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704-466-6008 Volume 117 • Issue 9
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Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Cherryville Fire Department Awards ceremony held Feb. 21 at First Baptist Church City Manager Brian Dalton: “The Cherryville Fire Dept. always goes above and beyond what is asked of them by the City of Cherryville and the community.” by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
The Cherryville Fire Department was pleased to host their Award Ceremony once again after a hiatus and a virtual ceremony one year. Said Chief Jason Wofford, at the Tuesday, Feb. 21 event held at Cherryville’s First Baptist Church. “I believe we skipped a year there one year and had a virtual ceremony also, both as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Chief Wofford. The chief was one of many who welcomed firefighters and their families and friends to the 2022 Award Ceremony, held
Human Resources Director Amia Massey
this year in First Baptist’s sanctuary. First Baptist pastor and CFD fire chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Vince Hefner opened the ceremony with a word of prayer and Chief Wofford, after his welcome, asked Cherryville City Manager Brian Dalton to speak. “The Cherryville Fire Department always goes above and beyond what is asked of them by the City of Cherryville and the community,” noted Mr. Dalton. “We can always depend on them, the whole department, and on any organization they belong to.” Assistant Chief Colby Heffner gave a department update by noting, “The year 2022 was a successful year for the Cherryville Fire Department. We totaled out the year with 1,174 calls for service, which was up 218 calls from the previous year. We will likely see this number continue to climb as our city experiences exponential growth. In the year
Budget Analyst Elizabeth McGee
alyst Elizabeth McGee, and Chief of Staff Justin Amos. Each year, ELGL seeks nominations for the list and selects leaders who serve their communities with excellence and have a positive
Carolina Journal
The North Carolina Senate passed a bill last Tuesday evening establishing rights for parents with school-aged children. The Parents’ Bill of Rights
The 1-mile Bubble Race is for all ages and starts off in a veritable screen of bubbles!
passed 29 to 18 and went to the House Tuesday. If the House passes it as well, it would go to Governor Cooper, who will likely veto it. While no Senate Democrats voted for the Parents’ Bill of Rights, some House Democrats might. If Cooper vetoes, Republicans will need at least one House Democrat to vote with them to override. See BILL, Page 2
(photo provided)
Cherryville’s Family YMCA looking for 5K Walk/Run sign-ups
The famed Cherry Blossom 5K and See INFLUENCERS, Page 2 Bubble Run will be here before you know it!
Parents Bill of Rights passes NC Senate; all Democrats vote ‘no’ by ALEX BALTZEGAR
See AWARDS, Page 9
Cherryville Fire Chief Jason Wofford and Assistant Chief Colby Heffner and all those CFD crew members who attended or received awards at the Tuesday, Feb. 21 award ceremony at Cherryville’s First Baptist Church. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media)
Chief of Staff Justin Amos
Three county employees named to National List of Top 100 Local Government Influencers The Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) organization recently announced its Top 100 Local Government Influencers for 2022, with a record three Gaston County employees making the list: Human Resources Director Amia Massey, Budget An-
2022, our members logged 6,159 training hours and multiple members received new certifications and education which are as follows: Driver/Engineer Doyle Brown completed his NC Firefighter Certification; Assistant Chief Heffner obtained an NC Fire Inspector Level III Certification; Captain Bowman and Assistant Chief Heffner both received an NC Pyrotechnics Operator certification; and Captain Bowman completed his Associates degree from Cleveland Community College.”
do for your physical and mental health. We believe that everyone in the community should have a ‘Y’ experience through ‘Y’
membership and programs no matter their ability to pay.” Shriver continued, “Cherry Blossom 5K spon-
by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor
See 5K, Page 3
Speaker Moore and Rep Willis in car accident, ‘rammed from behind several times’
michael@cfmedia.info
Officials, “Y” members and staff, and anyone who has ever run the now-famous Cherry Blossom 5K race and Bubble Run want everyone interested in running for a great cause to know… it is almost time for the big race to take place! According to information received from Sarah Shriver, Marketing and Communications Director for the Gaston County Family YMCA, “The Cherryville Family YMCA is passionate about health and wellness and what being part of the community can
sorships support ‘Y’ programs and services in the
Moore does not think he was specifically targeted by ALEX BALTZEGAR Carolina Journal
N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, speaking to reporters last Friday morning. (photo provided)
North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, and Rep. David Willis, R-Union, were involved in a car accident around
9:30 P.M. on Thursday where they were “rammed from behind several times,” according to Demi Dowdy, a spokesperson for Moore. Moore and Willis were visiting Wilson, North Carolina, for a workforce event at Wilson Community College. See ACCIDENT, Page 2
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