House passes energy choice bill to protect consumers

by ALEX BALTZEGAR Carolina Journal

The North Carolina House passed a bill that would prohibit local governments from blocking consumers from certain types of energy sources, by a vote of 76-38.

House Bill 130 (H.B. 130) has bipartisan sponsorship. Reps. Dean Arp, R-Union; Jason Saine, R-Lincoln; Michael Wray, D-Northampton; and Charlie Miller, R-Brunswick, are the lead sponsors of the bill. The legislation comes after the Biden administra- tion sparked national conversations about gas stoves. Additionally, North Carolina had rolling blackouts on Christmas weekend in 2022, which raised concerns over state energy policy.

“What this bill does is, if you have a gas stove, you

Mayor Pro-Tem and Councilwoman, Jill Parker-Puett speaks to the crowd, welcoming them and thanking them for all they do for the kids of Cherryville who want to come out and play can keep your gas stove,” said Arp.

Arp said the bill would See HOUSE, Page 9

Dixie

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Mr. McBride then went on to call all the girls and their coaches onto the field by their team, starting with the “T-ball” division, the Sweetees, then the Coach Pitch division, the Darlings, followed by the 10U division, the Angels; the 12U division, the Ponytails; and the 15U division, the Belles-Debs.

Daniel and Mark Watson thanked their supporters and businesses, asking folks to in turn support these businesses whose names appear on the shirts of the young ladies playing Dixie Girls Softball.

Mrs. Puett spoke and said, “Cherryville is a ball town, whether baseball or softball. everywhere I go when I travel for the city, people know that’s who we are and what we support. Without the parents, families, and coaches, all of this would not be possible. Thank you so much for your support. Without you, none of this would be possible. We are proud of you all.”

McBride then recognized candy sales prize winners. The three young ladies were Sadie Patterson; Kaitlyn Coleman; and Gracie Canipe. Two young ladies who also received great prizes were Allison Gozalkowski and Brooklyn Cunningham.

The first pitch was thrown out by DGSB’s own World Series Champion Head Coach, Matthew Anthony, who pitched to his daughter, Faith.

“Faith played here for years,” said Daniel, adding, “And she is now giving back by umpiring and coaching.”

There are three Sweetees teams, sponsored by the following businesses: Rustic Roots Salon & Spa; Ferguson Ace Hardware; and Carolina Federal Credit Union; three Darlings teams, sponsored by the following businesses: Shamrock Accounting; Phil’s

Starter; and the Knights of Pythias; two Angels teams, sponsored by the following businesses: Georgia Beas Boutique, and Carpenter –Porter Funeral Home; two Ponytails’ teams, sponsored by: Long Creek Presbyterian Church and Charming Travels, LLC; and two BellesDebs teams, sponsored by Shamrock Sound Design and Turner Animal Clinic.

McBride noted the leagues’ regular season started Monday, March 20, adding there are no games during the Easter Break (Monday, April 10 through Friday, April 14).

“The mid-season tournament will be Saturday, April 22 and the end-of-season tournament will be held on Saturday, June 3. The District Two Tournament is on Friday, June 16 through Sunday, June 18, and will be hosted by Bessemer City. The North Carolina State Tournament will be from July 7 to July 12,” he said.