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Volume 134 • Issue 36
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
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City of KM to salute Military and First Responders September 10 NICK HENDRICKS
HOLLY BLACK
Two City of KM employees retire By Loretta Cozart On Wednesday, August 31, two employees of the City of Kings Mountain Energy Services Department retired after decades of service to the community. Assistant City Manager and Director of Energy Services Nick Hendricks retired after 36years of working for the city. The same day, Energy and Compliance Specialist Holly Black also retired after 23-years of service. ElectriCities Director Ed Miller recently awarded Nick the organization’s 2022 Public Partner Distinguished Service Award and said of him, “He joined the Kings Mountain Energy Department as a line worker. Fueled by his love of the city, his dedication improved the lives of its residents, and his commitment ensured the safety of electric department em-
ployees.” Mayor Scott Neisler read a proclamation honoring Nick and noted his progression through the ranks to Assistant City Manager. On August 18, 1986, he joined the city working in property maintenance. In 1988, he transferred to the Electric Division. And ten years later, in 1998, he was named Director of Electric Utilities. He was named Director of Energy Services in 2012, when the city combined the Electric and Gas Departments. “The implementation of Dark Fiber as a fifth utility established Kings Mountain as a trailblazer for other utilities across the state. He always, always does what is best for the city and everyone involved,” the mayor concluded. Nick was given a rocking chair to use while enjoying his retirement.
September 11, 2022, marks the 21st anniversary of 9/11, a series of attacks on America that began the morning of September 11, 2001. To commemorate the incredible heroics of that fateful day, the City of Kings Mountain will honor the military and first responders on Saturday, September 10, during the LIVE at Patriots Park Concert Series featuring FREEBIRD: The Ultimate Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute and the Dirty Grass Soul. The concert is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. Men and women, who serve or have served in the military or as a first responder, are encouraged
to attend and bring their families to this special event. A Cruise-In, also hosted by the City of Kings Mountain, will begin at 5:00 p.m. Agencies all over Cleveland County are encouraged to bring a service vehicle to the Cruise-In. To register, contact the Special Events Department at 704-730-2101. This year, September 10th is sure to be memorable in Kings Mountain. Please join us to salute all our community heroes. Patriots Park is located
at 220 South Railroad Avenue, Kings Mountain. For more information on the Concert or Cruise-In, contact the City of Kings Mountain’s Special Events Department at 704-730-2101, or visit
their website at www.KingsMountainEvents.Com. You may also visit their Facebook page at @cityofkmspecialevents. See page 3A for road closure information.
Big Red’s Café opens second location By Loretta Cozart Big Red’s Café opened a second location inside the new Goodwill in Shelby at 1005 E Dixon Blvd. It makes sense, considering that the café is a Christian-based business. Michael and Nakisha Wenzel took ownership of Big Red’s Café in Kings Mountain almost two years
ago and their business has thrived despite COVID. The time was right to expand. Management of the Shelby Goodwill reached out to the Wenzels, asking if they would consider opening a café inside their store. To make their decision, the couple drove to Rockingham where a similar concept is being tested. After talking with those owners, the Wenzels decided to move ahead with the project. The challenge, they only had one week to pull the shop together… and they finished in time for the grand opening. The second location of Red’s Café currently offers smoothies, coffee, tea, pastry, grab & go items, chicken salad, wraps, and
Big Red’s Café second location now open inside the new Goodwill store at 1005 E. Dixon Blvd., in Shelby. fruits. As soon as possible, they plan to add soups, sandwiches, and salads.
Nakisha is excited for a unique feature in the new See BIG RED’S, Page 5A
Kings Mountain resident to Carolina 85 Logistics be featured in Times Square Center fully leased
Carolina 85 Logistics Center is fully leased, with Utz Brands, Inc and Ferguson occupying the building. Photo by Loretta Cozar
By Loretta Cozart In an article in the Charlotte Business Journal last week, it was reported that Utz Quality Foods and Ferguson have fully leased the Carolina 85 Logistics Center. Both companies have signed leases and will each occupy half of the 300,240-square-foot building.
The project was originally brought before city council as a manufacturing facility in May 2020 and in June 2021, Kings Mountain City Council approved construction. During the July 2021 city council meeting, plans for the building changed for use as a warehouse and distribution center. On April 28, Utz Brands, Inc., a leading U.S. manufacturer of branded salty snacks, announced that the company’s subsidiary, Utz Quality Foods, LLC, had purchased a brand new,
recently completed snack food manufacturing facility in Kings Mountain from Evans Food Group Ltd. d/b/a Benestar Brands and related affiliates. The total purchase price of the transaction was approximately $38.4 million, and included the existing building, land and pork-rind production equipment. Utz will convert the space into a fully operational snack food manufacturing facility. It is estimated the project for UTZ alone will add over 115 local jobs.
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Asher Maples of Kings Mountain will appear in the bright lights of Broadway on Saturday, September 17, as part of the annual National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Times Square Video presentation. The one-hour video of roughly 500 photographs includes children, teens, and adults with Down syndrome from all 50 states. These collective images promote the value, acceptance, and inclusion of people with Down syndrome in a very visible way. The photo of Asher was selected from more than 2,400 entries in the NDSS worldwide call for photos. His photo will be shown on
ASHER MAPLES two Jumbotron screens in the heart of Times Square, thanks to the support of ClearChannel Outdoor. The two screens are located above Dos Caminos restaurant in Father Duffy Square. The presentation will be
live streamed on the NDSS Facebook page from 9:30 10:30 a.m. ET on September 17. Asher is pictured in an up-close head shot smiling and showing off his two bottom teeth. The New York City Buddy Walk will follow the Times Square Video presentation® in Central Park. The flagship Buddy Walk has taken place in New York City since 1995 as part of the National Buddy Walk Program. Buddy Walk events are held in hundreds of cities across the country, as well as select international locations. For more information about the New See ASHER, Page 5A
Just a few benefits of Dental Implants: • Improved appearance. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. • Improved speech. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that your dentures might slip. • Improved self-esteem. Smile again and feel better about yourself. • Durable. Implants are very durable and with proper care, can last a lifetime. To find out more about Dental Implants and schedule your next appointment
call us at 704-739-4461
703 E. Kings St., Suite 9, Kings Mountain • www.BakerDentalCare.com