KM Herald 2-17-21

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Volume 133 • Issue 7

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

kmherald.com • 704-484-1047

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New Superintendent hired Council approves $12M for KM Battleground Capital Project Ordinance Last week, National Park Service (NPS) South Atlantic-Gulf Regional Director Stan Austin announced the selection of Diana Bramble as the new Superintendent of South Carolina’s Cowpens National Battlefield and Kings Mountain National Military Park, effective March 14. In her role, Bramble will also oversee management of Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail and Ninety Six National Historic Site. Bramble has managed the four units on temporary assignment since September. “Diana brings experience caring for iconic landmarks with complex operations and stories critical to America’s advancement as a democratic society,” Aus-

DIANA BRAMBLE tin said. “As we prepare to mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Diana is wholly committed to protecting the parks’ treasured resources and enhancing collaboration with staff, visitors, partners and gateway communities.”

Bramble said, “I am incredibly grateful to have been selected for this opportunity. The staff here are profoundly dedicated to their work as caretakers of America’s heritage. It is an honor to help lead the park See BRAMBLE, Page 5A

County jury trials to resume this week Clevel a n d County court officials have announced that jury trials will resume within the County. By order of the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, jury trials have been suspended since March 2020 as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In July 2020, the Chief Justice directed all Senior Resident Superior Court Judges to craft and submit local plans for the safe resumption of jury trials within their particular counties of origin. This, as part of the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s efforts to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus and to keep all members of the public and court personnel safe.

By notice of this press release, our local courts are pleased to announce that the first jury trials in Cleveland County since the onset of the Coronavirus in March 2020 pandemic are expected to commence beginning the week of February 15. Local court officials want the public and those who are called upon to serve as a juror to know that several safety precautions have been implemented (in consultation with local public health officials). Court officials want to ensure that anyone who should need access the Cleveland County Courthouse and/ or our temporary alternate court facilities can do so safely. With that said, we are grateful for the partnership with our Cleveland County government offices and health officials who

continue to work alongside our local courts to ensure our facilities remain open, accessible, and safe for all who enter. For any member of the public who has received a summons for jury duty, all jurors should report to the following location as instructed on the summons received: The LeGrand Center 1800 East Marion Street Shelby, NC 28150 Please be advised that for the health and safety of all jurors, court personnel and any interested member of the public, facial coverings and temperature checks will be required unless otherwise specified upon your arrival by the presiding Judge. For the latest information regarding the status of our courts, visit https://www. nccourts.gov/covid-19.

Legislation passed by the NC House

Families can choose In-classroom learning Families of public school students in North Carolina could choose in-classTIM MOORE r o o m learning under legislation passed

by the state House of Representatives in a bipartisan 74-44 vote on Thursday. After passing the state House, the legislation will return to the North Carolina Senate for further consideration. Senate Bill 37 In-Person Learning Choice for Families lets students continue remote learning if they choose and directs North Carolina schools to provide in-classroom instruction. The bill is supported

by more than $1.6 billion in new funds sent to public schools in separate legislation signed by the Governor this week. The state legislature also fully-funded state per-pupil allotments for schools, promised to “hold harmless” education budgets regardless of enrollment drops, and provided teacher salary step increases during the pandemic, in addition to the new federal funds. See CLASSROOM, Page 5A

By Loretta Cozart City Council unanimously approved a $12.02 million dollar Capital Project Ordinance during an Energy Utilities Update in its January 26 meeting. The ordinance for improvements to the electric system NICK HENDRICK infrastructure of the City of Kings Mountain which consists of the construction of an additional Delivery 5 electrical distribution substation and transmission lines that will be installed that will serve the new Delivery 5. Also, there will be six (6) new distribution lines that will come from the substation that will tie into existing distribution lines that are served from other existing City electric substations. The resolution authorizes the Mayor to execute a resolution Declaring Official Intent to Reimburse pursuant to United Treasury Regulations. “This project has nothing to do with the casino and we are doing this work without a rate increase to customers,” said Assistance City Manager/Energy Services Director Nick Hendricks. The project is generally being funded through wholesale electric savings we have experienced when switching to the Kings Mountain Energy Center Power Plant. “We are preparing for anticipated growth in that area as well as addressing our general growth." To date our existing three substations general capacity at peak is as follows: Gaston St: (95%), York Rd: (100%) and Margrace Rd. (90%). The new Delivery 5 will assist in freeing up the load at other station as well as providing shorter circuits therefore assisting in

SKYLAR BRIDGES

DORIS WINSTEAD

electric reliability. This ordinance includes improvements to the electric system infrastructure of the City of Kings Mountain which consists of the construction of an additional substation (Delivery 5) and transmission lines to the substation and distribution lines from the substation totaling $9.02 million. The following revenues are anticipated to be available to complete these projects: Proceeds from debt issuance $9,020,000 Transfers from other funds-Electric $3,000,000 Total $12,020,000 The following amounts are appropriated in the fund: Capital Outlay-Delivery $3,015,000 Capital Outlay-Substation $4,600,000 Capital Outlay-Distribution $1,405,000 Transfers to other funds-Electric $3,000,000 Total $12,020,000 Essentially, the city plans to use $3,000,000 from the Electric Fund and will finance the entire project at a later date. At that time they will apply for the entire project cost of $12.02 million and will reimburse the Electric Fund at that time. “This is a common practice many municipalities use,” according to Hendricks. Other items from the report share that Benestar Brands has begun grading at a fast pace. “We are excited because Benestar could be, should be based upon our load numbers, the largest natural gas user 4x larger than our current largest client, which is astronomical,” said Hendricks. Hendricks also reported the completion of See COUNCIL, Page 5A

JOHNNY WINSTEAD

JEREMY WOOD

Five charged in KM drug bust On February 9, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotic’s Division and Community Interdiction team completed an investigation at 2462 Cobb Drive, off Bethlehem Road, in Kings Mountain. Investigators seized small amounts of Methamphetamine, Marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a firearm from the residence. The subjects charged in the case include:

• Skylar Bridges, 2462 Cobb Drive, Kings Mountain, $1,000 secured bond, charged with possessing drug paraphernalia and possessing Marijuana paraphernalia. • Johnny Lee Winstead, 2462 Cobb Drive, Kings Mountain, $30,000 secured bond, charged with maintaining a dwelling for controlled substance. • Doris Winstead, 2462 Cobb Drive, Kings Moun-

tain, $10,000 Secured Bond, charged with maintain a dwelling for controlled substance • Jeremy Wayne Wood, 2462 Cobb Drive, Kings Mountain, $500 unsecured bond, charged with possessing marijuana paraphernalia. • Mellissa Lee Winstead, 5005 Hawthorne Lane, Shelby, $1,000 unsecured bond, charged with speeding and reckless driving.

Neighborhood Watch T h e Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office is revitalizing the Neighborhood Watch program in all communities throughout the county. Our mission is to

build upon the original concepts of Neighborhood Watch, by using all available resources to create a proactive community-police partnership to help prevent crime and solve problems on our communities. The Neighborhood Watch program is a crime prevention program that enlists the active

participation of citizens in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime in our neighborhoods. If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch program in your community, please contact Captain Bryan Gordon 704484-4832.

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