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www.KMinsure.com Volume 138 • Issue 23
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
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One more movie, one more memory
KM firefighter reflects on a ZOOTOPIA 2 closes out career built on community Second Saturday Movies By Loretta Cozart
at the the Joy Theatre As summer arrives and school has let out, families have one more opportunity to enjoy a free morning of fun together at downtown Kings Mountain's historic Joy Theatre. Kings Mountain Forward and Kings Mountain Little Theatre invite families to the final installment of the popular Second Saturday Movies at the Joy series on Saturday, June 13, at 10:30 a.m., featuring Disney's highly anticipated Zootopia 2. The showing is sponsored by Gutter Guys, Inc. Over the past several months, the Second Saturday Movies series has welcomed families from across the community to enjoy classic and contemporary family favorites on the big screen. Now, the series concludes with what promises to be one of the year's most exciting, animated adventures. The movie will be shown
at the historic Joy Theatre, located at 202 S. Railroad Avenue in downtown Kings Mountain. Best of all, admission is completely free, and every guest will receive complimentary popcorn and a drink. "It's been wonderful to see families, friends, and neighbors gathering together at the Joy Theatre each month," said Kings Mountain Forward Executive Director Loretta Cozart. "This series was created to provide affordable family entertainment while encouraging people to spend time together in downtown Kings Mountain. We hope everyone will join us one last time to celebrate the
conclusion of a great season." The Second Saturday Movies series was made possible through the generous support of local businesses and community partners who believe See ZOOTOPIA, Page 2A
For more than four decades, firefighting has been a part of life for Kings Mountain native Jamie Black, who retired after 41 years of service to the Kings Mountain Fire Department on June 4. Born at Kings Mountain Hospital and raised on Monte Vista Drive just a few blocks from downtown, he has spent nearly his entire life in the community he served. “I went to West Elementary, and then Central for 6th and 7th grades. Junior High was 8th and 9th grade, and high school was 10th through 12th grade,” he recalled. “I graduated in 1984.” He leaves behind a career that began almost by chance and evolved into a lifelong calling. The path to the fire service started with neighbors who were firefighters. One was a full-time firefighter, John Wright, and another, Randy Short, served as a volunteer. It was a conversation with Randy that ultimately changed his life. “Randy was helping me put a door on my house, and
JAMIE BLACK (Photo by KMFD) we started talking about firefighting,” he said. “He had a pager on his side, and he said, ‘The fire department has some openings. You should consider it.’ So, I thought about
it.” At the time, he was working at Kings Mountain Auto Supply when then-Fire Chief
See FIREFIGHTER, Page 5A
Tickets available for Kings Mountain Forward’s KMLT "1776, The Musical" Kings Mountain Little Theatre, Inc. is pleased to announce ticket availability for "1776, The Musical" at the Joy Theatre on June 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28, 2026. The play is produced in celebration of “America 250”. Director Ashley DeMar, Assistant Director Jeremy Homesley, and Music Director Christina Littlejohn bring a talented cast to the Joy stage. Tickets may be purchased at www.kmlt.org, tickets@kmlt.org, or by calling the Joy 704-7309408. Adult tickets are $20, Students, Senior Citizens, and Groups of 12 or more of any age are $10. Season members of all levels make a reservation at tickets@ kmlt.org or call 704-7309408. The seminal event in American history blazes to vivid life in this most unconventional of Broadway hits. 1776 puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the men behind the national icons: proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty and ultimately noble figures, determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation. It's the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence...if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! 1776 follows John Adams of
after-hours on June 18 Kings Mountain Forward announces that its after-hours event will take place on June 18 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., at the KM RV Resort, located at 241 Battleground Road in Grover, just off I-85 at exit 2 (Hwy. 216 S). Kings Mountain RV Resort is both the host and sponsor of this event. Prop-
KMLT “1776, THE MUSICAL” REHEARASAL – Dennis Delamar (left) plays Benjamin Franklin. (Photos provided)
erty Manager Jeanette McClure is eager to welcome local businesses and share what their resort offers. Amenities include pickleball, a community fire pit, cornhole, basketball,
and ping-pong. Guests can swim in the pool, relax by the campfire — everything you need for a peaceful getaway. Join local business owners and community partners as they share an opportunity to network, learn more about KM RV Resort, and strengthen our business relationships. See you there!
Congressman Tim Moore secures $4.3 million for NC-14 in House-Passed Agriculture Appropriations Legislation
Grover Fire Department to receive $1 million grant for replacement facility Jeremy Homesley (left) plays Thomas Jefferson. Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence. 1776 is America’s Prize-Winning Musical with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone. It is based on a concept by Sher-
man Edwards. The original production was directed by Peter Hunt and produced on the Broadway Stage by Stuart Ostrow. The show is based on the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, telling a story of the efforts of John Adams to persuade his colleagues to vote for American independence and to sign the document. The show premiered on Broadway in 1969 where it received acclaim and won See TICKETS, Page 4A
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 8646, the FY27 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act on June 4. This legislation puts American farmers and rural communities first by investing in rural infrastructure, strengthening agricultural supply chains, safeguarding our food supply, protecting American agriculture from foreign threats, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.
The legislation also includes more than $4.3 million in Community Project Funding requests secured by Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14) for emergency response and public safety infrastructure across North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District. “Funding rural America means investing in the communities that drive our nation’s economy and way of life,” said Congressman Tim Moore. “I’m proud to bring $4.3 million home to Western North Carolina to fund the Spindale and Grover Fire Stations and the
Rutherford County Emergency Services Building — all three will ensure faster emergency response times. I will continue to fight for investments that strengthen public safety and keep our region a great place to live, work, and raise a family.” Specifically, this legislation includes $2,328,067 for the Town of Spindale to construct a new, centrally located fire station, replacing the current facility, which is over 50 years old and landlocked. The current station lacks adequate living quarters for 24-hour See BILL, Page 3A
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