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Volume 134 • Issue 27
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
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Chief Proctor honored at retirement ceremony By Loretta Cozart
The crowd enjoys music at the Independence Day Celebration in downtown Kings Mountain. See more photos page 1B. Photo by Damien O’Brien
Kings Mountain celebrates nation’s Independence Day By Loretta Cozart Citizens celebrated the nation’s 246th birthday on Saturday, July 2 at Patriot’s Park, and Deal Park Walking Track in Kings Mountain, participating in a variety of activities throughout the day and enjoying music, fun, and fellowship together.
Thousands gathered in Patriots Park to enjoy inflatables, activities, and a variety of food and beverages during the daylong celebration. At 6:30 p.m., the Voltage Brothers played as both young and old danced to the music. At 9:45 p.m., a patriotic light show filled the skies above the Patriots Park as Lady
Liberty and Uncle Sam danced with the crowd. The largest fireworks show between Charlotte and Asheville began at Deal Park Walking Track at 9:45 p.m. Throughout city, fireworks could be seen and heard, as the community celebrated the nation’s independence together.
Liberty Mountain drama celebrates faith and freedom By Loretta Cozart Liberty Mountain: The Revolutionary Drama has returned to the Joy Performance Center at 202 S. Railroad Avenue for its seventh season. And for one actor, Liberty Mountain is more than a play. It is a family tradition. Jeremy Trent Homesley of Cherryville has been cast in roles of Liberty Mountain since the first season, “I was drawn to the play for a combination of reasons: the opportunity to do theater and my love of history. I was working in Kings Mountain at a fabric company and Director Caleb Sigmon, and his wife Katy, came in to purchase fabric for the costumes that first year.” He went on to say, “I had been thinking about auditioning and when Caleb and Katy See LIBERTY, Page 8A
On Friday, July 1, Kings Mountain Rescue Squad closed for good, marking the end of an era that spanned 64 years serving the people of Kings Mountain and surrounding communities. During the 60th anniversary celebration in 2018, the
Assistant Chief Chris Moore presented Police Chief Lisa Proctor with a plaque at her retirement dinner this past Thursday. Photos by Gary Smart
Chief Proctor holds her sword. Later, she shared the following statement with the public on Facebook, “I per-
sonally want to thank each and every one of you who See PROCTOR, Page 3A
City of KM’s I-85 natural gas project continues
Jeremy Homesley returns at Major Patrick Ferguson. Photo by Sigmon Theatrical
KM Rescue Squad closes, marking the end of an era By Loretta Cozart
City of Kings Mountain celebrated the 30-year career of Police Chief Lisa Proctor in a ceremony in her honor on Thursday, June 30 at Patrick Senior Center. Among the crowd were city officials, members of many law enforcement agencies, friends, colleagues, and family members who gathered to honor the first woman police chief in the City of Kings Mountain. Chief Proctor was also the first woman to become a police chief whose husband once held the same position with the city. Assistant Chief Chris Moore welcomed the crowd gathered. After the posting of the colors, City Chaplain/ Pastor John Howze lead the invocation before the meal. Various speakers spoke during the program, including Past Mayor Rick Murhprey, Pastor John Howze, and friends Alan Propst and Suzette Ross. As is customary at retirement, officers showered the chief with gifts that included a throw pillow and blanket, a fishing rod, and a glass plaque and shadowbox with memorabilia from Chief Proctor’s career. The chief then addressed the crowd sharing her faith and appreciation for the support of her officers throughout her career.
Herald covered the event with a special article acknowledging the rescue squad for saving lives and serving the people. Then Captain John Harris said, “Mayor Neisler attended the celebration, along with Fire Chief Frank Burns. We had three former Captains: Jonie Blanton, Johnnie Hutchins, and Preston Leonard. Many prior EMTs and their families joined us, too. “For the last 60 years, the Kings Mountain Rescue Squad has served its citizens
when their need is the most. The dedication of its members is second to none. Kings Mountain is lucky to have this service,” said Mayor Neisler. According to Captain Harris, the Kings Mountain Rescue Squad was the first in Cleveland County and the second in the State of North Carolina. When the squad went into service, it was known as the Cleveland County Life Saving and First Aid Crew, Inc. No matter the official See RESCUE, Page 4A
The City of Kings Mountain’s Natural Gas Division, as part of their Capital Improvement Plan, has installed 3.1 miles of 8” steel natural gas pipeline. This latest expansion will connect the city’s two natural gas gate stations, from York Rd. to Gage Rd. This expansion also extended underneath I-85 to what will become the city’s eleventh natural gas regulator station. Once the new Gage Rd. gate station goes online which is anticipated to be the Fall of 2022, the city will then have another way to supply natural gas into the existing system should something happen to the station or feed at either place. This new expansion greatly improves the city’s already safe and reliable natural gas distribution system. The final expansion stage of a complete natural gas loop around the city will take natural gas up Kings Mountain Blvd to Shelby Road, once this future expansion is completed the city will have completed their second utility to have a distribution
Natural Gas Division continues work on I-85 NG project. Photo by City of KM loop encompassing the entire outer boundaries of the city. The city recognized Heath & Associates, Dawn
Development, First Cut, and the staff of the Natural Gas Division for the hard work in seeing this project completed.
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