INSIDE...
SPORTS - 7
Obituaries ........................ 2A Crime/Police Log ...... 2A & 4A Lifestyles ......................... 6A Business .......................... 7B
■ KMHS
Wounded Warrior Run Photos
is top seed in SMAC
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5-year olds classroom is his home
Chance is excelling in NCVA
THE FINISH LINE – Pictured are runners at the finish line of the 2017 Wounded Warrior’s Run Saturday at Patriot Jack’s at East King and Canterbury Road. Over 200 runners registered for the benefit for the family of the late Shelby police officer Tim Brackeen. More photographs are in today’s Herald. Photo by ELLEN DEVENNY
Wounded Warrior Run attracts crowd Saturday’s Wounded Warrior run drew 203 registered runners with 182 finishing the 4-mile run organized as a benefit for the family of Shelby K-9 officer Tim Brackeen. Brackeen’s brother, Stephen Brackeen, was second place overall winner and members of the Brackeen family were present to watch runners and applaud them as they crossed the finish line at Patriot Jacks.
Mike Lawson, 45, of Claremont, was first place winner, crossing the finish line in 24 minutes, 45 seconds. Stephen Brackeen, 36, of Shelby was second place winner, crossing the finish line in 26 minutes, 10 seconds. Third place went to Justin Rollins, 32, of Spartanburg, SC, who crossed the finish line in 26 minutes, 23 seconds. Fourth place went to Amy See RUN, Page 7A
One day Chancellor “Chance” Cook, 5, will transition to a regular school classroom but for now his home is his class room and his teachers and classmates exist on line. The kindergarten student is enrolled in the North Carolina Virtual Academy (NCVA), an online public charter school authorized by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. As a Mom of four, Katie Gordon has a child in almost every phase of schooling possible. Her eldest, a son, is in college, her 13-yearold daughter is in public school, she has a daughter in preschool and Chance, who attended public school for just six weeks prior to a See CHANCE, Page 8A
Police need help after string of break-ins Kings Mountain Police need the public’s help in identifying the suspect or suspects in vehicle break-ins occurring the past month A huge string of break-ins occurred Monday night in the Kings Mountain area and a video picture is in today’s Herald. Call 704-734-0444 to report any information or to identify the photograph in today’s Herald on page 2A.
David and Barbara Jones address Valentines to local city officials and state legislators to thank them and to request an increase in Kings Mountain senior funding. The Patrick Senior Center is joining 163 senior centers from across the state in the North Carolina Senior Center Alliance project. Photo by KAREN GRIGG
Chance Cook works on his “100 days of school” project to share with his online classmates.
From Cleveland Chamber
Focht wins travel award
Adria L. Focht, Director and Curator of the Kings Mountain Historical Museum, won the 2016 Travel Industry Award presented by the Cleveland Chamber at the Chamber’s annual banquet January 26 at the LeGrand Center in Shelby. The award recognizes an organization, event, business or individual who made a significant contribution to the advancement of tourism with a history of supporting the hospitality industry. Due to popular exhibits and events in 2016, Kings Mountain Historical Museum drew 6,799 visitors from across the nation, a 25 percent increase in attendance since 2015. Focht accepted the award from last year’s See FOCHT, Page 3A
Valentine’s Day Dinner Seniors writing Valentines at VFW Post Feb. 11 Senior citizens at the H. and local funding is vital to Lawrence Patrick Senior Life and Conference Center are addressing Valentines today from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. to city officials and state legislators to thank them for their support. The letter writers are also asking for an increase in senior funding and saying what an increase would mean to them. Karen Grigg, activities director, says federal, state
ongoing programs at the 163 senior centers across the state and allows seniors to participate in free or low cost affordable activities and access needed services. Grigg said the event is a project in partnership with the North Carolina Senior Center Alliance and the goal is to give one voice to senior centers. Valentines and needed supplies are available to any senior resident of the community who wants to stop by the Patrick Center lobby See SENIORS, Page 7A
Kings Mountain and Cherryville VFW Post 9811 will host a Valentine’s Day dinner on February 11 with serving from 5-9 p.m. and the public is invited. The meal, which includes steak, baked potato, and salad, is $17 for single and $30 for a couple. Proceeds are earmarked for veterans’ projects. Check out the Veterans of Foreign Wars Facebook for more information. The VFW’s Steve Buchanan said the community is invited to participate
in other events at the Post home on Margrace Road in Kings Mountain which includes: APA 9 ball pool league every Monday at 7 p.m.; APA 8 ball pool league every Tuesday at 7 p.m.; Pool League every Thursday at 7 p.m.; and Scotch doubles pool tournament every Saturday at 7 p.m. The Post is also conducting a membership drive and veterans who have served in foreign wars are invited to join.
Adria Focht, Director and Curator of the Kings Mountain Historical Museum, right, won the Cleveland Chamber’s 2016 Travel Industry Award. Focht is pictured with Susan Champion, left, President of the KM Historical Museum Board of Directors, and Norma Drewery, staff member at the Historical Museum.
Galaxy Quest Friday at Gateway Trail Don Brooks of the Cleveland County Astronomical Society and Mauney Memorial Library will present “Galaxy Quest” at the Kings Mountain Gateway Trail, 807 S. Battleground Ave., on Friday, Feb. 3, from 6-9 p.m. Take your flashlight and wear your walking shoes for a solar adventure, says Librarian Sharon Stack. The event begins in the Gateway Trail Parking lot and continues up the trail. The Cleveland County
Astronomical Society members will share their knowledge and provide telescopes for gazing. Judy Ford of Judy’s Wild Science says “This free family event provides the community an opportunity to explore the night sky in a way that allows us to expand our knowledge through promoting our curiosity. All ages will delight in viewing our night sky with the help of Don and the Cleveland County Astronomical Society members.”
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