KM Herald 1-27-21

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HORD INSURANCE Home - Auto - Commercial 700 E. Gold St. • Kings Mountain, NC hordinsurancecom

704-734-9422

Volume 133 • Issue 4

Wednesday, Janary 27, 2021

kmherald.com • 704-484-1047

75¢

Local fundraisers benefit Cpl. Whittington and family By Loretta Cozart An artist’s rendering of the Catawba Indian Nation’s proposed gaming resort in Kings Mountain. (Rendering by SOSH Architects)

Catawbas, NC approve compact; agreement allows state to share in casino proceeds The Catawba Nation and the State of North Carolina signed a compact Friday, January 22, that allows the state to share in revenues generated by the new Two Kings Casino Resort, which will be located in the City of Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, NC. The casino will be operated by the Catawbas, according to a press release from the Catawba Nation Office of Tribal Government. “On behalf of the Catawba Nation, I sincerely thank Governor Roy Cooper and his team for their thoughtful collaboration in creating this compact, which is the key step in bringing economic benefits and

thousands of jobs from our casino project to the citizens of North Carolina,” said Catawba Chief Bill Harris. Chief Harris continued, “I would also like to thank Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and Attorney General Josh Stein for their review and signoff of the compact. With work on the compact completed, we will advance the project from the site preparation phase to vertical construction of an introductory casino gaming facility to open this Fall.” In March 2020, the U.S. Department of the Interior, following a thorough, yearslong review, took 17 acres of land into trust status in See CASINO, Page 5A

Two weeks ago, American Legion Riders participated in an event and raised funds to help the Whittington family. Last weekend, three events were held simultaneously across Kings Mountain. Saturday afternoon, a steady stream of people visited Central United Methodist Church’s parking lot, across from Kings Mountain Police Department, to support the Back the Blue event honoring Cpl. Lee Whittington for a hamburger and hot dog fundraiser. Organizers Elmer Oboyle, along with his mother, Kevin and Kelly Dogan, and Bill and Lisa Cash promoted the fundraiser on Facebook. This is their fourth Back the Blue event since September. The project began on September 11, with an event in Gastonia, followed by ones at Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department, and one in Mt. Holly. Today’s event, honored Cpl. Whittington, and the community came out to show their support. See FUNDRAISERS, Page 3A

People wait in line for a hot dog and hamburger lunch. Donations went to Cpl. Lee Whittington. Photos by Loretta Cozart

People stopped by all afternoon to participate in the raffle. Prizes by Kings Mountain businesses made the raffle a rousing success.

Who is DefendNC Mass vaccinations last Saturday at KMIS County Facebook pages keep citizens updated

By Loretta Cozart Last week Kings Mountain residents received mailers urging them to contact elected officials and oppose the proposed Catawba casino. Several people who received these materials reached out to the Herald asking, “Who is DefendNC and why are they mailing me.” At its website, DefendNC explains that it is “an initiative launched and funded by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and supported by like-minded North Carolina stakeholders who oppose the unwanted casino in Kings Mountain.” DefendNC calls on Governor Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein “to defend North Carolina from the threat this unwanted casino poses to our state and economy,” a comment attributed to Principal Chief Richard Sneed. The organization sent two types of mailers to Kings Mountain residents. If you live near the casino site, you probably received a packet encouraging you to mail included letters,

stamped and ready to mail, to Governor Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein asking them to oppose the casino in Kings Mountain. Other residents were sent postcards asking them to reach out to elected officials and oppose the project. At DefendNC.com, the group shares, “DefendNC is leading a growing movement of North Carolina elected officials, communities, residents, and organizations who oppose the shady casino deal that is a bad deal for Kings Mountain, Western North Carolina, and the state.” Essentially, DefendNC and NC Policy watch, a project of the NC Justice Center, are lobbyists encouraging citizens to write local and state legislators to support their cause in opposing the Catawba casino. NC Policy Watch solicits online donations which can be made at their website. Supporters are asked to “help us continue to expand our aggressive reporting and thoughtful commentaries. See DefendNC, Page 5A

A COVID-19 vaccination clinic was held at Kings Mountain Intermediate School on January 23 and 850 Kings Mountain residents 65 and over were mailed information as to the location and time. It was not an open drive-thru clinic. Residents receiving the let-

ter were asked to bring their letter and arrive at their scheduled time. In a Facebook post after the event, Elizabeth Anne Tate wrote, “My mom is 87. She got a letter this past Thursday giving her a time for her vaccine at KM Intermediate School. (It was) so well organized, smooth as could be. From entrance, until 15 min wait after vaccine was given, took less See KMIS, Page 5A

Brenda Hoover received her vaccine earlier this month. Photo by Atrium Health

Scaffolding in front of the Parker Building has been removed. Repairs the sidewalk appear complete. What once appeared lost has been reclaimed as Michael Parker Construction continues bringing this old landmark back to life. Photo by Loretta Cozart

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