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904 South Battleground Ave. • Kings Mountain, NC
Volume 136 • Issue 23
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
75¢
MAY 28 CITY COUNCIL MEETING – With the council chamber filled to capacity the crowd poured into the lobby, quickly filling to capacity. With nowhere else to go, the crowd spilled out into the plaza of City Hall. (Photo by Ricky McDonald)
City council approves lake fees increase By Loretta Cozart
Rendering by Catawba Two Kings Casino
Catawba Nation to begin construction after settlement with former developer The Catawba Nation is set to begin construction of a more than $700 million permanent casino resort in Kings Mountain, after finalizing a settlement with its former casino developer over the ground lease for its trust lands. The Catawba Nation finalized the private settlement with Sky Boat Gaming in early May, removing the firm from any interest in the project. In February, the Catawba Nation also purchased land around its temporary casino from Sky Boat, including the parking lot and additional property that may be used to support
resort amenities and experiences. “We persevered to achieve a fair deal so that we can now realize the full financial and economic benefits of the project for Catawba Nation members and residents of Cleveland County,” Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris said. “The establishment of this casino is not just about bricks and mortar; it symbolizes our commitment to preserving our tribal identity, supporting our community and creating opportunities for our people. This project will not only generate revenue for
our tribe but also provide jobs, education and social programs that will benefit our members and the surrounding region. These jobs, including construction jobs, along with increased patron traffic, will provide local governments and the state of North Carolina with additional tax revenue and other investments under our compact. The Catawba are working to keep casino revenue in North Carolina as opposed to what outside commercial casino companies would do,” Harris said. Planning for the permanent casino resort continued See CONSTRUCTION, Page 5A
An estimated 500-plus citizens attended the May City Council meeting on May 28 to express their displeasure with the proposed fee increase for residents living on waterfront property or those using watercraft on John H. Moss Reservoir (Moss Lake). With the council chambers filled to capacity, the crowd poured into the
lobby, quickly overflowing. With nowhere else to go, the crowd spilled out into the plaza of City Hall. The sound system, which can be played in the lobby, did not work properly, so attendees had to monitor the proceedings using their cell phones. Before the public hearing on the issue, Councilman Jay Rhodes used his portion of the city council meeting normally set aside for comments to clarify the pro-
posed increase in lake fees. He shared, “Consternation. That's a big word, but I think it's appropriate on what's been going on relative to lake fees. Later in this meeting, I am going to make a motion to approve or modify what you've all seen or not seen in the papers and in notes. “I'm of the opinion that fees do need to be increased. And this is what I'm going See FEES, Page 5A
The new water slide, a thrilling addition to the Kings Mountain Family YMCA, is now open for all to enjoy. Photo provided
Get your Splash on! By Loretta Cozart
Responding to the scene were Kings Mountain Fire, Oak Grove Volunteer Fire, and Bethlehem Fire Departments.
Stovetop fire at Comfort Inn Kings Mountain Fire Department responded to the Comfort Inn at 3:43 p.m. on Friday after receiving a call of active smoke from the hotel. The hotel was evacuated and searched. A small stovetop fire was found in a room on the third floor. Kings Mountain Fire Department issued the following statement, “We would like to give a special thanks to the Bethlehem Fire Department and the Oak Grove Volunteer
Fire Department for arriving on the scene to assist.”
The investigation is ongoing.
“Summer has arrived, and families are going to the water to cool off. Kings Mountain has several budget-conscious options for families to escape the soaring temperatures without draining their wallets. A popular spot to cool off is the splash pad in Patriots Park, which is open during
daylight hours. There is no cost, and children must be supervised. A new water slide is now open at Kings Mountain Family YMCA. The pool and slide are open to the public Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost is $5.00. Group swimming lessons
are also available at Kings Mountain Family YMCA for children ages 3 to 14. Swimming is a life skill and great exercise. Instructors use a variety of fun methods to help kids overcome fears, build confidence in the water, and develop skills that last a lifetime. Register online. Classes cost $50 for members and $70 for non-members.
Gas purging operations scheduled this week
Firefighters from various stations responded to an active call of smoke at the Comfort last week. Photos by KMFD
The City of Kings Mountain announced that they will be conducting gas purging operations this week as part of a scheduled project. This task began on Monday, June 3, and gas purging is planned intermittently through Friday, June 7, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. each day. Specific work zones in-
clude the following areas: • I-85 in front of UTZ • Dixon School Road • York Road • Gage Road There may be concerns regarding the smell of gas during this period. If anyone contacts you about detecting a gas odor, please direct them to our team at
704-734-4516. The City of Kings Mountain must address every call to ensure the safety of the citizens. The city requests, “Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the gas purging operations, please contact the city. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.”
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call us at 704-739-4461
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