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Volume 135 • Issue 46
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
75¢
KM votes for change By Loretta Cozart
KM Community Table Thanksgiving Meal November 22 By Loretta Cozart Feeding Children Cleveland County, in partnership with Albemarle, Kings Mountain Family YMCA, Mauney Memorial Library, Martin Electric, and The Davidson Association, is hosting a Community Table Thanksgiving Meal on Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 4 p.m., at the Deal Street Walking Track in Kings Mountain. This meal is a community-wide effort, aiming to bring all areas of Cleveland
County together in unity for a shared meal and fellowship. Each meal occurs in a high-need community area the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day. This year, the meals will take place at six locations throughout Cleveland County, including Jefferson Park in Shelby, Hope Community Church in Shelby, Kings Mountain YMCA in Kings Mountain. In case of incelement weather KM event will be inside at KM Family YMCA. See MEAL, Page 2A
Tim Moore announces running for Congress By Loretta Cozart Last week, North Carolina Speaker of the House Tim Moore officially announced his candidacy for Congress in the 14th Congressional district, covering portions of the southwestern corner of North Carolina. Moore was elected to the NC House in 2002; since 2016, he has served as Speaker of the House. He opened the announcement by saying, “Hi, I’m Tim Moore. I want to let you know it is official. I’m running for the United States Congress. I’ve been proud to serve with a conservative Republican majority in the State House for the last nine years as Speaker. And now, I’m ready to take that same
TIM MOORE conservative leadership to Washington, DC.” A lifelong resident of Cleveland County and the new 14th district, Speaker Moore said, “I’m proud to stand on my record of passing the biggest tax cuts in North Carolina history, protecting parents’ rights over See MOORE, Page 2A
During the municipal elections in Kings Mountain on Tuesday, November 7, the voters decided to bring about a change. Rob WagJIMMY WEST JAY RHODES ROB WAGMAN ANNIE THOMBS SHEARRA MILLER man, a newcomer, Mayor City Council At-Large City Council Ward 1 City Council Ward 5 City Council Ward 4 won the mayoral against incumbent Keith Annie Thombs ran un- Write-in Miscellaneous rerace by receiving 717 votes while the incum- Miller's 485 votes. Write-in opposed in Ward 1 and won ceived five votes. Four peobent Mayor Scott Neisler Miscellaneous received three with 153 votes while Write-in ple, Richard D. Smith, Bill Miscellaneous received seven Willis, Dylan Emory, and only managed 678 votes. votes. In Ward 5, the incumbent votes. Write-in Jimbo Thompson Thor Inman ran for two seats Jimmy West also ran un- in the commissioner's race. and Write-in Miscellaneous Jay Rhodes was re-elected received 16 and four votes as city councilman with 253 opposed in Ward 4 and won Richard D. Smith and Bill votes. Mark Wampler and with 403 votes while Write-in respectively. Willis won by receiving 46 The City Council At- Woody Edwards, the chal- Miscellaneous received 27 and 41 votes respectively Large race was a closely lengers, received 189 and 27 votes. In the Grover Mayor's while Dylan Emory and Thor contested one with Shearra votes respectively. Write-in Miller winning by a signif- Miscellaneous received four race, Tony Willis won, re- Inman received 23 and 15 icant margin of 934 votes votes. ceiving 64 votes while votes respectively.
KM Fantasy Light Show cancelled By Loretta Cozart In a Facebook post last week, Jeff Ward announced the Kings Mountain Fantasy Light Show was canceled. As a result, 296 comments were left by citizens who expressed concern about the light show’s cancellation less than a day after the polls closed and Mayor Scott Neisler lost his re-election bid. Conspiracy theories and finger-pointing ran rampant. The Star ran an article only fanning the flames further. Politics, construction, the city, and the building’s past and present owners were blamed. The new restaurant Crave, coming to Kings Mountain, began construction last week on the building where lights had been mounted. In addition, a tree that once held lights as part of the light show had also
By Loretta Cozart The Kings Mountain Police Department's annual 'Cram the Cruiser Toy Drive' has started and will continue until December 8th. You can help bring joy to children
this Christmas season by donating new and unwrapped toys for kids aged newborn to 13 years old. Monetary donations are also accepted. A donation box is inside the KMPD lobby that is open before and after hours, as well as on weekends. Let's make sure every child gets a chance to smile this season!
been removed. Scott Neisler and Jeff Ward brought KM Fantasy Light Show to downtown Kings Mountain for a decade with the help of Donnie Beard and Rick Murphrey, among others. Mayor Neisler shared various factors on the Kings Mountain Fantasy
Light Show Facebook page that played into the situation when accused of taking his ball and going home after losing the election, “I want to do my job to the very end, but it became like baseball, saying three strikes and we were out. It would be impossible to rewire the show at this
late date, so that’s why the lights can’t happen.” On a positive note, Katie and Grady’s Christmas lights are being placed in Patriot’s Park right on schedule. Kings Mountain’s Christmas Parade is on Saturday, December 2, at 3 p.m. As part of See SHOW, Page 2A
Dixon KM Veterans honored at breakfast WWTP update By Loretta Cozart
‘Cram the Cruiser Toy Drive’ is back
Citizens enjoyed KM Fantasy Light Show in years past. (Photo by KM Fantasy Light Show)
The City of Kings Mountain has decided to redirect the funds that were intended for Project South, a wastewater treatment plant in the Dixon community, toward the Pilot Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant renovations and updates. The project had a budget of approximately $79 million; however, the decision was made that Pilot Creek's capacity could adequately cover the needs of the growing population of Kings Mountain and Grover, both of which See DIXON, Page 3A
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On Thursday, November 9, the Patrick Senior Center hosted a special breakfast for area veterans sponsored by the City of Kings Mountain and Home Instead Senior Care. Each veteran received a hot breakfast, a commemorative veteran key chain, a bracelet, and a flag. The Patrick Center Chorus provided patriotic entertainment, and Air Force Veteran Jim Medlin made a toast to the flag and shared some inspirational words. Mayor Scott Neisler also shared some remarks and helped to distribute door prizes. The Patrick Center hosts a veterans meeting on the first Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. For more information, please call the Patrick Center at 704-734-0447.
Jim Medlin recites the Toast to the Flag. See more photos on page 8A. (Photos provided)
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