KMHerald5-1-24

City of Kings Mountain Celebrates its 150th Birthday with a BIG Birthday Bash

Birthday Bash on Saturday, May 4, 2024. The event is presented by the Albemarle Corporation.

From great bands, to fun attractions, and a joyful carnival atmosphere, this event promises to be a memorable event for everyone.

The fun starts at 9:00 AM on Mountain and Cherokee Streets with an Artisan Market and Antique Car Showcase. While vendors spots are full, no registration is required for the Showcase. Cars manufactured up to 1974 are welcome. The market and showcase will end at 12:00 PM.

The BIG Birthday Bash continues across the railroad tracks as Patriots Park opens at 12:00 PM for attendees. FREE Carnival rides, games, contests, an exhibit hall, a balloon drop, Lew-E-Circus, LIVE Music and much more await.

TIME LINE OF EVENTS:

Mountain and Cherokee Streets

• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM-Artisan Market and Antique Car

Showcase Music by DJ Drew Fulton Patriots Park

• 12:00 PM-9:00 PM-City of Kings Mountain 150th Birthday Bash Gazebo Stage

• 12:00

Registration Opens for Photo

Contest, Costume and Cake Eating Contest

Nu-Blu

Head’s up Photographers!

The City of Kings Mountain wants to exhibit your family friendly photos at the 150th Big Birthday Bash, Saturday, May 4th. Photos will be judged and cash prizes will be given to 1st place winners in three categories:

“Nature’s Beauty”: Submit photographs of Kings Mountain’s natural landscapes, ani-mals, and plants.

“City Life”: Capture the vibrant energy and unique character of Kings Moun-

tain through photography.

1. “Family and Friends”: Submit memorable photos featuring your favorite Kings Moun-tain people, your family and friends.

Registration for the photo contest will take place at the 150th Birthday Bash. Photos must be sub-mitted at the Information Booth by 12pm. Judging will take place at 12:00pm. All ages are welcome to participate.

• 1:00 PM-Costume Contest, all ages welcome to dress in their historical best, 20s, 50s and 70s attire • 2:00 PM-Birthday

DEPARTURE - The Journey Tribute Band will perform at 6 p.m.

Mountain Amphitheatre • 12:00 PM- Welcome from Mayor Ron Wagman Music from DJ Drew Fulton • 12:30 PM-The Extraordinaires

• 3:30 PM-Nu-Blu

• 6:00 PM-DEPARTURE-The Journey Tribute Band Mark your calendars and spread the word – the 150th BIG Birthday Bash is a

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want to miss. Let’s make this milestone celebration a true testament to the spirit, resilience, and unity of our incredible city. For more information about our schedule of events, contact the City of Kings Mountain’s Marketing, Tourism, and Events Department at 704-730-2101, or visit their website at www.KingsMountainEvents.Com.

Ready to dress in your historical best?

The City of Kings Mountain will hold their 150th birthday bash in downtown Kings Mountain on May 4 at 12 p.m.. The Marketing Tourism and Events Department invites you to participate in a living wax museum costume contest celebrating the fashion from the 20s, 50s, and 70s. Costumes will be judged and prizes will be given away. All ages are welcome to participate.

Registration will begin May 4th at noon with the contest beginning at 1:00

Citizens dressed up as 1920s Keystone Cops, doling out fines and giving crowds a laugh during the 1974 Kings Mountain Centennial Celebration.

Photos by City of Kings Mountain

PM. For more information, contact the MTE Department at 704-730-2101. See ad on page 2A for more details of the event.

KMLT auditions for Liberty Mountain

Kings Mountain Little Theatre, Inc. Founding Sponsors Gilbert and Jancy Patrick, and Presenting Sponsor Albemarle announce upcoming auditions for Liberty Mountain – The Revolutionary Drama.

Director Jeremy Trent Homesley and Assistant Director Ashley DeMar urge everyone interested to come join the fun of participating in the production of this historical drama

by playwright Robert Inman.

Liberty Mountain depicts the dramatic events leading up to the October 7th, 1780 Battle of Kings Mountain. It brings to life the story of the Carolina Backcountry patriots, who with their victory helped secure our nation’s liberty. See LIBERTY, Page 5A

These Flappers added a little fun for the ladies during the centennial celebration. At the time, Flappers' behavior was considered outlandish and redefined women's roles. In the 1970s, they fit right in.

a ride on the Kiddie Coaster!

■ OBITUARIES

Bobbie Keith

Sellers

KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC

– Bobbie Keith Sellers, 92, of Kings Mountain, NC, passed away on April 21, 2024 at Peak Resources in Gastonia, NC.

He was born in Cleveland County, NC, son of the late George and Grace McDaniel Sellers and was preceded in death by his son Bobbie Keith Sellers II. Bobbie, affectionately known by “Rody” was a lifelong member of First

Baptist Church, Kings Moun-

tain. Rody served his country honorably for 4 years in the Air Force as a radar operator during the Korean War where he was awarded numerous medal and awards. He then enlisted in the US Army, where he served for 16 years, operating as a medic and earning the rank of Master Sergeant. He served bravely in the Vietnam War where he was awarded even more medals and awards including the Bronze Star and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. After his military service, Rody worked for the City of Kings Mountain for a number of years as a supervisor in the Gas Department. He enjoyed being outdoors and loved working on his lawn. Rody also enjoyed golfing in his early years and was a devout reader of the Bible. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. His kindness, generosity, and sweet and loving spirit have left a

Wayne Bolin

KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC – Richard Wayne Bolin, 76, of Kings Mountain, NC, passed away on April 22, 2024 at Atrium Health Cleveland in Shelby, NC.

Born in Cleveland County, NC, he was son of the late Nick and Mattie Turner Bolin and was preceded in death by a sister, Margie Blanton, and two brothers, Coy and Charles Bolin. Richard graduated in the Class of 1965 at Kings Mountain High School, after which he enlisted in US Army, where he served honorably for three years starting in August 1965.

After his service, he returned to his hometown of Kings Mountain, where he began a 56-year career as a long-haul truck driver, during which he did about everything there is to do behind the wheel of a semi. When not

driving, he had standing tee times with his golf buddies and an affinity for watching old Westerns.

He was an avid vegetable gardener and had a genuine love for animals. He was deeply involved with the veterans’ organization 4th Infantry Division Association, where he served as the National Sergeant at Arms, a three-time chapter president, and in various officer roles over 30-plus years as a member.

Richard was a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather, gr eat-grandfather, brother, and friend. He had a smile that could light up a room, and he was full of love and respect for everyone. Richard never met a stranger, and he was always ready with a story--whatever you wanted to talk about. His daughters knew him as their hero and his peers remember him as a legendary truck driver. He was Pawpaw to his grandkids and great-grands, but also to their friends and many others. Richard was one of a kind, and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff at Charles George Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Asheville and the staff at Atrium

Leigh Anne Baliles Meighan

ASHEVILLE, NC – On April 15, 2024, Leigh Anne Baliles Meighan completed her worldly mission at a youthful 60 years of age. She passed suddenly and unexpectedly from natural causes at her home in Asheville NC, in order to greet her Lord and Savior in the heavenly, eternal realm.

She was the youngest of four children born to Paul and Carolyn Baliles, both ministers, who instilled within her a deep and ever present love for God since before she could walk. You would always catch her with a smile on her face, highlighted by dimples that would cause you to lose your footing and sink in to. She spent her younger years working for the US Department of Defense at Pratt & Whitney, where she played an integral role in maintaining and upholding national security (believe us, we’ve asked, and she wouldn’t spill the beans), and later as a nurse. Both of which she thoroughly

lasting impression on everyone who knew Rody.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years: Billie Hutto Sellers; daughter: Prissy Townend and husband Jeff; grandson: John Keith Hollis; sister: Gail Dixon; numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside service was held on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Mountain Rest Cemetery with Brother Chip Sloan officiating.

The family spoke with attendees immediately following the service at the cemetery.

Interment was in Mountain Rest Cemetery.

Memorials in Rody’s memory may be made to First Baptist Church of Kings Mountain at 605 W. King St., Kings Mountain, NC 28086.

Guest register is available at: www.harrisfunerals.com.

Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Services , Kings Mountain, NC is in charge of arrangements.

Health Cleveland, especially the ICU team, for their attentive care for Richard.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sheila Coats Bolin; daughters: Crystal Bolin Williams and husband, Jeff, of Kings Mountain, NC; Lisa Bolin Baxter of Gastonia, NC; brothers: Hermon, Lawrence, Erskhine, Marvin, and Kenny Bolin; grandchildren: Brittney Brooks, Chris Williams, Amber Black, Hannah Williams, and Casey Walker; great-grandchildren: Callie, Cash, Cameron, Dillon, Elijah, Ziyon, Taya, Saylem, Nova, and Skylynn.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. in the Ollie Harris Memorial Chapel with Rev. Steve Taylor officiating.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 4th, 2024 prior to the service from 10:00 to 10:50 A.M. in the parlor of Harris Funeral Home.

Memorials in Richard’s memory may be made to 4th Infantry Division Association at P.O. Box 1914, St. Peters, MO 63376-0035 or at www.4thinfantry.org/donations.

Guest register is available at: www.harrisfunerals.com.

Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Services , Kings Mountain, NC is in charge of arrangements.

enjoyed as they provided her with fun, exciting, and meaningful work.

She never seemed to run low on compassion or insightful advice. Her children will forever miss her homecooked meals, particularly her beef stroganoff, her hoarding of craft supplies with which they will be making wreaths for every holiday for years to come in remembrance and as to not waste materials, her off the wall jokes that made you laugh so hard you’d wheeze, and innumerous other quirks they came to cherish.

She has a namesake grand-dog, Billeigh Anne, whom she referred to as her “favorite child who never talked back”, that will certainly miss all of the snacks (mainly steak) her granny couldn’t help but sneak her. If you knew Leigh Anne, you know what a significant light has been dimmed with her passing, and the giant holes left in the hearts of the ones who loved her most. If you didn’t have the pleasure of knowing her, had you crossed paths with her, you would have had an instant friend as

GCP makes drug trafficking arrest

Gaston County Police Department Special Investigations Unit, working a joint investigation with Homeland Security Investigations and the North Carolina Highway Patrol, obtained search warrants on two hotel rooms in Gastonia due to an investigation stemming from a traffic

stop on April 23. This led to the seizure of 5.5 kilograms of cocaine, valued at $390,000 and 4.5 kilograms of fentanyl, valued at $520,000. Police arrested Esmeralda Mendez Dominguez, Age 51, of Chula Vista, California, and Omar Bautista Herrera, Age 43, of Lancaster, California. Both are charged with two counts of trafficking in cocaine and two counts of trafficking in fentanyl and held on a two-million-dollar bond. There is no further information currently available.

By Loretta Cozart

Construction is ongoing in Downtown Kings Mountain as building owners respond to the demand for restaurant space, leased commercial space, and expansion of ongoing concerns.

The Joy Theatre, located at 202 S. Railroad Avenue, is adding new restroom space on the south side of its building. This is much needed after the strong community response to performances by Kings Mountain Little Theater and Liberty Mountain. The existing bathroom space will be converted for other uses.

In the past few weeks, windows have been installed in two downtown buildings. At CRAVE, 222 S. Railroad Ave., six windows on the second floor were replaced, adding to the attractiveness and overall aesthetic. The building, built in 1899, was formerly known as Plonk Brothers Store and Kiser and Plonk. It has been transformed into a new restaurant and bar. The opening date of the restaurant has not been announced yet.

Across the tracks, at 229 S. Battleground Avenue, the metal windows in the Scism building were cleaned, painted, and reglazed. This building was once the Western Auto Associates Store. A second floor was added to the building with leased space below.

she was the type who never met a stranger. She had a knack for making seemingly impossible situations feasible, and completely normal situations extraordinary.

She is survived by a daughter, Dr. Charlee Caroline Pittman (Manning SC), son Tyler Pittman (Manning SC), two grandchildren Cooper and Blythe Pittman, sister Terri Baliles Bunch (husband Johnny, of Lake Wylie SC), Tony Baliles (wife Jan, of Asheville NC), Kenneth “Kenny” Baliles (Myrtle Beach SC), as well as multiple nephews, a niece, and her long-term partner Roy Masters (Asheville NC).

“With her passing, our lives have become quieter, which we know is because she’s up there talking the Big Guy’s ear off. Rest in eternal peace, Leigh—you did good in your time here on Earth.”

A memorial service is being planned for the near future.

Asheville Area Alternative Funeral & Cremation Services, 702 Riverside Drive, Asheville , NC 28801 is in charge of arrangements.

Incremental changes are happening downtown as Kings Mountain prepares for growth and the needed services and amenities citizens expect in the city.

Richard

Six windows on the second floor of CRAVE were replaced, adding to the overall attractiveness of the building.

Photos by Loretta Cozart

The windows in the Scism building were cleaned, painted, and reglazed.

City of Kings Mountain announces Road Closures

The City of Kings Mountain will host the 150th BIG Birthday Bash presented by Albemarle Corporation on Saturday, May 4th, 2024. Several roads in the Downtown area will be impacted during the event. Railroad Avenue and West Gold Street surrounding Patriots Park, and a portion of Mountain and Cherokee Streets will close in preparation for the event. Further information regarding road closures is listed below.

Railroad Avenue at Patriots Park

• Barricade placement will begin at 11:59 pm, Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 – this portion of Railroad Avenue will remain closed until Sunday, May 5th, 2024.

Mountain and Cherokee Streets

• Barricade placement will begin at 11:59 pm, Friday, May 3rd, 2024-this portion will remain closed until 1:00 PM, Saturday, May 4th. West Gold Street at Patriots Park

• Barricade placement will begin at 1 pm, Friday, May 3rd, 2024-this portion will remain closed until 11:00 PM, Saturday, May 4th.

Motorists are urged to use extreme caution when traveling through Downtown Kings Mountain due to the increase in motor vehicles and pedestrians walking. Please plan to travel different roads if you are impacted by this change.

Heavy traffic heading to Downtown KM

Heavy traffic is expected in Downtown Kings Mountain, May 3rd and 4th, 2024 as The City of Kings Mountain hosts two special events at Patriots Park Roads impacted during the events will be a portion of Mountain and Cherokee Streets, a portion of Railroad Avenue at Patriots Park, West Gold Street and South Cansler Streets. As a result, the City is offering Shuttle Pick-Up and Drop-Off at the following locations: May 3rd-Golf Cart Shuttle Only-Parkdale Mill, Located at 500 South Railroad Avenue

May 4th-Golf Cart and Bus shuttles will pick up and drop off at… First Baptist Church-Located at 605 West King Street Parkdale Mill-Located at 500 South Railroad Avenue Shuttle service will begin May 3rd at 5:00 PM and end at 10:00 PM.

Shuttle service will begin May 4th at 10:30 AM and end at 10:00 PM

The City urges patrons to use the shuttle services as parking will be scarce in the downtown.

Motorists are urged to use extreme caution when traveling through Downtown Kings Mountain due to the increase in motor vehicles and pedestrians. Please plan to travel different roads if you are impacted by road closures.

Free Family Fun on May 18

CCHD hosts Summer Days, Healthy Ways

The Cleveland County Health Department will host a Summer Days, Healthy Ways event on Saturday, May 18th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on its campus at 200 S Post Rd, Shelby. Summer Days, Healthy Ways will be a fun, family-friendly event with inflatables, minigolf, face painting, balloon art, sweet treats, free food, giveaways, raffles, and more. The raffle will include a free Apple watch and a kid’s bike. 100 children’s bike helmets will also be available for free.

Many community-based organizations will be present to share information and provide education on local resources to help keep children and families healthy this summer and beyond.

“By hosting this event, we hope to accomplish several things,” said DeShay Oliver, Deputy Health Director for the Cleveland

County Health Department. “First, we hope to provide an opportunity for families to get out, get active, and spend quality time together in an affordable way. Second, we hope to help community members learn more about the many available local health-related resources. Last, we hope to bring community members together on our campus so they can see how nice our facility is and learn more about what we offer. Our local health department offers a wide range of services for everyone.”

This event is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there. For more information or to participate as a vendor, please call 980-484-5199.

NC pursuing Electric Vehicle adoption target

In 2022, Governor Cooper announced an ambitious target for North Carolina: to have at least 1.25 million registered zero-emission vehicles by 2030. While current adoption rates show promise, significant challenges lie ahead.

The state’s embrace of electric cars and trucks (EVs) is rapidly gaining momentum. In December 2021, North Carolina counted 24,997 EVs and 12,038 plug-in hybrids, totaling 37,035 vehicles. Just two years later, in January 2023, the state reported a staggering increase of 56,548 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, marking a notable 48.6% rise from January 2022’s 38,064.

North Carolina’s clean energy director, Peter Ledford, comments on the governor’s goal: “Achieving 1.25 million EVs [in North Carolina] is bold and certainly an aggressive goal, but it’s certainly in the realm of possibility.” He adds, “[Given our] current adoption rate, we are on track to be very close to that by 2030.”

There is a long road ahead. According to state vehicle registration data collected by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, North Carolina boasts 10.3 million registered motor vehicles and 7.3 million licensed drivers. These vehicles comprise 5,205,387 trucks, 3,280,487 automobiles, 189,314 motorcycles, and 32,318 buses.

Vehicles are categorized based on weight: Light-duty vehicles, including motorcycles, sedans, SUVs, and small trucks, weigh under 6,000 lbs., while those ranging from 6,001 to 8,500 lbs. are also considered light-duty. Medium-duty vehicles, such as minivans, full-size pickups, and small box trucks, weigh 8,501 lbs. to 14,000 lbs. Heavy-duty vehicles, over 14,001 lbs., encompass large delivery trucks, buses, and others. Most vehicles on North Carolina’s roads do not align with the state’s zero-emission objectives.

In September 2023, the North Carolina Department of Transportation released an Infrastructure Needs Assessment concerning the state’s zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). ZEVs include Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), which primarily rely on lithium-ion batteries for power instead of traditional gasoline and diesel internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) also utilize an electric motor and a smaller battery powered by hydrogen, natural gas, or propane.

The report assessed the charging and fueling requirements necessary to back the proposed North Carolina Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule program and fulfill the ZEV adoption goals outlined in Executive Order No. 246 – North Carolina’s Transformation to a Clean, Equitable Economy. This executive order aims to achieve a target of at least 1.25 million registered zero-emission vehicles in the state by 2030.

NC Executive Order 246 establishes two objectives to boost the presence of ZEVs in North Carolina’s light-duty vehicle sector by 2030. The first target is to elevate the total number of registered ZEVs to a minimum of 1,250,000 by 2030. The second goal is to raise the proportion of zero-emission vehicles to 50% of all new vehicle sales in the state by 2030. However, such growth in North Carolina hinges on substantial investments from both the public and private sectors in Electric Vehicles (EVs), EV charging infrastructure, the state’s electrical grid capacity, and alternative fuel distribution.

North Carolina is gearing up to meet its ambitious targets, with an estimated need for approximately 401,670 total charging ports in various configurations by 2030 to accommodate the 503,347 vehicles required to fulfill the mandates outlined in Executive Order 246.

See ADOPTION, Page 5A

OPINION

I attribute my success to this - I never gave or took

Pieces of Kings Mountain History

By Loretta Cozart

I am familiar with Dr. Luther Baker, as I grew up just a block away from the Baker home on N. Piedmont Avenue. The home’s iconic turret drew the eye, and it stood out among the grand dames of those historic homes along N. Piedmont Avenue that are long gone except for the home of the C.E. and Ida Pauline Mauney Neisler. All the others were lost to the construction of the Hwy. 74 bypass.

ler shared with me the rare story of the heroism of a

young Dr. Luther Baker, son of Phillip Sylvanus Baker and Selena Ellen Patterson Baker. Dr. Luther Baker was one of Kings Mountain’s best-known citizens. He was a dentist here for over 57 years, from 1907-1964. The Baker family dental business started by him continues today by his grandsons, Bryan and Steve. Dr. Luther Baker was also chairman of the Kings Mountain Board of Education from 1931-1951. As a young man, Luther was a real-life hero, as shown in two episodes. In 1897, Luther was a lad of fourteen years. One November day that year, he

He noticed a large quantity of leaves burning on the roof of the Mauney home. He quickly entered the house and escorted Mrs. Candance Mauney to the front yard. By now, the Mauney house’s roof was engulfed in flames. Ignoring cries from neighbors to stay away from the fire, young Luther grabbed a ladder, mounted the roof, and put out the flames with buckets of water being passed to him. He received severe second-degree burns on his hands while performing this brave act of heroism.

Later, in 1905, Luther Baker was a dental intern for the summer at Dr. J.C. Patrick’s dental office in Kings Mountain. One Saturday afternoon, he was in the dental

Looking Back

By Loretta Cozart

It is easy to think not much happens in a town when you live there and see the day-to-day goings on. In actuality, lots of things are happening around us, like the renovations of downtown buildings and new businesses buying property across the city. Because incremental changes are occurring, it is easy to overlook the impact they have on a community over weeks, months, and years.

The Herald shared the following story on February 15, 1940. Even then, things were happening, and the Herald took space to point them out.

“The slack in business that was felt during the cold weather is gone, and folks are busy selling and buying more than ever before.

“The mills are running good; tourists are stopping at our Mountain View House. Drummers are seen selling the merchants’ new spring merchandise, the

Men’s Club is buying trees to beautify our town, the Baby Derby’s going strong, and ride around and look at the new homes going up.

Among those under construction now are the Baptist Parsonage on Gaston Street, Clyde Bennett’s home on Ridge Street, Dr. W. L. Ramseur’s home on Shelby Street, Haywood Lynch’s home on Ridge Street, and several homes built by the Elmer Lumber Co. on the York Road.

“While this is being done by individuals, our town fathers are not asleep: the roads are being repaired, new roads opened such Ridge Street and sidewalks being graded for the early pouring of concrete as soon as the scare of the freeze is over. So, smile and he glad that you live in the Best Town In The State.”

office using a vulcanizing machine that was common at that time to patch automobile tires. A young woman from Kings Mountain, Grace Rudisill, visited him at the office. As she watched him patch the tire, the vulcanizing machine suddenly exploded, sending sharp metal bits throughout the office. Miss Rudisill received a serious wound on her forehead and nose and began bleeding profusely. Young Luther Baker began applying pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding and was credited by doctors at Gastonia Hospital for saving Miss Rudisill’s life.

An article ran in The Gastonia Gazette on Tuesday, November 19, 1912, announced the marriage of Luther to Poleyette read: Invitations reading as follows have been received here: Mrs. Clara W. Poleyette announces the marriage of her daughter Mary Tipton to Dr. Luther Baker on Thursday the fourteenth of November nineteen hundred and twelve Crisfield, Maryland, at home after December first, Kings Mtn., N.C. This announcement will be of especial interest to the many friends in Gaston and

Cleveland counties of the groom-elect, who is a prominent young dentist of Kings Mountain.

The attached photo shows Dr. L.P. Baker with Mary Tipton Poleyette Baker in downtown Kings Mountain. I suspect it was taken in the parking area behind the shops on Mountain Street. The wall along the alleyway behind them on the right resembles what is today 133 West. There was once a Millinery Shop adjacent to the alley opposite what was then a grocery store, and it is believed that is where they were photographed.

Most Americans are facing some level of financial stress

The average house payment in America today is $2,883 on a 30-year mortgage. The average payment on a fixed year rate mortgage is about $3,759. (January stats from businessfinder.com).

The average car payment in America is $732 a month for new cars and $532 a month for used cars. (Nerdwallet.com)

The average American household spends over $1,000 a month on groceries according to a report on gitnux.org. A family of four may spend up to $1300 per month.

Nationwide, Americans spend an average of $429.33 per month on utilities. Hawaii has the highest monthly energy bill at $177.78 and Utah has the lowest at $80.87. California has the highest average monthly water bill at $77. Wisconsin and Vermont are tied for the lowest monthly water bills at $18. (Forbes. com)

A January 2023 statistic estimated Americans spend $150 to $200 a month on gasoline. (JDPower.Com). This is hard to know because prices are always changing. Regions of the country have to drive more

than others but we all know we spend a lot to fuel our automobiles.

Electric car costs are adding $100 to $200 a month to the average electric bill according to information found on Quora. com

The average national monthly health insurance cost for one person on an Affordable Care Act plan without premium tax credits in 2024 is $477. (Healthmarkets.com)

Of course, to obtain an average some Americans are paying more and some are paying less.

The bottom line is regardless of who you are you have financial stress in your life to some degree. According to Lendingtree.com, the average American credit card debt in the last quarter of 2023 was $6,864. Therefore, if you are also carrying a big credit card debt then financial pressure is weighing heavily on you.

It’s difficult to dodge all the above except for creating credit card debit. Typically, we only use a credit card when we don’t have the money. Most Americans today are using debit cards to some degree. It’s not a bad thing to have a credit card. There are some upsides to it but the downside is when you put more on

the card than what you can pay for within the due date cycle.

The cost of life’s basics such as housing, food, utilities and a car are making life for most Americans, stressful to say the least. The answers may lie in downsizing. Living in cheaper housing, driving a cheaper car and freezing more in the winter and being warm in the summer to save a few dollars. Many Americans are trying to stay above water by working more or depending on two incomes. More than half of America’s households are dual income according to magnifymoney.com

The point is, be aware that you are not alone in the pressure you are feeling. Be aware that your neighbor next door, the other drivers on the highway and your fellow workers at the job are all experiencing some of what you are feeling. We should all be aware and try to respect and understand each other a little more. Find books by Glenn Mollette at Amazon. com Learn more about his books, columns and music at GlennMollette. Com. Enjoy his music on Facebook at Glenn Mollette Music

LORETTA COZART

Glenn Mollette Guest Editorial

Mary Tipton Poleyette Baker in the wheelbarrow with L.P. Baker standing behind.

Photo by Kings Mountain Historical Museum

Anticipating the surge in electric vehicles (EVs) hitting the roads, North Carolina must aim for over 45,000 publicly available charging ports by 2030.

More private charging stations will still be needed. According to a 2021 Fuels Institute report, about 70-80% of EV charging occurs at home or workplace parking lots. EV drivers typically recharge their vehicles on a daily or bi-daily basis. The state will require over 373,000 residential charging ports, both Level 1 and Level 2, to meet this demand, with peak charging expected from early evening to midnight (6 pm-12 am). Strategically locating chargers in lowand moderate-income neighborhoods could enhance accessibility for a broader range of drivers.

Under the ACT program, North Carolina must also ramp up sales of medium and heavy-duty (MHD) zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). Most battery-electric MHDs are charged where they are stored when not in use, such as in garages, depots, or residential addresses, particularly for lighter MHD vehicles used by contractors and tradespeople. The Needs Assessment estimates a requirement of 32,853 Level 2 chargers and a range of Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) from 19,339 to 58,016 by 2035 to support the growing MHD ZEV inventory.

However, this surge in electric vehicle adoption, prompted by initiatives like Governor Cooper’s Executive Order 271, is expected to strain local distribution infrastructure. Upgrading infrastructure to handle higher power loads associated with MHD charging presents both cost and timeline challenges for companies. Depending on the electric utility’s business program, fleet operators may be responsible for upgrade costs, and some upgrades may face lengthy implementation timelines due to supply chain issues and utility lead times.

Apart from battery-electric MHD vehicles, hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are also anticipated to contribute to the decarbonization efforts related to MHD vehicle use. Although trials and pilots for FCEVs are underway, this technology has trailed battery-electric vehicles for several years. Consequently, it

will be some time before we witness substantial numbers of FCEV MHD vehicles on the roads.

Financial challenges are present in North Carolina’s electric vehicle landscape. Unlike some states, such as California, which offers tax credits up to $7,000 for electric vehicle purchases, North Carolina lacks incentives or rebates for consumers or businesses looking to go electric. These incentives can play a crucial role in making electric cars and trucks more affordable and driving up demand. At least the federal government provides a tax credit of up to $7,500 to purchase all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Infrastructure costs present another hurdle. To address this issue, North Carolina may tap into funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021 to expand charger stations statewide. The federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program will invest $110 million in North Carolina to install EV charging stations along interstates and urban areas. The state will receive $109 million from this initiative, with plans to allocate it in two phases: to enhance charging stations along national highways and to establish stations in local communities.

Businesses are also grappling with the high costs associated with electric vehicle adoption. Medium and heavy-duty (MHD) zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) can be two to four times pricier than their diesel counterparts. Moreover, the expenses related to charging infrastructure and potential upgrades to the electricity distribution system pose significant financial barriers to adopting and deploying necessary infrastructure.

Meanwhile, North Carolina is actively courting EV-related manufacturing, drawing significant investments from global giants like VinFast, Toyota, Kempower, Atom Power, Arrival, and others.

According to Clean Energy Director Ledford, state and federal governments have been zeroing in on the two major obstacles to EV adoption: cost and infrastructure.

However, there’s still much ground to cover, especially with the US Energy Department forecasting 33 million EVs cruising the roads by 2030.

NC teacher turnover rose sharply over last year

In 2023, over 10,000 teachers left North Carolina’s classrooms, a significant exodus over the previous year, as per a recent state report. The surge in departures was partially due to resignations among beginning teachers in their first three years and those newly eligible for retirement benefits reveals the latest State of the Teaching Profession report by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Presented to the State Board of Education on April 3rd, the report highlights a rise in attrition to 11.5% for the 2022-23 school year, up from 7.8% in 2021-22. The attrition rate among teachers in their first three years spiked to 15.1%.

North Carolina’s turnover reflects national trends but remains below projected national averages. The report also underscores the impact of staff turnover on vacancy rates, which rose to 6.4% in 2022-23 from 5.9% in 2021-22. Vacancy rates account for positions not filled by a fully licensed, permanent employee. Additionally, the report reveals a growing number of educators entering the profession through alternative licensure routes, marking a 23% increase since 2017. These avenues include professionals transitioning to teaching as a second career or individuals completing undergraduate degrees be-

fore pursuing teaching.

“These trends highlight the importance of providing enhanced support for early-career educators, including those who enter the profession through the residency license pipeline,” said State Superintendent Catherine Truitt.

“With nearly half of new teachers coming to us through alternative teacher preparation programs, we need to take a close look at how to better differentiate supports for those educators. I will continue to recommend that the state consider redesigning its teacher licensure and compensation system so that beginning teacher support is embedded earlier and systematically throughout a teacher’s career.”

In the academic year 2022-2023, North Carolina boasted 80,534 experienced, licensed teachers, including 10,104 beginners. This marked a decrease from the 93,822 teachers employed in the state the previous year, with 10,376 teachers no longer working in NC public schools or public charter schools.

Regions in North Carolina experiencing the highest year-to-year teacher attrition rates include the North Central region (12.32%), Southwest region (12.13%), and Piedmont Triad region (10.34%). Halifax County leads the state in teacher turnover, with an attrition rate of 18.31%, while Haywood County boasts the lowest rate at 5.81%.

Many departing teachers from North Carolina public schools, totaling 4,981 (48.01%), cited “Personal Reasons” for their decision to leave. The most common individual reasons were “Resigned due to a career change” (17.18%) and “Retired with full benefits” (13.05%). Other factors contributing to teachers’ departures include “Retired with full benefits” (13.07%), “Resigned due to family responsibilities/childcare” (6.83%), “Resigned due to family relocation” (6.60%), “Resigned with reduced benefits” (5.70%), and “Resigned to teach in another state” (4.63%). Dissatisfaction

with teaching led to only 292 (2.82%) resignations.

The study did not inquire whether current teachers were departing because of low pay, inadequate benefits, or poor working conditions. Although the 2023 NC state budget granted higher raises to new teachers, boosting their base pay from $37,000 to $41,000 over the biennium, education officials suggest that additional measures might be necessary.

Challenges persist in filling teaching positions, particularly in certain subject areas. In elementary schools, vacancies are most pronounced in core subjects. Middle schools (grades 6-8) and high schools (grades 9-12) face shortages primarily in specialized roles, notably Exceptional Children Teachers. Mathematics and Career and Technical Education (CTE) also experience significant staffing gaps in middle and high schools, respectively. At the start of the 2023 school year, approximately 6,000 teaching positions lacked qualified teachers. Long-term substitute teachers or retired educators filled some of these vacancies. Notably, teachers employed by NC charters operate as at-will employees, with only half of their staff mandated to hold teaching licenses.

Further, North Carolina’s teaching workforce is aging, with a decline in new teachers entering the field. There’s been a notable uptick in teachers retiring as soon as they become eligible for full retirement benefits. In 2023, a quarter of eligible teachers retired, compared to a fifth the previous year.

Teaching in public schools presents numerous challenges, characterized by limited flexibility and strict regulations. Superintendent Truitt advocates for a comprehensive reform of teacher licensure to streamline responsibilities, provide enhanced mentorship for novice teachers, and offer greater leadership opportunities for seasoned educators. Additionally, the proposed plan includes substantial salary increases.

LIBERTY

From Page 1A

The indoor drama features immersive action, music, epic battles, an special effects. The cast and crew of approximately 35 has onstage and behind the scenes opportunities for actors of all ages. Actors and technicians receive a salary for the seven-week commitment from late August thru early October. Performances are each weekend beginning September 13th, 2024 and ending October 6th, 2024. More specifics at www.libertymountaindrama.com

Audition dates are Wednesday, May 8th and Friday, May 10th from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Joy Theatre, 202 S. Railroad Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC. There are opportunities for lead and supporting actors, ensemble, musicians, backstage, and technical positions. There are roles for 5-10 women, 15-20 men, 5-10 pre-teen aged actors. Kings Mountain Little Theatre, Inc. is a volunteer based, 501c3 tax-exempt community theater. It owns and operates the Joy Theatre and the Liberty Mountain Garden.

Bessemer City High School teacher Jeremy Homesley portrays Major Patrick Ferguson. Photo by KMLT

Jesus And The Lost Son

Part 1 I know what you’re thinking. The title says “The Lost Sons.” I thought there was only one lost son?

But is that the point of this parable?

Who is Jesus talking to?

Pastor Stephen Littlejohn Battleground Community Church

Remember those religious elites?

How do they fit into this parable?

Are they one of the two sons described? Well, first things first, Let’s remember this parable recorded in Luke 15:11-32.

The story begins with a rebel-

lious son who wishes his father dead and desires to get his inheritance now. What a request! Basically, saying, I wish you were dead, give me my inheritance now. The Father obliges, and the Son leaves home to live a life described as “reckless living” (ESV’s translation). As happens in a life of sin, we find ourselves at the place we call brokenness, and so does this son. He finds himself at the point of desperation, yet this brokenness presents him with an opportunity. This opportunity is to turn and come home. I love verse 17: When he came to himself. This response, my friend, is the beginning of repentance. Yet the main character in this parable is not the rebellious son

but the seeking father. Verse 20 tells us that the son, on his way back, was a long way off when the seeking father saw him and ran to him. This truth would have been shocking to the Jewish man. Jewish men don’t run! Yet, far from receiving this rebellious son back as an enslaved person more than a son, the father responds breathtakingly. He embraces the dirty, broken son. He then brings the repentant son a robe, a ring, and sandals for his feet. Lastly, he throws a feast!

Though the story is far from over, what can we see about the Father? Like the woman with a lost coin or a shepherd with the lost sheep, a common attitude and action runs through these

parables. First, regardless of the sinfulness of the lost, there is an attitude of diligent, continuous seeking until the lost one is recovered. Second, this seeking will be counter-cultural. The world, even the religious, may not understand this seeking, but the Father was driven just the woman and the shepherd to recover the lost and then rejoice. The simple question at this point in the story is, do I have the heart of the Father? Am

I the wandering son who needs to see my broken condition stop, turn, and come home through faith in the life, death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ? The Lord is mighty to save. Trust him today!

www.momsinprayer.org

Our Mission: Moms In Prayer International impacts children and schools worldwide for Christ by gathering mothers to pray.

Kings Mountain Area Church Directory

St. Paul United

Methodist Church N. Cansler Street 704-739-1256

Sunrise Baptist Church 208 Mail Road 704-692-3007

Temple Baptist Church 612 N. Cansler Street 704-739-4716

The Favor Center Church 602 Slater Street

True Gospel Holiness Church 1608 Shelby Road 704-739-6764

Unity AME Zion Church 948 Unity Church Road 704-228-0328

Edgemont Drive 704-739-4917

Calvary Way Holiness Church 1017 Second Street Pastor Clifton Morgan

Carson Memorial Baptist Church 262 Sparrow Springs Road 704-739-2247

Central Methodist Church

113 S. Piedmont Avenue 704-739-2471

Cherokee St. Baptist Church

421 S. Cherokee Street 704-739-7697

Long Creek Presbyterian Church

701 Long Creek Road

704-629-4406

Love Valley Baptist Church

2032 Bethlehem Road

704-730-0075

Macedonia Baptist Church

1101 S. Battleground Ave.

704-739-6811

Midview Baptist Church

703 Margrace Road

704-739-6711

Mount Zion

Missionary Baptist Church

220 N. Watterson Street

704-739-8354

Mountain View Agape Church

506 Sparrow Springs Road

704-739-0160

Eastside Baptist Church

308 York Rd., Kings Mountain, NC

Mt. Olive

Baptist Church Compact School Road

704-739-4516

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

220 N. Watterson Street

704-739-8354

New Beginnings Church of Jesus Christ 541 Crocker Road

704-730-9507

New Bynum Chapel

AME

Zion Church N. Cansler Street

704-739-2606

New Camp Creek

Baptist Church 863 New Camp Creek Ch. Road

704-487-7128

New Life Family Worship Center 428 Oak Grove Road

704-739-9371

New Way Missionary

Baptist Church 105 Waco Road

704-724-0414

Oak Grove Baptist Church 1022 Oak Grove Road 704-739-4833

Oak View Baptist Church 1517 York Road

704-739-7831

Pathway Baptist Church

3100 Parkdale Circle

704-734-0852

Patterson Grove

Baptist Church

301 Oak Grove Road 704-739-5826

Penley’s Chapel Church 1805 N Piedmont Ave

704-524-4139

Peoples Baptist Church 1010 Groves Street 704-739-0398

Proclaiming the Word Ministries 7011 Cleveland Avenue

Progressive Church of Our Lord 1001 Cleveland Avenue 704-734-1070

Resurrection Lutheran Church 600 Crescent Circle 704-739-5580

Royal Praise Ministries 2055 Shelby Rd.

Saint Matthew’s Lutheran Church 201 N. Piedmont Avenue 704-739-7466

Second Baptist Church 120 Linwood Road 704-739-4216

Shady Grove Baptist Church 339 Shady Grove Road 704-739-8920

Vestibule AME Zion Church 2175 Vestibule Church Road 704-739-7961

Westover Baptist Church 114 Westover Drive

Advent Lutheran Church, NALC Member 230 Oak Grove Rd. 704-750-0171

Anew Beginning Baptist Church 415 Dixon School Rd. 704-473-1372

Ardent Life Church 420 Branch Street 704-739-7700

Arise Church 830 E. King St. Bethlehem Baptist Church 1017 Bethlehem Road 704-739-7487

Boyce Memorial ARP Church

Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church 618 Chestnut Ridge Road 704-739-4015

Christian Freedom Southern Baptist Church 246 Range Road 704-739-4152

Christ The King Catholic Church 714 Stone Street 704-487-7697

Concord United Methodist Church 2404 Tryon Courthouse Rd. Bessemer City, NC 704-629-3571

Cornerstone Church Of God 202 Margrace Road 704-739-3773

Cornerstone Independent Baptist 107 Range Road 704-737-0477

Hamrick Family donation to Wendover Hospice House

VIA Health Partners, founded as Hospice Cleveland County, announced a donation from the Delores “Dee” Hamrick Turner family to name the Wendover Hospice House Nurse Station.

Mrs. Turner’s children -Tommy Hamrick, Steve Hamrick, and Susan Hamrick Floydmade the gift to honor their mother who is now under hospice care with VIA Health Partners. A long-time resident of Cleveland County, Mrs. Turner cared for and mentored many people in her life both young and old. Although she was not a nurse by trade, she welcomed many family members into her home to live as long as necessary. “Her home embodied the same tender spirit as the care she’s now receiving from the VIA Health Partners team,” said Tommy Hamrick.

The family decided naming the nurses’ station at the Wendover Hospice House would be a perfect way to honor their mother and help further the mission of one of her favorite organizations. The new station will be called the Delores “Dee” Hamrick Turner Nurse Station.

offers hospice and palliative services spanning 35 counties across North and South Carolina.

The family said, “We are thankful for the opportunity to help VIA Health Partners continue to provide comfort and peace to individuals and their respective families at life’s most difficult time.”

Peter Brunnick, a Shelby native and President/CEO of VIA Health Partners, said “Gifts like this one from the Hamrick family represent a

The members from various churches will raise their voices in praise this Friday night at Patriots Park.

KM Churches bring Praise Music to Patriots Park on Friday

event. Don’t forget your lawn chair.

direct investment in our ability to care for anyone who needs us, regardless of medical complexity or ability to pay. Our Wendover Hospice House is an important community asset, and we are thrilled to set the Hamrick’s gift to good work.”

VIA Health Partners

The VIA Health Partners Cleveland County office serves as the hub of the Western Region which includes Caldwell, Burke, McDowell, Rutherford, and Polk counties.

About VIA Health Partners: VIA Health Partners began as Hospice at Charlotte, the state’s first hospice, and was incorporated in

May Library news

By Mari Slaughter

Mauney Memorial Library has the following events scheduled for May. The library is at 100 S. Piedmont Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC 28086. For the latest in library news and events, visit www.mauneylibrary.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. The library is closed in observance of Memorial Day, May 25th – May 27th

• Southern Garden Party (Adults only) Wednesday, May 1st 10:00 am – 12:00 pm MML Front Porch

This year’s Southern Garden Party will be held on the Mauney Memorial Library front porch! Drop in to learn many gardening tips and tricks.

the gray areas of friendship, morality, and selfhood. Attendees will receive a free copy of a Jenny Hubbard book (while supplies last.) Books will be available for sale at the event.

• Painting with Melody! (Adults) (Registration Required) Saturday, May 11th 10 am – 12 pm

Library Community Room

Paint your own masterpiece in this beginner-friendly painting class! Presented by Melody Griffin of Painting Class Studio.

• No Storytime offered on May 14th

• Lego Club (ages 6-12)

Third Thursday of every month 3:30 pm -4:30 pm

Library Community Room

Free build and participate in group projects, snacks provided.

1978. Later, Hospice at Charlotte operated under the name Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region (HPCCR) for decades before changing its name change to VIA Health Partners in 2023. In Fall 2020, Hospice Cleveland County and HPCCR merged. Today, VIA Health Partners serves over 3,500 patients on any given day through its hospice and palliative services. For more information, visit VIAhp.org.

son (preschoolers)

Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30 am -11:30 am

Library Community Room Come to the library to enjoy a story, music, and a take home craft with Miss. Anne.

• Learn Grow Play (preschoolers) Fridays 10:00 am -11:30 am Library Community Room Play in centers, then enjoy a story, music, and a take home craft with Miss. Anne.

On Tuesday, April 23, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement received a call from the 200 block of Carolyn Circle in Gastonia, NC, regarding a raccoon that had been attacked by a family dog.

Animal Care and Enforcement Specialists investigated the incident and impounded the raccoon on Tuesday. The raccoon was sent to the NC Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh on Wednesday, 4/24/2024. The official laboratory results were received on Thursday, 4/25/2024, at approximately 12:40 p.m., indicating that the raccoon tested positive for rabies. As a precaution, the dog received a rabies booster shot from the family veterinarian.

Animal Care and Enforce-

• Author Talk with Jenny Hubbard (Teens and Adult) (Registration Required) Monday, May 6th 5 pm – 6 pm Library Community Room Attendees get a free book (while supplies last)! Join us for a chat with award-winning author Jenny Hubbard! Jenny is the author of two young-adult novels: And We Stay, a Printz Honor Book, and Paper Covers Rock, a Morris Award Finalist. Her novels feature good kids who make bad choices and must redeem themselves by confronting

• Visit Your Park Day at Crowders Mountain (Family)

Saturday, May 18th 9 am12 pm Crowders Mountain Lake Trail (Sparrow Springs Access), 522 Park Office Ln

Join us on Saturday, May 18th at Crowders Mountain State Park for “Discover Your Park Day!” Meet your park rangers, try your hand at fishing, and learn about all of the wonderful things Crowders Mountain State Park has to offer!

• Library Storytime in Per-

• No Storytime or Playgroup offered the last week of May • Glass Etching (Adults Only) (Registration Required)

Wednesday, May 29th 2-4 pm Library Community Room Learn to use etching to turn plain glass into gorgeous glass! All materials provided. For the latest in library news and events, visit www. mauneylibrary.org. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Mauney Memorial Library is at 100 S. Piedmont Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC 28086.

ment completed a neighborhood canvass in the area of Carolyn Circle Gastonia, NC to notify the community of the positive rabies results and to verify rabies vaccinations for family animals in the area.

Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement also notified the Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services about the incident.

The GCPD Animal Care and Enforcement Division stresses the importance of having a valid rabies vaccination for pets, their owners, and the community.

This is the second confirmed rabies case in Gaston County this year.

No further information is currently available for release.

The Lubrizol Corporation announced a $20 million investment to expand its manufacturing plant in Gastonia and enhance the production of acrylic emulsions as part of its innovative resin coatings technologies.

“The investment in Lubrizol’s manufacturing facility in Gastonia includes updated processing equipment, storage tanks, packaging equipment, and an increase in overall production capacity to serve our customers,” added Tom Zagore, Sr. Director for Product Management. “Safety and operating efficiency are key drivers for the changes. As Lubrizol continues to drive acrylic product performance, we need to be capable of handling product complexity, system optimization, and the safe handling of materials to achieve the highest level of Responsible Care® compliance, employee safety, and operational efficiency.”

“Our commitment to innovation and production of world-class acrylic emulsions will continue, as evident by this significant investment,” shared Luis Carthery, Sr. Business Director-Americas, Lubrizol.

“While some Hycar® Acrylic Emulsions first commercialized in the 1960s continue to have significant sales volumes today, we continue to innovate and bring modern resin technologies to customers, helping

them achieve advanced performance capabilities for their coatings.”

Since the 1950s, Lubrizol has been known for innovating and manufacturing acrylic emulsion technologies in various coating formulations commonly used in diverse applications, including paper, textiles, and construction materials. With over a dozen patents throughout the years in North America alone, Lubrizol’s acrylic emulsions have pioneered step changes in coating performance, from ultraviolet (UV) and chemical resistance to hardness and toughness improvements to self-dispersibility to lower volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Lubrizol’s Gastonia location is estimated to have around 75 full-time employees. The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a specialty chemical company whose science delivers sustainable solutions to advance mobility, improve well-being, and enhance modern life. Founded in 1928, Lubwrizol owns and operates over 100 manufacturing facilities, sales, and technical offices worldwide and has over 8,000 employees. For more information, visit www.Lubrizol.com. Lubrizol invests $20M in

Family at Nurse Station – L to R: Tommy Hamrick, Susan Hamrick Floyd, Steve Hamrick.

Photo by Gabriel Thomas

How to ensure a relaxing day for Mom this Mother’s Day

in Mom’s own private spa. Transform the en suite or another bathroom into Mom’s person-al soaking space. Clean the bathtub, light some candles around the tub and bathroom, turn on some relaxing music, dim the lights, and then invite Mom in to soak in a freshly drawn hot bubble bath.

This recipe makes for a great breakfast in bed this Mother’s Day

There may be no better way to start Mother’s Day than serving Mom some breakfast in bed. A homemade meal before Mom even gets out of bed can set the right tone for a day that celebrates all mothers have done and continue to do for their children.

in

• Serve

Mom might be on breakfast detail on hec-tic

mornings, but Mother’s Day marks the perfect time for spouses and kids to take over those responsibilities. This year, keep the cereal in the pantry and go the extra mile by preparing a homemade breakfast and serving it to Mom in bed. Present the meal with a small bouquet of flowers and some reading material and then let Mom eat in peace and quiet if she so prefers.

• Turn the en suite into a spa. Nothing complements a relaxing breakfast in bed better than a subsequent dip

• Keep Mom out of the kitchen. Keep the relaxing vibe going by making sure Mom doesn’t have to lift a finger in the kitchen. Make sure all the dishes are washed before Mom comes downstairs for the day and let her know you’ve already ordered lunch from a local restaurant. Even if Mom loves to cook, a day off from kitchen de-tail can make Mother’s Day that much more relaxing.

• Book some time in the great outdoors. If the weather allows, visit a nearby park as a family and go for a walk. Nature has its own way of helping people relax, so some time outdoors in the spring air can keep the peaceful vibe

going into the afternoon. If the family includes young children, choose a park with a play-ground so Mom can relax and watch the kids play from a nearby bench.

• Book a dinner reservation. It might require some advance booking, as Mother’s Day reservations can be hard to come by, but a night at Mom’s favorite restaurant can be the perfect conclusion to a relaxing day. If Mom’s more of a homebody, whip up a homemade meal and let Mom relax with a glass of wine as you prepare a feast.

Mother’s Day is the perfect time to plan a day of relaxation for mothers who do so much for their families throughout the year. Some simple planning can ensure Mom gets the R&R she deserves.

There’s no shortage of breakfast in bed options to serve Mom this Mother’s Day. If Mom loves a traditional hearty morning meal, this recipe for “Mixed Berry French Toast” courtesy of Taste of Home (tasteofhome. com) is sure to please.

Mixed Berry French Toast Makes 8 servings 6 large eggs 1-3⁄4 cups fat-free milk 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1⁄4 teaspoon salt 1 loaf (1

frozen unsweetened mixed berries 2 tablespoons cold butter 1⁄3 cup packed brown sugar

Confectioners’ sugar and maple syrup (optional)

Whisk together the first 6 ingredients. Place bread cubes in a 13 x 9-inch or 3-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour egg mixture over top. Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Remove berries from freezer and French toast from refrigerator and let stand while oven heats. Bake French toast, covered, 30 minutes. In a small bowl, cut butter into brown sugar until crumbly. Top French toast with berries; sprinkle with brown sugar mixture. Bake, uncovered, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. If desired, dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve with syrup.

Crafts lead the way for Mother’s Day gifts

Mother’s Day is a special time for children to show their appreci-ation for their mothers, grandmothers and the other special women in their lives. Older children typically are capable of designing their own Mother’s Day crafts or even shopping for gifts for Mom, while younger children will likely need some help from an adult.

Youngsters may not be able to take charge of Mother’s Day festivi-ties alone, but they certainly have the energy and enthusiasm to chip in. Handmade craft gifts are a thoughtful way for young kids to show their love for Mom. Here are a few ideas that can occupy even the youngest of hands.

Handprint butterfly photo card

All that is necessary for this craft is a printed photograph of the child’s face, paper, scissors, glue, and finger paints. The child should dip hands into the paint and make four handprints on paper in some preferred colors. When dry, cut around

the perimeter of the handprints. These will serve as the “wings” of the butter-fly.

Glue the picture of the child’s face in the middle of a piece of paper or card stock. Draw a butterfly body underneath it (or print out a stock image to use). Draw antennae sticking out of the child’s head and attach the handprints around the head and butter-fly body to make the wings.

Heartfelt masterpiece Children can draw and color all over a large sheet of construction paper or another durable paper. An adult can then use another sheet of paper to make a frame mat of sorts, cutting out a heart shape from the middle. Both pieces of paper are then trimmed to the dimensions of a photo frame. The artwork is placed first and then the heart matting on top so that the artwork will show through the heart shape. Frame everything to-

gether for a lasting memento. Fuzzy flowers Kids can make Mom a bouquet of flowers that will never wilt. Print a photo of the child’s face and attach it to a piece of circular card stock that is roughly six inches in diameter. Have the child paint a popsicle stick green, and then attach that to the back of the round card stock. The child then glues small fuzzy pom poms to the card stock surrounding the picture to make a flower. If de-sired, attach a magnet to the back of the flower so it can be se-cured to the refrigerator.

Crafts are a great gift option for young children looking to give something special to Mom on Mother’s Day.

Championship wrestler Daron Hillman to be inducted into Sports Hall of Fame

Three-sport Kings Mountain High School

standout Daron Hillman will be inducted into the KM Sports Hall of Fame Saturday, May 18 at 6 p.m. at Central Methodist Church.

Hillman was one of the top wrestlers to come out of KMHS in the Coach Steve Moffit era in the late 1980s and also excelled in track and football. He earned numerous conference and regional titles and came within one match of winning the state championship.

campaign in 1985 Hillman was the conference champion.

He was the Southwestern 3A Conference champion all three years of his varsity career and finished high in the state tournaments in his last two seasons.

He really began to blossom in 1986 when he won the conference championship, the Gaston Couty championship and made it to the state sectional tournament.

Three KM ladies no-hit Ashbrook

Maddie Huffman, Kali Weaver and Anna Wooten combined for a no-hitter in last week’s Big South victory over Gastonia Ashbrook.

The Lady Mountaineers pounded out eight hits. Desiree Green, Weaver, Huffman, Paige Wooten and Zaniah Field all drove in runners.

KMHS golf qualifies for Western Regional

Kings Mountain High’s golf team completed its regular season last week with a fourth place finish at Riverbend Golf Club but still finished second in the conference to qualify for the 3A Western Regional Tournament which will be played May 7 at Springdale Resort in Canton.

Stuart Cramer edged Crest 293-297 for first place. South Point shot 306 followed by KM 312, Forestview 340, Ashbrook 425, Hunter Huss 434 and North Gaston 438. Reed Burton of Crest shot 66 to gain medalist honors. KM was led by Will

Spicer’s 74. Josh Gillespie shot 77, Baylor Benton 80, Caleb Marr 81 and Thomas Spicer 86. Will Spicer, Baylor Benton, Caleb Marr, Thomas Spicer and Josh Gillespie were named to the All-Big South Conference team.

Order of finish in the Big South:

1 – Stuart Cramer

2 – Kings Mountain 3 – Crest 4 – South Point 5 – Forestview 6 – Ashbrook 7 - North Gaston 8 – Hunter Huss

KM Middle tennis team completes undefeated season

Kings Mountain Middle School’s tennis team completed an undefeated regular season last week with a 9-0 victory over Burns Middle.

The win saw Patriots swept their county rivals Crest, Shelby and Burns. The season included six wins by perfect scores of 9-0 and wo wins by scores of 8-1.

The undefeated season matched the 2014 KMMS team that went undefeated and moved on to fuel the high school girls team that was undefeated in their conference for four straight years.

The Patriots began playoff action last week with an 8-1 win over Thomas Jefferson.

The Patriots breezed through singles matches with Seanna Simon winning 8-1, Dominic Allen 8-3, Alice Frye 8-0, Landon Webster 8-1, Camden Morris 8-2 and Cindy Tipton 8-0.

The doubles teams of Simon and Allen won 8-3, Frye and Webster 8-4 and Morris and Tipton 8-1.

“The team, including everyone from the number one player to the 27 players, have

all contributed to make this a great season,” said veteran Coach Ed Guy. “Many of the new and inexperienced players have worked hard to improve their skills with practice and competition.

“Special thanks to all of the parents who gave their support to the team and their children. They provided support by attending all matches, bringing drinks and snacks, organizing a team cookout after the Shelby match and in general support the coaches. I would like to give a special thank you to our assistant coaches, Ryan Webster and Adam Guy. Without them to help, instruct and supervise it would be impossible for me to work with these 27 players.

“Another thanks go to others who helped with coaching including Coby Brown, Katherine Frye, Manoah Allen and Melisa Brooks; and also thanks to Cheri Johnson for help with uniforms and Athletic Director Jason Bridges for his support.”

As a senior he won and was voted MVP in the Gaston County tournament, was also the SWC regular season and tournament champion and was MVP in the conference tournament and selected conference Wrestler of the Year. He went on to win the state sectional and regional titles and took MVP awards in both. He was also a state finalist and selected first team AllState. He was ranked number one in his weight class the entire season and compiled a 67-14 overall record for his career.

In football, he was one of the top defensive ends in the conference on some of the school’s best teams in the 1980s under Coach Dennis Hicks.

In 1986, he was All-Conference and All-Gazette after finishing the season with 150 solo tackles. He scored six defensive touchdowns and seven offensive touchdowns. He gained 696 yards on 69 carries and was also named one of Cleveland County’s players of the week.

He was a two-time all-conference choice in track including the 1600 relays in 1986 and the 4x100, 4x200 and 1600 relays in 1987. He was a state sectionalist and state regionalist in both the 4x100 and 4x200 relays.

The next year Hillman was a freshman on Gardner-Webb College’s firstever wrestling team and compiled a 17-7 record and

Mountaineer track wins county championship

Kings Mountain High’s men’s team erased a onepoint Shelby lead in the final race of the day – the 4x400 meter relay – to win the Cleveland County championship last week at KM’s John Gamble Staidum.

Both teams ran their season’s best time but Kings Mountain pulled away for the one-point victory.

In the girls’ competition it was close between Kings Mountain and Shelby, but Shelby had too big of a lead going into the final event and won by six points.

The KM men were led by first place winners Thomas Fair in the shot put, Kamara House in the 100 meter dash, Max Thompson in the 1600 meter run and Hunter Cruise in the pole vault.

Kings Mountain also won three of the four relays, including:

-The 4x800 meters consisting of Hunter Cruise, Luke Howell, Luis Cedillo and David Johnson.

-The 4x100 consisting of Barry Moore, Josiah Hill, Jaylen Williams and Kamara Houze.

-The 4x400 meters consisting of Max Thompson, Barry Moore, Jaylen Williams and Jayden Gash.

First place winners for the women were:

-Kinley Putnam in the pole vault.

-La’zya Byrd in the triple jump.

-Alanna Snelson in the high jump.

-Brooke Waseman in the 400 meter dash.

-Sarah Eagle in the 3200 meter run.

finished third in the Campbell University tournament. Advance Hall of Fame tickets are available at Paul

Ingram’s Barber Shop on Battleground Avenue in downto wn Kings Mountain.

-The 4x400 relay team consisting of Brooke Waseman, Kieanna Ellis, Akihla

Hines-Wilkins and Princess Strain. The Mountaineers were scheduled to host the Big South Conference championship yesterday.

DARON HILLMAN

Daron pictured with his grandchild.

KM men’s 4x400 relay team.

KM’s Rodney Unnasch helps KM men win county championship.

KM hands South Point first loss in Big South

Kings Mountain High’s baseball team handed the South Point Red Raiders their first Big South Conference lost last week, 8-6 in eight innings. The Mountaineers led 6-5 after five innings but the Red Raiders tied it in the bottom of the sixth.

Brayden Patrick went 4 1/3 innings, giving up just three hits while fanning four. Aiden Taylor came on board in the fifth and hurled 3 2/3 innings to get the win. He gave up just two hits and

fanned five.

The result left the two teams with 10-1 records and two games ahead of the North Wildcats in the race for the Bug South Conference regular season title.

Taylor led the KM hitting with 2-for-3 including an RBI. He also scored twice.

Lawson Kennedy and Kandan Zollo each had a double. Colton Mayes had a two-run single, Lawson Kennedy had a double and Madex Bridges had a hit.

Huffman no-hits

South Point 15-0

Kings Mountain’s Maddie Huffman delivered another no-hitter in Friday’s Senior Night 15-0 victory over South Point.

Huffman struck out 11 of the 12 batters she faced.

Kayla McSwain led the KM ladies at the plate with three hits and five runs batted in.

The celebration continued after the game as the team honored its five seniors Kali Weaver, Desirae Thombs, Zaniah Field, Cheyanne Reynolds and Kaydance Whitaker. All five contributed to the win.

The Lady Mountaineers were scheduled to host Hunter Huss Tuesday.

Mountaineers fall to South Point 5-3

South Point is alone at the top of the Big South baseball team after defeating Kings Mountain’s Mountaineers 5-3 Friday.

The Mountaineers were scheduled to host Crest last night and will travel to Crest Friday to complete regular season play.

Wesley Turner, Luke Heavner and Aidan Taylor led the Mountaineers with two hits apiece.

Colton Mayes and Taylor shared pitching duties. Mayes

“Writing

went one inning and struck out and Taylor pitched six innings and struck out nine.

South Point went into the final week of the Big South regular season with an 11-1 mark. Kings Mountain is second at 10-2 followed by North Gaston 9-3, Stuart Cramer 8-4, Crest 6-6, Forestview 3-9, Ashbrook 1-11 and Hunter Huss 4-13. KM was scheduled to host Crest last night and will end the regular season Friday at Crest.

Pinnacle Classical Academy students qualify for National History, Geography Bee national championships

Four students at Pinnacle Classical Academy have qualified for the national championships in the National History Bee and/or the National Geography Bee in Orlando in the middle and elementary school division.

Fifth grader Ximena Martinez finished in second place in the fifth grade competition of the North Carolina Regional Final of the National History Bee in Durham. Ximena was tied for first place in the competition with a student from Wake County as she entered the final tiebreaker round.

In addition, Bryce Harris qualified for the national championship in the National History Bee; Fisher Grayson qualified for the national championship in the National History Bee; and Maxwell Newsome qualified for the national champi-

History Bee and the National Geography Bee. All three are seventh graders.

Finley Burton, Dairleth Chavez, Aniston Kinmon, Mia Kinmon, and Daniel Stroup also qualified for, and competed in, the regional finals.

"We are so proud of these students," said Dr. Shelly Shope, the school's headmaster. "Their incredible accomplishments and love of history are a testimony to the knowledge and enthusiasm of their history teachers, as well as the strength of our classical curriculum."

Pinnacle Classical Academy is a free public charter school in Shelby that attracts 1,165 students from five counties. PCA's elementary school, middle school, and high school are all ranked among America's best schools by U.S. News &

a Successful Business Plan” seminar

The Cleveland Community College Small Business Center sponsors a free seminar for current or potential small business owners. The seminar will provide information about “Writing a Successful Business Plan.” It will be held Tuesday, May 7, at 6:00 pm at the Kings Mountain SBC office at 700 West King Street in Carolina Worx, the former SunTrust Bank building beside the hospital.

A business plan can be a small business owner’s most valuable tool. It is your road map for structuring, running, and growing your new or existing business. A well-thoughtout business plan can help you avoid problems, reach your goals sooner, and guide you through each stage of starting and managing your business.

Learn the important components of a business plan. Discover how a business plan is used by you, the business owner, as well as potential lenders and investors. It describes to the reader what the business is and why it will be successful. It explains what products you sell or what services you offer. The business plan also thoroughly describes your marketing and sales strategies. Register online for the seminar at the website www.clevelandcc.edu. Scroll down to the last page and select ‘Small Business Center’ under Quick Links. If you have questions or want to discuss additional business plans, you may contact Steve Padgett, Director, by phone [704-669-4146] or email: padgetts@clevelandcc.edu.

The mission of the Small Business Center is to increase the success rate and number of viable small businesses in Cleveland County. The center provides high-quality, readily accessible assistance to prospective and existing small business owners, with the goal of creating and retaining jobs. May 7 in KM Free

XIMENA MARTINEZ

Steve Padgett

It's Small Business Week

By Loretta Cozart

This week is not just any week, it's a week of immense significance. It's about recognizing the incredible impact of small businesses on our communities and the national economy. It's National Small Business Week 2024, a time to honor the passion, dedication, and innovation of small business owners. And it's also the 150th anniversary of Kings Mountain, a milestone that calls for a grand celebration of our local heritage and businesses.

Small businesses are not just a part of our economy, they are the backbone of it. They are not just a part of our community; they are the driving force behind it. It is essential that we support KM businesses because doing so celebrates the city’s history and supports the future of Kings Mountain.

Support Kings Mountain FIRST. Buy here and support your neighbors, keeping tax dollars in our community. Local taxes, in turn, will come back to the community supporting many amenities the community wants and needs.

Kings Mountain FIRST should be our motto, our mantra, as we

support our local business owners, our neighbors they employ, and those who benefit from the tax dollars remaining in our community for parks, trails, and athletic fields.

National Small Business Week 2024 is a fantastic opportunity to show our local business owners some love and appreciation. But let's not limit our support to just this week, these entrepreneurs deserve our support year-round.

Here are 10 impactful ways to support small businesses and show them some love:

1. Shop Local: Prioritize small business stores for everything from clothes to groceries.

2. Dine Local: Eat at locally owned cafes, restaurants, and food trucks.

3. Spread the Love: Share positive experiences on social media and with friends!

4. Review It: Leave glowing reviews online to boost their visibility.

5. Attend Events: Show support at festivals and community activities.

6. Hire Local: Choose local plumbers, electricians, or contractors.

7. Experience Local: Take a

class, visit a museum, or unwind with a deep tissue massage – all at local spots!

8. Shop Farmers Markets: Find high-quality products and support local farmers.

9. Think Local First: Consider local options first before buying anything.

10. Invest. If you want growth and improvement, affect change by investing in our community.

This weekend is Kings Mountain’s 150th anniversary, so take the opportunity to visit KM businesses and explore the many options they offer.

Nearly 99.9% of businesses in the US are classified as small businesses, making up the basis of the American economy! Small businesses employ a staggering 45.9% of the U.S. workforce, over 61.6 million people. So, let's all do our part to support small businesses, make a big impact in our communities, and celebrate Kings Mountain's 150th birthday.

Remember, Kings Mountain FIRST.

In addition to vaccination, Pemgarda offers an extra layer of protection against COVID-19, providing a sense of security for moderately or severely immunocompromised people, ages 12 and older, and weighing at least 88 pounds. It can be given at least 2 weeks after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

A healthcare provider gives Pemgarda as a sin-

tional

Privately insured people or those with Medicare Part B may receive Pemgarda for free. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if It is right for you.

KMHS DEFEATS SOUTH POINT 15-0 IN 4 INNINGS ON SENIOR NIGHT

The Lady Mountaineers defeated South Point 15-0 on senior night at Mountaineer field on Friday night. The Mountaineers were led by Kayla McSwain’s 3 hits and 5 RBI’s. Maddie Huff-

man delivered a no hitter in the circle striking out 11 of the 12

rae Thombs, Zaniah Field, Cheyanne Reynolds, and Kaydance Whitaker with all 5 contributing in the win. The Mountaineers return to action Tuesday at Hunter Huss at 5 PM.

May Events at the Patrick Senior Center

Programs are open to people ages 55 and up unless otherwise noted. The Patrick Center will be closed on Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day.

May 2024 Special Events:

• Gardening Talk by Extension Master Gardenersm of Cleveland County: Tuesday, May 7, 1-3pm. Learn about growing herbs. Please call to sign up.

• Spring Dance: Friday, May 10, 7-9:30pm. Cost is $3 per person. Funds go to our Pet Food Pantry.

• Scam Jam: Tuesday, May 14, 9am12pm. Join us to learn about scams, fraud and other important information. This event is open to the public. Please call the center to register by May 10.

• Shred-A-Thon: Tuesday, May 14. Shred Truck will be at the Center from 9am-3pm. Bring your items to be shredded onsite. Open to the public.

• Medicare 101: Tuesday, May 14, 121:30pm. Come learn about all the different parts of Medicare. Lunch will be served. Facebook LIVE is also available. Please call the center to register by May 10.

• Rock-A-Thon Alzheimer’s Association: Friday, May 17, 9am-2pm. Suggested minimum donation of $5 per hour to rock or walk. Call the center to sign up.

• AARP Safety Driving Class: Tuesday,

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

May 21, 9am-1pm. Course costs $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-AARP members. Please call the center to sign up.

Diabetes Education and Support Group: Tuesday, May 21, 9:30-11:00am. Join us to learn about management and treatment of Diabetes. A healthy snack and goodies will be provided. Ongoing Activities at the Patrick Center

• Ceramics: Mondays, 9:30-11:30am.

• Facebook Chat: Mondays, 1010:45am. (Online via Facebook)

• Seniors in Motion: Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays, 10:30-11:30am. Suggested donation of $1 per class for non-YMCA members.

• Quilting: Mondays, 12:30-3pm.

• Beginner Quilting: Thursdays, 10am12pm & 1-3pm.

• Intermediate Line Dance (Dance Floor Rockers): Mondays, 1-3pm.

• Intermediate Line Dance (Southern Class): Thursdays, 10-11:30am.

• Beginner Line Dancing: Mondays, 11:30-12:30pm.

• Clogging: Mondays, 3:30-4:30pm & Thursdays, 11:30-12pm.

• Knitting: Tuesdays, 8:30-10:30am.

• Veterans Meeting: 1st Tuesdays, 9-10am.

• Bible History: Tuesdays, 10-11am.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified on 18th of April, 2024 as Executrix of the Estate of WILLIAM BRIDGES (24 E 344), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, Lashawn H. Montgomery, Executrix on or before the 24th of July 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 24th day of April, 2024.

Lashawn H. Montgomery, Executrix

Estate of William Bridges

7555 Tottenham Dr White Plains, MD 20695

KMH (4/24, 5/01, 08 &15/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified as Administratrix of the Estate of JAMES LEE MCCURRY (22 E 475), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, Patzy McCurry Felmet, Administratrix on or before the 10th of July 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 17th day of April, 2024.

Patzy McCurry Felmet, Administratrix

Estate of James Lee McCurry

8076 Tola Houser Lane Vale, NC 28168

KMH (4/17, 24, 5/01 & 08/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE

EXECUTRIX NOTICE

Having qualified on 9th of April 2024 as Executrix of the Estate of Carolee W. Brewer (24 E 2) deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them, duly verified, to Robin M. Magness, c/o A. Susan Biggers, Deaton & Biggers, P.L.L.C., 402 East Graham Street, Shelby, North Carolina 28150, on or before July 17, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned.

This the 17th day of April, 2024.

Robin M. Magness

Executrix of the Estate of Carolee W. Brewer

c/o A. Susan Biggers Deaton & Biggers, P.L.L.C 402 East Graham Street Shelby, North Carolina 28150

KMH (4/17, 24, 5/01 & 08/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified on 16th of April, 2024 as Administrator of the Estate of FAYE W. MCCANTS (24 E 339), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, James G. McCants, Jr., Administrator on or before the 24h of July 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of to their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 24th day of April, 2024.

James G. McCants, Jr., Administrator

Estate of Faye W. McCants

108 Hidden Cove Ct. Seneca, SC 29672

KMH (4/24, 5/01, 08 &15/2024)

• Monthly Birthday Celebration: 4th Tuesdays, 10-11am.

• REFIT Dance Exercise: Tuesdays, 11am-12pm.

• Volunteer Meeting: 3rd Tuesdays, 12:15-1pm.

• Chair Volleyball: Tuesdays, 1-3pm and Fridays, 12-2pm.

• Canasta: Tuesdays, 1-3pm.

• Seniorcise: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-4:45pm. Suggested donation of $1 per class for non-YMCA members.

• Tai Chi for Arthritis: Wednesdays, 9-10am.

• Jewelry Class: Wednesdays, 10-11am. Chair Yoga: Wednesdays, 11:4512:45pm. ($3 Fee).

• Blood Pressure Check: 1st Wednesdays, 10-11:30am.

• Food Giveaway: 3rd Wednesdays, 1-2:30pm. Please call to sign up each month.

• Book Club by Mari with Mauney Memorial Library: 4th Wednesdays, 1-2pm at the Patrick Center. Please call Mari at 704739-2371 for more information.

• Healthy Lifestyles Class: Thursdays, 8-9:30am.

• Gentle Exercise: Thursdays, 9:3010:15am.

• Bingo: Thursdays, 10:30-11:15am.

Peaceful Painting: Thursdays, 12-1pm. Try relaxation through painting. Class is free but please bring your own multimedia book.

• Bridge: 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 1-4pm.

• Coffee & Conversation: Fridays, 8:3010am.

• Dulcimer Jam: Fridays, 9-10am.

• Chorus: Fridays, 10-11am.

• Friday Lunch: Fridays, 11am-12pm. Call to sign up by Thursday at Noon or until we are full. Cost is $4.

• Ping Pong/Corn Hole: Fridays, 122pm.

Shred Truck: Truck will be here May 22 to shred onsite, but you can bring your items to be shredded at any time the center is open and put them in the locked bins in the lobby.

The Patrick Center is a SHIIP site and can help with Medicare questions and check to see if you qualify for Extra Help with your drug costs. We can also assist with transportation, loan equipment, incontinence supplies, nutritional supplements, and other services. Please call the center at 704-734-0447 for more information or to sign up for programs.

CCS Secondary Science Teachers’ Summer Summit 2024

In partnership with the Albemarle facility in Kings Mountain and Cleveland Community College, this staff development opportunity allows secondary sci-

ence teachers to learn more about the Geology, Hydrology, and Chemistry work happening in our backyard at Albemarle.

The two-day workshop is

LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified on 25th of August, 2023 as Executrix of the Estate of BETTY JEAN CANNON, deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, Betty Sue Garrett, Executrix on or before the 1st of August, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 1st day of May, 2024.

Betty Sue Garrett, Executrix

Estate of Betty Jean Cannon

401 Caleb Rd Shelby, NC 28152

Counsel for the Estate McINTYRE ELDER LAW

233 E. Graham St. Shelby, NC 28150

KMH (5/1, 8, 15 & 22/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified as Administratrix of the Estate of JOYCE M. WALKER (23 E 983), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, Wanda Walker Causby, Administratrix on or before the 10th of July 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 10th day of April, 2024.

Wanda Walker Causby, Administratrix

Estate of Joyce M. Walker

653 East Sanders Road Lot 5 Shelby, NC 28150

Counsel for Estate J. Charles Hoyle, Attorney 207 Hoyle’s Road Kings Mountain, NC 28086

KMH (4/10, 17, 24 & 5/01/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified on 9th of April, 2024 as Executor of the Estate of LARRY NEWTON HARRILL; AKA, LARRY N. HARRILL (24 E 92), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, David L. Harrill, Executor on or before the 24th of July 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of to their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 24th day of April, 2024.

David L. Harrill, Executor

Estate of Larry Newton Harrill; aka, Larry N. Harrill

2349 Flint Hill Church Rd. Shelby, NC 28152

Counsel for the Estate McIntyre Elder Law

233 E. Graham St. Shelby, NC 28151

KMH (4/24, 5/01, 08 &15/2024)

June 19 and 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Teachers earn one hour of credit for the 10-hour workshop, and those who participate in both days of the summit will be eligible for a $200 stipend for attending.

Middle and High School Science Teachers will tour Albemarle’s mine, the research and development facility, the Technology Center, and the science lab facilities at Cleveland Community College and hear from subject-matter experts in Chemistry and Geology.

Through this partnership with Albemarle and Cleveland Community College, teachers will learn instructional strategies to implement in their classrooms and better understand the resources available to them.

Lunch will be provided on both days of the training.

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified on 21st of March, 2024 as Executrix of the Estate of RAYMOND G. PEARSON: AKA, RAYMOND GERALD PEARSON (24 E 267), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, Stephanie Ann Pearson, Executrix on or before the 10th of July 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 10th day of April, 2024.

Stephanie Ann Pearson, Executrix Estate of Raymond G. Pearson; aka, Raymond Gerald Pearson

1931 Maple Springs Church Rd

Shelby, NC 28152

Counsel for the Estate McIntyre Elder Law

233 E. Graham St. Shelby, NC 28151 (4/10, 17, 24 & 5/01/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified on 12th of April, 2024 as Administrator of the Estate of RUTHA OATES MCMACKIN (24 E 155), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, Eddie Vinson Rawlinson, Administrator on or before the 1st of August 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 1st day of May, 2024.

Eddie Vinson Rawlinson, Administrator

Estate of Rutha Oates McMackin

5400 Biederbeck

Charlotte, NC 28215

Counsel for the Estate McIntyre Elder Law

233 E. Graham St. Shelby, NC 28151

KMH (5/01, 08, 15 & 22/2024)

GWU Commencement May 2

Gardner-Webb University’s Spring 2024 Commencement will take place on Thursday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m. in Spangler Stadium on Stadium Drive in Boiling Springs, NC. The Commencement Ceremony will be followed by College or School Recognition events on Friday, May 3, at various locations on campus.

Commencement Ceremony and Recognition Events include:

• Thursday, May 2, 2024 - 7:00 p.m. - Commencement, Spangler Stadium

• Friday, May 3, 2024 - Recognition Events

• 9:00 a.m.: College of Business Recognition Ceremony, Spangler Stadium

• 9:00 a.m.: College of Health Sciences Recognition Ceremony, Lutz Yelton Convocation Center

• 11:00 a.m.: College of Arts & Sciences Recognition Ceremony, Spangler Stadium

• 11:00 a.m.: College of Education Recognition Ceremony, Lutz Yelton Convocation Center

• 11:00 a.m.: School of Divinity Recognition Ceremony, Dover Chapel

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified on 27th of March, 2024 as Administrator of the Estate of BESSIE IRENE GEORGE (24 E 286), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, Reginald Littlejohn, Administrator on or before the 24h of July 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of to their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 24th day of April, 2024.

Reginald Littlejohn, Administrator

Estate of Bessie Irene George 602 Charles Rd. Shelby, NC 28152

Counsel for the Estate

McIntyre Elder Law 233 E. Graham St. Shelby, NC 28151

KMH (4/24, 5/01, 08 &15/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATRIX

Having qualified on 16th of April 2024 as Administratrix of the Estate of Terri Patricia Smith (24 E 338), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them, duly verified, to A. Susan Biggers, Administratrix, Deaton & Biggers, P.L.L.C., 402 East Graham Street, Shelby, North Carolina 28150, on or before July 24, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned.

This the 24th day of April, 2024.

A. Susan Biggers Administratrix of the Estate of Terri Patricia Smith

Deaton & Biggers, P.L.L.C.

402 East Graham Street Shelby, North Carolina 28150

KMH (4/24, 5/01, 08 &15/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATRIX

Having qualified on 17th of April 2024 as Administratrix of the Estate of Joseph Glenn Allen (23 E 615), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them, duly verified, to Joyce Moore Allen, Administratrix c/o A. Susan Biggers, Deaton & Biggers, P.L.L.C., 402 East Graham Street, Shelby, North Carolina 28150, on or before July 24, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned.

This the 24th day of April, 2024.

Joyce Moore Allen

Administratrix of the Estate of Joseph Glenn Allen c/o A. Susan Biggers

Deaton & Biggers, P.L.L.C.

402 East Graham Street Shelby, North Carolina 28150

KMH (4/24, 5/01, 08 &15/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE

EXECUTRIX NOTICE

Having qualified on 12th of April 2024 as Executrix of the Estate of Charles Wesley Ross (24 E 331) deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them, duly verified, to Jennifer Grigg, c/o A. Susan Biggers, Deaton & Biggers, P.L.L.C., 402 East Graham Street, Shelby, North Carolina 28150, on or before July 24, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned.

This the 24th day of April, 2024.

Jennifer Grigg

Executrix of the Estate of Charles Wesley Ross

c/o A. Susan Biggers

Deaton & Biggers, P.L.L.C.

402 East Graham Street Shelby, North Carolina 28150

KMH (4/24, 5/01, 08 &15/2024)

KM Farmer’s Market opens May 4

By Loretta Cozart

Kings Mountain Farmer’s Market’s season opening is on May 4, from 8:00 a.m. to noon, at 125 S Battleground Avenue, in the old Wells Fargo parking lot.

Anyone interested in participating in the market this season should apply online at the Foothills Farmers Market website at http://www.foothillsfarmersmarket.com.

This year, the KM Farmers Market, in association with the Davidson Association, will partner with the Patrick Senior Center and Albemarle Corporation to assist our seniors. The first Saturday of each month during the season will be Senior Day, during which the Patrick Center will provide transportation for seniors to the market, while

NOTICE

PUBLIC

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

GROVER PARK PROJECT

The Town of Grover will conduct a public hearing on the Grover Park Project. The hearing will be held at the Town Council Chambers located at 207 Mulberry Road on May 13th, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. At his time the general public will have an opportunity to make comments.

KMH (5/1/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified on 4th of April, 2024 as Executor of the Estate of CALEB SHANE TESMER (24 E 310), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, Jackson Bryant, Executor on or before the 24h of July 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of to their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 24th day of April, 2024.

Jackson Bryant, Executor Estate of Caleb Shane Tesmer

235 John E. Randall Rd. Shelby, NC 28152

Counsel for the Estate McIntyre Elder Law

233 E. Graham St. Shelby, NC 28151

KMH (4/24, 5/01, 08 &15/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK

In the Matter of the Estate of: Robert Wendell Canipe, deceased. File No. 24 E 317

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Robert Wendell Canipe, deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said Robert Wendell Canipe to present them, duly verified, to the undersigned, Wendell Bryan Canipe, c/o Loann S. Meekins, Teddy Meekins & Talbert, PLLC, 405 E. Marion Street, Shelby, NC on or before the 1st day of August, 2024 or same will be pleased in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 1st day of May 2024.

Wendell Bryan Canipe, Executor of the Estate c/o Loann S. Meekins, Teddy Meekins & Talbert, PLLC 405 E. Marion Street Shelby, NC 28150

KMH (5/1, 5/8, 5/15 & 5/22/2024)

PUBLIC

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK

In the Matter of the Estate of:

James Robert Moore, deceased. File No. 24 E 295

Having qualified as Administratrix of the Estate of James Robert Moore, deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said James Robert Moore to present them, duly verified, to the undersigned, Miranda Elaine Moore, c/o Loann S. Meekins, Teddy Meekins & Talbert, PLLC, 405 E. Marion Street, Shelby, NC 28150 on or before the 24th day of July, 2024 or same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 24th day of April 2024.

Miranda Elaine Moore, Administratrix of the Estate c/o Loann S. Meekins, Teddy Meekins & Talbert, PLLC 405 E. Marion Street Shelby, NC 28150

KMH (4/24, 5/1, 5/8 & 5/15 2024)

Albemarle will provide seniors with vouchers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. Shoppers can also use their SNAP/ EBT cards at Kings Mountain Farmers’ Market each week. When you use your EBT/SNAP card, you can get up to $10 extra in Market Moolah to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables.

How It Works:

• Bring your EBT/SNAP card to the Information Booth to redeem as many $1 tokens as you want.

• Each purchase receives up to an extra $10 in Market Moolah to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Use your tokens to shop at food tables throughout the market.

• SNAP tokens do not expire.

Tamra Moody reminds everyone to Shop Local to support local farmers and vendors. Remember to put a cooler in your trunk to keep your food purchases cool.

“The Farmer’s Market will be open during the city of Kings Mountain’s 150 birthday bash, so be sure to visit,” Moody shared. “We look forward to seeing you at the Kings Mountain Farmer’s Market!” Davidson Alumni Resource Center, Inc is a nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK

In the Matter of the Estate of: Julian Bunn Wray, deceased. File No. 24 E 45

Having qualified as Executrix of the Estate of Julian Bunn Wray, deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said Julian Bunn Wray to present them, duly verified, to the undersigned, Anne C. Wray, c/o Loann S. Meekins, Teddy Meekins & Talbert, PLLC, 405 E. Marion Street, Shelby, NC 28150 on or before the 17th day of July, 2024 or same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 17th day of April, 2024.

Anne C. Wray, Executrix of the Estate c/o Loann S. Meekins Teddy Meekins & Talbert, PLLC 405 E. Marion Street Shelby, NC 28150

KMH (4/17, 4/24, 5/1 & 5/8/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified on 5th of March, 2024 as Administrator of the Estate of INETTA S. GREEN; AKA, INETTA STROUD GREEN (24 E 109), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, George Green, Administrator on or before the 10th of July 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 10th day of April, 2024.

George Green, Administrator

Estate of Inetta S. Green; aka, Inette Stroud Green 3461 Lilliefield Ln. High Point, NC 27265

Counsel for the Estate McIntyre Elder Law 233 E. Graham St. Shelby, NC 28151

KMH (4/10, 17, 24 & 5/01/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK

In the Matter of the Estate of:

Gloria Jean Price Summers, aka Gloria Jean Summers, deceased. File No. 24 E 298

Having qualified as Executrix of the Estate of Gloria Jean Price Summers aka Gloria Jean Summers, deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said Gloria Jean Price Summers aka Gloria Jean Summers to present them, duly verified, to the undersigned, Renee Summers Hughes, c/o Loann S. Meekins, Teddy Meekins & Talbert, PLLC, 405 E. Marion Street, Shelby, NC 28150 on or before the 10th day of July, 2024 or same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 10th day of April, 2024.

Renee Summers Hughes, Executrix of the Estate c/o Loann S. Meekins Teddy Meekins & Talbert, PLLC 405 E. Marion Street Shelby, NC 28150

KMH (4/10, 4/17, 4/24 & 5/1/2024)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARTISAN CRAFT FAIR. Sat-

urday, May 4th, 10am-3pm, Mountain View Farm Event Barn, 1409 West Stagecoach Trail, Lawndale, NC 28090. Enter thru the gate at the gravel driveway. Parking on the right in field.

7TH ANNIVERSARY CELE-

BRATION. Sunday, May 5th. Begins at 4:00pm. Mitchell Whisnant in Concert. Free event. Please bring lawnchairs. Food trucks on site. Mountain View Farm Event Barn, 1409 West Stagecoach Trail, Lawndale, NC 28090. Non parishables (canned goods/ nutritional beverages) for Hospice are highly encouraged. No alcohol allowed.

THE CLEVELAND COUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN is seeking multi-year proposals from agencies interested in providing services focused on raising the quality of early care and education, supporting families, advancing child health, and expanding literacy for children (birth to age 5) and their families in Cleveland County for the 2024-2027 contract cycle, beginning July 1, 2024. Proposals will be received until Noon on May 16, 2024. Visit www.ccpfchildren. org or contact CCPFC via email at johanna.gillespie@partnershipforchildren.com to learn more and to obtain the full request for proposal.

GOLDEN DOMERS TOY AND HOBBY. Visit our NEW LOCATION .....Model Cars, Die-cast Cars & Trucks, Tractors, Hot Wheels, Construction Toys, Sports Memorabilia, Autographed Items, Hard to Find Items! See Mike & Brandon Willis. We’re located

Springs), Shelby 704-297-0102 or 704-297-0103

CORNERSTONE CHURCH OF GOD. 202 Margrace Rd, Kings Mountain, NC. We start in the Bible, we stay in the Bible and we finish in the Bible. We believe Jesus is coming soon. Come visit Sunday morning-10:30 am, Sunday evening-6 PM.

WANTED: SOMEONE TO CUT GRASS. 828-289-0997.

EMPLOYMENT

NEEDING FULL TIME PARTS

SALESMAN. Wednesday-Sunday. Auto Parts U Pull & Scrap Metal of Shelby. Apply in person only. 1025 County Home Road, Shelby, NC.

HIRING. PERSON 1ST LLC IS HIRING for Direct Support Professional/Community Living and Support. If you are a positive person and enjoy making a difference in the lives of persons with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges, come and join our team. As a one-on-one support staff, you will be providing services in the home and community to help persons served reach beyond their limits! Please contact Eddie Scruggs, Executive Director for further details. 704692-6974. (704) 692-6974

EMPLOYMENT

NOW HIRING LANDSCAPERS FOR FULL TIME YEAR ROUND EMPLOYMENT. Must have valid driver’s license and transportation. Over time available. (704) 473-0341

BUSINESS SERVICES

WILL CLEAN HOUSES. Reasonable rates. Call or text me at (704) 419-9016

HANDYMAN SERVICES. NOW IS THE TIME. Over 25 years Exp! Install Replace Hot water Heaters, Mulching, Trees and Bushes trimmed, Minor Repairs, Ceiling Fans, Mini Blind Installation, Any Handyman Services. No Job too Big or Small! References available. We will show up and do the job. Call us first, 704692-4449.

FULL-LINE TACK & REPAIR

SHOP: New wagon horse harness & saddle repaired, cleaned, oiled, come see J.D. at 591 Short Road, Ellenboro, NC 28040. Closed Sunday & Thursday.

CONCRETE WORKS. Driveways, Patios, Garage slabs, Concrete repairs and removable. Bobcat work also available. 828-716-0510.

CLEVELAND COUNTY GARAGE DOORS. Summer Tune-up Special, $69.95. We will check all your equipment lube, make sure it’s working correctly. We repair broken doors. Also offering new installations. 704-472-9367.

BLANTON’S TREE SERVICE LLC. TREE PRUNING/TRIMMING AND TREE REMOVAL SERVICES, STORM CLEANUP, LANDSCAPING, HEDGE TRIMMING AND MULCHING.. FULLY INSURED. CALL FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE TODAY! (704) 692-4203

HYDRAULIC CYLINDER REPAIR. Skid Steer, Wreckers, Rollbacks, Splitters, Tractors, etc. 30 years experience. Shelby, NC. (Joe) (704) 6921097

CONCRETE REMOVAL, JUNK REMOVAL, DEMOLITION, retaining walls, pavers and grading. 828453-8113.

GEM HOUSEKEEPING OF NC. Call us for a free estimate on our residential and business cleaning services! We have appointments available! Call or text (980) 295-8032 graycee2001@ icloud.com

BUSINESS SERVICES

ERIC MOBILE MECHANIC. I will come to you to repair any car, lawnmower or tractor. Honest & Reliable! (704) 3002332

RETIRED VETERAN. Reasonable Lawn Care. Mowing, trimming, blowing, pressure washing. Low rates. Call 704297-6540

PAINTING SERVICES. Over 25 years experience, affordable prices. Professional results. References available. Free estimates. Charles, or leave message. (704) 4358062.

TONEY’S PLUMBING REPAIR. Tub, faucet installation, kitchen lavatory installation, hot water heater repair/replace, drain clean. All work guaranteed. 828-429-5035. COMING SOON! BUSTAMOVE FITNESS!!! BUSTAMOVE FITNESS IS A DANCE-ORIENTED FITNESS PROGRAM SIMILAR TO JAZZERCISE. 45 MINUTES OF AEROBIC ACTIVITY FOLLOWED BY 15 MINUTES OF TONING AND STRENGTH TRAINING. WHO SAID WORKING OUT CAN’T BE FUN???? CLASSES ARE FOR ALL AGES AND FITNESS LEVELS. CLASSES START ON THURSDAY, MAY 2 AT 5:30 PM AND WILL BE HELD AT THE RUTHERFORDTON FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH FELLOWSHIP HALL AT 246 N. MAIN STREET ON TUESDAY AND THURSDAY AT 5:30 PM. CLASSES ARE $35.00 PER MONTH. COME JOIN ME FOR AN HOUR OF FUN! (850) 3198798 JAZZINPC@GMAIL. COM

THE CONTRACTOR. Painting, roofing, tile floors, wood decks, fences & carpentry work. Free estimates. Ask for Harold 828-429-7511.

CAMERA VIDEO AUDIO TV INSTALLATION. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO INSTALL HOME SECURITY CAMERAS? OR AUDIO/VIDEO/TV MOUNTS. CALL FOR AN ESTIMATE TODAY AT 704-466-2333. (704) 466-2333

AUCTIONS

UNIQUE MISC LIQUIDATION AUCTION. ONLINE ONLY. Lots start closing Tuesday, May 7th, 2024 @ 6 pm EST. WWW.EJ-AUCTION. COM, Pickup Location: Hendersonville, NC 28791. Partial Listing: All kinds of Tools, Antiques, Chairs, Dishes, Glassware, Weed eaters, and more! Variety of new items that have never been opened, (More information and pictures to be added to Online Catalog daily). Very unique items at this Auction! EDWARD JOHNSON AUCTIONEERS, INC. Hot Springs, NC 28743, 828593-9649, NC8134 NC8496 (828) 593-9649

You may qualify for a substantial cash award - even with smoking history. NO obligation! We’ve recovered millions. Let us help!! Call 24/7, 888-503-0830 Miscellaneous Replace your roof with the best looking and longest lasting material – steel from Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer – up to 50% off installation + Additional 10% off install (for military, health workers & 1st responders.) Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-855-5851815

YARD SALES

CLEVELAND COUNTY

10TH ANNUAL PLANT

SALE. Saturday, May 11th

8:00AM-11:00AM. Extension Master Gardener Association of Cleveland County presents Annual Plant Sale and garden creations, gifts and treasures. Cooperative Extension Auditorium, 130 South Post Road. Shelby, NC 28152

COMMUINITY YARD SALE.

CRYSTAL SPRINGS ESTATES. Sat, May 4th, 7am12pm. (off HWY. 18 North), Crystal Springs Lane & TR Harris Dr. (Next to Neal Sr. Center) Shelby, NC 28150

MULTI-FAMILY YARD

SALE. Sat May 4th, 2024 from 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM; Sat May 11th, 2024 from 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM. 301 East Parker Street, Kings Mountain, NC 28086 (704) 616-1690 momma6116@ yahoo.com

CORNERSTONE CHURCH OF GOD. 202 Margrace Rd. We start in the Bible, we stay in the Bible and we finish in the Bible. We believe Jesus is coming soon. Come visit Sunday morning-10:30 am, Sunday evening-6 PM. Kings Mountain, NC 28086

McDOWELL COUNTY

GIGANTIC SIDEWALK YARD SALE. Over 60 participating merchants and individuals. Saturday, May 4, 7:30am until noon. Historic Downtown Marion Business District, 104 South Main Street, Marion, NC 28752

RUTHERFORD COUNTY HUGE COMMUNITY YARD SALE. Thursday, Friday & Saturday- May 2, 3 & 4; 7AM2PM. Too much to list. 106 Pinehurst Road, Ellenboro, NC 28040

ANTIQUES

ANTIQUE PECAN DINING ROOM SET:

FOR SALE

little. $800. Mountain bike, like new $100. 828-286-4426 or 828-2890901.

& ADULT Fastball shirts. $6 to $8 each. Pants $10 to $12 each. Black Ball Bag, $15 each. Bat

Miscellaneous Attention: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-866-481-0694 Miscellaneous GOT AN UNWANTED CAR??? DONATE IT TO PATRIOTIC HEARTS. Fast free pick up. All 50 States. Patriotic Hearts’ programs help veterans find work or start their own business. Call 24/7: 1-866-481-0703 Miscellaneous TOP CA$H PAID FOR OLD GUITARS! 19201980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch,

FOR SALE

PLANTS FOR SALE. 20 different Hosta plants, Iris-different colors, Daylilies, Weeping trees and Cherry tree. Call 828-245-0245.

RACING MOWER. Have 3. Allis Chalmers 410. 18HP. Craftsman. Little Red. (all 3) $2000. Sale one at a time, $900, $700. $500. 704-678-3743.

MOVING SALE Cash Only. Sleep Number Smart I-8 Bed with Sleep Technology and remote controls. Split King size already disassembled and ready for new owner. 2 Lazy-Boy Rocker Recliners in brown color fabric, excellent condition. Computer table in oak finish in excellent condition, best offers on any of these items. (404) 409-3420 romrichard1@gmail.com

DISCOUNT APPLIANCES. Refrigerators, washers, dryers and stoves. 1205 Earl Road, Shelby, NC. (704) 4774766

TRACTORS, EQUIPMENT, RIDING MOWERS, GARDEN TILLERS, GO-KARTS. Ready to mow. All in excellent condition. Can deliver, 30+ years experience in repair work. 828-980-0853, 704476-9383.

$2 PLANT SALE. Sat, May 4th, 8am-12pm. Ol’ Timey bedding plants, bushes and trees, plus art for your garden. All proceeds to fund local spay & neuter programs. NO Early Sales. 700 Westover Terrace, Shelby, NC 28150 FOR SALE! 2005 Malibu for sale in Gastonia $2200. Large accordion for sale. Call 980880-7324 leave voicemail with phone number.

OLD SCHOOL GAS JUGS. 5 gallon, a 2.5 gallon and 1 gallon. These are old school filler necks with air release ports. $20, $15, $10. (704) 300-1818 kim_hopper@bellsouth.net

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS with Scratch Pads! Press Room Printing. 704482-2243. (704) 538-5788

CARSON CITY SILVER DOLLARS & 1 OZ. SILVER BARS & ROUNDS Available (While Supplies Last)* Plus: KNIVES•KNIVES•KNIVES at Jake’s Knives & Coins located at 1008 S. Lafayette St., Shelby. Call 704-600-6996 or (980) 295-5568

TRAILERS, LAWNMOWER TRAILERS, Flatbed Trailers, Enclosed Trailers, Horse and Cattle Trailers, Saddlery. Check our prices and quality before you buy. Bridges Riding Equipment. Boiling Springs, NC. 704-434-6389, (704) 473-0867

STEEL BUILDINGS. “Large On Site Display”. Concrete Pads, Grading, Plumbing, Electrical. “One Stop Shop For All !” J. Johnson Sales, inc. Forest City, 2690 Hwy. 221 South. (828) 245-5895

CARPORTS, GARAGES, BOAT, RV COVER HAY BARNS, Etc. “Check Out Our Price Before You Buy... There Is Difference!” J. Johnson Sales, inc. 2690 Hwy. 221 South, Forest City. (828) 245-5895

STORAGE BUILDINGS WOOD OR METAL. New, Used, Repo. New Buildings from $3756.00. Inventory changes weekly! J. Johnson Sales, inc. 2690 Hwy. 221 South, Forest City, NC. (828) 245-5895

TINY HOUSE / OFFICE UNIT. 12’ X 28’. Small Kitchen, 1/2 Bath, TV

TRAILERS NEW5X10 WITH GATE $1395. Areas Largest Trailer Inventory, Equipment, Dumps, Landscape, Enclosed, Gooseneck “New & Used”. Best Cash Deals Around, Credit Cards, Financing, Rent to Own, No Credit Check Available. J. Johnson Sales, inc. Forest City. (828) 245-5895 METAL ROOFING FOR SALE IN STOCK! Deliveries Twice A Week. One Piece or the Whole Roof. J. Johnson Sales, inc. 2690 Hwy. 221 South, Forest City. (828) 245-5895 FOR SALE NEW-USED TRAILERS PARTS & ACCESSORIES FOR ALL TYPES OF TRAILERS. 1500 Square Feet of Parts, Axles, Tires, Lights, Gates, Ramps, etc. J. Johnson Sales, inc. Forest City, (828) 245-5895

& GARDEN

GARDEN TILLING SERVICES AVAILABLE. Tractor with 6’ rototiller. No job too big or small ! (704) 692-4079

RHODE ISLAND RED LAYING HENS. $25 each. 5’ round bales hay, $25 each. (704) 466-5883

PETS & LIVESTOCK AKC BELGIAN MALINOIS Born 11/27/2023. Mom and dad on site. 2 Boys and 2 Girls. AKC papers available. (704) 466-6447 nicolas.norris1982@gmail.com

BEAGLE PUPPIES, 6 WEEKS OLD. Vacccinated & wormed. $175. White homing pigeons, $15 ea. Lawndale. (704) 472-9481 DOG KENNELS. 5X10X6, 10x10x4, 10x10x6, 10x20x6. Single Kennel, Double Kennel or Triple Kennel. Dog Houses. Rain Tops Available. “Pickup or Delivery Available.” J. Johnson Sales, Forest City (828) 245-5895

AKC REGISTERED LAB PUPS. 8 male, 3 females. Chocolate & black. $500 each. Taking deposits now. Ready for new home April 15th. 704-692-1627 or 704842-4436.

KOI FISH FOR SALE. All colors; short and long fin; 4”-5” $5. Each; larger $10. each. (864) 546-2778 brendasherman9@gmail.com

4 FT. DISC HARROW $300. Cultivator $250. Stone walk-behind

5 YEAR OLD PIT/LAB MIX. Spayed, shots UTD. Pet Aggressive. 2year old German Shepherd cross. All round good dog. $40 rehoming fee per dog. (704) 473-8497

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified on 4th of April, 2024 as Administrator of the Estate of CHARLES BEN CAMP (24 E 306), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, Charles Ben Camp, Jr., Administrator on or before the 17th of July 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 17th day of April, 2024.

Charles Ben Camp, Jr., Administrator Estate of Charles Ben Camp 103 Park Circle Shelby, NC 28150

KMH (4/17, 24, 5/01 & 08/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified on 2nd of April, 2024 as Administratrix of the Estate of RAY B. SIGMON (24 E 300), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, Andrea M. Sigmon, Administratrix on or before the 10th of July 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 10th day of April, 2024.

Andrea M. Sigmon, Administratrix

Estate of Ray B. Sigmon 717 Lakehurst Dr. Shelby, NC 28150

KMH (4/10, 17, 24 & 5/01/2024)

PETS & LIVESTOCK

AKC CANE CORSO. Registered AKC Cane Corso puppies. Shots up to date, ready to go. $1000. (704) 974-2716

BOXER PUPPIES, CKC REGISTERED. 8 weeks old, shots & worming UTD. Big, Healthy puppies. $300 each. (704) 466-3135

LITTER OF TOY SHIH-POO/ MALTESE. 2 little teacup

Malti_Poo, 9 weeks. Adult male Yorkie-Poo, 5 lbs or under, neutered. 2 year old male toy CKC reg. Poodle, neutered. Lab mix / Squirrel Feist. 1 year old male, neutered. All are Vet check & shots UTD & wormed. Call for info for prices, colors etc. (828) 391-0919

CKC GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPPIES for sale. These 2 sweet little girls are looking for their forever homes. Vet checked and ready to go April 16th. Asking $500 each. (704) 734-7088 joelovestina1@gmail.com

PETS & LIVESTOCK

ROTTWEILER PUPPIES. Imported Champion Working Lines. $500. each. 828-7557335.

CARS & TRUCKS

1995 CHEVROLET S-10 4-3 EV Salvage Title. $1500 firm. 704-678-3743.

1995 TOYOTA COROLLA Wagon DX, 101Kmi., white, very good condition, looks / runs good, new tires & battery, all power, A/C. $4190. 828-289-1817.

2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. Runs, Top works good, TM good. 86000 miles. Convertible. $1900. firm. 704-6783743.

CAMPERS

VACATIONS

RENTAL- MYRTLE BEACH. 3BR condo, available June 1-8, June 8-15, August 17-24. $1895 weekly. Nights available April/May. 828-447-6611. Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

MOBILE HOMES

A1 HOUSING-AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR EVERYONE DO YOU OWN LAND? DO YOU WANT TO SAVE MONEY ON A HOME? A1 Housing LLC is HERE FOR YOU! We have homes with payments starting at $800/month*

LAND OWNER’S SPECIAL GOING ON NOW ON ALL MODELS IN STOCK AND CUSTOM ORDERED! Call us for details 704-744-1500 for details! (704) 774-1500 info@a1housing.net

3 MALE TOY POODLES. One black and white, one black, one chocolate. $500 each. CKC papers. 828-2898844 MINI DOODLE PUPS REPUTABLE BREEDER. Shih Tzu Doodle puppies, under 10lb grown. Breeder of merit, vet tech trainer for 35+ years. Call, text or email 864-6238803. (801) 696-3262 thefuzzyfacequeen@gmail.com

HENS FOR SALE. 4 TypesBrahma, Ameraucana, Red Producer & Cochins $30 each. Call (828) 289-7719

TWO BEAUTIFUL WHITE KITTENS. About 9 weeks old. Free to a good home. 828744-2127.

CAMPERS

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified on 8th of April, 2024 as Executrix of the Estate of MAXINE VINESETT COCHRAN (24 E 294), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, Phyllis C. Clark, Executrix on or before the 17th of July 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 17th day of April, 2024.

Phyllis C. Clark, Executrix

Estate of Maxine Vinesett Cochran PO Box 1255

Boiling Springs, NC 28017

KMH (4/17, 24, 5/01 & 08/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK

In the Matter of the Estate of:

COLLEEN REYNOLDS TATE, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having qualified on the 12th day of April, 2024 as Executrix of the Estate of Colleen Reynolds Tate, deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned Executrix on or before the 26th day of July, 2024 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment.

This the 24th day of April, 2024.

Kimberly P. Tate, Ex.

465 El Bethel Road

Kings Mountain, NC 28086

C. Andrew Neisler, Jr., Admin. CTA

CLONINGER & NEISLER ATTYS

P.O. Box 515, 300 E. King Street

Kings Mountain, NC 28086

KMH (4/24, 5/1, 5/8 & 5/15/24)

REAL ESTATE

CLEVELAND COUNTY

TURN YOUR HOUSE INTO CASH? I PURCHASE UNWANTED RENTAL PROPERTY AND/OR STARTER HOMES. MUST BE PRICED TO SELL! “QUICK CLOSINGS”! Call (704) 472-0006

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified on 5th of April, 2024 as Administratrix of the Estate of THOMAS DAVID WILLIAMS, JR. (22 E 504), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, Sylvia R. Williams, Administratrix on or before the 17th of July 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 17th day of April, 2024.

Sylvia R. Williams, Administratrix

Estate of Thomas David William, Jr. 1308 Crestview Dr. Shelby, NC 28150

KMH (4/17, 24, 5/01 & 08/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CLEVELAND

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of CHRISTY HAYES STAPLETON (24 E 234), deceased, late of Cleveland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, Kyle Adrian Green, Administrator on or before the 24th of July 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 24th day of April, 2024.

Kyle Adrian Green, Administrator Estate of Christy Hayes Stapleton 1623 Caleb Road Shelby, NC 28152

Counsel for Estate J. Charles Hoyle, Attorney 207 Hoyle’s Road Kings Mountain, NC 28086

KMH (4/24, 5/01, 08 &15/2024)

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

LAWN & GARDEN WORD

By JIM MILLER Editor

Best Cell Phones for Seniors

Dear Savvy Senior,

Can you recommend some good cell phones for seniors? My 79-year-old mother needs to get a new mobile phone and has asked me to help her find one that she would like.

Searching Daughter

Dear Searching,

For older adults, choosing a cell phone is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Some seniors love the latest high-tech smartphones with high-megapixel cameras, while others prioritize simple phones with basic functions. So, the best cell phone for your mom will depend on her comfort with tech-nology, priorities and budget.

Best Cell Phones

To help identify the best cell phones for older adults, I consulted Wirecutter, a product testing and recommendation service from The New York Times who recently tested 18 cell phone models.

Their testing focus was on three different areas, including best phones for older adults who are comfortable with technology and want to upgrade to a

full-featured smartphone with robust acces-sibility settings; best cell phones for seniors who are not tech-inclined or who prefer a smartphone with fewer features, as well as those who are experiencing vision, hearing, or dexterity issues; and best cell phones for elderly seniors who need specific accessibility features due to physical or cog-nitive issues. Here are their top choices based on their tests.

Apple iPhone 15 Plus: This is a great choice if your mom is comfortable with technology and willing to spend more for a top-tier smartphone with a range of accessibility, health, and safety fea-tures. The 15 Plus has an easyto-read, large (6.7-inch) screen and the most robust health and safe-ty features, including an off-grid SOS, a personal-safety check, and plenty of customizable acces-sibility options that help seniors with vision and hearing loss, as well as with speaking and/or dex-terity problems. ($899, apple.com).

Google Pixel 8: If your mom has been using an Android device and is more comfortable with this operating sys-

tem, the Pixel 8 is a high-end, reasonably priced smartphone that tops their list for older adults. It too has a sharp, large (6.7-inch) screen with an excellent camara and many health, safety, and accessibility features that can help seniors with vision impairment, hearing loss, hand tremors and more. And it costs significantly less than the new Samsung Galaxy and iPhone models. ($699, store.google.com).

Lively Jitterbug Smart4: If your mom wants a simplified smartphone that’s very affordable, she might prefer this model. Like the Apple 15 Plus and Google Pixel 8, the Jitterbug Smart4 also has a 6.7-inch screen, but this phone comes with a list-based menu (no icons) that provides easy navi-gation. It also offers voice commands capabilities, and a number of health and safety services in-cluding a 24/7 emergency monitoring service. This phone would also work well for people with memory or vision issues. ($150, lively. com).

RAZ Mobility Memory Cell Phone:

This phone is specifically designed

for seniors with memory issues or more-advanced cognitive decline. Its uncluttered, simple functionality allows users to stay in touch with family and friends while also reducing common problems such as unnecessary calls to emergency services, spam, and fraud. It also has a dedicated SOS link on the screen that can alert up to three contacts; has GPS tracking capabilities; provides caregiver controls and more. ($349, razmobility.com).

Snapfon ez4G: This is a non-smartphone if your mom doesn’t want or need all the functionality of a full-featured smartphone. This simple cell phone provides large buttons, big screen type and an SOS emergency button on the back of the phone that will alert up to five preselected contacts by call and text. ($100, snapfon. com).

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.