Scism & Son PAINT AND BODY SHOP
24 HOUR WRECKER SERVICE 704-739-6999 2027 Shelby Road, Kings Mountain, NC
704-730-0050
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Volume 137 • Issue 32
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
75¢
2025 NC Annual BeachBlast Festival celebrates 26th year The 26th annual NC BeachBlast Festival blasts off Friday, August 22, 6-9 pm, with Bantum Rooster presented by Albemarle. Saturday, August 23rd, from noon to 10 pm, enjoy a full day of music and family fun with DJs Johnny B and Eric Bowman and four of the hottest Carolina Beach Music bands in the Southeast – Band of Oz (Noon), Too Much Sylvia (2 pm), Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot (4 pm), and headliner Chairman of the Board (6 pm). Metcon proudly presents the full-day festival. Vendors will be on hand with great food and beverages. The list of vendors includes: • Anna Sweet Treats • Dayne Shingle Shak • Fat and Sassy Concessions • Hopper’s Soul Food • King Concessions • Lunchbox • Pelicans • Pixie Frost Bites • Spirit of America • Tony Tzzzz Grill on Wheels
• Beverage Garden sponsored by the American Legion Post 155 There is fun for the whole family – with inflatables, games, the Kids’ Pavilion sponsored by Carolina Power Partners, Pirate Port, the Rotary Splash Pad, watermelon eating sponsored by Food Lion, swashbuckling pirates, the big Beach Ball Drop sponsored by Sun-Drop, and the third annual BeachBlast Golf Cart Parade. Timeline of Events: August 23rd Patriots Park Gazebo and Attraction Schedule • Noon NC BeachBlast Festival Opens with DJ Mike Hayes and Golf Cart Parade • Watermelon Eating See BEACHBLAST, Page 5A
BAND OF OZ
TOO MIUCH SYLVIA
GARY LOWDER & SMOKIN’ HOT
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
WBT sales manager City of KM issues featured at NEXT LEVEL presentation water update Get ready to elevate your game at this month’s NEXT LEVEL Young Professionals Meetup! KM Forward is thrilled to welcome the energetic Scott Gottlieb, Digital Sales Manager at WBT (Radio One), to Kings Mountain! Mark your calendars for Monday, August 18 at 7:00 p.m. at The Social House by Royal T, because you won’t want to miss this! Join Kings Mountain Forward for an evening packed with energy, networking, and invaluable social media tips. This is your chance to connect with fellow young professionals aged 21 to 41 who are eager to grow their network while enjoying a lively
presentation and social time. Scott is not just your average presenter—he’s a dynamic force in the realm of digital marketing. With over 20 years of experience under
his belt, he has a wealth of knowledge that he shares in a way that’s both engaging and easy to grasp. His charisma and expertise will inspire you to take your social media efforts to the next level! Whether you’re looking to enhance your digital marketing skills or just want to mingle with like-minded individuals, this meetup promises to be a great way to unwind and learn. So come out, have fun, and let’s make some valuable connections! Don’t forget—Scott is a trusted advisor to many businesses across the region, so you’re in for a treat! We can’t wait to see you there!
will be located on the casino’s property near I-85 and is primarily funded by private developers to provide sanitary sewer along KM Blvd from I-85 north to Beason Creek. This project includes a new 600,000 Gallon Per Day lift station as well as a gravity and force main sewer. Project Interceptor’s lift station will be beside the Intermediate School on Kings Mountain Boulevard. Pri-
vate developers fund Project Interceptor to provide sanitary sewer capacity between Kings Mountain Blvd. and Crocker Road. This project includes a new 2.0 million gallon per Day lift station and gravity/force main sewer. The new sewer system will run from Beason Creek towards Dick Elam Road along the Boulevard.
SCOTT GOTTLIEB
By Loretta Cozart In a recent public statement, Dustin Vaughn, Chief Operator of the Kings Mountain Water Treatment Plant, addressed growing concerns and misinformation about the safety of the town’s water supply. Vaughn reassured residents that the water is 100% safe to drink, emphasizing that he and his own family consume it daily.
The taste and odor issues currently affecting the water are due to algae blooms in the lake, specifically compounds known as MIB and geosmin. These naturally occurring substances are harmless to humans and have no known side effects. Weekly testing by Charlotte Labs and the Division of Water Resources has confirmed the presence of these compounds, which are released when algae cells break down during the treatment process. Vaughn reported significant progress: levels of the
compounds dropped from 620 ppb on July 15th to 72 ppb by July 29th, nearing the detection threshold of 50 ppb, meaning most residents should no longer notice any taste or odor. He encouraged anyone still experiencing issues to contact the water plant directly via the city website or phone number provided in the video. To view the recorded statement, visit: https:// www.facebook.com/ share/v/1788AZQ9Mq/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Mexican National pleads guilty Two new lift stations coming to KM to identity theft in Buckeye raid
The City of Kings Mountain is constructing two new lift stations along Kings Mountain Blvd. to assist with future economic development in the Western portions of the city, according to its website at: https://www.cityofkm.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=36 Project Major’s lift station
Seven more face immigration violations Jose De La Cruz-Lopez, 45, an illegal alien from Mexico, pleaded guilty today to misusing a Social Security number and using false immigration identification documents, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District
of North Carolina. Seven additional defendants also have been charged federally following the execution of a search and seizure warrant at Buckeye Fire Equipment Company in Kings Mountain. In addition to De La Cruz-Lopez, two others have also entered guilty pleas. Charges against others are expected after additional investigation. “Identity theft is a perva-
sive problem that can wreak havoc on a victim’s life,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “We take it very seriously, particularly in cases like this where it undermines our employment laws and the integrity of the hiring process. As this investigation continues, we want to remind employers to exercise vigilance and remain alert for counterfeit See GUILTY, Page 5A
We Would Like to Welcome Robert Baker to Our Professional Staff
DENTAL CARE General, Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry
Our Family Has Been Serving the Kings Mountain and Surrounding Communities for Four Generations with Six Dentists Since 1907. ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS: To schedule your appointment
call 704-739-4461
703 E. Kings St., Suite 9, Kings Mountain • www.BakerDentalCare.com
Dr. Robert Baker