Cherryville’s Family YMCA looking for 5K Walk/Run sign-ups

The famed Cherry Blossom 5K and Bubble Run will be here before you know it!

by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

passed 29 to 18 and went to the House Tuesday. If the House passes it as well, it would go to Governor Cooper, who will likely veto it.

While no Senate Democrats voted for the Parents’ Bill of Rights, some House Democrats might. If Cooper vetoes, Republicans will need at least one House Democrat to vote with them to override.

See BILL, Page 2

Officials, “Y” members and staff, and anyone who has ever run the now-famous Cherry Blossom 5K race and Bubble Run want everyone interested in running for a great cause to know… it is almost time for the big race to take place!

According to information received from Sarah Shriver, Marketing and Communications Director for the Gaston County Family YMCA, “The Cherryville Family YMCA is passionate about health and wellness and what being part of the community can

N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, speaking to reporters last Friday morning. (photo provided) grams and services in the See 5K, Page 3

Speaker Moore and Rep Willis in car accident, ‘rammed from behind several times’

Moore does not think he was specifically by ALEX BALTZEGAR

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, and Rep. David Willis, R-Union, were involved in a car accident around

9:30 P.M. on Thursday where they were “rammed from behind several times,” according to Demi Dowdy, a spokesperson for Moore. Moore and Willis were visiting Wilson, North Carolina, for a workforce event at Wilson Community College.

See ACCIDENT, Page 2

■ OBITUARIES

Dr. Solomon Willis

CHERRYVILLE – Dr. Solomon Lee Willis, 45, passed away on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 at his residence. Solomon was born on July 8, 1977 in Lincoln County, N.C., the son of Eddie Lee Willis and Brenda Powell Willis. He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Cherryville. Solo-mon was a 1995 graduate of Cherryville High School. He re-ceived his Doctorate in Education from Liberty University. Solomon was a former math teacher at Gaston Day School and was currently employed as the Mathematics and Educa-tion Department Chair at Cleveland Community College. He was a very avid Dolly Parton fan and had a large collection of her items. Solomon also enjoyed going with his mother on trips to Dollywood, Disney, and Broadway plays.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Debra Lynn Willis; his maternal grandparents, Yates and Annie Haynes Powell; and paternal grandparents, Leroy and Inez Willis.

In addition to his parents, Eddie and Brenda Willis of the home, survivors include his sister, Beth Plotts and husband Tim of Asheville; two nieces, Krista Brooke Weaver and hus-band Jason,

Influencers

From Page 1 influence in their respective organizations. In 2021, Budget Strategy Director Janet Schafer was named to the list, with then-Assistant County Manager Michael Halford making the list in 2020.

Massey was named Gaston County Human Resources Director during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Described as “honest, passionate, and brave,” she has a heart for public service and does not shy away from a challenge. Massey is also known for encouraging and influencing those around her to work together to

Accident

From Page 1

They also visited Whirligig Park and attended a campaign reception for Rep. Ken Fontenot, R-Wilson. Moore and Willis were being driven back to Raleigh by a police officer.

“I’ve talked to a couple of police officers since then, and that hit at that speed could make the car spin out and flip over, all kinds of things,” said Moore. “So, thank God we’re all okay.”

Moore does not think he was specifically targeted. “We have no reason at all to think that he knew who I was, or who any of us were, or even that the vehicle was a law enforcement vehicle,” said Moore.

The driver is not currently being held, according to Moore. “I’m told that he is out of jail right now on unsecured bond,” Moore said.

The driver was arrested and charged with a DWI, per Axios Raleigh‘s Lucille Sherman.

“When he hit it, he hit it really hard,” said Moore, referring to the driver hitting his car from behind. “It was jolted, but it also did a little squirrely. It wasn’t just a straight hit that moved [us] forward. It got a little squirrely.”

The driver’s name is James Matthew Brogden, of Goldsboro. Brogden was arrested and charged with the following misdemeanors: driving while impaired, resisting a public officer, and injury to personal property, along with other charges, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman told Sherman.

On Friday morning, Brogden was going through the booking process at Wake County Detention Center, Freeman said. Dowdy confirmed that nobody in the car was and Casey LuAnn McDonald and husband Jon. Also surviving are great-nieces, nephews; and several aunts and uncles.

The family received friends from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., on Sat-urday, Feb. 25, 2023 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Cher-ryville. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with the Rev’s. Keith Huss and Steve Putnam officiating. Burial followed the ser-vice at City Memorial Cemetery in Cherryville.

Memorials may be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Li-brary at www. donate.imaginationlibrary. com.

A guest register is available at www.stameycherryvillefuneralhome.com.

Stamey – Cherryville Funeral Home & Cremation Service served the Willis family.

■ POLICE

ARRESTS achieve a common goal.

1-1: Michael John Westbrook, 36, 705 S. Mountain St., Cherryville; assault on a female. No bond type/amt. listed on report.

1-12: James Dimario Anderson, 52, 411 South Jacob St., Cherryville; one count misdemeanor assault on a female. No bond type/amt. listed.

2-12: Chatnee Spring Carpenter, 40, 2326 Delview Rd., Cherryville, was arrested at 425 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Gastonia, by GCPD officers one count of a warrant from another agency.

2-13: Gabrielle McCorkle, 18, 303 Mel Ln., Cherryville; one count misdemeanor possession marijuana up to ½ ounces. Summons/cited. No bond information listed on report.

Justus, 30, 2901 Dallas –Cherryville Hwy., was arrested at 1543 E Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, by GCPD officers on one count each of aggravated assault and simple assault.

2-18: GCPD officers report further investigation into a larceny/other incident at 540 Tot Dellinger Rd., Cherryville.

2-19: On Feb. 13, GCPD officers report closing/clearing by arrest a DWI at Dallas – Cherryville Hwy., and Sunbeam Farm Rd., Cherryville.

2-19: David Christopher Lawhun, 34, 205 Foster St., Cherryville, was arrested at this same address by GCPD officers on one count of simple assault.

McGee serves as the Budget Analyst for the Office of Budget Strategy. McGee came to the county through its fellowship program, and is described as “compassionate, brilliant, and creative.” She uses that creativity and compassion to address the needs of the community, by bringing awareness as a cohost on the county’s podcast or through her work on the Homelessness Prevention Committee.

Amos serves in the County Manager’s Office as the Finance Partner Agency Manager and Chief of Staff. “Positive, encouraging, and resourceful,” Amos fosters seriously injured. “The circumstances are under investigation,” Dowdy said.

Governor Roy Cooper tweeted Friday morning that he had talked with Moore.

Brogden has a previous history of criminal conduct, according to the Goldsboro News-Argus:

“According to an incident report, deputies told Brogden to turn around and strong relationships within Gaston County Government and the community at large. He ensures that everyone’s hard work does not go unnoticed and celebrates their accomplishments.

“To have one employee named to this list is great, but to have three is absolutely phenomenal,” said Dr. Kim S. Eagle, county manager. “Having our staff named to a national list demonstrates the level of commitment our employees have to our mission of providing excellent public service every day. I could not be prouder.” put his hands behind his back, and when they approached him to handcuff him he whipped around and grabbed a deputy by the throat and began choking him.

Another deputy helping serve the warrant immediately pulled Brogden off the other deputy, but Brogden then began assaulting the other deputy.

2-14: Michael Storm Bridges, 25, 104 W. Third St., Cherryville; one count felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and one count of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. No bond type/ amt. listed.

2-15: Kelly Dianne Rick, 44, 206 S. Pink St., Cherryville; two (2) counts of a WSOJ (Lincolnton PD). $7,500 secured bond.

2-17: Zackary Douglas Grant, 21, 112 ½ Garden Ln., Grover, NC; one count each misdemeanor possession of marijuana up to ½ ounces, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia. Summons/cited. No bond type/amt. listed on report.

2-17: Candice Lanae Wall, 44, 313 White St., Cherryville, was arrested at 254 N. New Hope Rd., Gastonia, by Gastonia PD officers on one count larceny/ shoplifting.

2-18: Joseph Michael

This continued until one of the deputies drew their taser, at which point Brogden immediately surrendered, the report said.”

Brogden was charged with resisting a direct order and assault on a law enforcement officer, and was put in jail under a $12,500 secured bond.

2-20: Thomas Lee Hendrix, 28, Streets of Cherryville, Cherryville, was arrested at 425 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Gastonia, by GCPD officers on three counts of a larceny from a motor vehicle, and one count of larceny/other.

2-20: Matthew Eric Penny, 40, 309 Linwood Ave., Cherryville, was arrested at 2714 Tryon Courthouse Rd., Gastonia, by GCPD officers on one count each of a drug/equipment violation, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and weapon law violations, and a misdemeanor drug/narcotic violation, and two (2) counts of a drug/narcotic violation.

INCIDENTS

1-1: Cherryville woman reports assault on a female by listed suspect who assaulted her during a domestic dispute. Minor injuries reported. Closed/cleared by arrest.

1-12: Cherryville woman reports assault on a female by listed male suspect who assaulted her, inflicting minor injuries. Closed/ cleared by arrest.

2-13: CPD officer reports possession of marijuana up to ½ ounces by listed subject who possessed narcotics. Closed/cleared by arrest. Seized: 3.40 grams of marijuana.

2-14: CPD officer and grocery store employee report possession of Schedule II controlled substance (seized: 0.75 grams of fentanyl) and possession of drug paraphernalia (one piece of tin foil and one cut plastic pen). Closed/cleared by arrest.

2-15: Mint Hill woman reported destruction/damage/vandalism of property at a Cherryville address by listed suspect who damaged property. Est. value of damage: $1 (as per report). Closed/cleared by other means.

2-17: CPD officer reports possession of marijuana up to ½ ounces and possession of marijuana paraphernalia by listed suspect who possessed listed illegal drugs. Seized: 6.40 grams of marijuana; one glass marijuana pipe and one marijuana grinder. Closed/cleared by arrest.

2-20: Cherryville woman reports motor vehicle theft by listed suspect who took vehicle and keys w/o her permission. Est. value of stolen Hyundai Tucson ($15,000). Case is active and under further investigation.

Public Notice

Sale Of City Property

An offer of $150,000, followed by an upset bid in the amount of $175,000, along with a commitment to offer the current tenant an alternative location within the Cherryville Downtown District, has been submitted for the purchase of certain property owned by the City of Cherryville, more particularly described as follows: Lot and building located on the north side of East Main Street, commonly known as 109 East Main Street, Cherryville NC 28021. The legal description is as follows: Located, lying, and being in the City of Cherryville, Cherryville Township, Gaston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at a stake, corner of Rudisill and Aderholdt Store Building on the north side of East Main Street, and runs thence N 20 W 193 feet through the center of Rudisill and Aderholdt’s east wall of their two-story brick store building to a stake in the center of S.A.L. Railroad; thence with said railroad N 70 E 28 feet and 9 inches to a stake, a new corner; thence S 20 E 193 feet to a stake on Main Street; thence with said street S 70 W 28-3/4 feet to the center of north wall of Rudisill and Aderholdt’s Store Building, the BEGINNING

For title reference see Book 1826 at Page 345 of the Gaston County Registry. Being the full contents of PID 129695 in the Gaston County Tax Office.

From Page 1

The LGBTQ community has been critical of the bill, arguing that schools should not have to tell parents if a child changes their name on official school documents or begins widely using new pronouns. Critics found backup in some local news reports with headlines like WRAL’s “NC Senate approves bill that would require public-school teachers to out LGBTQ students”

However, bill sponsors say the text of the bill goes far beyond that and was designed to address frustration voiced by parents who say there is not enough transparency in the education system.

“The ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’ requires that public schools inform parents of their rights and of the procedures to exercise those rights,” said Senate Education Committee Chair Sen. Amy Galey, R-Alamance. “Parents should be confident that when there is a problem, a remedy is available.”

The “Parents’ Bill of Rights” bill:

Provides a pathway for parents to request materials related to in-class instruction.

Notifies parents of the health services offered at their child’s school at the beginning of each school year.

Notifies parents of changes in the name or pronoun used by their child at school.

Notifies parents of any changes in services or monitoring of their child’s mental, emotional, or physical health.

Informs parents of their legal rights and responsibilities relating to their child’s education.

Codifies several rights parents have in education, including seeking medical or religious exemptions from immunization requirements and to have their child evaluated for an academically or intellectually gifted program, or for identification as a child with a disability.

The bill passed first reading in the House on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, and was sent to the House rules committee.

Persons wishing to upset the offer that has been received shall submit a sealed bid with their offer to the office of the City Clerk, at City Hall, 116 S. Mountain Street Cherryville, N.C. 28021 by 5:00 P.M., March 13, 2023. At that time, the city clerk shall open the bids, if any, and the highest qualifying bid will become the new offer. If there is more than one bid in the highest amount, the first such bid received will become the new offer.

A qualifying higher bid is one that raises the existing offer to an amount not less than $183,800. Said bid must also agree to the same commitment to offer the current tenant an alternative location within the Cherryville Downtown District.

A qualifying higher bid must be accompanied by a deposit in the amount of five percent (5%) of the bid; the deposit may be made in cash, cashier’s check, or certified check. The City will return the deposit on any bid not accepted, and will return the deposit on an offer subject to upset if a qualifying higher bid is received. The City will return the deposit of the final high bidder at closing or apply said deposit towards the purchase price.

The buyer must pay cash at closing.

The City Council must consider approval of the final high offer before the sale is closed, which it will do within 30 days after the final upset bid period has passed. The city reserves the right to withdraw the property from sale at any time before the final high bid is accepted and the right to reject at any time all bids.

Further information may be obtained at the office of the city clerk, City Hall, 116 S. Mountain Street, Cherryville, N.C. 28021 or at telephone 704-435-1709 during normal business hours.

CE (3/1/2023)

From Page 1 Cherryville community, including summer day camp and afterschool. In 2023, the YMCA is working to raise funds to strengthen