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Tracy Whisnant 704-477-7391 S Select tracywhisnant@remax.net Volume 138 • Issue 11
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
75¢
Handing down his torch
Dr. Fisher to retire By Allyson Parker
L-R: Melissa Wilson, KMHS Principal; Derek “Drek” Bing, new Volleyball Coach and Kevin Cruise, KMHS Athletic Director. (Photo provided)
KM High School names Derek “Drek” Bing as Head Volleyball Coach Kings Mountain High School is proud to announce the hiring of Derek “Drek” Bing as the school’s new Head Volleyball Coach. Bing brings with him an outstanding record of competitive success, player development, and leadership at both the high school and national club levels. For the past ten seasons, Bing served as Head Coach at Gaston Day School, where he built one of the region’s premier volleyball programs. During his tenure, his teams captured three state championships (2025, 2024, and 2021), while also earning three state runner-up finishes, one state semifinal appearance, and one state quarterfinal appearance. His teams also secured five conference championships, and in 2021 he was named Charlotte Observer Coach of the Year.
In addition to his high school success, Bing has been heavily involved in elite club volleyball with Stars Carolinas Volleyball in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he serves as the 15-1 Head Coach. Under his leadership, his teams have earned numerous tournament championships and consistently competed at the highest levels nationally. Over the past seven years, his teams have achieved multiple Top-3 and Top-5 finishes in major national USAV, JVA, and AAU events and have been crowned Palmetto Region Champions both times they entered the competition. Bing has coached and trained athletes across every age group from U13 through U18 and leads libero training for the club’s top teams. He also mentors coaches in the use of Hudl performance re-
ports to enhance player and team development. His contributions to the sport have also been recognized with a League One Volleyball (LOVB) Coach of the Month honor. Volleyball is a family passion for the Bing family. Derek and his wife, Rebekah, have three daughters— Sidney, Emily Charles, and Anne Bradley—who all played volleyball. Their youngest daughter was named the 2024 Charlotte Observer Player of the Year and is currently a freshman playing for the University of South Carolina. Kings Mountain High School looks forward to the leadership, experience, and championship culture Coach Bing will bring to the volleyball program as he begins this exciting new chapter.
KM City Council meeting features debate on data centers, rights, and new infrastructure plans By Allyson Parker The Kings Mountain City Council chambers became a stage of debate on March 10 as city leaders and residents clashed over the future of technology, the protection of Amendment One rights, and new plans for community infrastructure. The Data Center Divide The most contentious topic centered on a moratorium on new data centers. Resident Christina Hildeb-
ran thanked the council for the pause, calling it "the responsible" move, but questioned why Council members Scott Neisler and Tyler Fletcher originally voted against it, asking if there were "conflicts of interest" involved. Councilman Neisler defended his stance, citing concerns over losing economic development opportunities and remarking that "I think it is great to have that kind of debate out in public without that kind of scrutiny." Meanwhile, Councilman Fletcher urged residents to reach out to him directly before "attacking," noting his vote was simply to allow more time to under-
stand the complex process. Amendment One Concerns The meeting began with sharp criticism from resident Jackson Cloninger regarding the city’s picket ordinance. Cloninger delivered a pointed reminder to all the council members, arguing that Amendment One rights must never take a back seat to local ordinances. "An issue as serious as Constitutional rights being violated in the city we live in, and you work for, should take precedence." — Jackson Cloninger, Kings Mountain Resident See COUNCIL, Page 4A
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Dr. Stephen Fisher, Superintendent of Cleveland County Schools, announced on February 27, 2026, his intention to retire from the position effective July 1, 2026. After spending over three decades within the Cleveland County school system—including twelve years as Superintendent— Dr. Fisher has decided to step down to allow another individual to build their own legacy. His extensive list of accomplishments encompasses success as a classroom math teacher, a long-term administrator, and the executive leader for the Board of Education. He is also the current President of the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA) for the 2025–2026 term. Regarding academic achievements, Dr. Fisher implemented and championed programs to recognize and award both staff and students, including
DR. STEPHEN FISHER the Career and College Promise (CCP) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. His deep commitment to family and local students is shared by his wife, Monica, who is a local teacher. The couple has two sons, both of whom are graduates of Kings Mountain High School. Finding a replacement for Dr. Fisher may be a difficult task for the Cleveland County School Board, which carries the responsibility of appointing a new Superintendent. Fisher’s length of service suggests he was incredibly success-
ful in maintaining stability and community trust throughout his tenure. The process of finding his replacement has already begun. In North Carolina, the Superintendent is not an elected official but is instead hired under a written contract of employment. The following board members will be responsible for overseeing the search and making a new selection: Joel Shores (Chairman), Aaron Bridges (Vice Chairman), Danny Blanton, Ronnie Grigg, Walter Scott Spurling, Ron Humphries, David Fisher, Gloria Sherman and Kenneth Ledford. While several of these members (Blanton, Bridges, Grigg, and Spurling) were involved in the recent March 3 primary election, the current board will complete the hiring and contracting process to ensure a new leader is in place for the July 1 transition.
Gold Medusa Coffee Co.
A legacy brewed to perfection…full of flavor By: Allyson Parker Tucked inside the Imperial Mercantile building at 138 West Mountain St, is the local, artisan coffee shop, Gold Medusa Coffee Co. Whether you are a local or a visitor to Kings Mountain, a visit to the shop may be one trip worth taking. The owner, Julian Guzman, who comes from a family with four generations of experience as coffee farmers, made the decision to utilize his experience in a retail environment, Since he has extensive knowledge of all facets of the coffee industry, he pours that lifetime of knowledge into every cup. Each cup starts with a quality product and is brewed to perfection to meet the customers satisfaction. Julian realizes that everyone is not a coffee enthusiast, so there are other drinks like old fashioned sodas and hot chocolate. “There is something for everyone to choose from so that no customer is left out of the experience”, said Julian,
JULIAN GUZMAN Julian is in agreement with Katie Stone (Manager of Imperial Mercantile), about the importance of community and how the best advertisement comes from satisfied customers, “We want our customers to have a good experience and that means they are satisfied with our products and service and they enjoy their time with us at the coffee shop or mercantile”, added Julian. Jamie Hook, a resident of Gastonia, NC, and a self-described coffee enthusiast, shares a deep appreciation for the shop. “I am a coffee enthusiast, and I met Julian a couple of
years ago. I love the taste of his traditional coffee and have been a customer there since he opened. My favorite is the Mocha Latte. It is awesome. I also think highly of Julian as a person. He is a Marine veteran and an avid dog lover. In fact, if customers are accompanied by their dogs, Julian immediately greets them with ‘pup cup.’” The menu includes everything from traditional brews to specialized lattes. Julian uses several different brewing methods according to the customer’s desire for a full-bodied flavor or silky flavors. Customer favorites include the Mocha Latte, Cookie Dough, and Blueberry Cobbler. Katie Stone joined in the conversation by adding: “Banana Bread is delicious; it’s like drinking banana bread with a wonderful cinnamon taste, it is seriously great!” Gold Medusa Coffee Co. hours: • Monday: Closed • Tuesday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm • Friday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm • Sunday: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
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