Highway Patrol graduates 37 new troopers

The State Highway Patrol welcomed 36 new troopers on Friday, January 20, at a graduation ceremony held for the 157th Basic Highway Patrol School. The ceremony commemorates 27 weeks of extensive training to prepare the graduates for a rewarding career in law enforcement.

Three of the state troopers will serve the local area. They are Brian Hawkins, serving Cleveland County; Cody Childress, serving Gaston County; and Jason Marshall, serving Gaston County.

The ceremony was held at the Shepherd’s Church in Cary at 10:00 a.m. Department of Public Safety Secretary Eddie M. Buffaloe, Jr. served as guest speaker and provided congratulatory remarks to the graduates.

The oath of office was administered by Judge Jeffrey K. Carpenter of the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Colonel Freddy L. Johnson Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol, provided remarks to the newest sworn members of the State High- way Patrol.

“As new state troopers, we feel you are ready to fulfill this role and be ambassadors who represent the State Highway Patrol,” said Johnson. “My charge to you is to be a leader in your community by your actions, your character and your important role as a law enforcement officer.”

These new state troopers will report to their respective duty stations on Wednesday, Feb. 15, to begin a demanding field training program.

EMSFrom Page 1A

To that end, Chief Harmon said Gaston County “… facilitated the implementation of the first responder program by providing radios and dispatch services for calls in Gaston County.”

He added that KMFD then began “…to respond to all medical emergencies in the Gaston County portion of the city in 2022.”

In the department’s media release, Chief Harmon also noted the primary reason for locating the new GEMS QRV at the KMFD station (which is just inside Cleveland County) are as follows: “1.) quick access to Canterbury Road industry and the housing developments of Linwood and Northwoods; 2.) quick access to I-85 northbound

Manager

From Page 1A serves as the chief administrator of county government. His duties include and the area of Exit 10; and 3.) addressing this area as the next longest EMS response time in Gaston County.”

Harmon continued, “Additionally, the City of Kings Mountain welcomes this partnership and will allow GEMS to room-in at no cost.”

The two entities both acknowledge they “enjoy a great relationship,” with it being noted in the media release that, “KMFD and GEMS have an excellent working partnership.”

It is further noted that, “The GEMS QRV is the next step in the expansion and enhancement of services to the residents, visitors, industry, and taxpayers of Gaston County in this area.”

Chief Harmon, in referring to the KMFD first responder program, said the new GEMS QRV is, “…the icing on the cake.” overseeing County departments, programs, and operations pursuant to the policies, ordinances, and directives adopted by the Board of County Commissioners.

A search for a full-time

Chief Lamphiear thanked everyone for coming out as did Kings Mountain Mayor Scott Neisler, who also thanked Gaston County Manager, Dr. Kim Eagle and all the Gaston and Cleveland County dignitaries and officials present for the ceremony. Mayor Neisler also praised the men and women of the KMFD and GEMS for what they do to serve others.

Chief Lamphiear also noted the new QRV was “a bridge to the future” for KMFD and Gaston County.

Gaston County Commissioner Bob Hovis noted how “public safety is the number one priority for the county and its residents, adding it is Gaston County’s honor to place the new QRV at KMFD to serve the people in the county and the area.

County Manager is underway utilizing a nationwide executive search firm. The position reports directly to the Board of Commissioners and will be hired by that five-member board.

Last weekend I used a new computer pay a bill. I was accustomed to putting in the username and the password would automatically popup. This time it didn’t happen, so I thought, not a problem, I know the password. After a few attempts of manually entering it, the system locked me out. Afterwards, I remembered two of the letters were capitalized, but it was too late. It was a long holiday weekend and there was no one working to help with the reset. As a result, I could not get help until the following Tuesday, but by then it was too late, my account was now past due and with that came a late fee, just because I didn’t remember my password. It cost me more than I planned to pay.

In Judges 12, there was a tribal conflict between Gilead and Ephraim. During the conflict some Ephraimites escaped and when one of them said to the Gileadites, let me cross over the Jordan, the Gileadites would ask them to say the word Shibboleth but they could not pronounce it correctly and said, Sibboleth. The Gileadites would then kill the Ephraimites because they couldn’t say Shibboleth (Judges 12:5-6). This transpired during the time of a Judge named Jephthah. He led a group of Gileadites in war with the Ammonites and when God had given them the victory and great recognition, a group of fellow Israelites, the Ephraimites, became upset because they didn’t assist the Gileadites even though they were asked to help. Jealousy rose up in the Ephraimites and they began to attack the Gileadites. How often do we get upset or jealous when fellow believers achieve something great for the kingdom and attention is turned toward them? As this battle ensued, the Ephraimites, who from all outward appearances looked like the Gileadites, fled for safety toward the crossing at the Jordan. When they arrived to cross over, the Gileadites, who were the keepers of the crossing at the Jordan River would ask if they were Ephraimites. If they answered no, the Gileadites would ask them to say the password, Shibboleth, and if they could not pronounce it correctly, they were killed (42,000). I began to wonder how many of us who look like, dress like and talk Christ like, will journey through this life and get to the final crossing not remembering the correct passwords of humility, honor, helps ,and holiness, forgetting the ”H” in each word and as a result, we don’t make it to the other side. Be Blessed!