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www.KMinsure.com Volume 135 • Issue 6
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
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China’s balloon passes over Kings Mountain area By Loretta Cozart
Retired City Manager Marilyn Sellers accepts Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Mayor Neisler. Photo by Christy Conner
Sellers receives Order of the Long Leaf Pine By Loretta Cozart During special presentation by city council on January 31, retired City Manager Marilyn Sellers was bestowed the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Mayor Neisler, on behalf of Governor Cooper. Special Events Director Christy Conner suggested the nomination, and City Clerk Karen Tucker and Mayor Neisler submitted the nomination. One of the most prestigious awards conferred by the Governor of North Carolina is The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. It is awarded to persons for exemplary service to the State of North Carolina and their communities that is above
and beyond the call of duty and which has made a significant impact and strengthened North Carolina. Among the honors and awards the Governor of North Carolina can bestow, none is more valued than The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Since its creation in 1963, it has been presented to honor persons who have a proven record of service to the State of North Carolina or some other special achievement, and to others as a gesture of friendship and good will. Upon being named to The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the honoree receives a certificate by which the Governor confers See SELLERS, Page 5A
KM City Council adds work session to regular meeting schedule The City Council for the City of Kings Mountain adopted an amended regular meeting schedule on January 31, to include a Regular Work Session held on the second Thursday of each month starting at 6:00 p.m. in addition to the Regular Council Meeting held on the last Tuesday of each month starting at 6:00 p.m. Regular Work Sessions and Council meetings are held in Council Chambers at City Hall, 101 West Gold Street, Kings Mountain, NC. The amended schedule for 2023 is as follows:
• Tuesday, January 31 • Thursday, February 9 Tuesday, February 28 • Thursday, March 9 Tuesday, March 28 • Thursday, April 13 Tuesday, April 25 • Thursday, May 11 Tuesday, May 30 • Thursday, June 8 Tuesday, June 27 • Thursday, July 13 Tuesday, July 25 • Thursday, August 10 Tuesday, August 29 • Thursday, September 14 • Tuesday, September 26 • Thursday, October 12 • Tuesday, October 31 • Thursday, November 9 • Tuesday, November 28 • Tuesday, December 12 See SESSION, Page 5A
At approximately 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, February 4, a balloon launched by China passed over the Kings Mountain area. In a photo shared by Sarah Mauney Rhea, the balloon can be seen above the KM Post office as a distant speck in the sky. A statement from Secretary of Defense (DOD) Lloyd J. Austin III on Saturday afternoon announced the balloon had been shot down off the South Carolina coast. The statement read, “… at the direction of President Biden, U.S. fighter aircraft assigned to U.S. Northern Command successfully brought down the high altitude surveillance balloon launched by and belonging to the People's Republic of China (PRC) over the water off the coast of South Carolina in U.S. airspace. The balloon, which was being used
The close-up photo of the balloon was taken from downtown Kings Mountain using a Nikon 300 mm lens by Cobb Lahti. by the PRC in an attempt to surveil strategic sites in the continental United States, was brought down above U.S. territorial waters.” “On Wednesday, President Biden gave his authorization to take down the surveillance balloon as soon as the mission could be accomplished without undue See BALLOON, Page 5A
Mayor Scott Neisler and Diane Wilson
Saturday morning, the balloon from China could be seen near Kings Mountain. Photo by Sarah Mauney Rhea
Nakisha Wenzel and Mayor Scott Neisler. (photos provided)
Two KM ministers recognized by city By Loretta Cozart Nakisha Wenzel and Diane Wilson, two prominent ministers in Kings Mountain, have been recognized by proclamation awarded at city council for their service to the community. Nakisha Wenzel re-
ceived the Community Service Award for 2022. She is co-pastor of Kings Church, a board member of KM Family YMCA, chairman of the board of Least of These Carolinas (an organization that bridges the gap in foster care), owner of Big Red’s Café in Kings Mountain and Shelby,
council member of International Foursquare Church, and a wife and mother. She has been an agent for change and has given her time, talents, and money for the benefit of others. Minister Diane Wilson was also recognized for her work in the faith community
by Mayor Neisler. Diane faced her own life challenges and came out victorious after a 20-year addiction. She went back into the community to help others overcome the challenges of addiction through Faith, Hope, and Love Ministry at Ebenezer Church
Urban Drive dwelling condemned By Loretta Cozart City council voted unanimously to demolish the dwelling at 105 Urban Drive in Kings Mountain during their January 31 meeting. Codes Enforcement Director requested city council issue an ordinance to demolish. There had been discussion with the owner to clean up the property, but no action was taken. The property was declared unfit for human habitation. The Director of Building Codes was directed
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to demolish the structure located on the premises within ninety (90) days of this date, pursuant to state statues The costs of demolition, lot cleaning, grass abatement, postage, and a twenty-five ($25.00) dollar administration fee shall be charged against the owners, if not paid within thirty (30) days of billing. If the fees go unpaid, a lien against the real property upon which the cost was incurred shall be recorded in the Office of See URBAN, Page 5A
This dwelling at 105 Urban Drive was condemned as uninhabitable by city council at their January meeting. Photo by City of Kings Mountain
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