• • » • \ • » • I” VOL, 90 NO. 57 THURSDAY, JULY JAT, 1979 H«ag .‘t Sons P'ff 81»' t 1^ g- N /7 (^y?" //^ 45* vV'M"' « .. %,in’' / / / / r / / Herald’s New Home Underway The Kings Mountain Herald has begun construction of Its new offices and printing plant. The faclHty will be located on a six-acre tract at the comer of E. King St. and Canterbury Rd. • and will be constructed entirely of logs. Tlie nearly 16,000 sq. ft. makes It the largest log structure In the United States. A truly unique concept for a newspaper plant, the structure was designed by Rustic Log Homes Inc. of Kings Moun tain, which will supply the materials. The new facility wUl be caUed The Herald PubUshlng House and will house the staff and printing equipment to produce The Herald twice weekly and The Belmont Banner, Mount Holly News, Bessemer City Record and The CherryvlUe Eagle - the company- owned suburban newspapers. (See related story on The CherryvlUe Eagle on this page). The new faculty wUl be for multi-purpose use: the front section to house a combination glft-statlonary-offlce supply shop, the center portion to hous.. the newspaper offices, typesetting, photo and production darkrooms and newspaper producUon facilities, and the rear portion, the newspaper printing and commercial Job printing faclUtles. “I speak for the entire Herald staff In saying how happy we are to have the new plant imder construction,” said Garland Atkins, Dubllsher. “This Is a dream coming true for all of us and we hope our dream wUl be something the entire community wUl bo proud of. ” Atkins said, “I am told our faculty wUl bo the largest log structure In the United States. At any rate, we’U stick by that statement untU we find a larger one.” Atkins said planning of a complete newspaper plant for Kings Mountcdn has been underway tor about two years, but that the log concept was a more recent development. "The Idea had natural appeal to us considering the history of Kings Mountain," he said. "We were fortunate to have found a comjwuiy right here manufac- DARRELL AUSTIN GARLAND ATKINS hiring logs for domesUc and commercial construction - Rustic Log Homes, Inc. That firm has worked very closely with us In creating The Herald PubUshlng House." Atkins said research has shown that log structures, with Its natural Insulation quality, are very energy efficient, a subject close to everyone. "The plant wUl not only be buUt of logs,” the publisher said, “but we are planning to heat portions of this buUdlng with log-bumlng stoves. We are also Investigating the posslbUlty of using rolled Herald Purchases The Herald PubUshlng Company, which publishes not only the Kings Mountain Herald, but also The Belmont Banner, The Mount HoUy News, and The Bessemer City Record, Is adding a new member to Its newspaper famUy—The Cherr>’vlUe Eagle. Publisher Garland Atkins announced today that the Herald PubUshlng Company would assume ownership of The Eagle on September 1. Tills brings the number of newspapers The Herald pubUshes to five, with a total combined paid circulation of over 20,000. The Herald and Eagle have been negotiating for several months. Mr. Fred K. Houser, Eagle Publisher wlU remain In that position for one year. The Herald wUl continue to operate the Eagle In Its location in Cherryvllle. The printing wUl be done In the new “Herald PubUshlng House" upon Its completion In early spring. The (CherryvlUe Eagle Is the oldest weekly newspaper In Gaston (County. The newspaper wUl be seventy five years old next year. "We are pleased to be able to add this fine paper to our famUy," Atkins stated. We plan to continue the Eagle In Its fine tradition and to make It the best local paper possible.” “Mrs. Houser and I are happy that we were able to keep the ownership of The Eagle In local hands,” stated the Eagle Publisher. The Atkins’ famUy has long been a respected name In the newspaper business and I am looking forward to seeing the Eagle continue In this tradition. "I also look forward to seeing It printed In the new Herald PubUshlng House plant,” Houser stated. CLYDE HILL newspaper logs. This would allow us to heat portions of the buUdlng with our own newsprint waste. We believe this wUl set a good example In fuel conservation.” Atkins ssUd further plans call for developing a log-structured shopping center on the remainder of the six-acre tract. The shops and offices wUl be leased. Herald General Manager Darrell Austin, who Is overseeing the new venture, said the newspaper plsmt should be developed by early spring of 1980, but added, "Portions of the plant may be occupied before spring. If we see our gift and office supply shop Is ready. It will be opened before Christmas. The foundation Is being poured this week and the log construction should begin within six weeks.” Herald Advertising Director Clyde HUl, who wUl be In charge of overseeing the Installation of the new printing equipment, com mented, “We plan to gradually move the entire operation Into the facility untU all of the printing equipment Is InstaUed.” Atkins. Austin and Hill agreed that the "very cooperative nature of citizens and officials In Kings Mountain made the decision to locate the new facility here very easy to make. Herald officials said they are very thankful for the help of Mayor John Moss and Jerry King, city development director, for helping secure a site; to the city board of commissioners and city planning and zoning board for their help: and to Alvin Moretz, city engineer, for his pre-construction suggestions and planning. "But this Is all being made possible by T and Loan, Gary Whitaker at Kings Mount! Independence National Bank,” Atkins said has Just been great.” (Turn to page 2A) t\W\