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Volume 117 • Issue 32
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New store, The Wild Cholla opens doors to Cherryville shoppers Described as “a boutique with a beer and wine bar”, all in one place, or one shop by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
As one of the newer businesses in town, Randi Hicks’ The Wild Cholla (pronounced “Choy-ah”, she noted) is, in her own words, “a boutique with a beer and wine bar”, all in one place, or one shop, if you will. Hicks, the owner of The Wild Cholla, and fiance’, Gary Nadal, call Lawndale home, and have for the past 10 years, but both said they chose Cherryville as the location for her new shop, and eventually for his antiques store, which he is currently working to get opened up after Randi’s store gets really going. “I’m originally from Seagrove, N.C.,” said Randi, who noted that she and Gary were in the process of trying to find a place to open a business that wasn’t in a large city, as
Gary Nadal and Randi Hicks, with her son, Konner Morgan, at the bar in the 205 building. They built the bar by hand from a design by Randi. The 205 building is still in the finishing-up stages Gary and Randi noted. (photos by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media) they both liked and wanted a small-town vibe to their businesses. To that end, she said her store is a family-owned and operated business, at least for now. As for how she came upon finding and using the Wild Cholla name, Hicks said, “I wanted to have a (business) name that wasn’t like anybody else. Also, this is the first business I have ever owned; I like clothes, and I have a passion for style,” said Hicks, who was formerly in the health care profession. “I’m a people person, having worked, as I said, in
health care in High Point, and having my own business was something I always wanted to do,” she said. Having her own business is all part of Hicks’ main miracle-laced personal history, as she said she was diagnosed with Stage 0-1 breast cancer on October 2022, on Halloween. “There was a mass about five inches in diameter that they found, and it was a shocker, of course. I never felt it or anything but a small twinge of pain before I was diagnosed,” said Hicks, who added she had a double mas-
Three area sheriffs attend NC Sheriffs’ Association Annual Business Conference Sheriffs Hawkins, Norman, and Beam represent their three counties constituents well at association meeting by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
The week of July 24, three CF Media-area sheriffs attended the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association Annual Business Conference. They were Gaston County Sheriff, and former Cherryville Police Chief, Chad Hawkins, Cleveland County Sheriff, Alan Norman, and Lincoln County Sheriff, Bill Beam. In a July 31, 2023 media release, Eddie Caldwell , Executive Vice President and General Counsel for the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, noted the association hosted sheriffs, sheriffs’ personnel and their families from across the state for their Annual Business Conference. Stated Mr. Caldwell, “The Annual Business Conference is an opportunity for sheriffs
and sheriffs’ personnel to gather for networking, panel discussions, and training programs which cover a variety of topics related to law enforcement.” Topics covered during this year’s Annual Business Conference, he noted, “… included the sheriff’s role in school safety and active shooter response procedures, among others.” He also noted attendees heard presentations from guest speakers and attended a number of meetings throughout the conference. The Association also elects new Executive Committee officers each year at the conference, said Caldwell. “This year’s elections resulted in five sheriffs being elected to new offices: President – Sheriff Darren Campbell, Iredell County; First Vice President – Sheriff Mike Roberson, Chatham County; Second Vice President – Sheriff Ricky Buchanan, McDowell County; Third Vice President – Sheriff Clee Atkinson, Edgecombe County; and Treasurer – Sheriff Van Shaw, Cabarrus County.” Outgoing President Charles Blackwood, Orange County, will transition into the role of Chairman of the Association’s Executive
Committee and Sheriff Alan Jones, Caldwell County, was reelected to serve as Secretary. Newly elected Association President Campbell said, “The Annual Business Conference is always an excellent opportunity for sheriffs to get together to discuss important issues we are facing, network, and conduct Association business. I am excited for the opportunity to serve as the President of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association and hope to help enhance public safety in our communities while representing the sheriffs of North Carolina.” For additional information on the NCSA, contact Mr. Caldwell at (919) 810-6333, or email him at ecaldwell@ ncsheriffs.net. It is the mission of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, Inc. is to serve as the statewide voice to protect, promote, preserve, and enhance the Office of Sheriff in North Carolina through education, training, and legislative initiatives that increase public safety and protect the rights of the citizens of North Carolina. Their motto is: “Proudly serving the sheriffs and citizens of North Carolina since 1922.” See CONFERENCE Page 3
Some of the jeans that can be found in The Wild Cholla boutique’s 207 building. tectomy and in January 2023 had reconstructive surgery. “I ended up not needing chemotherapy or radiation. I feel great and I stay busy!” She and Gary share four children: Konner Morgan (18); Emily Nadal (17); Grayson Hicks (13); and daughter, Peyton Hicks (12). The kids will be helping out at the family’s shops, she and Gary noted when things get going and as they can, when they aren’t in class at Lincoln
Charter, or, in Konner’s case, pursuing a career as a lineman. He is also interested in cars, he said. Hicks said she and Gary looked in Lincolnton and elsewhere around the area, trying to find a building large enough to put a bar into, she said. On a chance meeting with artist and designer Jhoan Alfaro, who sent them to Vickie Spurling, of Vickie Spurling Realty, Randi and Gary were
shown the two buildings they currently occupy. The buildings are located at 205 and 207 N. Mountain Street, and are unique in their own right, with all sorts of eclectic charm and just the right amount of space the two were needing. Said Randi, “Once we are finished with this building (the 207 location), we will shut the entrance and the only See NEW STORE, Page 3
CFD can no longer unlock vehicles except in emergency situations State regulations, licensing laws, as well as liability issues, have changed things by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
Cherryville Fire Chief Jason Wofford said he and his staff want to let the citizens of Cherryville and the surrounding area they service know that, effective immediately, their department, and possibly other departments as well, will no longer be able to unlock vehicles, except in emergency situations that involve life safety. Chief Wofford said last week in an interview with the Eagle that, due to state regulations and licensing laws as well as liability issues, the decision was made. Said Chief Wofford, in an official statement, “The Cherryville Fire Department will stop providing the service to unlock cars. This is due to rising liability issues, and now a state licensing requirement. The Cherryville Fire Department is only allowed to unlock cars for emergency
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Every Wednesday
Cherryville Fire Capt. Trent “Bam Bam” Rayfield demonstrating how the firefighters would use the CFD’s tool to unlock a car at the Cherryville Fire Department. (photo provided) purposes only. The types of emergency situations are children, animals, and medicine locked in vehicles. We hope citizens will understand the change in service, but it is unavoidable. There are several Locksmiths that service our area. We urge everyone to purchase a hide-a-key or give relatives and/or friends an extra key that can help them
if they are ever in need.” Chief Wofford also noted they have no vetting process for the procedure as well to make sure the person needing to get into a vehicle actually has proper permission to do so. “It comes to a point,” said Chief Wofford, “when we, or other similar departments, See CFD, Page 3