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Volume 136 • Issue 10
Wednesday, March 6 2024
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
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DAR to host Tea and Genealogy Workshop on March 16 By Robin Meyer The Colonel Frederick Hambright Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will host a tea and genealogy workshop to celebrate Women’s History Month and the 150th Anniversary of The City of Kings Mountain on Saturday, March 16 at Central Methodist Church CAC. Tea and goodies will be served starting at 2 pm. Come out and hear about the history of the North Carolina DAR and learn about how to trace your ancestors. There is no charge for the
event. The chapter will accept donations for Wreaths Across America and children’s birthday party supplies (plates, napkins, gift bags, etc.) to share with the children of Crossnore Communities for Children. While this event is free, space is limited. Please email the chapter at colfrederickhambrightdar@gmail.com with your name and the number attending. This is a lovely mother/daughter activity or girls’ day out with friends. One of the world’s largest patriotic women’s organizations, DAR has approximately 190,000 mem-
bers in approximately 3,000 chapters across the country and several foreign countries. DAR members promote historic preservation, education and patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service and more. For additional information about DAR and its relevant mission, visit www.dar.org. For additional information about The Colonel Frederick Hambright Chapter, visit ncdar.org/ColFrederickHambright.
Mayor Rob Wagman honored Maurice L. Tate with the 2024 Community Spirit Award during the February 27 City Council meeting. Pictured L-R: Brandy Tate, Maurice Tate, and Mayor Rob Wagman. (Photo by Loretta Cozart)
Operation Medicine Take City’s Strategic Planning Back at the Senior Center Start going through your medicine cabinets now to weed out those old, no longer needed medications and take them to the Patrick Senior Center during Kings Mountain Police Departments’ Operation Medicine Take Back on Wednesday, March 20, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and on Friday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bring your old or outdated medications and dispose of them safely. The event is open to the public.
Session March 8 and 9
By Loretta Cozart
KMPD officers at last year’s event. Photo by KMPD
The City of KM will hold their Strategic Planning Session on Friday, March 8, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the National Whitewater Center. This is an open public meeting, but no public input is allowed, as this is meant for city council to have an open
dialogue to discuss big picture strategic planning issues. If citizens go to the National Whitewater Center, there is a $6 charge to park. If members of the public attend, the city will reimburse you for that parking charge if requested. The city held this same event at the Whitewater Center last year and likes to do so just before it gets into the substantive portion of its budgeting year.
The city’s budget year runs from July to June, and the 2024-2025 budget will be approved during the city council meeting in June of this year. The entire Strategic Planning Session will be recorded, according to City Manager Jim Palenick. “That will show up fairly quickly after the Strategic Planning Session, so look for that. You can pull it up and watch it at your leisure whenever you like.”
KM Police Depart.: Parking Update on Parks prohibited in certain places and Rec Masterplan
By Loretta Cozart
On Thursday, February 29, Kings Mountain Police Chief Gerald Childress issued a Public Safety Announcement to the community regarding parking. “As the Chief of Police for the City of Kings Mountain (COKM), and in the interest of public safety and social responsibility, I would like to remind everyone of City Ordinance 73.04. In part, the
ordinance states that “No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or traffic-control device, excepting emergency vehicles and personnel, in any of the following places: (A) on any sidewalk...” Chief Childress shared, “City sidewalks play a vital role in our society and community. Their purpose is
to provide safe passage for pedestrian movement and accommodate those with disabilities. As such, sidewalks must remain accessible and clear of any obstacle that would prevent safe passage. Please refrain from parking on sidewalks or placing debris in the path of a sidewalk. Your police department, City Officials, and community appreciate your cooperation in this matter.”
Legal online sports betting rolls the dice on March 11 By Loretta Cozart Starting at noon on March 11, North Carolina residents over 21 can bet on professional and college sports through retail locations and online platforms. Bettors can pre-register for online sports betting apps starting from March 1. Legalized betting begins just before popular “March Madness” college basket-
ball tournaments and other seasonal sports. So far, the state has approved eight operators to offer online sports betting services. Some top online sportsbook operators expected to participate are DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, Bet365, ESPN BET, Underdog Sports Wagering, and Fanatics Sportsbook. Others may offer services in the future. Sports betting is also available in person at three tribal casinos in North Carolina, including Catawba
Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, and Harrah’s Cherokee Vally River Casino in Cherokee. Although not universally welcomed, sports gambling is widely supported by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and others, claiming that the legalized practice will generate as much as $126 million in first-year new tax revenue for the state. Cooper also cites new job creation plus See BETTING, Page 8A
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By Loretta Cozart During the February 27 City Council Meeting, McGill & Associates of Charlotte gave an update on the Parks and Rec Masterplan. City Manager Jim Palenick shared with the city council that McGill & Associates were contracted to develop a long-term comprehensive Parks and Recreation master plan and are now well into that process. James Ford was introduced, and he shared a full update on where they are in that process and some of the things they've learned along the way. “As was mentioned before, a lot of public input is still going on. It is largely complete. I want to summarize some of it for you. There is still a statistically valid survey out there, and I'm still doing some interviews that we're not completely done with, but I believe we are far enough along to share some of the findings.” “All residents had an opportunity to take that survey that closed on February 13. We had 354 participants, roughly 761 individuals, or roughly 6.6% of the population.”
Ford explained that citizens suggested various amenities they wanted to see. “Community center was number one. There used to be a community center in the Davidson Community that was very successful. We like to see that type of tight-knit community resource in all areas of our city, especially in this one because there was one there historically.” He added, “Some people said an amphitheater because it is so successful now. People enjoy Patriots Park because they enjoy the concerts and events and are appreciative.” Other suggestions included dog parks, pickleball courts, gymnasiums, walking paths, playgrounds, open spaces, and neighborhood community centers. “You've got these groups, and they have a lot of experience. Most of them have lived here all their lives. They're trying to tell you what it's been like, but it is now what they'd like to see.” The study also showed that people want to see parks within a short distance from home. Ford also pointed out a
recreation destination, saying investment recreation is an untapped economic resource. Many communities are making revenue from recreation, including athletic fields. The city has a history of athleticism, and citizens are leaving the community to participate in tournaments. A multi-sports complex was also mentioned. Lighting was also mentioned quite a bit. People want more lighting. Many of the city’s current amenities need updating, he pointed out. “They are well loved. They've been used so often. It's time to change the oil and change the tires.” As he concluded, Ford said, “What I thought was important is that there are ways to fund improvements, such as grants. Most grants can be used to match other grants. You've got projects now you're working with developers if and when they can donate land, the value of that land can work towards the match on your grants.” He stressed, “Having a plan is critical when applying for those grants.” See PARKS, Page 2A
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