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Volume 137 • Issue 20
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
75¢
KMPD honors Police CCS issues statement, Officer Roger Goforth The Kings Mountain Police Department announced sad news on its Meta (Facebook) page on May 12: "It is with deep sorrow and profound respect that we announce the passing of Police Officer Roger Goforth." The post continued, "Officer Goforth served our community with unwavering dedication, integrity, and courage for over 30 years as a part-time Police Officer. His commitment to public safety and his fellow officers was evident in every aspect of his work. He was not only a respected member of the force but also a cherished friend, mentor, and family man." "Officer Goforth's passing is a tremendous loss to the department and to the community he so faithfully served. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the honor of knowing him. His legacy of service and sacrifice will never be
settles LGBTQ+ lawsuit
Police Officer Roger Goforth forgotten.” The department emphasized, "Let us honor his memory by continuing to uphold the values he stood for and by supporting one another during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Officer Goforth. Your service will never be forgotten." The post concluded with numerous comments, praise, and gratitude from the community for Officer Goforth's many years of dedication and service.
The Cleveland County Schools Board of Education settled a lawsuit alleging a violation of students' First Amendment rights, announced by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of North Carolina on May 12. The ACLU of NC and Charles Johnson of Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, PA, agreed to a settlement in M.K. v. Fisher, a lawsuit filed in February 2025, al-
Cleveland County S C H O O L S
leging that the Cleveland County Board of Education violated students' rights under the First Amendment and the Equal Access Act, including the rights to free speech, association, and equal access to
school resources. The Board previously prohibited a student group from playing a text-only quiz game highlighting LGBTQ+ people who have made significant contributions to American
society, deeming the activity "indecent." District officials argued that the game violated North Carolina Senate Bill 49, referred to as the NC Parents' Bill of Rights, and district policies. The lawsuit stated the game contains no depictions of sex, violence, illegal drug use, or inappropriate content. It asks students to identify figures like Harvey Milk, See LAWSUIT, Page 5A
KM Forward presents quarterly update to the city On Tuesday, May 13, Kings Mountain Forward provided the city council with a glimpse into the impactful work they’ve been doing in the first quarter of 2025. Executive Director Loretta Cozart took the podium to introduce President David Stone, who shared some thrilling data about the Municipal Service District, the heartbeat of Kings Mountain’s vibrant downtown. Stone shared that, building on the legacy of the Mountaineer Partnership and the City of Kings Mountain’s Main Street Program, Kings Mountain Forward is committed to carrying the torch. Board members and local merchants—many
Kings Mountain Forward’s Executive Director, KMHS football players, and coaching staff pause for a photo after a job well done. (Photos by Beverly Gentry, Nate Blanton, and Loretta Cozart)
of whom were also part of those other boards—have worked diligently to ensure that progress remains steady, no matter which initiative is leading the charge. David Stone highlighted the remarkable investment of $16.15 million in downtown revitalization from 2018 to 2025, with another $10.65 million on the horizon through 2028. These investments are transforming the landscape and creating an inviting atmosphere for both locals and visitors. See UPDATE, Page 4A
Juneteenth celebration is slated for June 21 By Loretta Cozart Kings Mountain’s fourth Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration will take place on Saturday, June 21, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Patriots Park in Kings Mountain and is open to the entire community. The event is sponsored by Albemarle and presented by The Davidson Association, Mauney Memorial Library, and the
City of Kings Mountain. Activities include music, food, vendors, and family fun. Earl V and Company will perform. The Davidson Alumni Resource Center, Inc., is a nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Keep KM Beautiful
KMF and KMHS Football unite to beautify the post office Last Thursday, May 15, the Kings Mountain High School (KMHS) football team rolled up their sleeves and dived into a beautification project that brought together sports and community spirit! From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., 21 enthusiastic players, along with their dedicated coaches, poured their energy into enhancing the Kings Mountain Post Office area, all thanks to an initiative by Kings Mountain Forward. So, what sparked this collaborative effort? Last spring, Cozart, the Executive Director of Kings Mountain Forward, noticed that the post office’s planter beds were in desperate need of some TLC. Once tended to by the Town and Country Garden Club, the area was calling for a fresh touch, and that’s where this team stepped in. With the vision of revitalizing the community, Kings Mountain Forward partnered with the high school and the post office for this rewarding project. Last year, FFA students participated; this year, it’s the football team’s chance
The team gets to work replanting the flower boxes. to make a difference in our community. Under the guidance of Coach and horticulture teacher Nate Blanton, along with his coaching team, the
players showed up ready to work. Their first task was to replace plants in tired planter boxes at the post office entrance, swapping them out for vibrant new
plants that would welcome all visitors. But the biggest challenge awaited them: edging the sidewalks to enhance accessibility for everyone, whether they strolled by or navigated with wheelchairs. Armed with edgers, weed eaters, shovels, and a powerful pressure washer, they transformed the area, moving down Gaston Street and onto E. Gold. Beverly Gentry of Kings Mountain Post Office shared, “The work these players did here today is just amazing. The flower boxes look awesome, and cleaning the sidewalks makes the post office more accessible for all our citizens. We can’t thank the KMHS enough for their partnership and continued support.” This project wasn’t just about physical work; it was a fantastic opportunity for the team to bond, learn new skills, and foster friendships. They even took time to encourage community support for Kings Mountain High School and their football program. One player See POST, Page 5A
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