccinated. Some symptoms with the Delta variant may be more likely than others, with a loss of

taste and smell a less common symptom than headaches, runny noses and sore throats, according to data from studies conducted in Great Britain. In Gaston County the percent positive rate has now surpassed 5 percent for the first time since early May. Indeed, the number of Gaston County residents hospitalized due to COVID has climbed into the double digits for the first time in nearly two months. Additionally, the average age of those hospitalized has been trending younger, thanks in part to higher vaccination percentages among the county’s 65-and-older population. “More than a year after trials began for COVID vaccinations, we have yet to see significant adverse reactions,” Gaston County Board of Commissioners Chairman Tom Keigher said. “I respect folks’ decisions to not take the vaccine, but I do think there should be more consideration for others. We very well could end up back to where we’re wearing masks again if we don’t put an end to this while we have the chance.” See COVID, Page 9

According to a media release from City Manager/ Fire Chief Jeff Cash, he has announced his retirement as Fire Chief and City Manager effective Jan. 1, 2022, and the promotion of Assistant Fire Chief Jason Wofford to Fire Chief effective Jan. 2, 2022. For four decades Chief Cash has served the City of Cherryville, beginning his career at the Cherryville Fire Department in December of 1981. He was promoted to Fire Chief in 1984, and then promoted to City Manager/Fire Chief in 2018. In the media release, it is noted Chief Cash, “… has given the City of Cherryville exceptional service for 40 years. He will leave behind a legacy of growing this department in all capacities such as personnel,

FIRE CHIEF/CITY MANAGER JEFF CASH equipment, apparatus, call volume, training, and lowering their ISO rating to a Level 2. “During his tenure as City Manager, he has done a remarkable job of leading the City of Cherryville into projects that promote overall growth, updating critical infrastructure, and creating a stronger workforce.” Assistant Fire Chief Wofford, noted the media release, “…began his ca-

ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF JASON WOFFORD Photos by MICHAEL E. POWELL

reer with the Cherryville Fire Department in February of 1989 as a Junior Firefighter, (then was) hired full-time in 1993 as a Driver/Engineer, promoted to Captain/ Fire Marshal in 1998, and to Assistant Fire Chief in 2010.” AFC Wofford holds the following certifications: Firefighter I & II, Hazardous Materials Level I, Driver Operator, ERT, EVD, Fire and Life Safety

Educator I, II, III, Fire Investigator Technician, Fire Officer I, II, Instructor I, RT Ropes, RT VMR, Chief 101, Fire Inspector Level I, II, and III, and various other leadership courses. The vacancies left by Chief Cash’s retirement and the promotion of Assistant Chief Wofford will be addressed internally through the Cherryville Fire Department.

City’s Main Street Program earns national accreditation Program recognized by Main Street America For the sixth year in a row, Main Street America has named the Cherryville Main Street Program as a nationally accredited Main Street program. The coveted designation is Main Street America’s highest status and recog-

nizes that Cherryville’s program meets rigorous performance standards. Nationally, just over half of participating communities receive this designation. To earn the prized designation, Cherryville’s program demonstrated a strong commitment to comprehensively revitalizing Cherryville’s downtown commercial district. And, Cherryville’s Main Street

Program meets strict requirements for building a strong organizational structure, maintaining active public-private partnerships, tracking progress, and preserving historic buildings. “We’ve worked diligently to meet the national standards,” said David Day, Cherryville’s Downtown Director. “We’re excited about the future. We’re revitalizing Main Street and at

the same time keeping our hometown’s historic character. Our downtown will be a catalyst for the economic growth for our entire community.” Cherryville Mayor H.L. Beam enthusiastically pointed to the many improvements already in place downtown as evidence of the program’s success. But Mayor Beam was equally See CMS, Page 5

Former Cherryville native promoted to Colonel in Air National Guard Gerald H. “Chip” Wofford, Jr., became a ‘full bird’ colonel on March 25, 2021 by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville certainly has had its share of native sons and daughters who have risen high in the ranks of the U.S. military in the past. Its most recent former citizen is Col. Gerald H. “Chip” Wofford, Jr., who was promoted to Colonel at a March 25, 2021 ceremony.

Col. Gerald H. “Chip” Wofford in his Air National Guard dress blue uniform, wearing his awards and medals ribbons.

According to his biography, Col. Wofford is the “…Director of Cyberspace Operations (A6) for the North Carolina Air National Guard.” In that capacity Col. Wofford is, as is noted, “… responsible for advising the Assistant Adjutant General for Air and Chief of Staff on all Cyber matters and serves as the liaison between the NCNG J6/G6, the NGB Air, Space, Intelligence, & Cyber Dominance Directorate, and the Cyber units of the 145th Airlift Wing.” Furthermore, Col. Wofford is a Master Cyber Operator with 27 years of Information Technology and Cybersecurity

experience. Col. Wofford noted he is not on active duty but has always been in the reserve component. “I am currently in the Air National Guard as a Drill Status Guardsman (DSG),” he said, via email. Col. Wofford, who is the brother to Cherryville Fire Department Assistant Chief Jason Wofford, is a son of Callie Ann Wofford of Cherryville and Jerry Wofford of Townville, S.C. A CHS graduated (1987), he graduated from College Belmont Abbey College, with BA in Business, and a See WOFFORD, Page 3

Keeter Stadium at Veterans Field Open House

August 10 7 pm - 9 pm

Teams, Team Parents & General Public Invited www.AmericanLegionWorldSeries.com


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