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Volume 136 • Issue 30
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
75¢
Pastor Houze’s Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony By Dr. Lisa Petty-Hartgrove, HCA
AMBER NICHOLS
DR. MATT TIPTON
Amber Nichols new Principal at KM Middle By Loretta Cozart Kings Mountain Middle School will have a new principal this school year. Amber Nichols will take that leadership role, replacing Dr. Matt Tipton who is transitioning to take the principal’s position at Cleveland Early College
High. In an X.com post, Cleveland County Schools announce the transfers of both principals sharing, “Please help us welcome our latest administrative transfers! Dr. Tipton and Ms. Nichols are outstanding school leaders, and we know they’ll excel!”
In an extraordinary career that spans over five decades, Rev. Dr. John L. Houze, founding pastor of Peoples Baptist Church in Kings Mountain, NC has been a steadfast force in the Kings Mountain community. The Pastor was honored with the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his unwavering commitment as a community leader, and his significant contributions to the Kings Mountain Community. He is the founder and Senior Pastor of Peoples Baptist Church in Kings Mountain, where he has pastured for 34 years. Beyond his ministerial responsibilities, Dr. Houze has had the honor of serving on various Christian, City, and County boards, including Cleve-
Mayor of Kings Mountain, Rob Wagman, and Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awardee, Rev. Dr. John L. Houze land County’s Smart Start, the Council of Aging, the Kings Mountain Planning
and Zoning Board, and the Board of Adjustments. Not one to shy away from com-
Time to enroll your student By Loretta Cozart If you have not yet done so, the time has come to enroll your student in Cleveland County Schools. The online enrollment process will ask you for a scan or photo of the following items. However, you can enroll without providing them immediately, but you'll need to drop these by your school of enrollment. • Student's birth certificate • Three proofs of residence (Ex: Most current utility bills, lease agree-
Cleveland County S C H O O L S
ment, rental receipt, home ownership proof, etc.) • Immunization Records To register online, visit www.clevelandcountyschools.org/team_ccs/join_ team_ccs/enrollment If you would like to apply for your child to attend Preschool in Cleveland County Schools, please call our office at 704-476-8064. They will be glad to assist you in completing an application.
USPS raises prices amid financial struggles By Loretta Cozart Starting July 14, the cost of a First-Class Forever Stamp has increased by 5 cents to 73 cents, a 7% rise from the previous rate of 68 cents. Additionally, the price for mailing international postcards and letters has gone up from $1.55 to $1.65. Other price adjustments by the United States Postal Service (USPS) include: • Metered 1-ounce letters: increased from 64 cents to 69 cents. • Domestic postcards: increased from 53 cents to 56 cents. • International postcards
and 1-ounce letters: both increased by 10 cents to $1.65. • Additional-ounce price for single-piece letters: increased by 4 cents, now 28 cents. • Square, oversized, or unusual envelopes: new starting rate of $1.19. There has been no increase in post office box rental fees. Additionally, the USPS is offering a 10% price reduction on postal insurance for mailing items. The US Postal Service (USPS) has been raising prices more frequently in recent years. This marks the second price hike for a FirstClass stamp this year, bringing the cost to 73 cents—the highest level in decades, even when adjusted for inflation. In April, the USPS stated See USPS, Page 8A
Rev. Dr. Kenneth Curry (Award Agent for Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award), Dr. Moses Nueman (Guest Speaker), Rev. Dr. John L. Houze (Awardee) and Rev. Dr. Albert Enlow (Master of Ceremony). Photo by Dr. Lisa Petty-Hartgrove, HCA
munity service, his portfolio includes serving as Chaplain of the Kings Mountain Police Department and serving in the United States Air Force. He is also an alumni member of the Compact High School class of 1966 His life involves many firsts, not only for him but also for the African American community. He was the first African American president of the Kings Mountain Ministerial Association; the first African American president of the Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association; the first African American postal clerk in Grover, NC; the first African American Letter Carrier for the City of Kings Mountain, and the first Gaston County resident to run for the Kings Mountain School Board. His academic achievements comprised serving as a professor at Agape Bible School in Gastonia, N.C. where he taught Church and Christian Leadership, and he is currently a Fellow at the Institute of Theologians. Coming from a musically talented family, Dr. Houze is one of the founding members of the recording group The Gospel IQ’s of Grover, which 50 years later, is still widely sought after. But most of all, he is a servant of the Most High God called to be an Agent of Change for the people of God. He is married to the beautiful First Lady Fonda Ross-Houze. They have three children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. See HOUZE, Page 8A
Partnership the key to summer camp’s success The Davidson Association (The DA) and Mt. Zion Baptist Church partnered to bring the YMCA Summer Camp to the Davidson Community as a one-week trial. The idea was proposed by Kevin Osborne, VP of Operations, Sr. Executive Director at the Y to Katherine Pendergrass, President of The Davidson Association Mr. Osborne and the YMCA are very much interested in outreach to various communities within our community, the YMCA is more than a building, it’s a place of belonging. Mrs. Pendergrass shared the idea with the Davidson Alumni Resource Center Board Members who agreed to move forward. Mr. Osborne then presented the community outreach project to Renata Wingo, Family Program Director at the Y, to plan the camp. The one-week Y Camp trial was a huge success. Twenty-one children, ages 5 to 13, were in attendance. Their impactful week
The YMCA Summer Camp, hosted by The Davidson Association (The DA) and Mt. Zion Baptist Church, partnered with the Y to make this event a reality. Photo by Katherine Pendergrass included devotions, games, songs, arts and crafts, STEAM, various activities, and a day at the Y’s swimming pool. The campers enjoyed snacks and lunch and received an “official” YMCA
t-shirt. The Kings Mountain Family YMCA staff assigned to the specialty camp were Keshawn Strong, Zoey Self, and Desiree Rodriguez. We are better together! Davidson Board members include Randy Miller, Chair;
Valerie Boyd, vice-chair; Melvin White, treasurer; Tamra Moody, assistant treasurer, and Geraldine Dye, secretary. Rev. Les Davis, Pastor, and Henry Gilmore III, Deacon Chair, Mt. Zion.
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