Thursday, December 30, 1999 SPORTS THIS Hillman’s records top ‘99 sports story The Herald's 1 annual list of | top sports sto- ries of the year are on page 1-B, and topping the list was the record-break- ing career of Kings Mountain High football star Anthony Hillman. And on 2-B is the Herald's Kings Mountain baseball team of the century. Mountaineers win in S.C. tournament Kings Mountain High's men’s basketball team defeat- ed Wade Hampton 71-46 in the opening round of the Ramada Inn Holiday Basketball Tournament Tuesday night in Boiling Springs, SC. 3B EEE SPORTS NEXT WEEK ~ All-Century football || and basketball teams The Herald's All-Century Kings Mountain High football and basketball teams will be announced in next week’s pa- per. COMMUNITY Over 4,000 people see luminaries in KM For the first time in its four- year history, it didn’t rain on the luminary service at Kings Mountain’s Mountain Rest Cemetery. Over 4,000 people enjoyed the lights. 3A Some things to think about before new year Saturday at 12:01 a.m. marks the beginning of the year 2000 and a lot of folks are "anxious about what will hap- pen if computers read it as the year 1900. Some helpful infor- mation on what to do - and what not to do - can be found on page 3A HOLIDAY SCHEDULES w KM Schools Reopen January 4 City of KM Closed Friday and Monday ABC Stores ~~ Closed Saturday Shelby City Closed : Monday County Closed Friday KM Herald Closed Friday Banks Open 08960000 0000000000000ses000ns00srsasasasssssesssssssoesseseessesseesssessssssecssreeseececsesseeeeesssencensiereretosereeeieersiereeseteereteteceercesesseetstreseereetseestessereseeeeeseeeiress #980000 000000000000s0sseceenresecsctssitrsssssnseres resescesseeecesestenessatesssesessansnes seseeessessevescsssennesssssrssracssseesene: KINGS MOUNTAIN Herald Vol. 111 No. 52 Since 1889 St. Matthew's begins picking up the pieces $250,000 damage to historic church in Christmas fire BY ALAN HODGE Staff Writer One of Kings Mountain's most historic churches came perilously close to being de- stroyed Christmas morning. In an accidental fire whose origin is still under investigation, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 201 N. Piedmont Avenue, suffered damage estimated at $250,000 to portions of its structure that dat- ed to 1921. The fire was discovered around 8:20 am by Kings Mountain policeman Cpl. Chris Owens who saw smoke coming out of the rear of the church building. His quick call to the Kings Mountain Fire Department and their speedy response probably saved the building from complete destruction., “We had fire equipment and men on the scene in about three minutes,” said fire de- partment Capt. Bobby King. “It took around an hour to get the fire under control and then several more hours to secure the area. If the call had come five minutes later, the roof would have been gone.” Cold temperatures meant that sand had to be spread in the streets surrounding the church where runoff water from fire hoses was freezing on the pavement. In addition to the 22 Kings Mountain area firemen who bat- tled the blaze, another 15-20. from the Oak Grove fire department pitched in. “There is a lot of smoke and water damage to the building,” Kings said. “Several places will need structural repair.” See Church, 3A A Christmas Day fire at st. Matt Kings Mountain caused over $200,000 in damage. Rev. James ALAN HODGE/THE HERALD hew’s Lutheran Church in Dougherty (pictured) says quick response by Kings Mountain and Oak Grove firefighters saved the church from total de- struction. Carolina Cleaning Network employ- ees Lee Smith, left, and Michael Underwood load another can with refuse from the Christmas Day fire at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. Smith says his crew will be clean- ing up for as long as three months. So 0) r 99 *¥ cesssssssssnnes eseessssssssenes csssssvans eessessescscasennn 4seseceasesssrssrentseresetescstesststesatttrrssetrtanane 0000060000000 0008000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 “eesessesseccatreariraage eesessesssssacrsssse secesscsssnsesens seesscsccscssnens tevesessteccersssssseresnssssreian sesesesssssscscsssss % dp s So, 3H Yo A ORT di, Hox, 002 403 Oly 7 7% XE [ed Dare, pr