See CHRISTMAS PARADE PHOTOS In B-Section Of Today’s Paper
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Volume 135 • Issue 49
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
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Whetstine won’t “Christmas Kings Mountain” seek re-election continues Dec. 8th and 9th Commissioner Ronnie Whetstine announced today that he will not be running for re-elecWHETSTINE tion to the Cleveland County Commission. “After prayer and conversation with my family, I have decided not to seek another four-year term on the board. I do plan to fulfill my
obligation to serve out my elected term.” Commissioner Whetstine would like to thank the voters for their confidence in his service. “Working as a Commissioner has been exciting and rewarding. We’ve been able to accomplish so many good things. The County has a great team of elected officials at every level, working together to bring success and build a stronger community for the next generation.” See WHETSTINE, Page 5A
Battle of KM SAR meeting December 11 By Loretta Cozart Join the Battle of Kings Mountain NC SAR Chapter’s upcoming meeting at Mauney Memorial Library on Monday, December 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at 100 S Piedmont Avenue in Kings Mountain, The topic of the meeting is “Why Learn About the American Revolution? A Public Discussion,” led by Chapter member Clark Summers, Ph.D. He will
deliver a short presentation, followed by a Q&A session. The Battle of Kings Mountain SAR Chapter meets to honor the courageous individuals who fought for America’s independence. If you want to learn more about the relevance of the American Revolution in today’s society or are interested in membership, they encourage you to attend. Light refreshments will be provided. They hope to see you there!
It’s time to ring in the holiday season, and this year, there’s no better place to celebrate than in Downtown Kings Mountain with its month-long celebration featuring amazing Christmas lights, interactive experiences, and free festive fun for the entire family. Make plans to gather downtown for an evening with Christmas lights, Holly Jolly Hayrides, interactive characters, music, and much more! Kings Mountain takes great pride in its special blend of family-friendly holiday magic. Stroll through Patriots Park and experi-
ence Costner’s Christmas Lights Extravaganza. This yearly tradition gets better and brighter every year. Liberty Mountain Garden at the Joy Theatre has been
transformed into a Downtown Artisan Market. Local Artisan Vendors are on hand selling the perfect stocking stuffers. The market will open at 4:30 pm. Mayor Neisler’s
Holly Jolly Hayrides and the North Pole Express Carriage Rides (ticket required) will run this weekend. Once again on December 8, Liberty Falls Amphitheatre will turn into the Grinch’s lair. This interactive experience will open at 5:00 pm. Santa’s Workshop will be open December 8 at 7:00 pm and December 9 at 5:00 pm. Look for Southern Gospel groups Kings Highway and Heaven Bound Trio to perform in Patriots Park on Sat., December 9, at 6:00 pm. For more information, contact the Marketing, Tourism and Events Department at 704-730-2101.
City Council approves Dixon Ridge rezoning By Loretta Cozart On Tuesday, November 28, Kings Mountain City Council approved the 384acre Dixon Ridge rezoning request with a few amendments. The property is located just south of the I-85 bridge on Dixon School Road. The project has received opposition for over a year, and Thrive Kings Mountain
collected more than 700 signatures urging the council not to approve the project. Kings Mountain’s Planning and Zoning Board also recommended not to support rezoning. Several citizens spoke against the project during the meeting. City manager Jim Palenick shared a history of the project, saying, “This project actually became very public and very
known about a year ago. Last year, the owners and developers first came forward with a request to rezone 384 acres to light industrial. A plan was floated at the time that would have contemplated a series of very large warehouses, about 5,000,000 square feet. We made it clear to the developers that it would not be well received at all, that it would not probably make it.”
So, the city of Kings Mountain met with staff to do strategic planning related to the long-term land use of that area. The city’s new Unified Development Ordinance, UDO, had done away with conditional zoning districts, specifically one that was traditionally called the Planned Urban Development, or PUD. “We wound up creating See REZONING, Page 2A
23rd annual Jingle Bell Rockin’ Run 5k Run/Walk held Dec. 2 KM COMMUNITY TABLE FEEDS 200 AT THANKSGIVING– Volunteers served heaping helpings of laughter and smiles with the meals. See page 4A for for story and more photos.
Free Christmas meal By Loretta Cozart A free Christmas meal will be offered at Doane’s Café at 109 Cansler Street in Kings Mountain on De-
cember 25 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The meal is hosted by Doane’s Café and Debra Ray’s Sweet and Savory. All are welcome.
Kings Mountain Family YMCA’s 23rd annual community Jingle Bell Rockin’ Run 5k Run/Walk was held on Saturday, December 2, at First Baptist Church at 605 W King Street in Kings Mountain. This year, the event drew 535 participants. This annual family-friendly race drew runners, walkers, strollers, and leashed pets. All proceeds from this event go to Kings Mountain Family YMCA’s financial assistance and scholarships programs.
Teachers and students from Jefferson Elementary School in Shelby had a lot of fun at the race. See more photos on page 8A. (Photo by Kevin Osborne)
Toys for Tots accepting Grantham book signing at Trackside Trader Saturday Trackside Trader, at 210 S career, as told by a woman whine for attention, all while By Loretta Cozart Railroad Avenue in Kings willing to bare her soul. Her putting on makeup and high Molly donations for toy drive Grantham, Mountain on Saturday, De- authenticity will make you heels to report some of the By Loretta Cozart
The Toys for Tots Christmas Toy Drive is collecting donations of new unwrapped toys at City Hall, Mauney
Memorial Library, and Patrick Senior Center through Thursday, December 14. Thanks to the generous donations by many citizens, last year’s toy drive brought the joy of Christmas to hundreds of Children who might have otherwise gone without.
cember 9, from 1:00 until 4x-Emmy 4:00 p.m. All three of her award-winbooks, including her newest ning jourbook, PRACTICE MAKES nalist who … PROGRESS, will be has been available. If you have a copy n a m e d of her books, she will gladly “TV News Reporter of MOLLY GRANTHAM sign those too. Molly’s third book is the the Year,” continuing chronicle of how will hold a book signing and selling at you can love your kids and a
think about your own path, choices, and ability to be human in our unpredictable and beautiful world. This book begins in April 2020, as a pandemic unexpectedly shut things down. Molly, pregnant at the time, found herself teaching fractions to her third grader and listening to her preschooler
most important headlines of our time to 100,000 people a night. You’d think after two kids and two books, a person would know what they were doing. But that’s the beauty of this third and final installment in this series. Through chaos See GRANTHAM, Page 5A
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