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Volume 137 • Issue 27
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
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Sophia Kellstrom City of KM Revolutionary 4th crowned Miss NC at Deal Park Walking Track By Loretta Cozart
Congratulations to Sophia Kellstrom of Kings Mountain, was crowned Miss North Carolina this past Saturday, June 28 in High Point. A graduate of Kings Mountain High School, Sophia went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is the reigning Miss Davidson County. Sophia began dance lessons at Dance Reflections in Kings Mountain at the age of 18 months. Regarding her selection as Miss North Carolina, she shared on Facebook, “I’m so incredibly honored to be the 87th Miss North Carolina! I have carried this dream in my heart since the age of 6, and I’m still in shock that my dream has become a reality! “A special thank you to
SOPHIA KELLSTROM everyone who has supported me on this journey, I truly appreciate each and every one of you! ‘I have such big plans for my year of fully committed and dedicated service, and I can’t wait to get to work! North Carolina, let’s Make A Change!” Sophia is the daughter of Garry and Dr. Molora Kellstrom and granddaughter of Dr. Roger and Margaret Woodard.
Celebrate our nation’s independence on Friday, July 4, 2025, as the City of Kings Mountain hosts Revolutionary 4th presented by CaroMont Health. The city will produce this event in honor of our country on its 249th birthday. Bring your family to Deal Park Walking Track for food trucks, inflatable games, an 18-foot slide, bounce houses, and many other surprises. DJ Drew Fulton will serve as the master of ceremonies for
A drone shot captured an aerial photo at last year’s celebration.(Photo provided) the event. Look for a special patriotic program featuring the Lock Norman Pipe Band and a Live Reenactment of the Battle of Kings Mountain from our friends at Liberty Moun-
tain. The event starts at 6:00 pm. The City of Kings Mountain will present its signature, unrivaled fireworks display at 9:45 pm. For more information on
the Revolutionary 4th, contact the City of Kings Mountain’s Marketing, Tourism, and Events Department at 704-730-2101 or visit their website at www.Kings MountainEvents.com.
Governor increases Homeland Security executed reward $25,000 for Asha Degree case search warrant at Buckeye On June 25, Governor Josh Stein announced that the state is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the disappearance of Asha Degree. On February 14, 2000, Asha Degree, who was 9 years old at the time, left her home in Shelby, North Carolina, in the middle of the night and disappeared. Asha’s family last saw her asleep in her bedroom around 2:30 a.m. An hour and a half later, she was seen by drivers walking along NC Highway 18. Her parents reported her missing by 6:30 a.m. The case has remained active and aggressively worked by the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office and other
Equipment Co. last week
ASHA DEGREE local law enforcement agencies since Asha’s disappearance. Anyone with information concerning this case is encouraged to contact the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office at (704) 484-4788 or the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation at (919) 662-4500.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations special agents, in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, executed a federal search warrant at Buckeye Fire Equipment Company on June 25 as part of an active, ongoing criminal investigation. This operation specifically focused on serious allegations of aggravated identity theft and potential federal crimes. As a result of the initial
investigation, 30 people were arrested on-site. “This operation underscores HSI’s unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of our nation’s financial and identification systems. Identity fraud is not a victimless crime — it fuels a range of criminal activity and puts innocent people at risk,” said HSI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant, who also oversees North and South Carolina. “Working alongside our law en-
forcement partners, HSI will continue to pursue those who exploit these systems for personal gain and hold them accountable under federal law.” The following agencies participated in the operation: ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, CBP’s Air and Marine Operations, IRS Criminal Investigations, the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector
General, the North Carolina National Guard, the DEA, the ATF, King’s Mountain Police, the Gaston County Sheriff’s Department and the Gaston County Police Department. If you or someone you know has information related to financial crimes, contact law enforcement using the online tip form. The public’s cooperation is vital in helping protect vulnerable individuals and ensuring accountability.
KMHM’s Moonshine and Motorsports drew the crowds Juneteenth Freedom By Loretta Cozart
Day: A celebration of community By Loretta Cozart A vibrant and enthusiastic crowd filled Patriots Park for Kings Mountain’s 4th annual Juneteenth Celebration, lovingly referred to as Freedom Day! This joyful gathering in downtown Kings Mountain was all about community spirit and togetherness.
Attendees enjoyed a dazzling array of family-friendly activities, live music, and dancing, with the Kings Mountain Family YMCA’s kids’ zone brimming with rides and bouncy houses that kept the little ones entertained throughout the late afternoon and into the evening. The atmosphere was electric with fun, delicious food, laughter, and music, as friends and families reunited and friendships blossomed. See JUNETEENTH, Page 4A
The Kings Mountain Historical Museum was alive with excitement on Saturday, June 28, as the Moonshine and Motorsports Car Show revved up along Mountain Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enthusiasts flocked to the scene, where the air buzzed with engines, camaraderie, and the sweet scent of summer. Arriving early at 8:30 a.m., the Herald couldn’t help but marvel at how the museum had transformed into a gearhead’s paradise. Cars lined the streets, stretching beautifully between Cherokee Street and the Kings Mountain Woman’s Club, as drivers and specta-
Scene from last weekend’s car show. See more photos on page 8A. (Photos provided) tors buzzed with anticipation for what was to come. As the sun climbed higher, the Woman’s Club basement became a haven for fans eager to meet legends from the early days of
racing. Signatures flowed freely, offering visitors a taste of history when the sizzling heat pushed them indoors. Meanwhile, the museum’s exhibition area at 101 E. Mountain Street beckoned
with the stories of moonshine and motorsports. When the show officially kicked off, the excitement reached fever pitch. Owners revved their racecar engines, transforming the center of
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