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Volume 137 • Issue 6
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
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Carpenter retires Congressman Moore pens letter to from KMPD Administrative Sergeant, Lake Officer Wayne Carpenter has retired from the Kings Mountain Police Department. Sgt. Carpenter is a 30-year veteran on the force. Numerous thanks, congratulations, and well-wishes were posted on the police department’s Meta (Facebook) page. During the January 28 Regular City Council meeting, KMPD Chief Gerald Childress also announced that Gov. Josh Stein had awarded Carpenter the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
EPA about lithium pit lake near KM
Wayne Carpenter Administrative Sergeant Lake Officer
Pedestrian struck and killed on US 74 in Shelby A tragic incident occurred early Friday morning, January 31, on U.S. 74 in Shelby, resulting in the death of a pedestrian. According to Shelby Police, the man was struck by three vehicles while walking eastbound at the intersection with Ingles and Walmart around 4:45 a.m. Police Chief Brad Fraser reported that the victim was wearing dark clothing and was walking in the road when he was hit. The
east side of the highway was closed from Earl Road to Fast Stop for at least two hours as the fatality was being investigated. As of January 31, at 11:30 a.m., the police were still trying to identify the victim, and no charges have been filed at this time. The incident highlights the risks pedestrians face on busy highways and the importance of exercising caution when walking near traffic.
On January 17, Congressman Tim M o o r e (NC-14) penned a letter to TIM MOORE Environm e n t a l Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Jane Nishida, urging the agency to assist with monitoring emissions from the proposed Albemarle open-pit lithium mine near Kings Mountain, North Carolina. The request stems from concerns about the off-gassing of dihydrogen sulfide (H2S) caused by the dewatering process at the site. “The North Carolina
Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) has assured my district’s communities that the current concentration of H2S in the air is not harmful,” Congressman Moore wrote in the letter. “However, I am requesting the EPA’s assistance under the enforcement statutes of the Clean Air Act to monitor H2S levels to ensure they remain below potentially toxic thresholds.” The proposed mine is critical to U.S. economic competitiveness due to its potential to supply lithium, a key component in high-density batteries and other energy technologies. Congressman Moore stressed the importance of
balancing the mine's development with the safety of local residents. “While I recognize the mine’s strategic importance, it is imperative to address the concerns of nearby residents and ensure their safety throughout the process,” he added. Moore’s letter read: “On behalf of the residents of Kings Mountain, North Carolina, and the constituents of North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District, I am writing to ask for the Department of Environmental Protection’s (EPA) assistance with an issue of pollutant off-gassing occurring at the proposed Albemarle open-pit lithium mine just south of
Kings Mountain. “The site, which is in the development stage, is currently draining rainwater that accumulated in the pit over 30 years of nonuse. Although this process complies with a state-issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NDPES) permit under the Clean Water Act, it is producing an off-gassing effect as previously submerged reactive minerals are exposed to air, releasing dihydrogen sulfide (H2S). H2S, a potentially harmful chemical compound, is highly corrosive and can be poisonous in high quantities. Its presence is evident from the “rotten egg” odor See LETTER, Page 5A
Bolin’s new venture: Senior Rides of Kings Mountain By Loretta Cozart In 2023, Kelly Bolin sold Bolin’s Daycare on Ramseur Street after 33½ years of caring for the youngest in our community. Little did she know then, just two years later, she would start Senior Rides of Kings Mountain, enabling seniors to manage their doctor’s appointments or business without driving themselves or asking their families for help. Bolin shared, “I provide a personal ride service to the airport, doctor’s appointments, hair appointments, or anywhere else our seniors need/want to go for those who no longer drive or
just don’t want to. My service is more personal than public transportation, offering various travel and payment options. Clients can call the day of or book me in advance.” Rides can be booked for a single destination and include a brief waiting period. Should the errand require more time, the rate can be negotiated. In-town rates are a flat fee; out-oftown rates have a base fee plus mileage. One-way and round-trip options are also available. For more information, contact Kelly at 980-3968839 or email seniorridesofkm@gmail.com.
Kelly Bolin helps a client down the stairs. She has begun a personal ride service for seniors, giving them rides to run errands, go to the airport, or visit the doctor's office. Photo by Kelly Bolin
NCDOT seeks public input on 10-year transportation plan Catalytic Converter theft This suspect was involved in the theft of a Catalytic Converter at the Patrick Senior Center on January 18. Call KMPD if you have any information on this case.
at Patrick Sr Center On January 19, the larceny of a catalytic converter occurred at the Kings Mountain Patrick Senior Center. Video obtained from the Senior Center indicated that the pictured male drove a black-in-color motorcycle and removed the catalytic converter from one of the buses in the parking lot.
The Kings Mountain Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit is investigating this incident and has requested the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect involved. If any information is known, please contact Detective Corporal Medlin with KMPD Criminal Investigations Unit at (704) 734-0444, Cleveland County Crime Stoppers through the provided QR code, or (704) 481- (TIPS) 8477.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has released a draft of its next long-range transportation improvements plan for public review. The documents, including an online interactive “Draft 20262035 STIP Map,” show proposed DOT construction projects and can be viewed at https://www.ncdot.gov/ initiatives-policies/Transportation/stip/development/ Pages/resources.aspx. The State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) serves as NCDOT’s guide, detailing how and See INPUT, Page 5A
The NCDOT 10-year plan in the Kings Mountain area. Photo by NCDOT
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