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See Schedule On Page 8B
Volume 137 • Issue 4
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
75¢
The City of Southern Artisan Spirits KM is hiring opens Wednesday, January 22 By Loretta Cozart The City of Kings Mountain is hiring throughout its staff. The most notable position currently open is city manager, but a wide variety of other jobs are also available. The city is seeking a workforce that reflects its value of diversity, and is actively seeks passionate and skilled professionals. Some available positions include: • Police Officer • Crossing Guard • Firefighter • Budget Analyst • Fleet Mechanic II • Operator, Public Works
• Senior Planner • Laborer For a comprehensive list of job openings, visit cityofkm.com. Under Your Government, click on Human Resources and then Employment Opportunities. The City of Kings Mountain provides all employees and applicants equal employment opportunities. It prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. For more information, visit the website or call 704730-2112.
CCS releases new mobile app By Loretta Cozart Cleveland County Schools (CCS) has launched a new mobile app to enhance communication with parents, students, staff, and the community. The app provides news, school calendars, notifications, and other timely information for students, families, teachers, and school staff members. Last week, parents received an email detailing the free app. CCS Superintendent Stephen Fisher mentioned that the school system had been discussing a mobile app for several years, aiming to find the perfect fit for Team CCS. “The new Cleveland County Schools app, developed in lockstep with the provider for our new district and
school websites, offers a variety of benefits designed to improve communication and streamline access to essential information for students, parents, and staff,” Fisher said in an email to The Shelby Star. “Acting as a hub of sorts, the app provides users easier access to announcements, calendars, lunch menus, and school-specific news all in See CCS, Page 5A
Helene disaster assistance with heating and repair costs available By Loretta Cozart The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Low Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) began accepting applications from the general public for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) on January 2. For the 25 counties that Hurricane Helene heavily impacted, including Cleveland County, the NC General Assembly has appropriated additional Disaster Energy Assistance funding to help
households with heating costs and repairs during the colder winter months. Beginning January 15, applications for these additional Disaster Energy Assistance funds will be accepted for eligible households residing in one of the 25 identified disaster counties during and after Hurricane Helene. These counties are Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. See HELENE, Page 5A
By Loretta Cozart Southern Artisan Spirits (SAS) has announced the opening of its 10,000 sq. ft. distillery and restaurant at 1033 York Road in Kings Mountain, set for Wednesday, January 22, at 4 p.m. A grand opening celebration will take place on Friday, January 24, featuring fireworks and live music. The business is owned by twins Charlie and Alex Mauney, descendants of Jacob S. Mauney, a founder of Kings Mountain. The Mauney brothers are award-winning makers of Cardinal Gin, which has received several accolades, including the Cooking Light 2011 Taste Test Award, Beverage Testing Institute's Top Ranked Domestic Gin in 2011, and a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2012. SAS's operating hours are Wednesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from noon to midnight, and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. Windows on the east wall give patrons one of the
Southern Artisan Spirits 40 ft. quartz bar. Photo provided best views of Kings Mountain in town. SAS’s signature cocktails feature Cardinal Gin, Cardinal Barrel Rested Gin, and Turning Point Rye Whiskey, all crafted by the Mauney brothers. According to SAS’ website, Kings Mountain was the first community in the United States to vote it-
self legally dry in October 1874, prohibiting alcohol consumption within the city limits. By the latter half of the 19th century, several distilleries had emerged in Cleveland County. SAS is now the third legal distillery in North Carolina, with its spirits available for purchase in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia,
Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland. The Mauney brothers invite you to visit Southern Artisan Spirits. “Our ingredients are all organic and fresh, which creates the finest beverages. SAS is a family distillery. We look forward to providing you with our handmade spirits for years to come.”
Greenheck Group announces Wellness Center in Shelby Greenheck Group, a leading manufacturer of commercial air movement, control, and conditioning equipment, announced that its existing Shelby campus would be the newest location for an on-site Wellness Center, complete with a health clinic and fitness center. Currently operating a Wellness Center at its flagship campus in Schofield, WI, Greenheck Group’s decision to open a Wellness Center in Shelby was driven by the challenges its team members and their families in the North Carolina region face in accessing healthcare. See GREENHECK, Page 8A
Greenheck Group’s newly announced wellness center should start operations by early 2026. Photo by Greenheck Group
Gov. Stein issues Executive Order to protect reproductive rights On January 16, Governor Josh Stein announced an executive order reaffirming his commitment to protecting women's reproductive freedom. The order directs cabinet agencies to safeguard medical privacy, ensure women receive accurate information about their pregnancies, and protect doctors providing lawful reproductive health care. "Our state has seen
alarming attacks on women's reproductive rights over the past few years, and I remain committed to doing everything in my power to protect women's freedoms and their privacy," said Governor Stein. "I am directing my cabinet agencies to take specific action to protect women and health care providers from extreme anti-reproductive freedom laws." Governor Josh Stein's
executive order contains several main provisions. He is directing cabinet agencies to pursue opportunities to protect medical professionals providing lawful reproductive health care services and patients obtaining lawful reproductive health care services in North Carolina. He is also directing cabinet agencies not to cooperate with efforts to impose penalties, including investigation or
prosecution, on medical professionals providing lawful reproductive health care services or patients obtaining lawful reproductive health care. The Governor is also instructing cabinet agencies to protect women's medical privacy by reviewing and, if necessary, revising policies about the records and data they collect related to a woman's reproductive health care. See RIGHTS, Page 5A
We Would Like to Welcome Robert Baker to Our Professional Staff
DENTAL CARE General, Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry
Our Family Has Been Serving the Kings Mountain and Surrounding Communities for Four Generations with Six Dentists Since 1907. ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS: To schedule your appointment
call 704-739-4461
703 E. Kings St., Suite 9, Kings Mountain • www.BakerDentalCare.com
Dr. Robert Baker