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www.KMinsure.com Volume 137 • Issue 41
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
City Of KM hosts Great Pumpkin Halloween Parade October 31 T h e City of K i n g s Mountain will host its annual “Great Pumpkin Halloween Parade” on Friday, October 31. Children, along with their parents, are invited to gather at Cherokee Street Parking at 9:30 am to line up for this spectacular spooky parade. At 10:00 am, the foot parade will travel to the Gazebo at Patriots Park for a howling good time. This event is open to children aged newborn to 4. School groups of children up to the age of seven are also welcome. Kings Mountain Marketing, Tourism and Events Department, Mauney Memorial Library’s Harris Children’s Department, in cooperation with AAA, Dance Magic Studio, Cleveland County Childcare Connections, and Cleveland County Partnership for Children, will pro-
vide entertainment, games, Halloween stories, songs, sing-alongs, and fun for all. Local merchants are encouraged to dress in costumes to greet the children and hand out candy along the parade route. Tables will be provided at Patriots Park for businesses to use to give away candy and treats. Afterwards, children and parents are welcome to stay and play, have a picnic lunch, take photos with the Peanuts gang in Linus’ pumpkin patch, or dine in one of the convenient downtown restaurants. The parade will start at Cherokee Street parking, continue to Mountain Street, turn left onto the sidewalk at Battleground Avenue, cross Battleground Avenue and South Railroad Avenue, and then move into Patriots Park. For more information, please call 704-730-2101 or visit our website at www. kingsmountainevents.com.
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
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Rivermist kicks off Mountaineer Days in Patriots Park Friday Get ready for a high-energy start to the Mountaineer Days Heritage Festival, as Rivermist hits the stage with a free concert on Friday, October 10, at 6:00 p.m. at the Patriots Park gazebo! Known for their crowd-pleasing mix of classic rock, R&B, pop, funk, dance, beach, country, and patriotic hits, Rivermist brings a sound for everyone. Voted “Best Local Band of Fayetteville/Ft. Bragg” ten years in a row and honored with multiple music awards and nominations—including
CBMA’s “Rising Star” and “Song of the Year”—this band knows how to put on a show! On Saturday, Oct. 11, bring the whole family for a day of festival fun featuring delicious food, live entertainment, contests, and activities for all ages. This concert is sponsored by Albemarle and proudly presented by the City of Kings Mountain and Kings Mountain Tourism & Events. Patriots Park is at 220 South Railroad Avenue,
RIVERMIST Kings Mountain. Don’t miss the music, the fun, and
the memories waiting to be made! See ad pages 4A-5A.
Walmart subsidiary bringing 300 jobs to Kings Mountain Corporate Center On September 30, Governor Josh Stein announced that Walmart, Inc. plans to open a new fulfillment center in Kings Mountain and Gaston County. The estimated $300 million investment will create more than 300 new jobs in Gaston County. The 1.2 millionsquare-foot facility, located at 799 Sara Lee Access Road, is expected to open in 2027. The new jobs are expected to generate an annual payroll impact of more than $20 million in the community. The new Walmart fulfillment center in Kings Mountain will ship large items, such as patio furniture and lawnmowers, directly to customers as soon as the next day. Walmart, Inc. announced a total investment of $300 million in the project - to include the purchase
Kings Mountain Corporate Center rendering from 2023, by Keith Corporation of the existing Kings Mountain Corporate Center, an additional $58 million to upfit the building, and $90 million in machinery and equipment. “As our eCommerce business continues to grow, this new fulfillment center will
play a critical role in helping us serve customers faster,” said Karisa Sprague, senior vice president. Supply Chain, Walmart U.S. “We’re excited to join the Kings Mountain community and proud to create long-term career oppor-
tunities where associates can grow and build their future with Walmart.” “Our ability to have business-ready locations continues to make Gaston County a top-tier destination for See WALMART, Page 7A
Rotary Club Spaghetti Supper Bess Alice Hambright fundraiser now underway Phifer celebrates BESS ALICE HAMBRIGHT
108th birthday Oct. 13 By Loretta Cozart Bess Phifer will enjoy her 108th birthday with family and friends on Monday, October 13. As a child, she was called Bess Alice by everyone. Her family attended Antioch Baptist Church, and she attended school in a oneroom schoolhouse her mother founded. She grew up near Kings Mountain National Military Park, but the land was not owned by the National Park back then. Everyone around
here just called it the battleground. When Bess was 12, she attended the one-hundred-fiftieth anniversary of the Battle of Kings Mountain. The year was 1930. President Herbert Hoover was the keynote speaker. Her mother had responsibilities during the celebration, so Bess and her siblings were free to wander. During an interview with Bess eight years ago for her 100th birthday, she remembered the throngs of people in attendance at the battleground for the celebration. “The President’s speech was good; I remember seeing the speaker’s stand. Most of all,” she said, “I remember See BESS, Page 7A
For over 50 years, the Kings Mountain Rotary Club has proudly upheld its mission of “Service Above Self,” supporting vital community programs and youth initiatives. On Thursday, October 24th, the Club will host its Annual Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser at Kings Mountain High School, honoring the legacy of cherished Rotarians and friends, Doug Satterfield and Larry Hamrick, Sr. The event will take place in the KMHS cafeteria from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM, just before the Kings Mountain vs. Huss football game. Dine-in and carry-out options will be available. • Supporting Local Students and Community Programs • Proceeds from the fundraiser will directly benefit Local Students and Community Programs: • Kings Mountain High School Rotary Club Scholarships • The Backpack Program for food-insecure students • Patrick Senior Center Thanksgiving meal • Other impactful community ini-
Food line for the Spaghetti Supper. (Photo by KM Rotary Club) tiatives • Ways you can support: • Individual Donations
Each contribution includes spaghetti supper tickets, recognition in See ROTARY, Page 8A
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