Over 20 years experience!
Call for an appointment today! 704.473.4048 786 Bell Rd., Kings Mountain
Volume 135 • Issue 20
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
75¢
Gathered with Police Chief Proctor at the dedication of the PSAP Center are Andy Underwood’s wife, Sarah, and her parents. Also in attendance were the Underwood’s daughter Ashley and son Matthew, along with his wife, Sarah. Photo by Scott Neisler
KMPD’s PSAP Center named for Underwood By Loretta Cozart
Kings Mountain High School held its 2021 Prom, themed “A Night to Remember”, at the LeGrand Center in Shelby last Saturday night. Dameon “DayDay” Wilson and Emma Goff were crowned the Prom King and Prom Queen by Principal Julie Rikard. See more prom scenes on pages 6A and 7A. Photos by Gary Smart, Sr.
National Police Week 2021 Honoring and remembering fallen law enforcement officers Communities across the United States, including Kings Mountain, honored and remembered those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends, and fellow officers they left behind. This year, the names of 394 officers killed in the line of duty were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. These 394 officers include 295 who were killed during 2020, plus 99 officers who died in previous years but whose stories of sacrifice had been lost to history until now. One hundred
On May 14, Kings Mountain Police Department’s PSAP Center (Public Safety Answering Service Emergency 911 Communication Center) was dedicated to the late PSAP manager Andrew “Andy” Underwood. Gathered for the event were Underwood’s wife, Sarah, and her parents. Also in attendance were their daughter Ashley and son Matthew, along with his wife who is also named Sarah. Chief Proctor said, “We decided to dedicate the center to PSAP Manger Andrew (Andy) Underwood because of his passion for this com-
munity and for providing the best possible service and the fastest answering time to our citizens.” “He had a passion to constantly work for the betterment of Kings Mountain Citizens and the safety of our Police Officers and Firemen when they were needed to provide emergency services and assistance,” Chief Proctor explained. “Andy worked numerous hours behind the scenes to make our PSAP Center one of the best in the State. His passion and drive to bring the best team together and to provide the best service to the citizens of Kings Mountain was a huge passion of his and he lived
and breathed this center and the safety of all in this city.” Underwood redesigned the Center in 2020 from top to bottom and strived for being the best in everything he did. He dedicated himself to serving others in this unique and stressful situation and this is why the decision was made to dedicate Kings Mountain PSAP emergency 911 Communication Center to Andrew Underwood, to honor his memory and his legacy and passion for the people. “He was by far the most passionate person I have ever seen in this PSAP Center,” Chief Proctor said. “He would find unique and better See UNDERWOOD, Page 8A
80 county landowners eligible for federal land settlement in Shelby Rail-Trail In late April, the United States Court of Federal Claims found in favor of three Cleveland County landowners, Jerry L. Allen, Kathy T. Dillow, and Settle Enterprises, LLC. The three plaintiffs said they were deprived their property which the Federal Government sold
to the City of Shelby for the Rail-Trail conversion without just compensation. Two other plaintiffs have since been included in the decision. The US Court of Federal Claims determined that, under the terms of the easements that created this right-
of-way and North Carolina law, Norfolk Southern did not have the ability to convert this abandoned railroad corridor into a public linear park. Seventy-five more landowners across Cleveland County may also be eligible to receive compensation
but must file before August 4, 2021 when the statute of limitations runs out. The situation began on August 4, 2015, when the federal government issued an order that preempted North Carolina law and allowed Norfolk Southern Railroad See SETTLEMENT, Page 3A
One more weekend to see two great performances eighty-two fatalities were COVID-19-related. There were seven fallen officers from NC, including Tyler Herndon, the Mt. Holly Police Officer from Kings Mountain, who was killed in the line of duty last December. The city is remembering Police Week with banner on the video board at Patriots Park with blue lights. The names of all 394 fallen officers nationwide were formally dedicated during the 33rd Annual Candlelight Vigil to was held virtually at 8 pm EDT on May 13.
By Nikki Wood Missing seeing plays at the theatre? We have missed it too but now is your chance. There is one more weekend to see the final show of the KMLT 2020/2021 season. This production includes two short plays for one low price: Phoebe and the Color Quest and The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ring. Both plays will be performing this weekend on Friday and Saturday, May 21 and 22 at 7:30 pm as well as Sunday, May 23 at 3:00 pm.
For Dental Implants Locally Here In Kings Mountain
BAKER DENTAL CARE Preventative, Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry
The first of the two plays, Phoebe and the Color Quest, was written and directed by Ashlyn Wood, a 17 year old Junior at Kings Mountain High School. The second play, The Mysterious case of the Missing Ring, written by Janie Downey Maxwell and produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc Englewood, CO, is being directed by Sydney Bridges, a 17 year old CCP student at Cleveland Community College. “Opening weekend was so much fun. Ashlyn and See ONE MORE, Page 3A
Eliza Bradley (left) as Scarlet and Elizabeth Bolt (right) as Bobbi in The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ring. Photo by KMLT
Just a few benefits of Dental Implants:
• Improved appearance. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. • Improved speech. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that your dentures might slip. • Improved self-esteem. Smile again and feel better about yourself. • Durable. Implants are very durable and with proper care, can last a lifetime. To find out more about Dental Implants and schedule your next appointment
call us at 704-739-4461
703 E. Kings St., Suite 9, Kings Mountain • www.BakerDentalCare.com