KM Herald 4-14-21

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www.KMinsure.com Volume 133 • Issue 15

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

kmherald.com • 704-484-1047

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Wells Fargo’s KM branch closing July 14 By Loretta Cozart Wells Fargo Bank at 125 S. Battleground Avenue will close its Kings Mountain branch on July 14, according to Mike Hughes, Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo State & Local Government Relations, due to more transactions being handled digitally. In an email to Mayor Neisler, Hughes shared, “Until then, our customers can continue to use the branch and bank with us as they always have. After the Kings Mountain branch closes, they can visit us at our Gastonia Main Branch, located approximately nine

miles away. Other nearby branches and ATMs are located in Kings Mountain, Gastonia, Shelby, and Dallas.” Hughes went on to say, “We continually evaluate our branch network, and make adjustments based on changing customer needs, market factors, and economic trends. This process leads to both expansion and consolidations.” Hughes also attributed See WELLS FARGO, Page 2A

Actions approved by City Council in March During the March 30 City Council meeting several items were approved under the consent agenda. Among those items are several budget amendments and public hearings were scheduled. All items noted were unanimously approved by city council. Absent from the meeting was Councilman Dave Allen. The budget amendments approved include: ▪ A budget amendment to transfer funds among departments to cover General Fund payroll and benefit costs at the departmental level for the

remainder of the fiscal year. *Note: There is no increase to the overall budget, and it is projected that there will be more than enough payroll budgeted in total for the General Fund. This is necessary due to variances in projected OT, employees (Public Works) transferring between departments since adoption of the original budget, temporary labor requirements, etc. Council approval is required given that we are transferring monies between departments/ functions. See CITY COUNCIL, Page 2A

This artist’s rendering shows a street level view looking north on Battleground Avenue, highlighting the pop-outs and plantings. Within the block there will be several crosswalks. (Art by N-Focus)

Streetscape project started last week By Loretta Cozart Last week, City of Kings Mountain began its $1.5 million dollar streetscape project by removing trees on Battleground Avenue and Mountain Street. Many Kings Mountain residents seemed unaware of what was planned and posted comments online in various online forums. In November, City Council discussed the streetscape

plan during their November 2020 meeting and again in February. The streetscape plan includes upgrades to city sidewalks, landscaping, parking, and utilities for businesses in the downtown district. It also addresses the flow of traffic and pedestrians within that space. This article is a recap of those meetings regarding the city’s streetscape project. Richard Flowe of N-Focus reviewed the plan with

city council in November. The plan is designed to spur infill and development downtown. “Areas near downtown, including Piedmont at Mountain Street is almost perfectly configured,” he said. “The area between Piedmont and Battleground needs attention.” Flowe recommended using Cherokee Street as access to Battleground Avenue. He also recommended removing the stop

light at the intersection of Cherokee and Mountain Streets and replacing it with a 4-way stop sign. Suggested was making Cherokee Street a oneway street, with on-street parking, and configuring it to encourage pedestrian traffic. Regarding Cherokee Street, he stated, “The view of Kings Mountain is your money shot. Can you imagine the view of that See STREETSCAPE, Page 8A

KM Historical Museum renovating Cornwell House The Kings Mountain Historical Museum officially started the George Washington Cornwell House Preservation Project on March 9. They are currently working on Phase I of the project. The KMHM needs the community’s support to help us with the restoration project. Donations can be made by going the museum’s website click on Get Involved just below the logo to the right. Click on the link and you be taken to a new page where you can Make a Donation. . The house’s owners, George Washington Cornwell and his wife, Frances Lou (Lucinda) Smith, purchased the lot at 106 King Street in April 1876. They had just married and moved to the newly in-

New York Bee Gees - Opening Act on May 1, 2021 at Patriot’s Park. (Photo provided)

GEORGE CORNWELL HOUSE corporated city of Kings (located next to the muMountain, NC. George and seum), which started in Lucinda built this house on 1890. The original buildtheir lot and raised seven ing was a wooden strucchildren. ture, though Lucinda lived George and his brother, to see the current building William (who lived next built in 1919. door) were wagon makIn 1910, George and ers. It is believed their Lucinda sold part of their shop was between their lot to their oldest son, homes. Lucinda Cornwell, Clarence. This house was a devoted Baptist, was a placed on logs and rolled founding member of Kings to the far side of the lot, so See MUSEUM, Page 7A Mountain Baptist Church

City of Kings Mountain’s Special Events Department launches concert series Live Music at Patriots Park to begin May 1st Live entertainment is back at Patriots Park! The City of Kings Mountain Special Events Department is proud to bring live music back to Downtown Kings Mountain with the “Live Music at Patriots Park” Concert Series The series, two years in

the making, brings a diverse group of entertainers to the Liberty Falls Amphitheatre covering Beach, Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Classic Rock and much more! “The only thing that is better than music - Live music,” says Christy Conner, Special Events Director with the City of Kings Mountain. “We have a top notch diverse group of talent

scheduled to hit the stage. They are some of the hottest bands currently trending in the entertainment industry.” The line-up for this series includes: May 1 - New York Bee Gees-Opening Act, Gary Lowder and Smokin Hot; Pre-Show 6:00 PM/Concert 7:00 PM. June 6 - East Coast Party See CONCERT, Page 3A

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