INSIDE...
SPORTS - 7
Obituaries .......................... 2 Police Log .......................... 4 Lifestyles ........................... 6
Wounded Warrior USO benefit
■ Rheinhardt
wins SMAC tourney
See Page 8B
Dilling HEATING & COOLING A higher degree of trust and dependability
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Volume 128
Issue 5
Indoor Air Quality Assesments • New Installations
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Wednesday, February 3, 2016
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Athlete says city took step backward ELIZABETH STEWART lib.kmherald@gmail.com
GRANT TO OAK GROVE VFD – Congressman Patrick McHenry, above, presents a grant to Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department. From left, County Commissioners Eddie Holbrook and Johnny Hutchins; retired Fire Chief William Davis, Oak Grove VFD treasurer, Fire Chief Perry Davis, Tommy Parsley, second assistant Chief training officer, McHenry and County Commissioner Susan Allen.
Oak Grove VFD gets $178,000 grant Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department has received an Assistance to Firefighters grant worth $178,572.00. US Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-10) made the presentation to firemen last Thursday. The award is the second highest amount of money awarded in McHenry's district.
Fire Chief Perry Davis said the money will be used to purchase new air packs and spare cylinders to update the department's stock of breathing apparatus. “These new air packs have more safety features than the packs we are using,'' said Davis. “This is a significant grant and a much needed one.” McHenry said 90% of
Meetings today, Monday on downtown revitalization Are you interested in downtown revitalization? Kings Mountain's Main Street Program has scheduled two public meetings for Wednesday, Feb. 3 (today) at 8 a.m. and Monday, Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m. to review and hear reports on suggestions made by local people at recent meetings. The meetings are in the Community Room at Mauney Memorial Library. Enter via the portico in the
parking lot shared by the library and Harris Funeral Home. Downtown property owners, business owners, stakeholders, and anyone interested in downtown and its revitalization are encouraged to attend. Main Street Director Jan Harris will preside at the meetings. For more information call Ms. Harris at 704-7302197 or 704-734-8676.
No layoffs at Parkdale Parkdale Mills plans no layoffs at its present facility in Kings Mountain, a company spokesman said this week. The release from the parent company in Gastonia reads: “Parkdale has enjoyed
dynamic growth since the company began in 1916. This growth is largely due to reinvestment of capital by purchasing the latest stateof-the-art manufacturing equipment. Unfortunately, the Kings Mountain facility is not large enough for new investment; therefore, Parkdale has made the decision to move this capacity to other locations. “ Our Kings Mountain location has a very talented and dedicated work force and all See NO LAYOFFS, Page 7A
the fire services in District 10 is done by volunteers. “Fire service is such an important institution, not just for Oak Grove but across the country,'' said McHenry. He said he came from Washington, DC to the county to say thank you in person to the firemen. “We want to bring attention to the work firemen do to keep us safe,'' he added.
Chris Frishmuth has been in training for the Over the Mountain Triathlon and planned to race in the 2016 event, which has been canceled. He wrote this “open letter to Mayor Scott Neisler and City Council” which follows: ''It was with great disappointment that I read the news that the City of Kings Mountain has decided not to host the Over the Mountain Triathlon in 2016. ''It was last year, during the 2015 Over the Mountain, that I was sitting in the McDonald's drivethrough, when the athletes on their bikes went zipping by. I looked at the breakfast sandwich in my hands, and then at those men and women pumping those pedals, and it was then I decided I'd turn the corner, concentrate on my fitness and weight loss, and participate in a future Over the Mountain. “In late 2015, after a summer of rigorous training, I participated in my
Kings Mountain resident Chris Frishmuth says he is a novice athlete but he was ready to swim, bike and run in the 2016 Over the Mountain Triathlon. first triathlon, the Buckner Mission Man triathlon in Burlington, NC - a shorter sprint-distance triathlon, but excellent introductory event for the novice triathlete. I finished the 750m swim, 15 mile bike, and 5K run in a bit less than average time, in third place for my beginner age group - and it stands as one of the greatest accomplishments in my life. ''I was intending, as a Kings Mountain resident, to participate in the longer (Olympic distance) Over
the Mountain this year as my next step. It felt like a "home" event, in our backyard, that wasn't just for participants, but to serve as inspiration for the spectators, event volunteers, and businesses alike. I realize the decision was an economic one, but the financial benefits of motivating people toward a healthy lifestyle pays dividends for years beyond the initial glance at the expense/ income columns. See ATHLETE SAYS, Page 7
Speakers to City Council Stack honored as ‘bridge builder’ talk casino, triathlon ELIZABETH STEWART
lib.kmherald@gmail.com
Three speakers addressing the Kings Mountain city council last Tuesday expressed their opinions on two matters they considered important. East Gold Street Wesleyan Church Pastor Scott
Ronnie Hawkins, left, and Bill Watson, President of Cleveland Chamber, present the Bridge Builder award to Jacob S. Mauney Memorial Library Director Sharon Stack. Hawkins was last year's winner of the coveted award. Photo by Victoria Rose Sharon Stack, Mauney Mountain, made the preMemorial Library Director sentation. for 11 years, is a “bridge In early 2015 Stack builder.” She was honored formed the Community with the coveted award last Partners Committee and Thursday by the Cleveland she said the coordination of Chamber at the annual work by 11 groups in the awards banquet at the LeG- city yielded support of the rand Center in Shelby. Revolutionary drama, Lib“I am very humbled by erty Mountain, Christmas this award,'' Stack said as activities and more fun last year's winner, Ronnie Hawkins, also from Kings See STACK, Page 7A
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Whitney and Adam Forcade, chairman of the Kings Mountain Awareness group fighting a casino in the area, asked council to withdraw their support and take a vote Tuesday night. Doug Lawing, chairman of the city's planning and zoning board, implored the See SPEAKERS, Page 7A
Deadly shooting on Mann Court M y l a N. Oaks, 32, is dead, her husband Jeffery W. Oaks, 53, both of 118 Mann Court, is in BRIDGES critical condition and their neighbor, Robert Chad Bridges, 40, of 117 Mann Court, is in jail without bond on a first degree murder charge after a shooting just after 7 a.m. last Wednesday in the 100 block of Mann Court about nine
miles southwest of Kings Mountain. Deputies said both victims were shot in the head. Mrs. Oaks died at the scene. Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman said the accused shooter had an ongoing dispute about a rightof-way with his neighbors. The couple's middle school-age son witnessed the shooting and ran to the school bus stop for help and boarded the bus. The case is still under investigation by the sheriff's department.
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