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Volume 134 • Issue 14
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
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KM’s Streetscape Project kicks-off on April 11
Albemarle Corporation held Town Hall meeting March 29
By Loretta Cozart
In a Town Hall style meeting held on Monday, March 29, Albemarle Corporation (Albemarle) executives opened dialogue with citizens about the possibility of reopening the lithium mine just south of downtown Kings Mountain. Crowds filled council chambers and spilled over into the lobby of city hall. Those in attendance listened patiently for over an hour as Albemarle presented their plans. The challenge during this meeting was that nothing has yet been decided and testing of the mine needs to be conducted before that decision can be made. The original mine, known once as Foote Mineral, opened in the 1930s and continued in operation under various names until the mid-1980s. After the mine closed, the property was left as it had been during mining operations, and a deep lake formed in the pit. Albemarle acquired Rockwell Lithium in 2015. In time, some land was given to the Gateway Trail. Cardo-Hill was made from an area just north of the pit that overlooks the property. Four miles of the current trail pass through the mine and incorporates the bridge over I-85. Mayor Neisler welcomed guests to the meeting and said, “We want to get in front of rumors of things
Weather permitting, City of Kings Mountain’s Streetscape Project will kick-off on Monday, April 11. This work involves construction on the streets and sidewalks outside downtown businesses on West Mountain Street between Battleground and Piedmont Avenues. It is suggested that business with rear entrances urge their customers to use them to access their establishments. However, not all businesses have rear entrances. Access to those shops will be provided during the construction so those businesses can continue to serve their clients. Keep the merchants along this thoroughfare in mind and support them with your
patronage during the construction. The inconvenience experienced now will bring the reward of a beautiful street come summer. With this construction, the two-block span of West Mountain Street will become a jewel in the crown of downtown as the area becomes a destination spot to visit, work, and play in the months and years ahead. City of Kings Mountain urges everyone to drive with caution near the construction zone and to visit www. cityofkm.com for project updates and potential street closings.
Community Easter Sunrise Service April 17 The Kings Mountain Ministerial Association will be leading in an Easter Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday, April 17, at 7:00 A.M. at Mountain Rest Cemetery in Kings Mountain. The service will be held around the huge white cross. Rev. Ron Caulder, Pastor of Eastside Baptist Church in Kings Mountain, will bring the message. Special music will be provided by Mr. Bill McMurray and Mr. Jonathan Frady. Mr. Rev. Scott Whitney, Pastor of the East Gold Street Church will be assisting in the service.
Everyone is invited to come and worship as we celebrate the greatest event in history—the Resurrection of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ! In the event of inclement weather, the service will be moved to Eastside Baptist, 308 York Road, Kings Mountain.
Early voting starts April 28 Early voting for the May 17, 2022, Primary Election begins Thursday, April 28 at 8 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 14 at the H. Lawrence Patrick Senior Life & Conference Center, 909 East King Street, Kings Mountain. The hours are 8 a.m.7:30 p.m. weekdays and Saturday, May 14, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Elections Director Clifton Phlbeck reminds that all Cleveland County registered voters are eligible to vote in the upcoming May 17 Primary election. Two parties - Republican and Democrat - have primary
elections, the City of Kings Mountain has a municipal election and Cleveland County is holding a beer and wine referendum. Philbeck reminds that the Republican and Democrat Primaries are semiclosed which means that registered Republicans must vote a Republican ballot, registered Democrats must vote a Democrat ballot, registered Libertarians must vote a non-partisan ballot, registered Unaffiliated can choose a Republican or Nonpartisan ballot. 17-year-olds can vote in the May 17 Primary if they are 18 years old by November 8, 2022. 17-year-olds cannot vote See VOTING, Page 2A
By Loretta Cozart
More than one hundred people filled the City Council Chamber and the City Hall lobby for a Town Hall meeting with Albemarle Corporation. Photos Loretta Cozart that are happening so facts can actually get brought out. This is an exciting venture for Kings Mountain. It’s a good venture for Kings Mountain. I applaud everyone for your interest in this mine.” Albemarle sees an opportunity to create a U.S. lithium supply chain to ensure security, efficiency, and sustainability. And Kings Mountain is an advantaged location given its industry, infrastructure, and proximity to southeastern U.S. EV manufacturing. Eric Norris, president of lithium operations at Albemarle confirmed this saying, “It’s time to localize our supply chain.” He also told the group that “Kings See MEETING, Page 2A
Diane Boatwright asks about the mine’s impact on wells across the city.
To-go breakfasts now an option in downtown Kings Mountain By Loretta Cozart UnCommon Artisans, at 124 W Mountain Street in Kings Mountain, began opening early on March 28, to serve hot coffee, cold brew coffee, and breakfast to-go. Owner Cobb Lathi said of the new offering, “I would like to eventually become a hub for people in downtown Kings Mountain, and beyond. My hope is to create a space folks can come and shop if they want or sit and enjoy the space while drinking a fabulous cup of coffee.” “I met a gentleman from Gastonia who owns and operates Gold Medusa Coffee Company, a direct trade coffee company. He has family in Columbia that sends him fresh coffee, then he grinds to order for his customers. It is a superior coffee.” Also offered is a selection of to-go breakfast foods - hot tea, croissants, bagels, muffins, boiled eggs, juices,
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Cobb Lathi serves Daniel coffee to-go in her shop last Saturday. Photo by Loretta Cozart smoothies, and more. No food is prepared on site – it is all ready to go. Customers can order online at their website and use pickup curbside or in the store. Or customers can just walk in and select what they
want. The shop also delivers to downtown businesses at no extra charge. Shop hours are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. UnCommon Artisans sells a variety of fabulous art from local artisans and has been known for doing
that since opening its doors downtown. “With this new offering, I just saw to-go coffee and snacks as a need for downtown. I hope folks will stop in to see me,” Lathi said.
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703 E. Kings St., Suite 9, Kings Mountain • www.BakerDentalCare.com