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LINCOLN
TIMES-NEWS
P.O. Box 40
119 W. Water Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
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Local News - December 2001
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Shootin' in the New Year
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Centuries-old tradition aims to scare off evil
Dec. 31. 2001 - Mike Mauney (left) prepares to fire his musket while Drake Anthony
(right) loads his black powder rifle Saturday in Lincolnton. Two groups - the Traditional and Original New Year's Shooters will travel around Cherryville and western Lincoln early New Year's Day firing
guns to ward off evil.
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Habitat volunteers fulfill a dream
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One nail at a time
Dec. 31, 2001 - Giving up a Saturday with their own families, volunteers from area churches and Duke Power retirees recently
descended on a wooded Pumpkin Center lot to help build Diana Nixon — and her family — a home.
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Jeff Fenske saws a piece of plywood while working on Habitat's newest home.
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Aussie samples America, thanks to Rotary
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Dec. 31, 2001 - From marching in the East Lincoln High band to being stuck in New York after
Sept. 11 to watching Panthers football, Australian exchange student Luke Ramm had a year full of American experiences in 2001.
Ramm, 18, arrived in Lincolnton in January as part of the Rotary International exchange program. He first lived with Marsha and Max Jordan, then
Jack and Mary Lassiter and their son Stuart and now with Harry and Diane Brogden.
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2001 in Review: A Year of Change and Hope
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Dec. 31, 2001 - It was, of course, the biggest story of the past year locally, nationally and worldwide.
The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America changed lives in our community, hundreds of miles from Ground Zero. More emphasis was placed on suspicious letters,
emergency workers preparations and the security at McGuire Nuclear Station — and on patriotism. Lincoln County showed its colors — red, white, and blue — proudly while its residents reached deep into their pockets
to aid attack victims.
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Man charged in ‘senseless’ slaying
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Dec. 28, 2001 - An arrest was made Thursday in a fatal stabbing described by deputies as a
completely random act of violence.
“It was a senseless murder,” Lt. Ronnie Matthews, chief detective with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said of the Saturday stabbing death of
20-year-old Jeremy Phillip Mauney of Lincolnton.
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New Bike
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Dec. 28, 2001 - Seven-year-old Taz Scronce gets a helping hand from his dad, Doug Scronce, as he tries out his new bike Thursday in the
parking lot of Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church.
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ELMS teacher captures top weightlifting title
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By ANDIE LEATHERMAN, LTN Staff Writer
Dec. 28, 2001 - When Jennifer Thompson began lifting competitively three years ago, her goal was to take the world championship.
In early December, halfway around the world, the East Lincoln Middle School teacher did just that. She is now the world bench press champion
in her weight category.
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Attendance lines on school board agenda
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Dec. 28, 2001 - Attendance lines for the county’s newest high school will probably be decided Wednesday.
The issue is on the agenda for the Lincoln County School Board’s January meeting, and it may take some deliberation to resolve.
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Two killed in wreck
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Dec. 26, 2001 - Two Lincolnton residents were killed and a third person injured Sunday night in a two-car
accident on Buffalo Shoals Road.
Gaston McKinley Harris,49, and Debra Earl, both of 3513 Mission Drive, were killed when their car skidded out of control, swerving into the other lane. They
hit an oncoming car about a tenth of a mile from Woolie Road.
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Tips on tree disposal
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City prepares for trash, tree pickup
Dec. 26, 2001 - The beautiful Christmas tree with all its decorations and lights to brighten the spirit is short-lived.
Soon it’s branches will turn brittle and bleak. The floor will be full of needles and the time will come for the dreaded removal of decorations and lights.
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Sailview owners may get sewer problem solution
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Dec. 26, 2001 - Even though sewer problems plague the prestigious Sailview community,
homeowners hope recent agreements between Lincoln County and Crescent Resources should help rectify some of those problems.
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Golfing buddies team up on Christian history
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Fate of apostles researched by local writers
Dec. 26, 2001 - It started out with casual conversations on the golf course. The ramblings by two Lincolnton men over the lives and deaths
of the apostles and other early church figures ultimately led to a book.
Mike Owen and Stephen Payseur spent this summer writing “A.D.: The Fate of the Apostles of Christ and Others After the Crucifixion.”
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Broadcast legend keeps his fingers on the community pulse
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The Carolinas’ ‘Cronkite’
Dec. 26, 2001 - He just entered his eighth decade and if he’s thinking about slowing down, he’s keeping it a secret.
Denver resident Doug Mayes, well-known throughout the Carolinas for his half-century on area television, keeps a full schedule.
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Condominiums for downtown?
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Dec. 24, 2001 - If a Charlotte developer has his way, condominiums will overlook the
courtsquare in downtown Lincolnton.
Architect Ron Morgan, owner of Urban Ventures, hopes to build a three story building in what is now a municipal parking lot. The building would
face the courtsquare and East Sycamore Street.
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Bargain Hunter
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Dec. 26, 2001 - Stacie Keever checks out the 50 percent off shelf at Wal-Mart just after dawn Wednesday as hundreds of shoppers took
advantage of after Christmas sales. Shoppers lined up outside the store in sub-freezing temperatures prior to the 7 a.m. opening.
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Mission accomplished
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Dec. 24, 2001 - Seth Haney (left), United Way Director Rhonda Sigmon and Pete Acker paints the organization's fundraising barometer all
the way up, announcing it met the $375,00 goal for 2001.
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Final Rounds
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Dec. 24, 2001 - Shoppers were making their final Christmas rounds last week, and some were still doing last-minute shopping today. Bonnie
Bell looks over Christmas card selections in the Hallmark store in downtown Lincolnton.
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Prayer bears cheer sick kids
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Mother inspired by ‘miracle’ recovery of her child
Dec. 24, 2001 - Six years ago Camie Stroupe spent the weeks before Christmas at Presbyterian Hospital, helping care for her critically ill infant Nicholas.
Though the days were bleak, the kindness of strangers made it more bearable. Now Stroupe returns the
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Man found dead on road
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Dec. 24, 2001 - A 20-year-old man was killed in a possible hit-and-run Saturday night.
The victim, Jeremy Philip Mauney of Lincolnton, was found on the side of Gastonia Highway just south of Victory Grove Church Road around 10:30. He had a
puncture wound to his abdomen, said Trooper Don Angel, who began the investigation.
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Lighting the night
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Dec. 24, 2001 - Chelsea and Spencer Gardner, acolytes at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, light candles in the advent wreath. Many churches,
including St. Luke's, will celebrate Christmas during a midnight service tonight.
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Helmets given to students
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Dec. 24, 2001 - The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office played bicycle safety Santa recently.
The office gave bicycle helmets to more than 400 students across the county.
First Sgt. Doug Norwood, Staff development and training coordinator, was in charge of distributing the helmets.
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Groundwork laid for school
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Construction begins in January
Dec. 24, 2001 - Graders and surveyors were hard at work last week, readying for general contractors to start work in January on the county’s newest high school.
“We’re close to where we need to be,” said Jim Liphart of M.B. Kahn, the firm hired to manage construction of the new building.
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Man fatally wounded by Cherryville officer
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Dec. 24, 2001 - CHERRYVILLE (AP) — A police officer fatally shot a man Sunday morning after the man pulled a gun out of his pocket, police said.
Charles Crowder, 31, of Cherryville, died at the scene after Cherryville police Sgt. Todd Shipman shot him, police Chief Jim Woodard said.
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RUOK seniors entertained
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Police safety program 10-years-old
Dec. 21, 2001 - In a festive atmosphere about 25 of Lincolnton Police Department’s RUOK program senior citizens attended a
Christmas lunch Wednesday in the front room of Aunt Bessie’s restaurant next to Big Lots..
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Lincoln woman convicted in Loomis heist
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Dec. 21, 2001 - CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A Lincoln County grandmother has been convicted of accepting $28,000 of
the $17 million stolen from a Loomis Fargo armored car company in 1997.
A federal jury on Thursday also found Kathy Grigg, 50, guilty of perjury for her testimony in the August trial of her son. She was acquitted of conspiracy to
commit money laundering.
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2001 audit gives hospital good marks
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Dec. 21, 2001 - Lincoln Medical Center’s finances received a clean bill of health Wednesday.
Representatives from Arthur Andersen accounting firm were at the LMC board meeting to present a draft of the fiscal year 2000-2001 audit.
“All the news is good news,” John Giannuzzi told board members. “You’re clearly going in the right direction.”
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Window art
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Dec. 19, 2001 - Santas, candy canes and other winter scenes can be found in the Lincoln Times-News West Water Street window. The pictures
were created by third through fifth graders in Lincoln County Schools. Additional art can be found at Heafner Tire, House of Trophies, Wal-Mart, Nu-Image Salon, Griffin Motors, Lincoln Medical Center,
Factory Mattress Sales and Carolina Realty.
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County seeks room to grow
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Dec. 19, 2001 - Commissioners postponed a decision Monday night on leasing the former Bank of America building to relieve overcrowding in
the courthouse.
“We need to make a long range plan. We’re going to have to do something,” commission Chairman Jerry Cochrane said.
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Testimony: Lincoln woman received loot
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Dec. 19, 2001 - CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A Lincoln County woman accepted $28,000 of the Loomis Fargo robbery loot
from her son to buy presents and day-care for her grandchildren, a private investigator testified.
Kathy Grigg, who was arrested within weeks of making the statement to the investigator more than a year ago, went on trial Monday in U.S. District Court. She
is charged with receiving stolen funds, money laundering and perjury.
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ELHS has $1 million wish list for building improvements
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Dec. 19 - East Lincoln High School officials wish Santa would bring them more than $1 million in renovations.
The Lincoln County School board’s building and site committee is touring all the county’s schools for a system wide assessment of renovation needs.
“Most people think that when the new school opens, that’s when our problems are over,”
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County needs more space
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Dec. 17 - Lincoln County needs more breathing room. The cramped quarters in the courthouse keep getting
more crowded.
But relief may be on the
way. Tonight the Lincoln County commissioners will look at a possible lease agreement that would allow the county to locate some of its offices in the recently vacated Bank of America building downtown.
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Scenes of the season
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Dec. 17 - Horse-drawn carriages strolled through the streets of Lincolnton Friday and Saturday night giving passengers a tour of the town.
Inside of the Lincoln Cultural Center, the galleries, gift shop and history museum were open. Performers provided Christmas music for those attending the annual carriage rides. Playing in front of the
Cultural Center are, from left, Robin Wood, Aaron Wood, David Dellinger and Gary Rudisill.
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Shriners' gift
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Dec. 14 - A young Shriners Hospital patient from Cat Square, Stephen Chambers, center, poses with Shriners who presented him
with a $500 check after the Cat Square Christmas parade last weekend. From left surrounding Stephen are: Bill Farris; Jeff Houser; Nancy Beam, Cat Square's honorary mayor; Jamie House, a parade
organizer; Jeff Houser; Tom Price; and William Vandresser, Lincoln County Shrine Club Potentate for 2003.
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LHS destined to be ‘inner city’ school?
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Dec. 14 - A public hearing on attendance lines for the new high school on Wednesday drew fire
from the Lincolnton High School community.
Their concern: loss of a strong athletic and academic student body.
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Lincolnton High School band director James Turner asks school board members to reconsider proposed attendance lines during a Wednesday
night meeting.
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Council approves New Vision facility
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New building will house assistance program for men in crisis
Dec. 14 - A facility for men in crisis may be open by late February at a local church site.
Lincolnton City Council members unanimous approved a conditional use permit Thursday, allowing New Vision Ministries to build the residential facility on its
Clarks Creek Road campus.
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Grant awarded Charter School
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Dec. 14 - A national shipping company is helping students at Lincoln Charter School improve
math skills.
United Parcel Service (UPS) donated $24,000 to the school for accelerated math software.
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Noah Parker, a Lincoln Charter School parent and UPS sales manager, looks at a school computer with third grader Jared Finger. UPS donated
$24,000 to the school for accelerated math computer programs.
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DARE graduates 460 students
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Dec. 14 - Lincoln County fifth graders graduated Wednesday from a program taught exclusively by Sheriff’s
Department officers.
Some 460 students learned about avoiding drugs and violence and how to cope with all the different pressures inside and outside the classroom.
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Funding freeze holds up aid
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43 scheduled for CAP assistance will have to wait
Dec. 12 - Arthritis keeps Aileen Thomas from simple household chores. Husband Ray, who does much of the housework, is
scheduled for knee surgery later this month, causing the 69-year-old to worry how she will cook and clean while he recuperates.
A few miles away, Linda Carter’s small apartment is neat. She has hot meals and her spirits are high.
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Library job up for bid
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Dec. 12 - Construction bids are being accepted for the new East Lincoln Branch Library.
Bids will be opened Jan. 17 at the Citizens Center in Lincolnton, according to library planning committee chairman W.J. Waters. The deadline for submitting
bids is 4 p.m. that day.
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Mohican parent company announces plans to sell
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No immediate change in local operations
Dec. 12 - Fab Industries, Inc., the parent company of Mohican Mills in Lincolnton, has announced that its Board of Directors has decided to sell the company.
“We will continue to operate the business as normal,” said Samson Bitensky, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Fab Industries, “including
servicing our customers, maintaining our supplier relationships and seeking profitability, and expect that any purchaser of the business will do the same.”
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Happenin’ wins award
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Dec. 12 - Lincolnton’s Hog Happenin’ and historic buildings are getting attention at a state level.
North Carolina Main Street officials called the Hog Happenin’ innovative, naming it the best downtown promotional event of 2001.
“We were very impressed. It’s obvious they have done some research on their market,” said Anne Morris of the Main Street program.
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Citizens on edge after Sept. 11 attack
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Dec. 12 - Law enforcement authorities in Lincoln County have fielded some panicky calls during the last three months.
Frightened by the anthrax scare, some asked where they could get gas masks. Others had suspicions about mail. For a while such reactionary calls
were coming in at the rate of 15 to 20 a day, Lincoln Emergency Management Director Susan Ledford told the Lincolnton Rotary Club on Monday.
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Public input sought on school lines
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Dec. 10 - Parents, students and community members can speak out about proposed attendance lines for the county’s newest high school
on Wednesday.
School board members will hear public comment during a 7 p.m. meeting at administrative headquarters on Generals Boulevard, located beside Ryan’s Restaurant.
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Safety hazards found at schools
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Dec. 10 - School board members found possible safety hazards and design flaws at Lincoln’s two newest schools Friday.
“We were let down by the project manager,” board member George Dellinger said while touring the Pumpkin Center Middle and Elementary schools. “Our visit is to
see all the problems, and to prevent it from happening again.”
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Magazine features Boy Scout ‘hero’
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Dec. 10 - A local Boy Scout is featured in the Dec. 10 People Magazine in an article entitled “Heroes: Beyond the Call.”
The story describes 14 “ordinary people” who rushed in to help “friends, neighbors, and even strangers.”
One of those 14, Christopher Haney, 11, of Lincolnton, was featured in the article for saving the life of his neighbor, 9-year-old Samantha Edwards.
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Cat Square Parade
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West Lincoln High School band members (left) march and play holiday music in Saturday's Cat Square Christmas parade. Mayor Nancy Beam
(middle) and some young members of her administration wave to the crowds. Santa tosses candy from his sleigh, a promise of more goodies come Dec. 25.
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Alumni gives $22,500 to high school
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Dec. 10 - A West Lincoln High School alumni’s family has donated $22,500 donation to the school’s athletic program.
Doug Leonhardt’s family raised the money during a benefit dove hunt.
The school’s athletic staff will decide this week how to use the money.
“We certainly can use it,” said Principal Debra Morris.
The family has pledged $100,000 to the school, memorializing Leonhardt. A ceremony is tentatively set for the season opening football game to unveil a sign
naming the stadium for Leonhardt, Morris said.
In other school news, parents, community members and business leaders will have a louder voice in how schools are run though a new strategic planning task
force. Appointments will be announced soon, Superintendent Jim Watson said. The task force will meet Jan. 29 and 30.
“The entire county can have representation in how our school system moves forward,” Watson said.
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Cat Square celebrates yule
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Dec. 7 - Nancy Beam remembers visiting Cat Square’s general store as a child and having
Coca-Colas with her father.
That was decades ago, but she still lives close by. Saturday she will ride in the crossroads community’s annual Christmas parade as its mayor.
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Dellinger wins board election
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Garner returns to cast critical vote
Dec. 7 - A school board member who has been absent for four months returned to duty Wednesday night and cast a deciding vote to keep Jean Dellinger as
chairwoman.
Board member Jack Garner, who has not attended a meeting since August because of illness, nominated Dellinger and vice chairperson Sara Miller. Garner left at
the 9 p.m. break, before the end of the meeting.
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Schools announce new posts
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Dec. 7 - East Lincoln’s principal and the Lincoln Cultural Center’s director will head to the school system’s
county office for work in 2002.
Vicky Ratchford will leave her post at East after the first of the year to become the director of secondary education. That post was vacated when Elaine
Jenkins was named assistant superintendent of curriculum this year.
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Torch makes quick pass
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Dec. 7 - The Olympic Torch rode on the back of a truck through Lincolnton Wednesday. It was escorted by the highway patrol down U.S. 321
on the way to its next destination in Charlotte. It will be taken through 46 states before arriving at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City Feb. 8.
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School board to elect chair
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Dec. 5 - Who will chair Lincoln County’s school board in 2002?
No board members will go on the record on that issue, but it will be decided at tonight’s board meeting. Members are slated to elect a chairperson and
vice-chair.
“At this time I have no idea. I’m in the dark,” said Jean Dellinger, current chairperson.
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Tree of Hope ceremony is Thursday
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Relay for Life
Dec. 5 - East Lincoln Relay for Life will kick-off its 2002 event tomorrow night at People’s Bank, with the lighting of the Tree of Hope.
Special purple and silver ornaments will be placed on the tree in the name of a loved one, in memory or honor of those touched by cancer.
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Patriotic tree
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Dec. 5 -Pauline B. Houser (right) decorates the Brian Center's patriotic Christmas tree with American flags. Giving her a hand are social
worker Carol McClain (left) and greeter Renee Easter.
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Holiday play
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Dec. 5 - Diana Sierra (left) and Mary Canipe, first graders at Lincoln Charter School, sing Jingle Bells during the school's holiday play.
Students performed Tuesday night at the Citizens Center.
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Olympic torch to be driven through Lincoln
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Dec. 5 - The spirit of the Olympic games has entered North Carolina and comes through Lincolnton
today. But don’t look for Olympic runners downtown.
The torch, the symbol of athletes’ dreams, is carried by runners in some areas, but is also driven, and even flown to others.
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Cornelius welcomes holiday season
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Cornelius mayor-elect Carson Cato visits with seven-year-old Santa, Brandon Solomon at Friday's tree-lighting ceremony.
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Dec. 5 - By the light of a full moon, hundreds gathered for an evening of holiday festivities, at
Cornelius Town Hall on Friday night.
Mayor Jan Beasley and mayor elect, Carson Cato welcomed the crowd to the annual tree lighting ceremony.
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Lincolnton loves a Christmas parade
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Dec. 3 - Some liked the go-carts while others praised the bands. Everybody loved Santa.
The Lincolnton Christmas Parade Saturday was a big hit as the unseasonably warm weather gave up a few degrees for the annual Christmas celebration..
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Poinsettia sale
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Students in the Lincolnton High School occupation diploma program are selling poinsettias. Here Shereka Hollis (left) looks over the
plants with teacher Debra Jarrett and classmate Stephanie Jenkins. White, red, marble and pink poinsettias are available for $8. Dish gardens featuring poinsettias with green foliage plants cost $15. The
plants may be purchased between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the school. The project teaches students science, budgeting and marketing skills, Jarrett said.
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Ministry needs greater this year
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Dec. 3 - Christian Ministry Christmas Fund contributions are growing but more is needed.
Last week’s gifts totaling $4,795 was an increase from the $3,630 donated the initial week of the campaign.
“We’re very grateful for the giving. We’re hoping it continues and we reach our goal,” said Susan Brymer, ministry director. This year’s goal is $25,000.
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Celebration Lincolnton-style
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Dec. 3 - The fans storm the field after the Wolves beat Shelby for the first time in 34 years. With the playoff victory, the Wolves will
play at Burlington's Cummings High Friday in the state 2A semifinals.
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LHS High Q team regional winner
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Contestants advance to national meet
By ANDIE LEATHERMAN, LTN Staff Writer
Dec. 3 - Lincolnton High School’s High Q team put brain power to work last month, taking first place at the western region Knowledge Bowl at
UNC-Asheville.
Team member Chris Fredell describes the group as being in a state of disbelief following the win. Family and advisors in the stands could not
contain their excitement, whooping after the win. The team celebrated with a pizza party.
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News
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