CAROLINA TROPHIES “Awards for All Occasions” 12/28/23
704-482-2392
Volume 117 • Issue 30
www.carolinatrophies.com
75¢
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
New Cherryville Downtown mural honors Cherryville’s Darin & Brooke Aldridge When approached about being honored with a mural, the couple said they “…were completely surprised!” by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
A shot of Darin & Brooke Aldridge, from their Facebook page.
There is a new mural in town and, boy, it is a beauty, as well as being an idea whose time has finally come. The newest art piece, created by Chapel Hill artist/muralist and musician himself, Scott Nurkin, honors and recognizes two of the town’s premier music stars, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, who have not only made a name for themselves but have elevated the sound of bluegrass music and gospel music to a new level of recognition today. The two, dubbed “Sweethearts of
Bluegrass,” by their peers and contemporaries, have also brought great recognition for their hometown of Cherryville with their amazing musical talents. According to Cherryville Main Street Director David Day, Mr. Nurkin finished the painting just last week, and so far, many have come by to view it. As far as the city having a scheduled, official unveiling, Darin noted, “I was told the city is planning an unveiling in their next meeting, so hopefully soon.” Regarding Mr. Nurkin
and his artistic abilities. Darin & Brooke stated, “We’ve been huge fans of the incredibly talented Scott Nurkin since we first saw and heard about his painted murals popping up all over North Carolina. We love that he’s a musician himself, and his passion for music goes beyond his talents as a performer through the expressive strokes of his paintbrush.” They continued, “He understands what it’s like to live the life of a musician. His paintings immediately catch your eye, drawing
Chapel Hill artist and muralist Scott Nurkin working on the Darin & Brooke Aldridge mural on the side of the building adjacent to the city’s mini park. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media) you into the scene and making you want to know more about his subjects.” Darin & Brooke also noted, “When our home-
town of Cherryville approached us about honoring us with a mural, we were completely surprised! When the conversation shifted to
which artist should paint it, Scott instantly sprang to mind. The town approved, and a picture was chosen. See ALDRIDGE, Page 6
2023 Muni’s filings over: three incumbents joined by newcomer in race Mayor H.L. Beam, III; councilmen Malcolm Parker, and Jon Abernethy joined by Janice Hovis as they vie for votes this November Rep. Shelly Willingham, D-Edgecombe, discusses an anti-riot bill while his co-sponsor, House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, listens. (photo image from ncleg.gov)
by MICHAEL E. POWELL
NC’s AG Stein, DAs seek dismissal of ACLU lawsuit against anti-riot law
Now that the municipal elections filings in Gaston County are officially over, as of July 21, Cherryville’s three city council members – Mayor H.L. Beam, and councilmen Malcolm Parker and Jon Abernethy can turn their attention to the matters at hand, namely running good campaigns. And, at least for one of them, Mr. Parker, things are a bit different this time out
by CJ STAFF N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein and three district attorneys have filed separate motions to dismiss the American Civil Liberties Union’s federal lawsuit against the state’s updated anti-riot law. Those motions reached U.S. District Court on Thursday, July 20, two weeks after the ACLU amended its suit. The group claims the law’s definition of “riot” is “vague and overbroad.” The complaint names Stein as lead defendant, along with the district attorneys in Durham, Guilford, and Wake counties. “For 54 years, North Carolina has defined ‘riot’ in its Anti-Riot Act (the Act) as ‘a public disturbance involv-
ing an assemblage of three or more persons which by disorderly and violent conduct, or the imminent threat of disorderly and violent conduct, results in injury or damage to persons or property or creates a clear and present danger of injury or damage to persons or property,’” wrote lawyers from Stein’s N.C. Justice Department. “All those words amount to a simple meaning: A riot is a type of public disturbance – specifically, a violent one involving three or more persons.” “Consistent with that meaning, the North Carolina Supreme Court, North Carolina Court of Appeals, and this [U.S. District] Court have all rejected facial constitutional challenges to the Act after concluding that a person who has not engaged in or threatened violent conduct has not engaged in a riot,” Stein’s lawyers added. See LAW, Page 9
Editor michael@cfmedia.info
Incumbent Cherryville Mayor H.L. Beam, III (right), and incumbent Ward 4 councilman Malcolm Parker (left) traveled to Gastonia recently to file for the 2023 municipal elections. (photo provided)
as he finds himself facing a new candidate in the person of first-time candidate for public office, Mrs. Janice Hovis. According to Adam Ragan, Director of Elections of the Gaston County Board of Elections, headquartered in Gastonia, candidate filing for the 2023 Municipal Elections, which began on Friday, July 7, 2023, ended at 12 noon on Friday, July 21, 2023. As he noted in an email to the Eagle and other media outlets, “As of July 21, candidate filing for the 2023 Municipal Elections is now CLOSED.” The filings that affect the citizens of Cherryville are as follows: for the position of Mayor – the Honorable Henry Lee (H.L.) Beam, III See RACE, Page 10
New officers take oath to enforce criminal laws and faithfully and impartially execute their duties by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
A Lincolnton man, Anthony C. Bynum, is a newly minted NC Wildlife Resources Commission Law Enforcement Division officer. In a recent media release, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Law Enforcement Division noted they now have 16 new wildlife law enforcement officers. The recruits were sworn in
FREE
Activities
Fun for the Whole Family!!
Giggle Box Circus 3:30-6:30PM Contemporary Christian music 3:30-6:30PM
Lincolnton’s Anthony C. Bynum, who is a newly minted NC Wildlife Resources Commission Law Enforcement Division officer. (photo provided)
during a graduation ceremony held this past week in Pinehurst, N.C. In addition to Officer Bynum, the other graduating officers (and their hometowns) are: Avery J. Allen (Salisbury, NC); Nathan M. Baespflug (Sumner, WA); Eric Burkhalter (Harrisburg, NC); Matthew D. Burlingame (Jackson, WY); Alicia M. Calogero (Skaneateles, NY); John C. Hall (Lexington, NC); Bryce O. Harrington (Goldsboro, NC); Cameron C. Kepley
(Midland, NC); Ethan P. Lewis (Crumpler, NC); Javier S. Monroe (Silver Spring, MD); Jacob A. Pattison (Waxhaw, NC); Quantra M. Taylor (Florence, SC); Tyler N. Walker (King, NC); Matthew D. Woodlief (Henderson, NC); and Zackary M. Xiong (Albemarle, NC). The ceremony celebrated the 59th Basic School graduating class of the Wildlife Commission and was held See OFFICERS, Page 10
FREE
Concert 2SHQLQJ $FW
*UH\ODQ -DPHV DW 30 IROORZHG DW 30 E\ KHDGOLQHU
&+5,6 /$1(
6$785'$< $8*867 7+ Ć 30 Ć8372:1 6+(/%<