404 E. King St., Kings Mountain, NC 704-750-4645 • Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00
Volume 137 • Issue 29
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
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Eight face Federal charges City of KM power outage after ICE raid at Buckeye scheduled for July 18 A federal raid at the Buckeye Fire Equipment Company in Kings Mountain has resulted in federal charges against at least eight individuals, according to court documents released last week. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), executed a search warrant at the business on June 25. The raid was part of an ongoing federal investigation into possible financial and immigration-related crimes at the company. The operation involved more than a dozen local, state, and federal agencies and led to the detention of at least 30 people. Officials stated that the investigation focuses on identity theft and other potential financial crimes. Out of the 30 people detained, at least eight now face federal charges. Seven of them are accused of illegally re-entering the United States after having
previously been deported. The eighth individual faces charges for using false documents to gain employment. The search warrant targeted aggravated identity theft and possible federal crimes linked to unauthorized employment. Authorities have not clarified whether further charges will be filed or whether the Buckeye Fire Equipment Company itself could face legal consequences. Meanwhile, the eight defendants face federal charges that could lead to prison sentences and further deportations. The individuals charged with illegally re-entering the United States after deportation include Geovany Lopez Lopez, Humberto Guzman Lemus, Enrique Gil Rojano, Alberto Perez Mendoza, Arturo Albarras Altunar, Luis Antonio Martinez Lopez, and Angel Antonio Lara Reyes, according to Queen City News and other news outlets.
Law enforcement also arrested Jose De La Cruz-Lopez during the raid on June 25 at the Buckeye Fire Equipment Company. Unlike the others, he faces charges for the misuse of a Social Security number and using a false statement or document in an immigration matter. Jose De La Cruz-Lopez, from Veracruz, Mexico, admitted to being in the U.S. illegally for the past four years, according to federal documents. He reportedly worked at Buckeye Fire Equipment Company since 2022 and is accused of using a fake ID to get the job. This federal investigation remains ongoing. It’s unclear if more charges are coming or if Buckeye Fire Equipment Company itself could face legal consequences. Meanwhile, the eight individuals now face serious federal charges that could result in prison time and removal from the country.
Healthy Together Cleveland EVERYONE EATS emergency Food fund drive Healthy Together Cleveland (HTC) is responding to an alarming trend in Cleveland County: 1 in 6 people in the county are experiencing food insecurity. That means about 16,980 people do not have enough food, approximately the combined population of Kings Mountain, NC, and Boiling Springs, NC. Due to recent FDA cuts to The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), local food pantries are being
impacted. A local organization, Washington Outreach Ministry (WOM), is one of those being affected. WOM supports 17 food pantries in Cleveland County alone. It is Cleveland County’s local food hub serving 15,000 people each month and is facing a $375,000 shortfall this year. “No one should go hungry,” said Jeff Ross, Chairman of the Healthy Together Cleveland County Steering Committee. “We
believe in the power of community partnerships and helping our neighbors during tough times. It’s just the right thing to do.” Everyone Eats Emergency Food Fund Drive See FOOD, Page 5A
Duke study questions the impact of non-regulated elements in future mining operations Lithium ore and mining waste from a historic lithium mine located west of Charlotte, North Carolina, are unlikely to contaminate surrounding waters with common pollutants such as arsenic and lead, according to a new study. However, high levels of other metals — namely, lithium, rubidium, and cesium — do occur in waters associated with the mine. The new findings, from Avner Vengosh, distinguished professor
of environmental quality at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, shed light on potential water quality impacts of legacy, or historic, lithium mining. They also provide baseline data for future studies exploring how reopening lithium mines in the N.C. Piedmont will likely affect the water quality of nearby drinking water resources. “The world is increasingly relying on lithium for the green-energy transition, but previous studies on the environmental effects of hard-rock lithium mining show mixed results,” Vengosh said. “This study pro-
vides new, important data to clarify the possible environmental impacts. The area where the Kings Mountain Mine is located was once the largest lithium-producing region in the world. Situated in wooded, rural terrain of the Piedmont, the mine opened in the 1950s and was abandoned in the 1980s, when more accessible lithium deposits drew prospectors to South America. The lithium at Kings Mountain primarily exists in granite-like rock called pegmatite, bound to a green-tinged mineral called spodumene. See STUDY, Page 5A
The City of Kings Mountain Electrical Department will be transferring electrical load to the new Delivery 5 Substation on Thursday, July 17, beginning at 5:00 AM. This important upgrade is part of our commitment to improving the reliability of electric service in our community. During the load transfer, a momentary power outage will occur. The entire process is expected to be completed by 6:30 AM. Areas Affected: • Beason Creek Subdivision • Brinkley Ridge Subdivision • Catawba Two Kings Casino • Country Creek Subdivision • Crocker Ridge • Ingles • Intermediate School • Kings Mountain Blvd residents • Kings Mountain Energy CenArea affected by the power outage on July 18 to bring the ter Kings Row Apartments • Medical Plaza on Shelby Rd new substation online. Graphic by City of KM (beside Ingles) areas for your reference. • State Employees’ Credit For questions or concerns, contact: Union Kenny Kidner, Electric Manager, City of Please view the map to see the affected Kings Mountain, 704-734-4478.
Piedmont Lithium's KM site is up for sale Piedmont Lithium Inc. is divesting a 60.6-acre property located at Battleground Avenue and Dixon Dairy Road in Kings Mountain. Acquired in 2019 for $672,000, the property is currently listed at $3.6 million. In 2018, Piedmont Lithium acquired the Kings Mountain site, intending
to construct a new lithium chemical facility as part of efforts to revive dormant lithium production in the region. Originally designated for a lithium conversion facility to support its Lithium projects in the Carolinas, the site is now being offered for sale following a strategic reassessment. Situated within 20 miles
of Piedmont Lithium's spodumene mine and concentrator plant—both integral to the production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide—the site was once central to Piedmont's operational expansion. However, plans have shifted following Piedmont Lithium's merger agreement with See FOR SALE, Page 5A
KMPD needs help identifying suspect in gas station break-in On June 29, 2025, the Kings Mountain Police Department (KMPD) received a report of a breaking and entering incident at the Battleground Petroleum station located at 724 York Road. The male shown in the security photo forced open the doors, breaking the locks, while the business was closed. The male then got into a white Honda Civic and left the scene. If you recognize this individual or have any information that could assist in the investigation, please contact Detective C.E. Pitman with the Kings Mountain Police Criminal Investigation Unit at (704) 734-0444 or email cullen.pitman@cityofkm.com. You can also leave an anonymous tip for this and any other local crime through the Cleveland County Crime Stoppers mobile app. Download the app by scanning the QR code.
If you recognize this individual or have any information that could assist in the investigation, please get in touch with Detective C.E. Pitman at KMPD. Photo by KMPD
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