SPORTS - 1B ■ KMHS basketball in state tournament
INSIDE... Obituaries ........................ 2A Police Log ........................ 2A Lifestyles ......................... 6A
Cleveland Animal Hospital Grand Opening today - page 3
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Volume 128
Issue 8
kmherald.com
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
75 CENTS
Hendricks appointed Citys Assistant Manager ELIZABETH STEWART lib.kmherald@gmail.com
The last section of electric lines to connect to NTE’s Generation Plant off I-85 at Dixon School Road and to GEMMA, the power plant contractor, was completed Monday by KM Energy crews. The pole closest in the picture is the pole that crosses over I-85. Another picture of cables strung across and above the highway to safely pull electric distribution lines over I-85 is on page 7A. Photos courtesy KM Energy
City electric crews busy Electric crews installed a three-phase electric line across I-85 between 12:20 a.m. Sunday until 3 a.m. to serve NTE, the new industry going up off Dixon School Road, as well as future city customers in the area as needed. Monday the last section of the electric line to serve NTE's Generation Plant and GEMMA, the power plant
contractor, was in place for their construction electrical needs. Energy Services Director Nick Hendricks Jr. said a portion of Interstate 85 was closed temporarily Sunday morning while crews with the city pulled power lines across the highway. Hendricks said that city crews, along with Williams Electric, began positioning equipment in place
Friday. “This was a vital part of the project because NCDOT only allowed for a 20-minute window for I-85 to be closed,'' said Hendricks. KM Police, State Highway Patrol, NCDOT, SCDOT, Stay Alert Safety Services Inc., the city's energy department and Williams Electric contractors met on site at 11:30 p.m. Saturday See CREWS, Page 7A
Grigg, KM Newcomer accomplished equestrian Karen Grigg, the new program coordinator at the H. Lawrence Patrick Senior Life and Conference Center, was looking for a place to board her three horses and donkey when she came from El Paso, Texas to visit in Kings Mountain in December 2014. She found a place to board them at E. A. Bingham Farms and she found a husband. Executive Director of the non-profit Therapeutic Horsemanship for six years,
Karen Grigg she was visiting relatives and her foster brother, Jay
Rayfield, introduced her to Gary Grigg and they were married in September 2015. At the Patrick Senior Center she schedules events and program speakers for senior citizens and hopes to put her training as a certified therapeutic riding instructor through PATH, (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International), in Kings Mountain. She wants to share her love of horses and give riding lessons in the See NEWCOMER, Page 8A
Senior Vets Program on last leg? A veterans group started by Charlie Carpenter and retired Mauney Memorial Librarian Rose Turner in 1992 could be on its last leg at the Patrick Senior Center unless veterans from the area come forward and save it. Currently only two veterans – Dr. Frank Sincox and John Criswell – are attending the monthly meetings but they hope that Tuesday, March 1, 3 p.m., won't be
John Criswell stands before pictures of local veterans, many of whom were active in the group formed at the Mauney Memorial Library in 1992 and continuing over the years at the Patrick Senior Center but now with only a handful of members attending monthly meetings. their last meeting. Turner, who has taped the stories of many WWII
and Korea vets, says Tuesday's meeting will include a See SENIOR VETS, Page 7A
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Nick Hendricks Jr., Energy Services Director for the City of Kings Mountain for five years and a 32year employee promoted through the ranks of the electric department from a lineman position in 1986, has been appointed Assistant City Manager by City Manager Marilyn Sellers. First assistant city manager in recent history, Hendricks had been serving for some time as Acting Man-
NICK HENDRICKS, JR.
ager when Mrs. Sellers had to be out of the office. Hendricks is the lead representative for the big
economic development project NTE and his additional duties focus on utilities and industrial development. “Nick has been working this role all along and he is most deserving of the title,’’ said Sellers. “I want to publicly congratulate Nick and commend him for the fine job he continues to do for our city,’’ said Mayor Scott Neisler. Hendricks will continue as Energy Services Director. His outside-the-box See HENDRICKS, Page 7A
Phenomenal growth at Love Valley
10 diesel buses roll on Sundays
Love Valley Baptist Church in the Love Valley Community, a church family with a big heart for outreach programs, has expanded into new buildings and sanctuaries several times as it has enjoyed phenomenal growth. “Some say we're out in to Bethlehem Road, turn left ELIZABETH STEWART the middle of nowhere,'' said and follow Bethlehem Road lib.kmherald@gmail.com Pastor Barry Philbeck, but and soon you will come to actually the distance is short the beautiful church which “To God be the Glory” for the 400 worshipers who sits on 12 acres in a resisay ministers at Love Valley come from Kings Moun- dential community. Go past Baptist Church acknowltain, Gastonia, Blacksburg, the church and you will be edging the phenomenal SC, York, SC, Grover and in the mountains. Every growth and outreach of the Shelby to worship on Sun- Sunday since 2001 a total country church just outside day. Turn left off Interstate of 10 diesel buses roll out Kings Mountain in the Love 85 at Dixon School Road from the parking area of the Valley Community. and travel a short distance See LOVE VALLEY, Page 4B
Key election dates As we get closer to the rapidly approaching primary, here are some key factors: • One-stop early voting will be held Thurs., Fri., and Sat., March 3,4, and 5 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Mon., March 5-through Fri., March 11 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sat., March 12, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 220 North Watterson Street. • Tues., March 8 – Last day to request a mail-in absentee ballot. • Sat., March 12, 1 p.m.,one-stop early voting ends. • Tues., March 15 – Election Day. Polls open at 6:30. a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.
KM ranks 37 of 50 as NC “safest city” The City of Kings Mountain has ranked No. 37 in the top 50 of the safest cities in North Carolina among 552 North Carolina municipalities researched by Credit Donkey from crime information supplied by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The recent study measured crime information for North Carolina cities, large and small. “Our great standing is due to the Kings Mountain Police Department's specialized units that work hard to combat crime which includes our lake patrol, a K-9 unit and school resource officers who work to
keep out schools safe,'' said Mayor Scott Neisler. He added, “At a time when law enforcement is receiving so much negativity in our nation, this ranking speaks volumes for our city and those who are members of our law enforcement team.” The statistics for Kings Mountain included: violent crime per 1,000 – 1.5%; robbery per 1,000 – 0.5%' property crime per 1,000 – 22.9%; burglary per 1,000 – 6.0%and credit Donkey safety score, 7.7%. Compared to 2013 figures, the number of violent crimes in 2014 was roughly the same, but property crime declined by 7.5%.
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