We Can Save You Money!!! ©CommunityFirstMedia
East Mountain Street 704.739.3611 106 Kings Mountain, NC 28086
www.KMinsure.com Volume 137 • Issue 7
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
75¢
Local residents win ACLU files lawsuit against Cleveland County Schools big lottery payoff By Loretta Cozart
Eddie Graham of Belmont entered second-chance drawings for years, and his persistence paid off with a $1 million grand prize, collecting his winnings on February 6. “This is unreal,” Graham said. “I’m still processing it.” On Wednesday, he won the top prize in the fourth and final 200X The Cash second-chance drawing. The drawing received more than 1.6 million entries. “This type of thing just doesn’t happen to me,” he said. “It couldn’t have come at a better time though.” The 200X The Cash game featured four second-chance drawings. Each drawing offered one $1 million prize, one $200,000 prize, and twenty-five $500 prizes. “I’ve been doing the second chance for years,” he said. “The only tickets I buy are second-chance ones.”
Eddie Graham of Belmont is a $1 Million Grand Prize Winner. Photo by North Carolina Lottery https://nclottery.com/ When Graham arrived at lottery headquarters Thursday, he had a decision to make. He could receive his prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum of $600,000 and, after required tax withholdings, took home
$430,500. Graham plans to use the winnings to pay bills, buy a used truck, and possibly buy a house. He also wants to help his family. “I can use this to take care of my daughter and granddaughter,” he said. See LOTTERY, Page 5A
Leaf season wraps up Feb. 14 Leaf Season will wrap up on February 14! On this day, city crews will survey the streets to identify any piles that have already been raked to the curb for collection. If you have leaves ready for pickup, make sure they’re out by this date! After February 14, any leaves you want collected must be bagged and placed at the curb, separate from your regular trash. The Street Department will be happy to collect those for you. Thank you for helping keep our community clean!
Trump administration halts EV Charging Station program The Trump administration has decided to halt the approval of state electric vehicle infrastructure deployment plans, effectively pausing the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. This decision, announced on February 6, 2025, has significant implications for the future of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in the United States. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a memo to Department of Transportation directors, stating, “The new leadership of the Department of Transportation (US DOT) has decided to review the policies underlying the implementation
of the NEVI Formula Program.” The memo further explains that the current NEVI Formula Program Guidance, dated June 11, 2024, and all prior versions of this guidance, are rescinded. The FHWA is updating the NEVI Formula Program Guidance to align with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In an executive order, President Donald Trump declared, “All agencies shall immediately pause
the disbursement of funds from programs created by the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.” This order specifically targets the NEVI Formula Program and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) grant program, which have significantly benefitted Tesla in recent years. The order states that agencies submit a review of “processes, policies, and programs for See HALTS, Page 5A
In a February 5 statement, the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina (ACLU) described its filing of a lawsuit against Cleveland County Schools over banning high school students from playing an LGBTQ+-themed trivia game. The statement read, the ACLU of North Carolina and Charles Johnson of the law firm of Robinson, Bradshaw filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the Cleveland County Board of Education for violating the First Amendment and Equal Access Act. The Board has banned a student group from playing a quiz game highlighting LGBTQ+ people
who have made significant contributions to American society, deeming the activity “indecent.” The lawsuit, which was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, alleges the school district’s actions violate the rights to free speech, freedom of association, and equal access to school resources. According to the lawsuit, the game contains no content that could reasonably be viewed as lewd, obscene, defamatory, or depicting criminal activity. By preventing one student group from discussing LGBTQ+ individuals and media while allowing other student groups, such as the Bible
Club, to discuss any topics they like, the lawsuit argues that the Board’s decision amounts to unconstitutional discrimination. “It is longstanding law that students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate, and school officials cannot prohibit student speech simply because they disagree with its message or find it uncomfortable,” said Ivy Johnson, staff attorney for the ACLU of North Carolina. “The game in question simply recognizes significant LGBTQ+ figures in pop culture and history, such as Harvey Milk, George Takei, and Ellen DeGeneres. Acknowledging that LGBTQ+ people See LAWSUIT, Page 5A
CCS School Board reviews graduation distinctions During the February Cleveland County School Board meeting, members discussed Policy 3450, which would increase the distinction requirements based on grade point average effective June 2027. The distinction of cum laude would remain unchanged. However, both distinctions for magna cum laude and summa cum laude could be increased. For graduating students
Cleveland County S C H O O L S
graduating before July 2027, it is now stipulated that students with a 4.20 weighted grade point average shall receive the distinction of magna cum laude. And students with a 4.30 or higher weighted grade point average shall receive the distinction of summa cum laude. The changes would im-
pact students graduating after June 2027. Changes would require that students with a 4.30 weighted grade point average shall receive the distinction of magna cum laude, and students with a 4.50 or higher weighted grade point average shall receive the distinction of summa cum laude. This is the first reading of Policy 3450, and the school board’s discussion will be published in next week’s Herald.
New virus discovered in the US heightens pandemic fears In a startling development, researchers have identified a new virus in the United States that could cause a pandemic. This discovery has raised significant concerns among health experts and the public alike. The virus, known as the Camp Hill virus, is a type of henipavirus, a family of viruses that includes some of the most dangerous pathogens known to humans.
Researchers at The University of Queensland in northern short-tailed shrews in Alabama first identified the Camp Hill virus. Dr. Rhys Parry from the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences at The University of Queensland confirmed the presence of the virus in these small mammals, which are widely distributed across Canada and the US. The Camp Hill virus
was confirmed in shrews in the US state of Alabama. This marks the first time a henipavirus has been found in North America, a significant finding that suggests these viruses may be more globally distributed than previously thought1. According to Dr. Parry, “Henipaviruses have caused serious disease and death in people and animals in other See VIRUS, Page 5A
Afternoon Adventures: Lift Every Voice, presented by Bright Star Theatre Bright Star Theater will present a captivating journey of speeches, songs, and poems from throughout Black History at Mauney Memorial Library’s Community Room, 100 S Piedmont Ave, Kings Mountain, on Wednesday, March 5, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for children ages 6 – 12. Sing along with selections from the Civil
This Bright Star actor portrays Dr. Martin Luther King. Photo by Mauney Memorial Library
Rights Movement, hear excerpts from speeches that changed the country by Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth, and meet Maya Angelou, Phyllis Wheatley, and so many more! This production is a great celebration of literature, song, and the spoken word. Registration Required at https://mauneylibrary.libcal.com/ event/12961220
For A Solution to Your Dental Concerns Visit Our Professional Staff
DENTAL CARE General, Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry
• Would you like a healthier, more attractive smile? • Do your teeth chip or break for no apparent reason? • Are you embarrassed by the looks or condition of your teeth? FIND OUT TODAY’S DENTAL SOLUTION with a NO RISK Complimentary Consultation
704-739-4461
703 E. Kings St., Suite 9, Kings Mountain • www.BakerDentalCare.com
Dr. Robert Baker