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LINCOLN
TIMES-NEWS
P.O. Box 40
119 W. Water Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
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(704) 735-3031 Office
(704) 735-3037 Fax
(704) 735-3996 Fax (News)
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Local News - November 2001
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Lincoln honors outstanding pair
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2001 Man and Woman of the Year
Nov. 30 - He’s a Lincolnton business owner, known as a man of faith who overcomes obstacles with dignity and courage, serves youngsters
through Boy Scout leadership, and dedicates his own life to bettering the lives of others.
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Teens’ teddies to help troopers dry tears
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Nov. 30 - Lincolnton High School students are soothing scared children with teddy bears.
A new club at the school, Students Against Violence Everywhere is taking an active role in the war against violence in schools.
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The Faces of Music
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Nov. 28 - The N.C. Symphony came to Lincolnton' s Citizens Center Tuesday night, ushering in the holiday season with a pops concert.
Choral students from S. Ray Lowder and Catwaba Springs Elementary schools performed two songs with the symphony. Left, Catawba Springs fifth-grader Alex Piuta receives help with her tie from classmate
Brittany Robinson before singing. Right, cello player Michael Stoughton performs.
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New gym opening delayed — again
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Nov. 28 - As parents — and grandparents — of East Lincoln Optimist cheerleaders filed into
the new east Lincoln gym last week to watch a performance, they were directed to sit on the hardwood floor.
That’s because the long-awaited Optimist Club Road facility is still waiting the installation of bleachers and basketball goals.
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The Lincoln County Museum of History
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Bill Beam (left), president of the Lincoln County Historical Association, talks with Jason Toney of the Catawba County Historical
Association. Representatives from museums and libraries from Lincoln, Gaston and Catawba counties met Tuesday at the Lincoln Cultural Center to work on putting archive information on the internet.
Meeting-goers took a break to tour the Lincoln County Museum of History. The project is part of a state wide initiative sponsored by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and is
administered by the State Library of North Carolina.
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New graduation requirement being considered
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Nov. 28 - The class of 2006 may have to complete 28 classes before graduating, one more than the 27 now
required.
The school board’s curriculum committee discussed the proposal during a Monday afternoon’s meeting. Board approval will be required before becoming policy.
Balanced literacy and advanced placement materials are on the top of many teachers’ wish list.
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Program offers family care givers a break
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Nov. 28 - They are unofficial unpaid doctors, nurses and psychiatrists. Family care givers
take on the task of aiding their loved ones who are elderly and often suffering from debilitating diseases.
And one Lincoln organization is offering these people a helping hand.
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Shay Sigmon, right, and Sharon Boyles discuss programs for Lincoln County senior citizens. Sigmon and Boyles work at the Senior Center on
the second floor of the Lincoln Campus of Gaston College.
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Lincoln welcomes Christmas
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Hundreds turn out for 43rd annual tree lighting
Nov. 26 - More than 3,000 lights lit the night sky Sunday on the east side of Lincolnton’s court square.
Over 200 people gathered on the court square for the 43rd annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Carol Sing.
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Boger City gets OK for new fire department
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Nov. 26 - Boger City Fire Department got permission last week from the city’s planning board to build a new fire department.
Planning board members voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the conditional use permit, allowing the fire department to take its request to the Lincolnton City
Council during its Dec. 13 meeting.
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‘Cat Walk’ added to parade festivities
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Nov. 26 - CAT SQUARE – A 27-year-old community tradition continues Saturday, Dec. 8 when church floats,
school bands, Shriners, horses, all terrain vehicles, fire trucks and other vehicles decorated for the holiday parade through “downtown” Cat Square.
Youth at Trinity Lutheran started the parade in 1974 and have kept it alive into the 21st century.
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Fire departments trained in handling hazardous material
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Nov. 23 - Howard’s Creek Fire Department brushed up on hazardous material decontamination in
a refresher course last week.
It is part of the training that the county’s fire departments, rescue squads and law enforcement personnel receive to stay informed of techniques
to contain nuclear and hazardous materials.
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Crammed EMS requests new home
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Nov. 23 - Lincoln County’s Emergency Medical Service wants to build a $939,000 building though commissioners are telling the
agency that’s too expensive.
EMS Director Ron Rombs and engineer Ken Newell presented commissioners with a plan for the new building during Monday night’s meeting.
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Men’s care center OK’d
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Nov. 23 - New Vision Ministries is one step closer to building a residential facility to serve men in
crisis.
The city planning board approved a conditional use permit during its Tuesday meeting. City council members will vote on the request during their Dec. 13
meeting.
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Caution, safety urged during holiday season
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Nov. 23 - The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration but it can turn into a nightmare.
The trappings of Christmas lend themselves to fire. The accumulation of gifts invite theft.
You may need to shop and deal with family, but you can avoid a fire or a crime messing up your holiday with just a few safeguards.
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Leaking Love Memorial needs repairs
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Nov. 21 - More classrooms and repairs on heating and air conditioning are the two biggest needs at Love
Memorial and S. Ray Lowder elementary schools, a school board building and site committee learned Monday morning.
Committee members and Associate Superintendent Ed Hatley toured the facilities with school administrators. The committee is touring all schools to prepare
recommendations for a February meeting with county commissioners.
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Bondurant among ‘Nine who Care’
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Nov. 21 - Lincolnton resident Joe Bondurant was recently recognized as a recipient of
WSOC-TV’s “Nine Who Care Award.”
Bondurant was honored for various volunteer activities in Lincoln County over the years.
A special recognition banquet held in Charlotte last month for him and eight other volunteers selected from the Channel 9 viewing area.
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Giving Thanks
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Lincoln County students celebrated Thanksgiving with their classmates early this week. Children dressed as Indians and Pilgrims and
learned about the history of the holiday. (Top) Dakotah Brittain listens to the story of Thanksgiving Tuesday at North Brook Ele-mentary School.
(Below) Students performing a Thanksgiving play are, from left, Laura Huffman, Seth Redding, Zacary Richard and Jordan Smith. Area students will have the rest of the week off of school to be thankful and to celebrate the holiday.
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Ministry celebrates new expansion
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Nov. 21 - Christian Ministry of Lincoln County unveiled its new expansion Tuesday, the
9,000-square-foot building on South Poplar Street that formerly served as Lincoln Bank’s Operation Center.
Executive Director Susan Brymer told a gathering of supporters the addition couldn’t come at a better time.
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Burning ban continues
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Nov. 21 - ard enthusiasts may have to wait to burn leaves, even if predicted rains come over the holiday weekend,
fire officials say.
Showers are predicted Friday and Saturday though the rain will probably not be enough to call off a state burning ban.
“It will take several days of rain,” said Mike Futrell, Lincoln County Fire Marshall.
Futrell advises citizens to check with either the Forest Service or his office before any burning. Permits are required.
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Community Christmas Tree
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Nov. 19 - This year's community Christmas tree, erected on the east side of the Lincoln County Courthouse, was donated by the Crouse
family in memory of Wilma Sigmon. The annual tree lighting ceremony will be Sunday at 6 p.m. on the court house lawn.
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Court issues stay
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Nov. 19 - East Lincoln may be back into the playoffs.
The state Court of Appeals issued a temporary stay Friday of a Gaston district judge’s ruling that restored six forfeited wins to North Gaston that used an
ineligible player during the season.
“It’s a great victory for those who worked for character,” said East Lincoln athletic director and assistant head football coach Jim Prevost. I’m proud to know our judicial system works.”
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Church brings holiday meals to 70 families
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Nov. 19 - Seventy families received early Christmas presents Saturday.
Members of Lincolnton Pentecostal Holiness Church on Lithia Inn Road gave holiday meals with all the trimmings to those in need.
“It’s a giving church,” Pastor Jerry Goodman said.
For the third year, the church, with a membership of less than 100 people, hosted the food giveaway.
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Deals, discounts are the bait as chamber aims to land teachers
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Nov. 16 - It happened a few years back.
Lincoln Schools interviewed a Connecticut teacher for a classroom position. The interview went well. School administrators liked the candidate. The
young teacher liked Lincoln County. But first there was a courtesy visit to make, an interview with Catawba Schools which had already been scheduled.
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Basketball fundraiser planned
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Nov. 16 - Students in the School of Technology’s DECA program are planning a
3-on-3 basketball fundraiser to raise money for the American Cancer Society and honor a local instructor Tammy Gilmore.
Bethany Dancoff and Sabrina Abraham are coordinating the event, scheduled throughout the day on Nov. 24. Funds will be raised through a $15 entry fee for
the basketball teams, and admission fees on the day of the event. There will be male and female, high school and adult divisions.
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Police urge caution with telephone solicitations
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Nov. 16 - Lately, most people are in a mood to give donations, especially to any kind of police or firefighters charity. With Christmas approaching, generosity is likely to increase.
Unfortunately, there are always those people who will take advantage, according to police.
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Students spread word on tobacco dangers
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Presentations coincide with Great American Smokeout
Nov. 16 - Lincoln students are spreading the word about the dangers of tobacco.
Students involved in HOSA (Health Occupataion Students of America) have been planning presentations to take to area schools, just in time for the
Great American Smokeout.
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E. Lincoln wages legal battle for playoff spot
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North Gaston eligibility faces court challenge
Nov. 16 - DENVER — Hold everything! East Lincoln’s not out of the playoffs yet.
East Lincoln and the Lincoln County School Board convinced the N.C. High School Athletic Association to take a stand in the North Gaston ineligible
player case. Gaston.
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‘Wall of Fame’ helps school buy computers
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Tiles serve as memorials at Union
Nov. 14 - Signatures are helping buy computers at Union Elementary School.
Principal Wanda Lutz is hoping that the purchase of ceramic tiles with personalized inscriptions will help the school purchase needed equipment for
the computer lab.
“We are working hard. We want to get it finished,” said Lutz.
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United Way goal in sight as campaign wraps up
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Nov. 14 - Going over the top should be easy.
That’s what Seth Haney, campaign chairman of this year’s Lincoln County United Way fund drive, says about raising the $75,000 still needed to meet
a $375,000 goal.
Since kick-off in late August, $300,000 has been contributed. Remarkable, he said, in the aftermath of the terrorist attack.
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Lincoln’s Relay events earn national ranking
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Nov. 14 - Weeks later, a big grin still creases John Dancoff’s face when he talks about it.
The total moneys raised this year by Lincoln County Relay for Life — combining both events, Lincolnton’s and east Lincoln’s — has earned Lincoln the
distinction of being named the second largest per capita fund raiser in the nation.
Yes, that’s right, the nation.
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The Good Neighbor Shop
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Warm clothing needed as mercury drops
Nov. 14 - Colder weather and higher unemployment rates have created a need at The Good
Neighbor Shop.
The local shop, that provides clothing and goods to needy families, is seeking warm clothing.
“We’re just helping more people than we have in the past,” said Donna Scronce, manager of the store.
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East Lincoln stunned
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Judge’s ruling kicks Mustangs out of playoffs
Nov. 14 - DENVER — The East Lincoln football team are practically ready for the playoffs.
The coaches scouted the team, the players had one day of practice. They even arranged for transportation.
But Tuesday afternoon, the coaches and players were told, they have been taken out of the playoffs.
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Hall of Fame banquet draws big crowd
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First class of sports honorees inducted
Nov. 12 - If the inaugural banquet of the Lincoln County Sports Hall of Fame is any indication, the organization has a bright future.
Approximately 200 people turned out Saturday night at the Citizens Center to eat prime rib and witness induction ceremonies for the hall of fame’s
first eight-member class.
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Veterans honored by patriotic program
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Nov. 12 - It was a festive evening of honoring veterans and patriotic song.
Audience members packed the lower seats of the Citizens Center Sunday evening for a Lincoln County Veterans Recognition and Celebration Service.
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Downtown Lincolnton was decked out in red, white and blue for Saturday's Veterans Day Parade, which drew a larger attendance than usual.
The beginning of the parade, along flag-draped East Main Street is shown in the top photo. At right, the Disabled American Veterans rifle squad fires a 21-gun salute in memory of those who have served
their nation. A patriotic program on Sunday also drew large crowds.
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Local vets awarded diplomas
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Five World War II veterans honored at ceremony
When Paul H. Dellinger was 16 years old, he left Maiden High School, joined the Army and fought to occupy Japan. While he earned life experience,
Dellinger never got a high school diploma. On Friday afternoon that changed.
Dellinger and four other World War II veterans received their diplomas from Lincoln County Schools.
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Organ donations lauded at LMC memorial service
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Nov. 9 - When a car struck and killed her youngest son, Dana Norman wanted to save other families from going through the pain she
experienced. Norman and her family chose to donate Bradley’s organs.
“That is the best decision my family and I have ever made because we didn’t want another family to go through what we did – the pain, suffering,”
she said.
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Kelly Martin, a lab technician, wipes tears from her eyes during a Donor Sabbath Thanksgiving service Thursday morning at the Lincoln
Medical Center chapel.
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Caring by the bagful
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Jacob Clarke, a Rock Springs Elementary fourth-grader, made goody bags for Hospice of Lincoln County patients as part of a school
community service project. Jacob and his family delivered bags to two patients on Tuesday. Staff and volunteers will deliver the remainder. Jacob's grandmother Judy Lowe is a Hospice certified nursing
assistant. Jacob's church family at Denver United Methodist contributed items for the bags. Hospice, a non-profit agency, provides nursing, social work and spiritual care for terminally ill individuals
and their families.
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Goodwill needs more donations
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Nov. 9 - Goodwill officials have announced an urgent need for donations of clothing, household items, and
used cars.
Donations to Goodwill fell by 25 percent immediately following the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trace Center. Although donations to Goodwill have rebounded
some, the volume still remains substantially below the level needed to support Goodwill’s extensive retail operations, which include a store in Lincolnton.
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Foster homes seek donatons
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Nov 9 - The Lincoln County Foster Parents Association needs donations for its newly established community closet.
Foster parents are able to borrow car seats, high chairs, playpens, strollers, toys and crib bedding to be used by the children in their care.
New or gently used children’s clothing and shoes are needed in addition to new combs, hairbrushes and toothbrushes.
For more information, call Bonnie or Lloyd Graham at 704-735-1369.
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Fire alert posted
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Drought could last for weeks
Nov. 9 - A burning ban is strictly posted in Lincoln County and the state has been put on it’s highest
alert for fires.
Elizabeth Snyder, Forest ranger for Lincoln County, said the area is in a critical time.
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Runways reopen at airports
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Nov. 9 - The entire runway at Lincolnton-Lincoln County Airport is now open.
“We’re back to what we consider normal,” said Jeff Lynn, airport manager.
The airport was given permission Wednesday by the Federal Aviation Administration to open both ends of its runway. In October the airport was forced to close
one end of its runways because it fell within a 10-mile radius of McGuire Nuclear Station. The ban was part of a nationwide ban prohibiting flight around nuclear plants.
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School construction, renovations to begin
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Nov. 7 - Construction is slated to begin on a new high school in Pumpkin Center within a month, officials
say.
Renovations at West Lincoln High School should be complete by the end of autumn 2002. Plans have been drawn
for a new elementary school in eastern Lincoln County, school board members learned during a construction update Monday night.
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School attendance lines listed
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Nov. 7 - When the county’s newest high school opens in Pumpkin Center in 2003, school attendance lines
from across the county may be affected.
Lincoln County’s school administrators presented proposed attendance lines to the school board during Monday’s meeting.
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Pedestrians wary of traffic cross walks
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Nov. 7 - It’s a little tricky crossing Lincolnton’s downtown traffic circle, according to a
sampling of comments from pedestrians.
Some make it a point to run across, while others carefully wait for motorists to come to a full stop. Parents hold their child’s hand before
walking what is supposed to be a pedestrian right-of-way.
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Construction underway in Lincoln
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New N.C. 16
ov. 7 - After decades of waiting, there’s finally visible proof in Lincoln County that the Denver area is getting a new N.C. 16.
Work has begun on the project at N.C. 73, east of East Lincoln High School. The area has been cleared and graded for the new road and concrete for a
culvert has been poured.
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Mohican Mills cuts about 50 jobs
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Nov. 7 - Mohican Mills, the second largest employer in Lincoln County, has laid off about 50
workers, according to spokesman Jerry Deese.
Deese said there are “no more layoffs in the works” and that a rumored temporary shutdown “is not being considered at this time.”
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Field trip policies reviewed
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Nov. 7 - Most school field trips will continue for students in Lincoln County Schools, board members
decided Monday night.
Administrators and board members reviewed the policy in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
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Incumbents enjoy quiet election
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Most city voters pass up election
Nov. 7 - Only 4.4 percent of eligible voters turned out for Lincolnton’s mayoral and city council election Tuesday.
Mayor Bobby Huitt and council members Fred Houser and Carroll Heavner ran unopposed and retained their seats.
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Courtsquare safety issues under scrutiny
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Nov. 7 - Lincolnton’s downtown traffic circle poses a danger to crossing pedestrians and needs more
scrutiny, a county commissioner said Monday.
Concerned about last week’s accident in which a sheriff’s deputy was struck by a car, Commissioner Beth Saine told fellow commissioners on Monday “you take
your life in your hands” when you try to cross the circle.
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Complete burning ban continues in Lincoln
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Citations being issued to violaters
Nov. 5 - A week-long burning ban remains in effect in Lincoln County, but apparently not everyone has
gotten the message.
Denver area firefighters and N.C. Forest Service rangers spent three hours Sunday battling a 1-1/2 acre blaze, just south of the Catawba County line.
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Requests for heating aid may rise
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Nov. 5 - More Lincoln County residents will need help staying warm this winter, according to the Department of Social Services.
That office began taking applications today and continues through Nov. 16. The office will be closed Nov. 12 for Veterans Day.
“I expect it to be more this year,” said Patsy Warlick, food stamp, heating and crisis assistance supervisor.
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Kids Rally
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Nov 5 - Tiffany Young enjoys a cookie with four-year-old Chadea Charles Saturday during the DSS sponsored Families for Kids rally at Betty
G. Ross Park. The rally was held to bring attention to the need for more adoptive and foster families and mentors for children in foster care.
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‘Christmas Child’ program delivers gifts worldwide
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Nov 05 - In three easy steps Lincoln County families can make Christmas brighter for children
across the globe.
Empty bright red and green shoe boxes, bearing the words “Operation Christmas Child” are available at the YMCA of Lincoln County. Families,
individuals and churches are encouraged to pick up the boxes, fill them with goodies and bring the boxes back to the YMCA.
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Swimming ‘the straits’ at the YMCA
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3,731 laps covers the distance from Florida to Cuba
Nov. 2 - A Lincolnton man finished his swim from Key West, Fla. to Cuba Thursday, only he did it in a pool at the
Lincoln County Family YMCA.
The feat by Dr. Robert Mittan was part of a YMCA program called “Swimming the Straits.”
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At Lincolnton High School: Needs top $1 million
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School officials call for new bonds to be issued to pay for renovations at several Lincoln schools
Nov. 2 - Over $1 million in renovations are needed at Lincolnton High School, board members learned Thursday morning during a tour of the facility.
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Quickel wins state contest
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Nov. 2 - Barry Quickel of the Lincolnton Toastmaster’s Club took first place in the statewide
humorous speech contest held this past weekend in Fayetteville. Quickel, past president of the Lincolnton club, competed against divisional winners from throughout the state. His topic was “Turning 40.” A sales representative for Heafner Tire Co. in Huntersville, Quickel lives in Lincolnton with his wife Barbara and their two daughters Jill and Megan.
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