Thursday, September 18, 2003
KINGS MOU
The Her
High
Achievers
KM schools ace
State ABC tests
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
All but one Kings Mountain District
School exceeded state expectations on
ABC's testing, according to a report
issued last week by the state
Department of Public Instruction.
All schools, with the exception of
Davidson, scored 110 percent or higher
than state goals. Davidson met 100 per-
cent of the goal set by the state.
“We (school board) are so proud of
the students, teachers, all our employ-
ees,” said board chair Shearra Miller.
“They worked so hard to help our stu-
dents reach those levels.”
Bethware, North, East and West ele-
mentary schools, Kings Mountain
Intermediate and Middle schools have
been named Schools of Excellence. This
means over 90 percent of students are
meeting proficiency standards. Grover
Elementary and Kings Mountain High
School have been named Schools of
Distinction. Students there scored
between 80 and 90 percent proficient.
There are only a handful of high
schools at distinction level in this
region. The high school also met its
yearly progress goal on No Child Left
Behind assessments. Grover missed the
School of Excellence category by a frac-
tion of a percentage point.
East and Bethware Elementary
schools are among the top 25 statewide
in growth for the kindergarten through
eighth grade category.
For East, this is the third time the
school has earned a place on the top 25
list.
Principal Jerry Hoyle credits staff,
students and the community.
Parents are taking an active part in
their children’s academic life by mak-
ing sure homework is completed and
by being supportive of the school’s
behavioral expectations.
“It’s a team effort,” Hoyle said.
This is the fourth year that East has
been in the School of Excellence catego
See Schools, 3A
Two sentenced
in Braswell case
By ANDIE BRYMER
Staff Writer
Two men received prison sentences
last week in Cleveland County
Superior Court for the death of Justin
Braswell.
David Allen Glover, 22, received 23-
to 28 years in prison. He pleaded
guilty to second degree murder and
robbery with a dangerous weapon.
Jami Walker, 16, received 27 to 37
years. He plead guilt to second degree
murder and two counts of robbery
with a dangerous weapon. Walker has
confessed to firing the gun that killed
Braswell.
“Justice has been served,” said Kings
Mountain Police Captain Derek
See Braswell, 3A
OLDER WORKERS
Working with grieving families
special calling for Bill McDaniel
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
NTAIN
utd
mes to aid
of ailing
grandmother
5A
Vol. 115 No. 38 Since 1889
— STORM PREPARATION
a
to hook up a generator.
KM prepares just in case
Isabel changes direction
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
In public works Director Jackie
tuned to a weather channel. All
Vacation is on hold for city employees are on stand by.
employees. Police are urging the eld-
erly and disabled to prepare. Fire
crews are fueling up chain saws.
Hardware stores are selling genera-
tors. All this activity on Monday and
Tuesday was in preparation for
Hurricane Isabel, predicted to hit the
North Carolina coast today.
Even though the Kings Mountain
area wasn’t expected to receive any
problems from the hurricane, people
locally were taking precaution just in
case Isabel changes direction.
debris.
“Whatever it takes,” he said.
Down the hall, Nick Hendricks,
and groundmen. If the storm hits,
crews will be out repairing lines as
soon as safely possible.
hospital and disabled and elderly
See Storm, 2A
ANDIE BRYMER / HERALD
Tony Park of Bridges Hardware helps Colon Jones find materials needed
Barnette’s office, a television stayed
If winds from the hurricane hit
Kings Mountain, Barnette and crews
will work 24 hours a day to clean up
electrical director, met with linemen
They'll repair lines leading to the
Cops take
drird hattle
to streets
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
If you're dealing or purchasing drugs in Kings Mountain,
chances are Police Chief Melvin Proctor knows more about
- you than you realize. :
The chief and Mayor Rick Murphrey issue a warning to
_dealers to leave town, stop dealing or face arrest.
Police have not rested since sending shock waves
through local drug dealing networks with Operation Sleigh
Ride, a December bust. While that operation targeted mid-
dle level dealers, Taking It To
a ERT
The Streets is aimed at street
; 66
They would
level dealers and users.
Over 80 have been arrest-
ed since January. Individual be su rp rised
how we gather
information.”
dealers should not rest easy
just because they have not
yet been visited by police.
“Some of you have been
caught and you don’t even
know it,” Proctor said. “They
would be surprised how we
gather information.”
Not content to depend on
dealers squealing on one
another, police have enlisted the community. Citizens who -
used to make anonymous tips now talk openly with police.
Some are even equipped with video cameras, filming deals
from their living rooms. :
“The community is stepping up to a new level,” Proctor
said.
It’s not just the community though. Gone are the days
when the narcotics department handled drugs alone. Now
| detectives, administrators, community policing officers ana
Melvin Proctor
KM Police Chief
patrol officers are involved.
“The drug trades operates on different levels. We have to
attack it from different levels,” Proctor said.
Patrol officers have been the backbone of Taking It To The
Streets. When not answering calls, these officers are watch-
ing known dealers.
“They're tired of it too,” Proctor said. “We kicked it off in
December and now they've taken it upon themselves.”
Much of the drugs are coming to Kings Mountain from
Charlotte.
“Charlotte has a severe problem. It’s effecting small com-
munities,” Proctor said.
See Cops, 3A
ANDIE BRYMER / HERALD
Chris Crawford and Chasity Hawes participate in the candlelight vigil.
describes his work as a calling.
“This is what I'm suppose to be doing.
This is where the Lord wants me,” he said.
Dressed in a suit, McDaniel conveys both
9/11 remembered
In KM ceremony
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
The mayor recognized local
police, highway patrol, rescue
squad members and firefighters.
“You make us so very proud,”
he said. :
Rev. Bruce Hobson of El
Bethel United Methodist read a
poem honoring emergency
workers as heroes.
Images of planes hitting the
Twin Towers, debris falling, soot
covered victims, funerals and
Red Cross relief efforts were
part of a North Carolina
Firefighters video shown by the
fire department.
Murphrey presented Kings
See 9/11, 9A
Kings Mountain remembered
the 3,000 killed during the Sept.
11 attacks and honored its own
emergency workers Thursday
night.
“Life changed forever across
America and every part of the
globe,” Mayor Rick Murphrey
said, referring to 9-11.
“The terrorists thought we
would be humbled and scared.
The spirit of democracy cannot
be killed,” he told the crowd
gathered at City Hall
Amphitheater.
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SS TN gu
SSE
Bill McDaniel’s family often ask him if he
ever plans to retire. The question is under-
standable given the 74-year-old man still
works full time at Harris Funeral Home.
“I would go stir crazy with nothing to
do,” says McDaniel.
Seated in the funeral home parlor with its
low lights and soothing music, McDaniel
professionalism and caring. Tall and grand-
fatherly, he is well suited to work with
grieving families. :
“I enjoy doing what I do,” he said.
McDaniel explains that some may not
understand how working at a funeral home
See McDaniel, 3A
¢ ANDIE BRYMER / HERALD
Bill McDaniel, 74, still works full time at Harris Funeral Home. Next week is Employ the 8
Older American Week. i ¥
Gastonia Shelby Bessemer City
529 New Hope Road 106 S Lafayette St. 225 Gastonia Hwy.
704-865-1233 704-484-6200 704-629-3906
Kings Mountain
300 W. Mountain St.
704-739-4782
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
Celebrating 128 Years