Dilling HEATING & COOLING A higher degree of trust and dependability
704.739.3446 Residential & Commercial Service Serving Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg and Surrounding Counties since 1955.
Volume 133 • Issue 1
Indoor Air Quality Assesments • New Installations A Family Owned & Operated Business
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Wednesday, Janary 6, 2021
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Hindsight is 2020: the year in review By Loretta Cozart The year 2020 is one few of us will ever forget, but one probably we wish we could. Just days into the year, the Coronavirus pandemic began, resulting in say-at-home orders, mandatory wearing of face masks, and governmental assistance to citizens as well as businesses. As of Dec. 31, about 342,000 Americans had died from the virus. On that day alone, 3,479 North Carolinians were hospitalized. In Cleveland County, 6,956 cases of the virus and 144 deaths were reported last year. On a positive note, three pharmaceutical companies have developed Coronavirus vaccines and two have begun inoculating those at highest risk: medical professionals and those living in congregate housing. This week anyone 75 and over can get the vaccine. It will take a while to get everyone inoculated but it is a good step forward. Despite the virus, all news was not bleak. The area has seen business growth and witnessed firsthand the resiliency of people. Frontline workers kept commerce flowing as everyone worked to help each other through one of the toughest times in recent memory.
January – As 2020 began, a 16-year mystery was solved at Moss Lake. A fisherman using a fish finder discovered a submerged vehicle near the Camp Creek Church Road boat ramp, 27-feet below the surface. It was reported missing in Oct. 2004. On January 15, Sgt. Bob Myers retired after 30-years with Kings Mountain Police Department. Friends of Crowders Mountain asked for volunteers for trail work and litter pick-up. Greg Payseur offered free genealogy assistance at the Mauney Memorial Library. Atrium Health Kings Mountain tightened visitation requirements due to the prevalence of flu in the region. Kings Mountain Rotary Club awarded a check to Tropzie McCluney of the Community Math Academy. Jasmine Suarez and Kallee Heffner came in first and second respectively in the East School Fourth Grade Spelling Bee. After 79-years of service, the Kings Mountain Kiwanis Club disbanded. Edgar Lee (Dean) Adams retired and closed his barber shop after working 60-years in his profession. Accelerate Cleveland began recruiting for their spring class. February – Layoffs were announced for Eaton Corporation due to consolidation
Main Street Director Christy Adkins announced the winner of the $250 Main Street Bucks promotion! Presenting the $250 Main Street bucks to Karla Stamey is Lew Dellinger, owner of Dellinger’s Jewel Shop. Stamey met the qualifications by spending a minimum of $25 at Dellinger's Jewel Shop and turned in her receipt. She can spend that $250 at any of the downtown businesses. Photo provided
American Legion Veteran’s breakfast this Saturday By Loretta Cozart American Legion Post 155 holds its next monthly Veteran’s Breakfast on Saturday morning, January 9, from 9
am to 11 am at the Otis D. Green Post home on East Gold Street. All veterans are invited to this free breakfast the first Saturday of every month. Others are welcome to attend for a small donation that helps fund future breakfasts. Everyone is asked to follow Governor Cooper’s guidelines for social distancing. The following month’s breakfast will be on February 6.
Bob Myers retired in January. (Photos provided)
Dixon Presbyterian Church had some damage due to a tree falling on it during the tornado in February. field to Superintendent of Cleveland County Schools Stephen Fisher. City of Kings Mountain acknowledged a water spill of 3.1 million gallons into Potts Creek. Temple Baptist Church celebrated its 75th anniversary. Warren Bingham spoke to the DAR on the life of George Washington; his wife, Laura Carpenter Bingham, is a Kings
Potato Project collected food for those in need in March. of its heavy-duty transmis- erspace sneak-peek. On Feb. sion assembly division. Star- 4, Cleveland County Health bucks announced opening a Department announced no new store at 717 York Road cases of Novel Coronavirus in July. Mauney Memorial in Cleveland County. Early Library announced a Mak- February brought an EF-2
tornado to the Dixon Community, toppling four high tension electrical transmission towers and felling trees in its wake. Sheriff Norman switched political parties, registering as a Republican. Catawba Nation opened a display at Kings Mountain Historical Museum. President of Kings Mountain Touchdown Club David Brinkley officially presented the new tennis courts and football
Mark your calendar
Cpl. Lee Whittington, Jr., right, was shot in the line of duty on Dec. 21. Here, with another officer, they express their concern for fellow officers. The KM Ministerial Association will lead prayer for all essential workers who protect our community. Photo by KMPD
See 2020, Page 4
Meet Mr. King Special Prayer Gathering Saturday at Patriot’s Park virtual event The City of Kings Mountain will host a virtual observance for Dr. Martin Luther King this year via a Facebook. Meet Mr. King is performed by Brightstar Touring Theater and is available for viewing between January
15 at 8 am through 19 at 5 pm. Meet Mr. Kings helps young people understand the importance of Dr. King and the civil rights movement as they follow key moments of his life. Watch on Facebook at CityofKMSpecialEvents.
DSS taking applications for assistance Cleveland County Department of Social Services is now taking applications from individuals who need financial assistance with paying their heating bills. Each eligible household may receive
up to a maximum of $600 per year for heating and cooling assistance combined. This is a federally-funded program and the total amount that Cleveland County See DSS, Page 5
The Kings Mountain Ministerial Association will hold a special prayer gathering this Saturday, January 9, at noon at the Gazebo in Patriot’s Park. The community prayer gathering is planned to pray for police officers and all essential workers in Kings Mountain who work to keep the community safe and who are always there to help in a time of need. Essential workers include police, fire fighters, city employees, EMT’s, doctors, nurses, nursing home workers and employees, to name a few. This has been a one of the most challenging years
in the lives of most people. The Ministerial Association shared, “We are thankful to God for seeing us through some of the most some difficult times. You are invited to join us Saturday at noon in Patriots Park as we come together to pray for His help as the new year begins, praying especially for those who are in harm’s way to protect us in times of crisis. These people are on the front lines for us. They need our prayers and support as a community of faith.” Patriots Park is located at 220 S. Railroad Avenue in Kings Mountain.
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call us at 704-739-4461