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Volume 136 • Issue 12
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
75¢
These volunteers gathered at KMFD Station One before fanning out across the city to install smoke alarms and educate citizens about fire safety. (Photo by Loretta Cozart)
Albemarle begins Sound the Alarm installed 65 dewatering the smoke alarms here on Saturday mine pit in April By Loretta Cozart
By Loretta Cozart Last week, Albemarle met with local media to share information about dewatering the mine pit, which begins in April and is anticipated to continue for 18 to 24 months. The Kings Mountain mine is an open pit site. When mining stopped nearly 40 years ago, the mine pit began accumulating rainwater. As Albemarle explores re-mining the site, it must conduct pre-feasibility studies, which require dewatering the pit for drilling and other exploratory work. Once the studies are completed and evaluated, and permitting is secured for the proposed mine, dry conditions are needed for the implementation of safe and environmentally friendly mining methods. The dewatering process complies with the water management requirements of the North Carolina De-
partment of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Once the permit is issued, Albemarle will use electric pumps to move existing water from the pit to a temporary water treatment plant constructed on the Kings Mountain site. The water will be cleaned, and sediment filtered out at the water treatment plant. Once treated, the water will travel to the South Creek Reservoir for gradual release into Kings Creek at a rate compliant with the DEQ permit to ensure the integrity of the creek and river basin. Water will be pumped from the water treatment plant at a rate of 2,500 gallons per minute into the South Creek Reservoir, which empties into Kings Creek. According to Albemarle, water traveling through Kings Creek during heavy rains can far exceed this amount on average. The plant will monitor the water See ALBEMARLE, Page 5A
The American Red Cross shared its results from the Sound the Alarm campaign in Kings Mountain last Saturday, March 16. • Engaged 120 residents in 46 households in fire safety education! • Installed 65 new lithium battery alarms! American Red Cross
Disaster Program Manager Amelia Lenke, American Red Cross in Blue Ridge Piedmont Chapter, shared that “these results are DOUBLE what we achieved on our day out together last September! The Blue Ridge Piedmont Chapter's annual goal is to reach 500 residents across its 12 counties with Home Fire Preparedness
resources. Amelia said, “We exceeded 20% of that annual goal in our day out on March 16! So far, our efforts in Kings Mountain this fiscal year have achieved 35% of our Home Fire Campaign goal for our Chapter this year! “The Red Cross will schedule a shorter, more succinct weekday early evening Volunteer Shift in
April to finish the routes started last Saturday. We want to make sure every one of those households has been reached.” Sound the Alarm in Kings Mountain is sponsored by Albemarle, with the help of many volunteers, including Kings Mountain Fire Department, Bethlehem Fire Department, State Farm, and FEMA.
Be Pro Be Proud visits KMHS By Loretta Cozart
Be Pro Be Proud NC visited Kings Mountain High School on Thursday, March 14, so ninth graders could see what opportunities exist for students to learn ground-breaking set of tools and resources designed to help students explore, plan and launch careers in today’s technical roles. Be Pro Be Proud NC takes a unique Mobile Workshop See BE PRO, Page 8A
This Be Pro Be Proud NC Mobile Workshop visited KMHS last Thursday. (Photos by Margo Plonk)
Thin Blue Line Jeep Ride honors Tyler Herndon By Loretta Cozart On Saturday, March 16, the Thin Blue Line Jeep Ride remembered Tyler Herndon, the Mt. Holly officer, and Kings Mountain native, who lost his life in the line of duty while responding to a breaking and entering at a Mount Holly car wash on December 11, 2020. Tyler had been a member of the Mount Holly Police Department for just shy of two years. In a Saturday Facebook post, Mayor Rob Wagman wrote, “More than 300 Jeeps have lined up this morning to honor the legacy of Mount Holly Police Officer and Kings Mountain native Tyler Herndon. “Jeeps leave Mount
Sara Lee Owensby Wagman with Tyler Herndon’s father, Mark, at the Thin Blue Line Jeep Ride from Mt. Holly to Kings Mountain. Photo proviced Holly at 11 a.m. and will enter KM off of Oak Grove Road, heading to First Baptist Church, KMHS, Bethlehem Road, and many points
in between. The convoy of Jeeps will begin arriving in KM after 11:30 and 11:45, and with 300, you have time to grab a spot with your family to take part.” Two weeks ago, Tyler’s mother, Debbie, posted information about the Thin Blue Line Jeep Ride, sharing, “This ride honors Tyler and all law enforcement and will have a fully escorted new route! They’re coming from MHPD to KM! The new route will leave My Holly Police Dept at 11:00 and go to 85, to 74 in Kings Mountain, then left on Oak Grove Rd, right on Sims St, right on Kings St, left on Phifer Rd, right on Bethlehem Rd and right back onto 74. “Behind the police escort will be Tyler’s we get to ride in followed by well over 200 jeeps! “We hope you will plan to
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Jennifer Hamrick Stacey with Mayor Rob Wagman and Sarah Lee during Little Annie Gourmet Waffles’ grand opening at Eva’s Garden Center at 736 Stony Point Road in Kings Mountain last Saturday. From the smiles on their faces, it appears the waffles were a big hit, and everyone had a great time! (Photo by Jennifer Hamrick Stacey) find a spot somewhere along the route to watch and show support to Just Jeepin’ 4-A Cause, Tyler Herndon Memorial Foundation, and all LEO!
“Kings Mountain: While the jeeps travel through, intersections will be blocked to allow them to stay together. We are excited for another way to honor Tyler’s mem-
ory.” Officer Herndon and his family are from Kings Mountain. His parents are Mark and Debbie Phillips Herndon.
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