• 9,700 sq. ft. climate
controlled facility • 4 Batting Cages • Hit Trax • Baseball & Softball
Pitching machine
811 Floyd St., Kings Mountain, NC theyardfacility@gmail.com
Volume 136 • Issue 50
• Golf Simulator • Pickleball • Basketball • Soccer/Futsal • Birthday/Corporate Parties
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
75¢
Museum welcomes new director & curator Following a nationwide search, the Kings Mountain Historical Museum announced the selection of Michael Turner Webb to lead the museum as the new Director and Curator. A third-generation educator from Charlotte, North Carolina, Webb previously led the Historic Penn Center (York W. Bailey Museum) on St. Helena Island, South Carolina. He served in educational roles at Historic Brattonsville in McConnells, South Carolina and at Historic Latta Place in Huntersville, North Carolina. Webb has also worked with Johnson C. Smith University, Gaston County Public Library, and Atkins Library at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He holds a Bachelor of Arts
MICHAEL TURNER WEBB
Wildfire at Crowder Mountain State Park. (Photos by Stephanie Christopher)
in History from Johnson C. Smith University and has performed as an organizer for the annual Jackie Robinson and Negro League Baseball Day event for the Charlotte Knights Minor League Baseball organization. “Michael is a dedicated local historian and educator, See MUSEUM, Page 5A
Fire at Crowders Mountain State Park impacts KM residents
Albemarle area gas odor reports investigated On December 6, the city updated the status of its investigation of reports it received about gas odors coming from several locations near the Albemarle site on its Facebook (Meta) page. City crews responded to the reported incidents and patrolled surrounding areas to conduct leak investigations. The city reassured the community that no natural gas leaks had been detected. The locations where the odors were reported are highlighted on the map. Each is in the immediate vicinity of the pond at Albemarle. (See location map, acquired from Google Maps on page 5A). In the past, residents encountered a very similar
situation, which was ultimately traced back to the pond turning over. This natural occurrence caused an unfamiliar odor, which many compared to the smell of natural gas. The city dispatched three additional crews to further investigate and patrol the pond at Albemarle for a direct comparison of the odor. Officials posted that crews continue to conduct roving leak investigations in the specific Albemarle area and expand their efforts outward until the smell dissipates. The city emphasized that they detected no natural gas leaks through their investigations to date. They will continue to monitor and update citizens on any new findings.
Deadline to apply for FEMA assistance January 7 North Carolinians with disaster-related damage or loss from Tropical Storm Helene have one month to apply for federal assistance. The application deadline is Jan. 7, 2025. This applies to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina and residents of the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba,
Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey. Homeowners and renters in these areas may be eligible for FEMA financial assistance for displacement, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused expenses. Disaster survivors who See FEMA, Page 5A
By Loretta Cozart A wildfire occurred around Kings Mountain, often referred to as the Pinnacle, on Sunday afternoon, December 8 and continued overnight. As of 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9, the fire burning in Crowders Mountain State Park was roughly 730 acres in size with 92% contained. The incident is now referred to as the Coyote Fire. Stephanie Christopher’s mother lives near the intersection of Pinnacle Road and Lake Montonia Road, and she shared, “My mom lives off Pinnacle Rd and has a Kings Mountain address. They (the firefighters) had two roads blocked, so I had to go down Sparrow Springs because there was no fire around there going to her house. It was smokey and you could see the flames and orange glow from her front yard. You could hear coyote’s hollering loud for a little while.” She continued, “It was really scary, and mom was preparing to evacuate.” Stephanie took photos of
Pinnacle road view of the wildfire. the scene and shared them on Facebook. According to NC Forest Service, “Due to difficult, steep terrain and in the interest of firefighter and public safety, firefighting personnel from the N.C. Forest Service and N.C. State Parks did conduct a strategic firing operation, also known as a burnout operation. It is a carefully planned tactic where firefighters intentionally and precisely burn vegetative fuels such as grasses, plants, shrubs, leaves, nee-
dles, duff and dead woody material, to eliminate what a wildfire can burn. When successful, a strategic firing operation brings the main fire’s perimeter to an already established containment line. “The strategic firing operation (burnout) was successful as firefighting personnel were able to use existing fire lines and roads for containment. While the fire was highly visible, no homes or structures were threatened.
“Firefighting crews remained at the scene to monitor the fire overnight. Precipitation did fall over the fire area, helping efforts. Personnel will continue to patrol and monitor the fire through today’s operational period. While it was originally reported to have resulted from a controlled burn, that was not the case. The NC Fire Service shared, “The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation,” they concluded.
“All Hands on Deck” for Wreaths Across America Day By Loretta Cozart This year Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, December 14 at noon. The event is spearheaded by Colonel Frederick Hambright DAR Chapter, supported by Kings Mountain Woman’s Club and Shelby Civil Air Patrol. Together, these groups garnished sponsorships for wreaths to honor veterans. Each December, on National Wreaths Across America Day, the community’s yearlong mission to Remember, Honor and Teach, is in part carried out with a wreath-laying ceremony at Mountain Rest Cemetery, located at 111 S. Dilling Street in Kings Mountain, as well as at more than 3,600 participating locations in all 50 U.S.
Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, December 14 at noon. (Photo provided) states, at sea, and abroad. Laying a live, balsam veteran’s wreath on an individual headstone for a veteran and saying their name out loud is a unique and individual experience. It is
a small gesture of gratitude for the freedoms Americans enjoy each day, and the community is proud to play a part in making sure that the legacy of duty, service, and sacrifice of each veteran
is never forgotten. Can Colonel Frederick Hambright DAR Chapter, Kings Mountain Woman’s Club, and Shelby Civil Air Patrol count on you to join See WREATHS, Page 5A
For A Solution to Your Dental Concerns Visit Our Professional Staff
DENTAL CARE General, Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry
• Would you like a healthier, more attractive smile? • Do your teeth chip or break for no apparent reason? • Are you embarrassed by the looks or condition of your teeth? FIND OUT TODAY’S DENTAL SOLUTION with a NO RISK Complimentary Consultation
704-739-4461
703 E. Kings St., Suite 9, Kings Mountain • www.BakerDentalCare.com
Dr. Robert Baker