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Volume 137 • Issue 45
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
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City to crack down on Kings Mountain’s Veterans Day junked and nuisance Observance on November 11 vehicles this fall By Loretta Cozart T h e c i t y ’ s Codes Enforcement Department has announced a strict enforcement campaign targeting junked and nuisance vehicles on properties within city limits, beginning in November and continuing through December. A vehicle is classified as “junked” if it does not display a current license plate and meets any of the following criteria: it is partially dismantled or wrecked, cannot move under its own power, or is more than five years old and appears to be worth less than $500. Owners must relocate junked vehicles to an approved property outside the city limits. Alternatively, vehicles may be stored inside a completely enclosed structure, such as a garage or building (carports and temporary structures do not qualify). One junked vehicle may remain in the rear yard if it is fully covered by a suitable
cover designed for its size and model. Nuisance vehicles are those deemed a health or safety hazard, including vehicles that harbor pests, have overgrown vegetation, collect standing water, accumulate combustible materials, pose physical dangers, or have sharp edges. The City Council may also declare other vehicles as public nuisances. Owners must remove nuisance vehicles from city property or eliminate the hazardous conditions. If the vehicle still qualifies as junked after these conditions are addressed, it must meet the requirements for junked vehicles. Vehicles found in violation will receive a Pre-Towing notice, giving owners seven days to resolve the issue. If not abated, the city will tow the vehicle and issue a Post-Towing notice with the towing company’s information. Owners must contact the company and pay any fees to retrieve their vehicle. For more information, contact the Inspections and Codes Department at (704) 734-4561.
Federal judge orders emergency SNAP funding amid shutdown As the federal government shutdown stretches into its second month, more than 1.4 million North Carolinians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously referred to as “food stamps,” faced the prospect of missing their November benefits. However, a dramatic legal development late Friday has changed the outlook for millions of families across the state and nation. On October 31, a federal judge in Massachusetts ruled that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must use its $6 billion contingency reserve to fund SNAP benefits during the shutdown. The judge’s order came after North Carolina and 24 other states sued the USDA, arguing that the agency was legally obligated to use emergency funds to prevent a lapse in food assistance. The court found that the suspension of SNAP benefits was likely unlawful and ordered the USDA to inform the court by November 2 whether it would issue full or reduced benefits for November. The crisis began when Congress failed to pass a budget for the new fiscal
year, triggering a government shutdown on October 1. The USDA had previously warned states, including North Carolina, that November SNAP benefits would be delayed or suspended due to a lack of federal appropriations. The agency also stated it would not use the $6 billion in contingency funds, arguing those reserves were intended for natural disasters, not lapses in congressional funding. Governor Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson strongly criticized the USDA’s stance. More than 600,000 households comprising 1.4 million individual North Carolinians, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families, are due to receive SNAP benefits to help put nutritious and healthy food on the table in November. Four in five North Carolina families participating in SNAP have either a child, senior or an adult with a disability. There are more than 580,000 children in North Carolina that rely on SNAP and more than 80% of people receiving SNAP benefits are working. Additionally, NCDHHS does not currently have funding to maintain benefits past early November for the more than 262,000 people who depend on the Special See SNAP On Page 4A
By Loretta Cozart
This year, the city of Kings Mountain is preparing for a heartfelt Veterans Day celebration on Tuesday, November 11th. The morning will begin with a patriotic parade starting at the Joy Theatre on Railroad Avenue at 10:30 am. The parade culminates in Patriots Park for an observance ceremony. Here, local leaders and families will pay tribute to the sacrifices made by their Hometown Heroes. The event promises a spirit of unity and gratitude, as neighbors come together to recognize the courage and dedication of those who have defended freedom. This observance is not just a tradition; it’s a living testament to
KMpay App simplifies city utility bill payments Kings Mountain utility customers can now pay their bills more easily with the new KMpay Utility App. This app is available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Simply scan the QR code for your device to install the app on your smartphone or digital device. Through the city’s customer web portal, residents can: • View billing statements • Make online utility payments Getting Started: To use the portal, you must first register your utility account. You will need your account number from your bill statement. If you need help signing up, call the office at (704) 734-4617. Note: The previous “QuickPay” option is no longer available. Payment Options: The City of Kings Moun-
tain accepts: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, Venmo, Google Pay, Apple Pay A transaction fee of 2.95% (minimum $2.95) applies to these payment methods. You can also pay by eCheck for a $0.95 fee per transaction. Other Ways to Pay: • City Hall Kiosk: Pay using any online option or with cash. Download the KMpay App on your smartphone or digital If you pay with device. (Photo by City of KM) cash, the full Response (IVR) system by customer service departamount will be credited to your account, as calling toll-free (855) 844- ment at (704) 734-4617 or 0495. no change is given. For questions or more email customerservice@ • Phone Payments: Use the city’s Interactive Voice information, contact the cityofkm.com.
Great Pumpkin Parade a spooktacular success By Loretta Cozart On the crisp morning of Friday, October 31, the annual Great Pumpkin Halloween Parade stepped off in downtown Kings Mountain. Merchants were excited to participate and gave away candy all along the parade route, greeting children in festive costumes. Officers and city employees ensured the children's safety, creating a secure and joyful atmosphere. Cartoon characters such as Bluey, Woody from Toy Story, Chase from Paw Patrol, and the Peanuts gang
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the respect and appreciation Kings Mountain holds for its veterans. Veterans Day in the United States has its roots in the end of World War I. The armistice that ended the war was signed on November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.—the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson
proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day, a day to honor the peace and the soldiers who fought in World War I. After World War II and the Korean War, Congress changed the holiday’s name to “Veterans Day” in 1954, expanding its purpose to honor all American veterans, regardless of when or where they served. Today, Veterans Day is observed every November 11th, with parades, ceremonies, and moments of reflection across the country. It is a day to celebrate the service and sacrifice of veterans from all branches of the U.S. military, ensuring their legacy is remembered and respected by future generations.
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joined the parade, delighting everyone. Kings Mountain Marketing, Tourism and Events Department, Mauney Memorial Library’s Harris Children’s Department, in cooperation with AAA, Wings, Dance Magic Studio, Cleveland County Childcare Connections, and Cleveland County Partnership for Children, provided entertainment, games, Halloween stories, songs, sing-alongs, and fun for all. The event wrapped up at the Gazebo in Patriots Park, where children enjoyed even more candy,
Albemarle’s Cindy Estridge hands out lots of candy. (Photos by Loretta Cozart) fun activities, and dancing to conclude this year’s
memorable Halloween celebration.
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