INSIDE...
SPORTS - 1B
Obituaries .......................... 2 Police Log .......................... 2 Lifestyles ........................... 6
American Legion Post 155 to ride for Relay for Life Operation Cure
■ Golf team
repeats as county champs
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Volume 128 • Issue 15
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154.4 Million Firehouse Cook-off School Board taking look Friday, Saturday at proposed school budget Barbecue teams from across the country will bring cookers, secret recipes and competitive spirits to Kings Mountain's Walking Track on Cleveland Avenue Friday and Saturday for the 20th annual Kings Mountain Fire Department Firehouse Cook-Off, a state championship event sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. KMFD Chief Frank Burns said the North Carolina Firehouse BBQ championship cook-off has already attracted 41 applicants and he expects several more last-minute entries. Sponsors are City of Kings Mountain, Kansas City BBQ Society, City of Kings Mountain Tourism Development Authority, Amer-
Families relax at the Walking Track at last year’s Firehouse Cook-Off. ican Restoration, Royal Oaks Charcoal and The Printin' Press, Inc. Teams will begin setting up at the walking track
Thursday afternoon. Many bring camper trailers though a comfortable night's sleep is sacrificed for naps in a See FIREHOUSE, Page 8A
Board of Edon the second year ucation members of the biennium are taking their budget the figures first look at a prowill be adjusted. Fisher said. posed budget for Preparing for Cleveland County a potential adjustSchools in 2016-17 ment in teacher of $154,419,635. Superintendent DR. STEPHEN pay from the state, the proposed budDr. Stephen Fisher FISHER get anticipates a presented the more three percent pay than 100 page document at Monday night's increase for all employees – board of education meeting an increase of $2.98 million dollars with the local portion for information. “We are a 'people in- of this projected increase tensive operation' and even $0.75 million. minor changes in salaries These projected costs and benefits result in signifi- are based on a five percent cant cost increases,'' he said. increase in employee retireOnce the N. C. General ment costs and a 10 percent Assembly, which returns to increase in employee hosRaleigh Feb. 25 for the short pitalization costs. Charter session, finalizes their work school growth is projected
at 10 percent for an an anticipated increased cost of $100,000. Fisher said that if the projected increases are accurate that the budget would increase by $1.2 million while essentially maintaining the same current operations. Fisher also pointed out that with the overall county-wide decreased property values he anticipates a reduction in county funding of $150,000. The budget proposes $5.1 million. in fund balance and spending approximately $3.5 million of the appropriated fund balance. In the “Superintendent's message to the school board, he said that over the See SCHOOL BOARD, Page 7A
New Shooting Range Lunch prices Spring going up for Clean-up grand opening Tuesday The N. C. Wildlife Re- bring firearms, but particKM students downtown sources Commission and ipants will have an opporCleveland County, along tunity to try out the ranges Lunch prices will be 30 with the National Rifle As- with provided firearms. cents more for Kings Mounsociation (NRA), will hold Starting April 20, the Friday tain students next school year. an open house with a ribbon range will open to the pub-
PROMOTED – Commander Mark Smith, Kings Mountain native, is pictured with his wife, Beth, at a change of command ceremony at the Washington Navy Yards where the third generation Navy veteran advanced to the rank of Commander.
Smith promoted to Navy Commander WASHINGTON, DC – Lt. Commander Mark Smith was promoted to the rank of Commander, United States Navy, in a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yards on March 3rd hosted by Rear Admiral Katie Burkhardt and then turned over his duties as Commanding
Officer, NOSC Roanoke Virginia during a change of command ceremony on March 13, 2016. Smith, a native of Kings Mountain, NC, was relieved by Lieutenant Commander Kirby Baker, who was transferred in from the See SMITH, Page 8A
Trail ribbon-cutting Saturday The Gateway Trail/Carolina Trail ribbon-cutting is Saturday, April 16, at 12 noon at the new entrance on
Galilee Church Road. Gateway Trail Executive Director Shirley Brutko said the event will include a twomile hike ( four miles roundtrip) on the new section of the trail. Vehicles will be available for those who want to ride. Refreshments will be served. The public is invited.
Elementary students will pay $2.05, Secondary students will pay $2.15 and a basket meal will cost $2.55. Jada T. Brown, Child Nutrition Director, said the increase is due to increasing cost of foods and beverages as well as to certify compliance with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 and with the Paid Lunch Equity Requirement. Members of the Board of Education voted the lunch increase but breakfasts for Elementary and Secondary students will remain the same, $1.
It's spring clean-up time in downtown Kings Mountain Friday, April 15. City crews will be downtown cleaning up grassy areas, bringing in gravel, topsoil and mulch to beautify the downtown area. “We anticipate moving as rapidly as possible so that as few See CLEAN-UP, Page 7A
cutting ceremony Tuesday at noon to celebrate the grand opening of the Foothills Public Shooting Complex. The event, which is open to the public, will include demonstrations on each of the ranges following the opening ceremony. Range demonstrations will include pistols, rifles, optics and archery with multiple target styles, skeet and trap. Attendees are not allowed to
lic with seasonal hours. In March through October, the complex will operate from 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday and from 1:30-5 p.m. on Sunday. From November through February, the complex will be open from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday and from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Sunday. The range will be closed on Mondays
See SHOOTING RANGE, Page 7A
Lohr to sign book at Museum today A book signing by historian and author Lawrence Lohr and a presentation by Lohr will be featured at Kings Mountain Historical Museum today (Wednesday) at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited. The book, “The Mauney Brothers' Civil See LOHR, Page 7A
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CITY PARTNERS WITH DRAMA GROUP – Pictured are representatives of city government at its first committee meeting formed to partner with Kings Mountain Little Theatre and Liberty Mountain to promote the upcoming drama. From left, Public Works Director Rickey Putnam; Main Street Director Jan Harris; Police Chief Melvin Proctor; City Manager Marilyn Sellers; Nick Hendricks, Energy Services Director and Assistant City Manager; John T. Putnam, Electrical Construction Supervisor; Jamie Black, Assistant Fire Chief; Capt. Jerry Tessneer, KMPD Patrol; Mike Roper, Buildiing and Codes Director; Jim Champion, KM Little Theatre and Liberty Mountain representative; and Fire Chief Frank Burns. Photo by KAREN TUCKER
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