Volume 130 • Issue 9
kmherald.com • 704-739-7496
February 28, 2018
GINA COLLIAS
PATRICK McHENRY
JEFF GREGORY
CHRIS GASH
CAROLINE DEDMON
CHARLENE HIGH
75¢
KELLY HASTINGS
Filing deadline today First Baptist Pastor Dr. John “Chip” Sloan and his wife Martha. Photo by Reg Alexander
Baptists honor ‘Bro’ Chip By REG ALEXANDER Special to the Herald A fully-packed church auditorium resounded with laughter, praise, song and celebration last Sunday evening as First Baptist Church recognized the thirty year anniversary of the pastoral leadership of Dr. John “Chip” Sloan. Within the Southern Baptist Convention the average tenure of the pastorate is less than four years. Members of First Baptist
and the church staff alike appreciate the rarity of the three decades of leadership under Dr. Sloan. The service began with a collection of Pastor Sloan's favorite personal-worship melodies sung by the congregation. A special song of tribute written by the Music Minister Emeritus Morris Jordan was a part of the celebration. Rev. Jordan addressed the congregation as the first of six staff members to See BRO CHIP, Page 3A
The Moses of Our Generation By LORETTA COZART Special to the Herald Last week the Rev. Billy Graham passed away at his home in Montreat, NC at the age of 99. Graham was considered by many to be “America’s Pastor”, having counseled U.S. Presidents from Truman to Obama. I remember watching Billy Graham’s Crusades on television when I was young. He was handsome and charismatic. He words were clear; you could feel his passion for the gospel in every word. Thousands flocked to hear his message in stadiums across America … and the world. His message was strong, and people were eager to hear it. According to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 215 million people heard him preach and 3.2 million people responded to the invitation to accept Christ. During the weeks and months ahead, countless tributes will be made to Rev. Graham. But, he wouldn’t want any of it. He sought to share the message and the light of Christ with the world and would prefer we focus on that message instead. Graham lived a simple life
BILLY GRAHAM in Montreat with his family. He was paid a pastor’s salary and never wanted anything more. He was only the messenger. It was the message that mattered. In a way, Rev. Graham was the Moses of our generation. He met with leaders and shared the message God gave him. He wasn’t always popular, but he never shirked the responsibility. He was fearless. He spoke from his heart and didn’t worry how leaders might react. He didn’t serve them. When questioned in an interview regarding his own death, Graham paraphrased a quote from Dwight L. Moody, “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.” See MOSES, Page 7A
22 candidates have filed for 2018 election ELIZABETH STEWART lib.kmherald@gmail.com
A mix of newcomers and incumbents have filed for the 2018 election and filing ends today (Wednesday) at the Cleveland County Board of Elections in Shelby. The 22 candidates include three who oppose incumbent U. S. Congressman Patrick McHenry (R) which will necessitate a run-off on May 8. Gina Collias, Charlotte lawyer and Kings Mountain resident, a life-long Republican, supports fixing the
Chief: Person in Police Custody attempted suicide A person in police custody attempted suicide Saturday morning, according to Kings Mountain Police. The incident happened at the intake area of the Kings Mountain Police Department. Suspects are processed at the local police department before being escorted to the Cleveland County Law Enforcement Center in Shelby. Chief of Police Jerry Tessneer issued the following news release to media: “Unfortunately on today’s See CHIEF, Page 7A
Trail run March 10 Gateway Trail’s 9th annual 5k/10 mile run and fun run will be held Saturday, March 10 beginning at 9 a.m. at the trailhead on S. Battleground Avenue. Trophies will be given in all categories and medals will be given to Fun Run participants. Refreshments will be available. See RUN, Page 7A
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ACA, protecting Social Security and Medicare, increasing pay for military families, restoring net neutrality, responsibly addressing climate change, preserving freedom of the press, as well as ensuring equal pay and civil rights. She says she will work for comprehensive campaign finance reform and securing voting rights. Jeff Gregory, who lives in Shelby, a retired postmaster, is back in the race again to challenge the Chief Deputy Majority Whip McHenry. Ira Roberts of Hickory is the
fourth candidate in the race. Three seats on the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners will be up for grabs in the November election. The three incumbents, Democrat and Chairman Eddie Holbrook and Republicans Ronnie Whetstine and Doug Bridges, have filed to run for re-election. Two new Democratic candidates Chris Gash and L. Caroline Dedmon have also filed to run in the commissioners’ race. In the Democrats’ Run-off voters can vote for two on May 8.
The three on the ballot will be Holbrook, Chris Gash of Kings Mountain and Todd McIntosh of Grover. In 2011 Gash was the youngest politician elected in Cleveland County. He served as mayor pro tem in his hometown of Kingstown. Pastor of New Zion Baptist Church, Gash is a former employee of the Department of Social Services having served as a foster care worker and the Independent Living Coordinator for youth and young adults in foster See CANDIDATES, Page 7A
KMHS Blazer Band tapped for ‘Presidents Cup’ The 70-member Kings Mountain High School Blazer Band is one of eight high school symphonic bands in the United States invited by the US Army Band to participate in the “President’s Cup” in Washington, DC April 4-7. The President’s Cup is a prestigious musical event. “The band needs financial help to finalize plans for this trip and donations are being sought,’’ said Doug Satterfield, chairman of the fundraising now underway. Satterfield said while this trip is costly it’s an honor for the band and for the school and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the students to play in the competition. See BAND, Page 7A
Alyssa Goble, Luke Satterfield, and Natalie Hammett, left to right, are among the 70 band players planning to compete in a big musical, “President’s Cup,’’ in the nation’s capital in April. Photo submitted
Two more shows of LT “Earhart” ELIZABETH STEWART lib.kmherald@gmail.com
The aircraft sound effects and the recreation of a Lockheed Vega aircraft flown by Amelia Earhart over the Atlantic and built by Jim Champion and Jeff Walega is worth the price of admission to “Amelia Earhart, Flights of Fancy” which plays two more nights – Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., at Joy Theatre and deals with her famous solo flight in May 1932. Despite many theories, See “EARHART”, Page 7A
This red Lockheed Vega aircraft is a conversation piece and centered the setting for the “Amelia Earhart” show and was designed by Jim Champion and Jeff Walega. Joyce Orlando, as “Amelia” stands by the airplane. Photo by Bryan Hallman
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