Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/340808
Our 31st Year • Issue No. 27 • July 3, 2014 704-484-1047 Free Free "Cleveland County's #1 Information Source" Peanut Butter cups with crunchy graham pie crust and creamy vanilla soft serve. BLIZZARD TREAT Peanut Butter Cup Pie dqshelby.com dqshelby.com 814 S. Dekalb St. • Shelby, NC 704-482-6681 HOURS: Mon.-Sat. 10am - 10pm • Sunday 11am - 10pm 814 S D k lb St Sh Sh lb NC JULY BLIZZARD! ©CommunityFirstMedia Stay Tuned in to... Streaming Streaming LIVE at LIVE at Shelbyinforadio.com Shelbyinforadio.com Summer Fun At South Mountain Family Camp South Mountain Family Camp held their annual Summer Day Camp June 23-27. Shown above, local kids ages 6 to 12, show off their Christian themed scarfs and nature plaques that they made in during the camp. They enjoyed stomping in the creek, a water slide, Bible stories, singing, and made a 10 year time capsule. The group also enjoyed nature walks that included a treasure hunt and fun times on the playground. South Mountain Family Camp is a non-profit organization which provides a Christian environment andoffers a variety of facilities. It is located nine miles from South Mountains State Park. For more information call 704-840-5160 or visit www.southmountainfamilycamp.org. – M. A. Andrews Our Office Will Be Closed Friday, July 4 Our Office Will Be Closed Friday, July 4 Community First Media, Inc., of Shelby has announced the purchase of the Kings Mountain Herald, The (Cherryville) Eagle and the Belmont/Mt. Holly Banner News from Gemini Newspapers, Inc., effective June 27. Gemini acquired these three newspapers in August 2008 from Republic Newspapers, Inc. of Knoxville, TN. Community First Media, is the publisher of Shelby Shopper & Info and the Rutherford Weekly community newspapers. CF Media president Greg Ledford said, "We are excited to take on the challenge of preserving the unique charm and character of these newspapers while recog- nizing the need for complimentary growth. Our goal is to help our communities thrive and benefit through all our publications." In announcing the sale, The Herald's co-owner, Wendy Isbell said, "We have always believed that local newspa- pers should be locally-owned and are pleased to have continued that tradition here. I am confident the sale of the papers to another local owner will keep the quality of coverage up to the expectations of the community. These are very good newspapers staffed by people who care deeply about the communities and the people they cover." Cribb, Greene & Associates of Charlottesville, VA represented the company in the sale. Community First Media Announces Acquisition Of Local Newspapers Harris Funeral Home Harris Funeral Home Locally Owned & Operated Since 1947 A Family Tradition of Dignity, Service & Understanding 108 S. Piedmont Ave. Kings Mountain, NC 739-2591 739-2591 Kings Mountain Herald Creating Dazzling Smiles that Brighten Your Life! Preventative, Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry Now Open on Fridays! To schedule an appointment contact Baker Dental Care today! Call 704-739-4461 kmherald.net 75¢ Volume 126 • Issue 27 • Wednesday, July 2, 2014 AC/DC, Charlie Daniels and Kate Smith. Set those powerful voices to the soaring, sparkling boom of fireworks and you've got yourself a show. That's what Scott Neisler, the longtime py- rotechnician who runs the town's an- nual July 4th fireworks show, is thinking ahead of the big show this Fri- day at Jake Early Park. As is usually the case this time of year he's been preparing for weeks – getting up the commercial grade fire- works, planning the music and arrang- ing a crew to help him put on the show that draws thousands of spectators from surrounding counties. Neisler puts on the display in conjunction with East Coast Pyrotechnics, a Catawba, S.C., company the city has contracted for many years. Like most other years, he's got a few new tricks up his sleeve. This year, he's using fireworks software that will help him cleverly sync up the explosions and fire we see in the sky with what we hear over the loud speakers. Those not in the immediate vicinity can also tune to FM 87.9 to hear the music and Kings Mountain Mayor Rick Murphrey's speech just before the show. Gemini Newspapers, Inc., Kings Mountain, par- ent company of the Kings Mountain Herald, has an- nounced the sale of the Her- ald to Community First Media, Inc., of Shelby, ef- fective June 27. Gemini acquired the Herald, along with The (Cherryville) Eagle and the Belmont/Mt. Holly Banner News in August 2008 from Republic Newspapers, Inc. of Knoxville, TN. Community First Media is the publisher of Shelby Shopper & Info and the Rutherford Weekly commu- nity newspapers. In announcing the sale, The Herald's co-owner, Wendy Isbell said, "We have always believed that local newspapers should be locally-owned and are pleased to have continued that tradition here. I am confident the sale of the pa- pers to another local owner will keep the quality of cov- erage up to the expectations of the community. These are very good newspapers staffed by people who care deeply about the communi- ties and the people they cover." CF Media president Greg Ledford said, "We are excited to take on the chal- lenge of preserving the unique charm and character of these newspapers while recognizing the need for complimentary growth. Our goal is to help our commu- nities thrive and benefit through all our publica- tions." Cribb, Greene & Associ- ates of Charlottesville,Va. represented the company in the sale. A skirmish between the British and the Patriots to defend the modern city of Kings Mountain will feature the "show that reenactors in 25 militias will present as a feature of Kings Mountain's Revolutionary 4th Friday at the Kings Mountain Walk- ing Track. Billed as the largest fire- works show between Char- lotte and Asheville, the Kings Mountain 4th will be capped off with a patriotic opening ceremony at 9 p.m. followed by the cannon bat- tle for Kings Mountain and the Patriots' victory signal starting the fireworks ex- travaganza. But before that, Ellis Noell, Special Events Direc- tor for the City of Kings Mountain, promises there will be fun for all beginning with a Pirates Ball on Thurs- day starting at 6 p.m. at 238 Cherokee Grill, costume contests starting at 7:30 p.m. and Living History demon- strations directed by the South Fork Militia from 2-5 p.m. on Friday and weather- permitting on Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. "There will be some sur- prises,'' says Rob Lewis, South Fork Commander who will be bringing 40 people to town Wednesday evening to begin putting down stakes, setting up tents, and camps between the picnic shelter and the ball field at Mayor Rick Murphrey Children's Park to be joined by reenactors, sharing daily life of the Rev- olutionary era, the 84th Highland Emigrant Militia and Charles Towne Artillery at the historic encampment. Lewis says it will take all day Thursday to get the camp ready. Visitors can enjoy pot- tery and soap making, sewing demonstrations, learn about and sign the Declaration of Independ- ence, receive educational in- formation about the signers of the Declaration, and also talk with British loyalists being loyal to the King and Vietnam veteran Jim Medlin, 68, credits the GI Bill of Rights with changing his life, forever. On Sunday the nation marked the 70th anniversary of the Service- men's Readjustment Act of 1944, more commonly known as the GI Bill. "I grew up on the Mar- grace Village and my Dad and Mom, the late J.H. and Irene Medlin, didn't want me to go into the cotton mill business, they wanted me to do something different,'' said Medlin. Jim said his dad was su- pervisor in the warper room at Margrace Mill. "He had only a 7th grade education but he was big on education and stressed to our family that we must have an educa- tion." Jim worked for the late John Caveny at the Mar- grace Store, starting at age 10 crating bottles and sweeping the store, and worked all through high school." I loved Mr. Caveny as a second father - a very good man and he is part of me today," said Medlin. Medlin graduated from Kings Mountain High School in 1964 and entered WCU with a grant-in-aid for City Council unani- mously rezoned two pieces of property for an equestrian farm and a solar farm last Tuesday night after public hearing. Carl Spradley, 125 Grand View Dr., had applied for conditional use rezoning to allow Edy Jakubiak and Eric Bergstrom to utilize the property as a single family farmette/ equestrian busi- ness. The horse boarding/train- ing facility, to be located on Grand View Drive off Chestnut Ridge Road, will include a barn, pastures, are- nas and parking, donkeys, chickens for personal use not to exceed 12, and pigs, not to exceed three, of the potbelly/teacup variety. The solar farm would be on 17 acres on Bolin Drive near the intersection of Hardin Drive and Stoney Point Road. Dennis Bolin, 115 Bolin Drive, applied for Residen- tial-20 rezoning with solar farm overlay district. Cur- rently the land is pasture land which adjoins a manu- factured home park, wooded area, and creek on the 17.3 acre portion of the tract. Bolin told council the farm would be located on a small portion of his property and would not have an im- pact on the surrounding area. Once constructed, he said it would be a passive farm only needing routine maintenance. In other actions, Council: – reappointed council- men Rick Moore and Rod- ney Gordon to the Tourism Development Authority committee. – appointed Bill McMur- rey and reappointed Ernest Rome, Preston Todd, Tyler McDaniel, Russell Wing- field and Dick Schafer to the Moss Lake Commission. .appointed Katherine Allred, John McCoy, Carl Morrow, Goldie Diggs, Jonathan Rhodes and James Conrad to the Senior Center Advi- sory Board. – amended the budget or- dinance in the general fund, utilities, Powell Bill, the budget now totals $38,506,309. – amended the budget or- dinance for capital fund water system improvements project, appropriating $1,257,680 for the new 36- inch water line from Moss Lake to the city; $2,812,141 for the waterline rehab proj- ect $517,845 for the water plant improvement project and $19,045 for spillway re- pairs for a total of $4,606,711. Revenues ex- pected to be available to complete this capital proj- ect: $1,615,668 from the water-sewer fund and $2,991,043 from proceeds from financing by NC- DENR. .amended the budget ordinance for internal work- ers compensation fund at $253,589. – adopted the ordinance regarding the year end in- creases to the health Gemini announces sale of The Herald Reenactors, fireworks to highlight 4th of July ELIZABETH STEWART lib.kmherald@gmail.com ELIZABETH STEWART lib.kmherald@gmail.com ELIZABETH STEWART lib.kmherald@gmail.com The Kings Mountain Revolution- ary 4th kicks off Thursday night at 6 p.m. with a reception for the militias hosted by 238 Cherokee Grill. The Pirate's Ball costume contest will begin at 7:30 p.m. for entrants 16 and under and at 9 p.m. the adults will model their costumes. There will be cash prizes for first place and other prizes for runners- up. The restaurant will also be serv- ing a special Caribbean-themed Got your pirate costume ready? Not your ordinary fireworks GI Bill marks 70 years Vietnam veteran Jim Medlin is shown taking part in this year's Memorial Day celebration. KM File Photo DAVE BLANTON dave.kmherald@gmail.com Rezoning approved See COUNCIL, 7A See MEDLIN, 7A See PIRATE BALL, 6B See FIREWORKS, 6B See REVOLUTIONARY 4TH, 6B KMH File Photo Filming begins in Kings Mtn. 5A Real to Reel begins July 9 1B KM Beer a 'Revolution' 7A Serving Belmont, Mount Holly, Stanley, Cramerton, and McAdenville | Volume 79 • Issue 27 • Wednesday, July 2, 2014 75 ¢ Spread Some Natural Beauty. www.laniermaterialsales.com 105 Hillandale Lane, Mt. Holly NC 28120 • (704)827-7055 Mulch Topsoil Decorative Stone INSIDE... Opinion ....................... 4A Obituaries ................... 5A Day Tripping ................ 6A Coal Ash 'Risky' .......... 7A Dixie Youth Tourney ..... 9A Mount Holly events The City of Mount Holly will be holding a Red, White and Blue celebration. Included in the festivities will be their first fireworks display slated to take place July 3rd at Ida Rankin Elementary at dusk. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the show! The display should be visible to most of the Mount Holly area. Belmont events The big Red, White,and Belmont event is coming to Stowe Park July 4-6. The schedule includes: July 4- 6:30-10:00pm Kids Inflat- ables in lower Stowe Park, $5 wristband includes these in- flatables: 2 giant slides, bounce house, pitching machine for baseball, football, and soccer, basketball hoops game. 7:00- 10:00pm Friday Night Live concert on Main Street: Spon- tanes/Image: 6:00-10:00pm: Vendors: arts and crafts, merchandise, jewelry, home improvement, body care treat- ments, photography, and food: 10:00pm Fireworks show. July 5- 2:00-10:00pm Kids Inflatables in lower Stowe Park, $5 wristband includes these inflatables: 2 giant slides, bounce house, pitching machine for baseball, football, and soccer, basketball hoops game. DJ Buddy Love on the Stowe Park Gazebo Stage and the Fireworks, games, fun planned for July 3-6 BN File Photo By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com "I live in a church." That's what Father John V. Hoover says about the bungalow he recently purchased on Madora St. in Mount Holly and it's pretty much the truth. After all, he calls it New Creation Monastery. Hoover, who is a Roman Catholic monk in the Camadolese Benedictine tradition and will turn 70-years-old in November, is a Charlotte native who has pastored churches in Newton, Clemmons, and Highlands for nearly two decades. He's moved to Mount Holly to enter a new phase in his life. "I have come here to be contempla- tive," Hoover says. His new home is certainly a place for that. Beyond the cheery porch with its colorful potted flowers, the interior of Hoover's house is cool and relaxed. There is no widescreen TV or com- puter. Religious artwork abounds in the form of paintings, tapestries, carvings and other pieces he has collected over the years. The pieces are from all over the world including Mexico, Italy, Eng- land, Portugal, Japan, and Chile to name just a few locales. "Every piece has a story and is At home in Mount Holly Monk says New Creation Monastery is a place 'to be contemplative' Photo by Alan Hodge Father John Hoover is seen on the porch of the house he recently purchased in Mount Holly. He is a monk in the Camaldolese tradition and spends his days in meditation and prayer. See MONK, 7A By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com There are some great filmmakers out there such as Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Spike Lee, and Billy Kaskay. What? Never heard of Kaskay? Well, given the fact that he has just produced and released his second indie film "Rae", it's likely the 18-year-old, East Gaston High graduate from Stanley will one day make his own splash in Hollywood. Set to attend film, history, and English classes at Davidson College in the fall, Kaskay cut his filmmaking teeth while at East Gaston with the Civil War-based movie "A Nation Divided" that featured fellow stu- dents in the cast. From that venture, Kaskay's creative juices really began to flow and he set about producing "Rae"- once again featuring friends in the starring roles. The film centers around a girl with schizophrenia and her challenges. Kaskay says his work is a com- bination of Christian and horror genres. The leading role is acted out by Kaskay's friend, 17-year-old, rising East Gaston senior Claire Biggerstaff. Kaskay held a screening of Rae last week at Zoe's Coffee House in Gastonia, but in- tends to show it in other venues. "I plan to get in touch with churches and not only show the film but have discussions about it," he said. "I am going to enter it in film festivals as well." Another actress in the film, Katie James, described Rae and how it was to work with Kaskay as the director. "The movie upholds a lot of moral val- ues," she said. "As we made the film it was wonderful watching Billy create something over the course of a year." In the coming months, Kaskay intends to release Rae on YouTube. A Nation Divided can already been seen on that outlet. So, what drives Kaskay to make movies? "It's a creative release," he said. "I have a talent and it's important to touch people's lives with it." Now that Rae has been released, what does Kaskay have in mind for his next flick? "I have a project in mind about two young souls traveling across the country," he said. "It will be a very indie, hippie-type thing. One of the actresses that will work with me is my friend Savannah Benfield." Looking down the road, Kaskay sees his days at Davidson College as an excellent place to grow creatively and as a person. "The filmmaking facilities there are great," he says. James agrees. "Once Billy gets in the college atmos- phere he will find himself," she said. "He has the drive to make things happen. He will excel as a filmmaker and in ten years be sur- prised at what he has accomplished." For Kaskay, it all comes down to a simple principle. "It's all about being creative," he says. A filmmaker in the making Contributed photo This is the poster for Billy Kaskay's latest film "Rae". Kaskay just graduated from East Gaston High and will be attending Davidson College in the fall. By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com News that an electric trolley that would run be- tween downtown Belmont and Belmont Abbey Col- lege, as well as a report in a recent edition of the Banner News concerning restoration of another trolley rescued from the woods in Virginia by Nathan Wells, has raised interest in the subject of what was once a standard mode of transportation in our area. The history of electric powered passenger trains in eastern Gaston County goes back to the early part of the 20th century. The story be- gins with the Piedmont Traction Company that es- tablished a route between Charlotte and Gastonia in 1912. The track electrified to 1,500 volts DC with power supplied from mainly hydroelectric sources. Addi- tionally both segments were built to steam road stan- dards. In 1914 the name was changed to Piedmont and Northern Railway, also known as P&N. The P&N tracks between Gastonia and Charlotte stretched for 24 miles. There was a three mile spur line to Belmont that operated from 1916 to the early 1930s. Other stops on the P&N between Gastonia and Char- lotte included Mount Holly, North Belmont, McA- denville, Lowell, and Ranlo. History of trolleys in county dates back to 1912 See TROLLEYS, 7A Gemini Newspapers, Inc., Kings Mountain, parent company of the Belmont/ Mt. Holly Banner News, has announced the sale of the Banner News to Community First Media, Inc., of Shelby, effective June 27. Gemini acquired the Banner News along with The (Cherryville) Eagle and the Kings Mountain Herald in August 2008 from Repub- lic Newspapers, Inc. of Knoxville, TN. Community First Media is the publisher of Shelby Shopper & Info and the Rutherford Weekly commu- nity newspapers. In announcing the sale, The Herald's co-owner, Wendy Isbell said, "We have always believed that local newspapers should be lo- cally-owned and are pleased to have continued that tradi- tion here. I am confident the sale of the papers to another local owner will keep the quality of coverage up to the expectations of the commu- nity. These are very good newspapers staffed by peo- ple who care deeply about the communities and the people they cover." CF Media president Greg Ledford said, "We are ex- cited to take on the chal- lenge of preserving the unique charm and character of these newspapers while recognizing the need for complimentary growth. Our goal is to help our commu- nities thrive and benefit through all our publica- tions." Cribb, Greene & Associ- ates of Charlottesville,Va. represented the company in the sale. Gemini announces sale of Banner News See FESTIVITIES, 7A Volume 108 • Issue 27 • Wednesday, July 2, 2014 75 ¢ 5,000 pairs of eyes read what you're reading right now. Let's grow your business in 2014. Advertise on the Cherryville Eagle's front page! Call us at 704-739-7496 today! Program strong enough to move forward on its own by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael.cherryvilleeagle@gmail.com For two years Sherry B. Adams has helped Cher- ryville become part of the Small Town Main Street program of North Carolina. Since that first day two years ago, the group has held meetings, usually every Thursday at noon, and dis- cussed how they could help the town develop a bold and viable presence once again, not only in the county, but in the state as well. Adams is the Western Region Small Town Main Street Coordinator and has been in charge, not only of Cherryville's coming on board and subsequent growth, but of other towns in the western part of the state. Towns like Bessemer City and Belmont have ex- perienced her team's profes- sional "make-over"-oriented meetings, all developed to turn towns the size of Cher- ryville into revitalized at- tractions that can hold their own with nearby larger towns and cities. Many of the original peo- ple who attended the origi- nal 2012 meeting are still in- volved, Adams said at her June 26 last meeting with Adams leaves Cherryville's STMS in great shape (photo by MEP/The Eagle) Some of the STMS committee members and city staff: Chairman Andy West, NCWR-STMS Coordinator Sherry B. Adams, Cherryville Mayor H.L. Beam, III, council members David Kiser and Jill Parker Puett, and Cherryville City Manager Ben Blackburn. See STMS, Pg. 3 by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael.cherryvilleeagle@gmail.com Many American veterans don't talk too much about their time of service, so not many people know of their military past. As a rule, the veterans remain quiet about such, even with their own families. They saw (and still see) their military time as doing their duty for their country. The same was true of for- mer Green Beret Sgt. Joseph Donald "Donnie" Hutto, who recently passed away June 11, after a long bout with a chronic illness. His step-son, Michael Darnell said for those who really knew him, Donnie was a quiet guy who rarely, if ever, talked of his Army days with his beloved 3rd Special Forces Group, a.k.a. "Third Group", based in the '60s out of Ft. Bragg. N.C. The group gained notoriety and fame when they volun- teered to raid the infamous Son Tay Prison Camp in North Vietnam in order to free the 50 or so American POWs being held there. A close friend of Don- nie's was Jason Wilson, who works at The Great Out- doors, a place Darnell said his step-dad loved hanging out at almost as much as he loved eating at Bojangles. Wilson remembered his friend Donnie recently. Smiling broadly, he said, "Donnie always wore his Special Forces cap. Hutto remembered as a quiet warrior, respected friend Sergeant First Class Joseph Donald "Don- nie" Hutto, proudly wearing his green beret with its 3rd Special Forces Group badge. Third Group, as they later came to be known, was then based out of Ft. Bragg, N.C., and was known as the "Son Tay Raiders", for their attempt on North Vietnam's infamous Son Tay prison camp to rescue American POWs. See HUTTO, Pg. 5 by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael.cherryvilleeagle@gmail.com Thefts of flowers and grave decorations is nothing new to many public and pri- vate cemeteries but the issue has gotten more attention re- cently from concerned citi- zens. City Clerk Paige Green, who is currently the chair- woman of the City Ceme- tery Committee, said she has received calls in the past, but has noted an increase of late. Recently, she and fellow committee members Bran- don Abernathy (city staff), David Kiser (council liai- son), Bob Gilreath, Bob Faires, Gail Jenkins, and Rick Campbell (members appointed by the city coun- cil), and non-voting or ex- officio members Pete Craft (Cherryville–Stamey Fu- neral Home), and John Porter (Carpenter's Funeral Home) met and discussed the problem. Where have all the (stolen) flowers gone? The problem of flowers and such being taken from graves is not new to small city-owned or church- owned cemeteries, the prob- lem is that it's recently become more epidemic, Green noted. "As for where they go, I have no way of knowing that and have only my per- sonal feelings as to where they wind up once they're taken." Green noted the issue of stolen flowers and com- plaints of same seem to have increased in the last few months. Green said she has had a couple individuals who have called to report missing grave items asking her what the city is going to do, or even what they can do, to prevent such from happen- ing again. The city's policy on flow- ers and items Green said there are def- initely rules and regulations the City Cemetery has re- garding flowers and such on a grave. A large sign with the rules on it is in the ceme- tery near the Memorial Gar- dens (new) section. "Yes, the cemetery rules are posted in the new section of the cemetery," she said. "All live flowers on new graves should be removed in one week. Permanent arrangements will be al- lowed to remain on graves for six weeks unless they de- teriorate prior to this period. "Permanent arrange- ments on new graves would fall into this category as well. The city is not respon- sible for any missing flow- ers." Green also noted the fol- lowing is prohibited on all graves: ornaments, furni- ture, glass vases, glass cases or any other glass or porce- lain items, light fixtures, decorative flags, toys, wooden or any other articles on poles, watering cans or any other article that may be considered objectionable by the city. "The city reserves the right to remove these items without notice to the owner, any relative, or other per- son," she quoted, from the signage. Further information on the sign indicates the only exceptions to the rules are allowed at certain holidays, such as Easter and Christ- mas. "But those items must be removed immediately after the holiday, or they will be removed by the city," she read. Grief, anger, and frustra- tion Lynn Ward, whose son Justin Wright's grave was one that had the flowers taken from it, said, "It's just sorry, is all I can say about whoever is doing it!" Ward said she has not Like the poem "In Flanders' Field" row upon row of flowers provide mute testimony in the City Cemetery that here lies someone's dearly beloved. City Cemetery to crack down on flower thefts from graves (photos by MEP/The Eagle) The statue of The Christ in the City Cemetery seems to stand guard over the remains of loved ones whose flowers are the only tokens of their families' many memories. See CEMETERY, Pg. 5 Fourth of July celebration tomorrow Cherryville's Fourth of July celebration is scheduled for Thursday, July 3. The event will showcase the Embers Band, featuring Craig Woolard as well as Cherryville's famous fire- works show later that night at the parking lot of First Bap- tist Church. The Chamber of Com- merce will have a beer gar- den in the mini-park near the railroad tracks. The Fire Department will begin blocking off Main Street from the old Kerr Drug building up to Oak Street starting at 2 p.m. Addition- ally the back alleyway behind the mini-park and the adjoin- ing buildings will be blocked to make room for the stage. The parking area beside the Chamber of Commerce building will be set aside for children's activities. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the festivities. Fireworks start at 10 p.m.. Time and date could change due to the weather. Gemini Newspapers, Inc., Kings Mountain, parent company of The Eagle, has announced the sale of The Eagle to Community First Media, Inc., of Shelby, ef- fective June 27. Gemini acquired The Eagle along with The Kings Mountain Herald and the Belmont/Mt. Holly Banner News in August 2008 from Republic Newspapers, Inc. of Knoxville, TN. Community First Media is the publisher of Shelby Shopper & Info and the Rutherford Weekly commu- nity newspapers. In announcing the sale, The Eagle's co-owner, Wendy Isbell said, "We have always believed that local newspapers should be lo- cally-owned and are pleased to have continued that tradi- tion here. I am confident the sale of the papers to another local owner will keep the quality of coverage up to the expectations of the commu- nity. These are very good newspapers staffed by peo- ple who care deeply about the communities and the people they cover." CF Media president Greg Ledford said, "We are ex- cited to take on the chal- lenge of preserving the unique charm and character of these newspapers while recognizing the need for complimentary growth. Our goal is to help our commu- nities thrive and benefit through all our publica- tions." Cribb, Greene & Associ- ates of Charlottesville,Va. represented the company in the sale. Gemini announces sale of The Eagle Join us for a Join us for a In In Celebrating Celebrating the the FREE FREE Community Community Paper Industry Paper Industry during the month of during the month of July 2014 July 2014