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www.KMinsure.com Volume 130 • Issue 19
May 9, 2018
kmherald.com • 704-739-7496
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In November 6 election
Ledbetter challenges Norman in Sheriff’s race
DIXON YOUTH GROUP – Young people at Dixon Presbyterian Church took a cooking project for Relay for Life benefit and served pancakes with breakfast items for Sunday night supper in the church fellowship hall... The youth group raised $480, including a $100 donation from Women’s Circle. Seated, front row, from left Mary Bearfield, Alex Stewart and Gavin Stevenson. Middle row, standing, Brandon Dover, Kaylee Jackson, Nicole Poston, Isabelle Walton, Kylie Bearfield, Mandy Breakfield, and Savannah Poston. Back row from left, John Steele and Nicholas Stewart. Photo by HEATHER STEVENSON
Clyde Ledbetter, 69, retired after 27 years with the North Carolina Department of Transpor- LEDBETTER tation, filed Friday as an unaffiliated candidate to run against two-term Incumbent Sheriff Alan Norman in the November general election. Norman, a Democrat, was running unopposed.
As an unaffiliated candidate, Ledbetter was required to collect signatures of four percent of registered voters in Cleveland County. That meant Ledbetter needed 2,561 signatures May 8 to have his name on the November ballot. Cleveland County Elections Director Clifton Philbeck said Ledbetter collected 2,604 valid signatures. ‘If I am elected Sheriff of Cleveland County I will not be one of the “good old
boys,’’ Ledbetter said in a filing statement. I have no interest in a buddy system and no personal connections or arrangements within the current law enforcement community. I don’t believe the sheriff should be a partisan position and I have no special interests other than a special interest in our citizens.’’ Ledbetter said it’s rumored that he might not have enough law enforcement experience and in a See LEDBETTER, Page 7A
9 cancer survivors Livestrong
READY FOR RELAY – North Elementary School students are gearing up for fun and fundraisers at Relay for Life May 18 at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds. Pictured are students in Mrs. Mack and Miss Humphries class who raised the most money from a silver drive, one of the projects at the school. North students have raided nearly $1,000 for Relay for Life. Photo by ANNA HUGHES
Nine cancer survivors are “putting the pieces back together” in LIVESTRONG at the Kings Mountain Family YMCA. The women have completed six weeks of a 12week program offered free by the YMCA with the LIVESTRONG Foundation. “Many people facing cancer find that it fragments the physical, emotional, spiritual and financial aspects of their lives and leave them holding the pieces,’’ said YMCA Wellness Director Daron Dwyer and
one of the instructors for the program, adding, “But this Spring at the YMCA a group of survivors is putting the pieces back together.’’ Dwyer said the nine women have turned their collective strength toward a new horizon of holistic health and taking charge of their lives to put the pieces back together. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA participants get to enjoy cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, balance and flexibility exercises all facilitated by
certified instructors including Stephanie Wilson and Lee Sherrill. Evaluation includes fitness and quality of life assessments before and after participation. In addition to the physical benefits the program focuses on the emotional well-being of survivors and their families by providing a supportive community where people affected by cancer can connect during treatment and beyond. The program has served more than 30,000 cancer See SURVIVORS, Page 7A
Relay for Life May 18
Local groups work To fight cancer
Local school and church groups are helping to fight cancer this week with fund drives in preparation for Cleveland County Relay for Life activities to be held Friday, May 18, at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds. The events at the Fairgrounds begin at 4 p.m. with
a reception for cancer survivors. At 6 p.m. cancer survivors will walk the first lap to officially open the festivities. Church and school groups will display their own projects to raise money and the luminaries around the track will be placed in honor and memory of those affected by
this insidious disease. North Elementary students have raised nearly $1,000 with 100 percent participation from classrooms and on the theme “One Step Closer to a Cure.’’ These students sold pictures of feet, had a silver drive for cancer, See YOUTH, Page 7A
Pictured are the nine women participating in the Livestrong program at the Kings Mountain Family YMCA. Members of staff conducting the 12-week program are also pictured. Photo submitted
KM firefighters support MDA and fill the boot Saturday
Citizens turned out for the 67th National Day Of Prayer - Photo submitted
Light turn-out Thursday for National Day of Prayer A light turnout of area citizens attended Thursday’s 67th annual observance of National Day of Prayer but
the many prayers that were said also included remembrances of those who were absent. Those attending stood in the shade of trees around the front of city hall and sat on steps. The sacred music played about 15 minutes prior
to the service by sound technician Mark Blanton added to the solemnity of the occasion. The Kings Mountain Police Honor Guard advanced and retired the colors and Chief of Police Jerry Tessneer led the pledge of allegiance to See PRAYER, Page 7A
T h e K i n g s Mountain Fire Department is showing its support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) as its members kick off the annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign Saturday from 8 a.m. -12 noon at Battleground Avenue and Mountain Street to help kids and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases live longer and grow stronger.
Fireman TJ King is chairman of the Kings Mountain effort which helps 60 or more kids attend “the best week of the year” at MDA Summer Camp at Camp Bethelwoods at no cost to their families. All firemen are participating in the effort. “We are thrilled to be working with the Kings Mountain Fire Department for another year of Fill the Boot to help provide the funds needed to find treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases that severely limit strength and mobility,” said Associate Executive Director, Lisa Swicegood. “The dedication of these fire fight-
ers to MDA’s mission is unwavering, spending countless hours both with Fill the Boot and MDA Summer Camp to care for the kids and adults in our local community. We know that their devotion to our families will make this year’s drive a success.” Funds raised through the Kings Mountain Fill the Boot campaign will help empower families who inspire everyday Americans to help kids and adults with Muscular dystrophy and related muscle-debilitating diseases live longer and grow stronger, displaying how we all can truly live unlimited no matter what limits we may face.
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