INSIDE...
Scenes from KMHS 2016 Graduation
Obituaries ........................ 2A Police Log ........................ 2A School News .................... 3B
See Pages 6B & 8B
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Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Volume 128 • Issue 23
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Budget hearing Thursday ELIZABETH STEWART lib.kmherald@gmail.com
Mayor Scott Neisler stands in a large group of young people as they kickoff summer reading in Kings Mountain, a program sponsored by Mauney Memorial Library and held at Central United Methodist Church. Photo by HALEY WILSON
Library kicks-off Summer Reading On your mark, get set, read! Readers of all ages will explore all things fitness and exercise this summer as the Mauney Memorial Library presents, “On your mark, get set, read” during the annual summer reading and fun program. All ages are invited to explore a variety of ways to read, have fun, exercise, eat healthy and explore our community with programs.
School is out for summer break so parents and children will want to stop by Mauney Memorial Library (or visit mauneylibrary.org) for information about how to keep their children engaged in reading and learning. Studies show that students who do not read during the summer can experience “summer set-back or summer slide,” losing ground in learning and re-
Liberty Mountain is growing up By Bob Inman Our third season of the Revolutionary War drama opens on Friday, June 24 for the first of 17 performances BOB INMAN at the Joy Performance Center in downtown Kings Mountain, and to no one’s surprise, it’s bigger and better than ever. Here’s why: There’s a lot that’s new in the 2016 edition of Liberty Mountain. New scenes, new music – including a rousing theme song, “Climb That Mountain” – and an exciting sense of commitment to bringing our audiences a thrilling and memorable theatre experience. As the playwright, there’s one new scene in particular that I’m enthused about. Without giving away the plot, I’ll say that it goes to the heart of the story of how settlers came from Northern Ireland to the Carolinas in the 1700’s to start
new lives, raise sturdy families, work hard, and – especially – worship as they pleased. Many were Presbyterians, and back in the old country, they were persecuted because they refused to bow to the official religion, the Church of England. Here in the new world, they could form their close-knit congregations and express their faith as they wished. A fine old Presbyterian hymn begins the scene and speaks of a New Jerusalem. It resonates deeply with folk who are embarked on new beginnings. Another aspect of our storytelling that will impress audiences is the quality and energy of our cast. We’re fortunate to have a core of dedicated local actors, many of whom have been with Liberty Mountain since its premier in October, 2014. Several are in new roles this year. To that core, our terrific director, Caleb Sigmon, has added a host of theatre professionals who bring their characters to life with talent and spirit. Their dedicated work raises all of us to a new level. And then there the folks who come to see our play. See LIBERTY MTN., Page 7A
turning to school less ready for the next year than when they began their summer break. “While school is out for the summer there is no better place to be inspired and to stay in the learning mode than at our local public library,” said Library Board chair, Jeff Mauney. “Our library offers terrific summer programs to inspire and enlighten students of all ages. See LIBRARY, Page 7A
City breakfast Thursday The annual Kings Mountain State of Community breakfast will be held Thursday, June 16, at 7:30 a.m. at H. Lawrence Patrick Senior Life & Conference Center. Mayor Scott Neisler said local officials will focus on the issues concerning Kings Mountain and discuss challenges and successes facing their respective areas of local government. The Chamber of Commerce is inviting sponsors for the event and are taking reservations for breakfast tickets which are $10 for Chamber members and $12 for non-members. Call 704487-8521 for reservations. The public is invited.
Public hearing on the city's proposed $45 million budget for 2016-17 will be conducted by City Council Thursday night at 6 p.m. at city hall. The proposed budget calls for a three cent increase in property taxes, from 40 cents to 43 cents per $100 property valuation. The 40 cent tax rate has been unchanged except one time in 26 years. During one administration the rate was lowered three cents but the next administration passed the 40 cent rate again and it had prevailed with succeeding administrations. City officials say higher insurance costs is the main contributor for the pro-
month. An increase in tipping fees from Cleveland County landfill is expected in the 2017-18 budget year. The basic facility rate for natural gas is expected to rise from $6.50 to $7.50 with the average household expected to see a 10 cents per day increase. Basic facility charges for commercial customers should drop from $30 to $17.50 during summer months. Out-side city residents will see an increase in cemetery rates with cost of a plot increasing from $1750 to $2,000 and opening and closing of graves from $530 to $1500. Inside-city residents will see no increase. The current rate is $350 for lots and $375 for opening and closing of graves. See BUDGET, Page 2A
Saturday event canceled but Friday event still on Saturday's Mountain Bike Festival at Gateway Trail has been canceled for lack of participation but the Friday night events at Gateway from 6-10 p.m. will go on as scheduled, according to Daron Dwyer of the YMCA, chairman. Don't miss the climbing wall on Friday night, recreational bike rides, and night riding along an illuminated bike path. A kids bike rodeo for skills and safety is also planned and there will be a bonfire with food and s'mores. Two Kings Mountain residents – Ricky Hall and Keith Hawkins – will provide grilled chicken to all who attend and Second Baptist Church and Dennis Pruitt will provide bottled water for all who attend the
All Aaron wants All Aaron Evans wants is “to be normal again.” “I've got mad, cried, and lost my hair after radiation and chemotherapy but God has carried me through and I'm ready to give my family my Make A Wish trip to the Bahamas,'' Evans, 14, said this week. The young man has maintained an A/B in his inhome studies and is ready to move up as a high school freshman next school year. He was on the A/B honor roll and received the Scotty Strong award. Next year he wants to be back in the
posed increases in the budget. The proposed budget calls for no electric rate increase, no water rate increase, no waste water rate increase, no storm water rate increase, no increase to inside-city residents in cemetery fees, and slight changes in the sanitation, recycling and natural gas rates. The increases for a typical citizen using all city services with a house valued at $100,000 and a vehicle valued at $25,000 would be $105.92 for the year or $8.83 per month, including the 3 cents property tax increase. The sanitation fee is expected to go up from $7.63 per month to $9.54 per month and the recycling fee from $2 to $2.75 per
AARON EVANS classroom with his friends and wants to take driver's education. What began as a severe See AARON, Page 7A
BIKE FESTIVAL COMMITTEE – Pictured are members of the Bike Festival committee for Friday's event at Gateway Trail. From left, Haley Wilson, Shirley Brutko, Daron Dwyer, Mary Wade Smith, Bill McMurry and Ronnie Franks. Photo by ELLIS NOEL event. Trail and the City of Kings Co-sponsors are the Mountain. Kings Mountain FamThe Gateway Grind will ily YMCA, the Gateway be rescheduled in the fall.
First Presbyterian Church changing affiliation The Elders and Rev. Greg Martin announced this week in a news release that First Presbyterian Church has joined ECO, a Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, a rapidly growing denomination that exists to serve the local church and “reclaim a sense of covenanted biblical community.” The action was effective June 10 after an almost unanimous vote of the congregation. Previously affiliated
with Presbyterian Church (USA),”the congregation feels that ECO is more closely aligned with our beliefs and values,'' according to the news release. Clerk of Session Stella Putnam said that ECO has four main priorities, to lift up the centrality of the gospel, grow with an emerging generation of leaders and prioritize a wave of church innovation and create an atmosphere of accountability. Among ECO's Core See CHURCH, Page 7A
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