CAROLINA TROPHIES “Awards for All Occasions” 12/31/26
704-482-2392
Volume 138 • Issue 30
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
www.carolinatrophies.com
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
75¢
Fatal ATV accident in Kings Mountain
Swoogers will close their doors on July 31, 2026. (Photo/Greg Ledford)
Swoogers closing After over a quarter century in business, Swooger’s restaurant located at 1016 Shelby Rd. in Kings Mountain announced it will be closing its doors. The popular eatery and gathering spot was started by Tom Best and Karen Moss back in 1999. Since
then, it has built a huge following of loyal customers who come in for its delicious food, and tasty Tony’s Ice Cream treats. The menu at Swooger’s has always been crafted with care, made to order, and full of homestyle flavor. A perennial favorite has been the
Mountie burger. Other items that folks flocked to enjoy was the Philly cheese steak and chocolate peanut butter milkshake. Just as important, Swoogers has been a place where folks gathered to meet and spend time with See SWOOGERS, Page 2A
From left: Kevin Gordon, board chair, Cleveland County Government; Stan Anthony, Mayor of Shelby; Carrie Strobel, chief human resources officer, Greenheck Group; and Ben Miller, chief revenue officer, Premise Health, participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of Greenheck Group’s Wellness Center in Shelby, NC. (Photo by Chip Nuhrah, public information officer, City of Shelby.)
Greenheck Group opens Wellness Center in Shelby in partnership with Premise Health Greenheck Group, a global leader in manufacturing commercial air movement, control, and conditioning equipment, celebrated the grand opening of its new 12,000-squarefoot Greenheck Group Wellness Center in Shelby, North Carolina. Operated in partnership with Premise
Health, the nation’s leading direct healthcare provider and one of the largest digital health providers, the facility includes an onsite health clinic, pharmacy, and fitness center designed to provide convenient, high-quality healthcare to nearly 1,000 Greenheck Group team members and their families in the region. “At Greenheck Group, we’re committed to making healthcare more ac-
cessible and affordable for our team members and their families,” said Greenheck Group Chief Human Resources Officer Carrie Strobel. “In partnership with Premise Health, we’re building on that commitment by expanding access to convenient onsite care, virtual services, and enhanced healthcare offerings that support the health a nd well-being of our North See GREENHECK, Page 2A
On July 25, 2026, at approximately 6:33 p.m., Kings Mountain Police Department, along with Kings Mountain Fire Department and Gaston County EMS, responded to a 911 call reporting a collision involving an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) and a passenger truck, at 799 Sara Lee Access Road, an industrial building currently under construction. Upon arriving, first responding officers attempted to provide emer-
gency medical aid. Due to the injuries sustained in the collision, the operator of the ATV was pronounced deceased at the scene. With the assistance of the North Carolina Highway Patrol, preliminary investigative processes and witness interviews indicate that the operator of the ATV swerved to avoid a gravel patch in the private vehicular area (PVA) and collided with a passenger truck. Both vehicles were part
of a larger group of ATVs and trucks that had gathered to go "four-wheeling" in the area. The victim of this accident has been identified as Damieon Keith Brinson (20 years old) of Gastonia, NC. Next of kin have been notified. The accident investigation is ongoing and anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to contact the Kings Mountain Police Department at (704) 734-0444.
Liberty Mountain 2026 tickets now on sale In 1780 our Patriot forefathers answered the call to come together to secure the birth and freedom of our nation at the Battle of Kings Mountain. This October 7th battle changed the course of the war in favor of the Patriots! Liberty Mountain, The Revolutionary Drama has been bringing this story to the Joy since 2014. Liberty Mountain (LM) 2026 America 250 tickets are on sale now and are available at www.libertymountaindrama.com or www.kmlt.org. Group rates and VIP Packages are available. Questions about these rates and other information should be directed to info@ kmlt.org or call the Joy at 704-730-9408. Tickets to the LM 2026: America 250 Opening Night Gala on Friday September 18 are $90 each. The festivities include Revolutionary War era entertainment, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and beverages in
the Liberty Mountain Garden beginning at 5:30 PM. The performance begins at 7:30 PM in the Joy Theatre with a “meet and greet” and desserts in the Garden afterward. Reserved seating tickets for the remaining 14 public performances are $20 and Premier seating tickets are $25. Public performances begin with the 3:00 PM matinee on Saturday, September 19th. Additional dates and times are September 20, 25, 26 and October 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 7:30 PM. 3:00 PM matinees will be on September 19, 20, 26, 27 and October 3, 4 and 11.
A Special Anniversary Performance will be on Wednesday, October 7. It will include Revolutionary War entertainment, appetizers, and beverages in the Liberty Mountain Garden beginning at 5:30 PM. The performance begins at 7:30 PM in the Joy Theatre with a “meet and greet” and desserts in the Garden afterward. General admission tickets are $60. Kings Mountain Little Theatre, Liberty Mountain, founding sponsors Gilbert and Jancy Patrick, LM Founders Shirley Brutko, Rick Dancy, Jerry Ledford, See LIBERTY, Page 2A
American Legion World Series partners with Food Lion Feeds for Academic Achievement Day Food Drive The American Legion World Series (ALWS) is proud to partner with Food Lion Feeds on Friday, August 14, to support college students facing food insecurity through a special Academic Achievement Day Food Drive. Fans attending GWU’s Academic Achievement Day games are encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable dry goods to Keeter Stadium. All collected items will benefit the Food Lion Feeds Campus Pantry at Gardner-Webb University, helping provide food to students in need throughout the academic year. Food Lion Feeds works to combat hunger through a variety of community partnerships, including campus hunger-relief initiatives and athletic partnerships that collect and distribute food to students experi-
encing food insecurity. Academic Achievement Day celebrates the accomplishments of student-athletes both on and off the field, and we’re honored to partner with Food Lion Feeds to make a meaningful difference for college students in our community. Requested donation items include: • Canned vegetables and fruits • Pasta and rice • Cereal and oatmeal See FOOD DRIVE, Page 2A
WE WILL BUY YO U R CA R ! 565 Oak Street, Forest City, NC
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