R Dean Harrell amassing land in KM

By Loretta Cozart

R Dean Harrell Company is a land acquisition, sales, and developer of residential and commercial properties based in Matthews, NC, that began purchasing property in Kings Mountain in December of 2020. Currently, R Dean Harrel now owns 238.14 acres in the Kings Mountain Blvd. area.

On April 27, 2021, R.D. Harrell and Co. petitioned the city council approved rezoning property on Margrace Road in Kings Mountain known

Speaker Tim Moore in accident while on state business

Speaker Tim Moore, members of his security team, and state representative David Willis were involved in an automobile accident on Thursday night, February 23, around 9:43 p.m., while returning to Raleigh from Wilson, NC. No one in the vehicle was injured.

Moore held a press con- ference on Friday morning, describing what happened and thanking his security team, specifically General Assembly Police Officer Jason Purdue who was driving the unmarked vehicle.

According to Moore, the driver of a Chevy S-10 pickup “came up behind us at a high rate of speed and rammed into the back of us” at least three times, maybe more, jolting the vehicle.

Matthew Brogden, 38, of Goldsboro, NC was arrested and charged with

See ACCIDENT, Page 4A as Cannon 35. Along with Cottages at Clovis, these projects encompass 87.75 acres. Last week the Herald reported that both properties have been listed for sale by Cushman & Wakefield Sunbelt Multifamily Advisory Group.

In February of 2021, Harrell also purchased Orchard Trace Kings Mountain, LLC, consisting of 70.58 acres for $1.2 million from Manuel and Rosemary Periera, and Alberto and Maria Castelo of Westbury, NY. A caveat in this deal is that the prior owners have an option to purchase the property back at $1.5M if they do so by March 1.

In June of 2022, Harrell then purchased 22.65 acres at the intersection of Phifer Road and Kings Mountain Blvd from the Ware family.

Other property in the area was purchased under the name of Bunch Transactional, LLC. The Secretary of State’s office lists the owner of Bunch Transactional, LLC as R. Dean

See HARRELL, Page 4A tered atmosphere. “This major upgrade to the YMCA athletic fields and pool area is a win-win situation for the whole community of Kings Mountain. It is a win for the city as it receives these major upgrades to the facilities to which they own. It is also a win for the YMCA. and it is a major win for the health of the community. With this lighting upgrade, children and adults will get to play outdoors longer and with the new splash pad zone and new slide the YMCA pool will become a favorite hangout spot for the town on hot days,” Board Chair Sandie Dee said. Construction on the splash pad and slide will begin after the pool closes for the year. Once the ball fields are not in use the light

See YMCA, Page 5A