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704-466-6008 Volume 134 • Issue 43
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
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KM residents involved in Gaston Co. double homicide/suicide On Monday October 24, at about 3:15 pm, the Gaston County Police Department responded to the 300 block of Robinson Clemmer Road near Dallas, NC, in reference to a vehicle accident. Responding public safety officials located a vehicle off the roadway. Bullet holes were observed in the driver’s window. Three people were located deceased in the vehicle. Initial reports indicated the incident had occurred between 3:00-3:15 pm; closer to the time the incident was reported to the Gaston County Communications Center, but detectives determined the shooting and subsequent vehicle wreck occurred prior to 1:30 pm. A social media post was located showing the vehicle wrecked at approximately 1:50 pm. No reports were made to law enforcement until 3:13 pm. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Darlene Hardin, white female, 57, of Corvette Lane in Kings Mountain.
The front seat passenger was identified as Benjamin Barett Simmons, white male, 65, of Hargrove Avenue in Gastonia. The backseat passenger was identified as David James Bright, white male, 34, of Corvette Lane in Kings Mountain. Mr. Bright has been identified as the suspect in this double homicide. Mr. Bright died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Gaston County Police Department would like to acknowledge the assistance provided by Dallas Police, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Gaston County Sheriff, Gaston Emergency Medical Services, and Spencer Mountain Volunteer Fire Department. This is an on-going investigation. If you have information pertinent to the investigation, the Gaston County Police encourages you to contact Det. J. P. Brienza at 704-866-3320. Information can also be provided through Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000.
Journey down the Yellow Brick Road while meeting Oz characters and trick-or-treating along the way. An outdoor screening of The Wizard of Oz will begin on October 28 at 6:30 p.m.
The BAND OF OZ will take the stage at Liberty Falls Amphitheatre at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 29. (Photos provided)
Fun events for the entire family
Follow the Yellow Brick Road downtown this weekend The City of Kings Mountain has planned a variety of events for all ages downtown Kings Mountain on October 28 thru 30. Activities include costume contests, parades, trick-ortreating, movies, live music, hayrides, and fun for the entire family. THE GREAT PUMPKIN PARADE The City of Kings Mountain will host The Great Pumpkin Parade, Friday, October 28. The parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall. Little ghosts and gob-
lins will travel from City Hall to The Gazebo at Patriots Park, by way of Gold St, Battleground Ave., Mountain Ave., and Railroad Ave. Trick-or-Treat, bags of sweets, ghosts and goblins are walking down the street! After a two-year hiatus, the Great Pumpkin Parade is back. The City of Kings Mountain invites little pumpkins ages 0 thru first grade and their parents to City Hall to begin a spell bounding journey to Patriots Park where music, inflatables and games await at
every turn. The parade will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. See you there if you dare! THE WONDERFUL ADVENTURE TO OZ Lions! Tigers! Bears! Oh My! In celebration of the 83rd anniversary of the release of the Wizard of Oz, Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29, at 6:00 p.m., the City of Kings Mountain will transform Patriots Park, in downtown Kings Mountain, to the magical Land of Oz. Journey down the Yel-
low Brick Road while meeting Oz characters and trick-or-treating along the way. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs or blankets! An outdoor screening of The Wizard of Oz will begin on October 28 at 6:30 p.m. The adventure and activities include a costume contest on Saturday and a hayride on both nights. BAND OF OZ Liberty Falls Amphitheatre will turn into the Emerald City as the Band of Oz takes the stage at 6:30 p.m. See WEEKEND, Page 5A
Christmas Vendor Show at Trackview Hall on November 5 By Loretta Cozart
KMFD arrives on scene just after midnight on October 15. See more photos on page 4A. Photos by KMFD
KMFD responds to fire at abandoned building October 15 By Loretta Cozart On Saturday, Oct. 15 at 12:15 a.m., Kings Mountain Fire Department’s A-shift Station 1 and Station 2 were dispatched to a commercial
fire in a vacant building. They arrived to find the building fully engulfed in flames. Companies were on scene for approximately 4 hours and the fire was fully extinguished. KMFD received automatic aid from Bethlehem VFD and Oak Grove VFD. No injuries were reported, and all units were returned to service.
Trackview Hall announced its second Christmas Vendor Show on Saturday, November 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. downtown at 205 S. Battleground Avenue in Kings Mountain. Vendors have a variety of offerings including Christmas crafts, paintings, wood art, custom shirts, tumblers, jewelry, boutique clothes, food, and desserts, among other items. The first 10 adults will receive a $10 gift card for any vendor. There will also be free prize drawings and giveaways.
Last year’s Christmas Vendor show drew a large crowd and supported many local artisans. Photo by Loretta Cozart
Royal T Café holds fall festival By Loretta Cozart Last Saturday, October 22, Royal T Café held their first Fall Festival at 405 S. Battleground Avenue in Kings Mountain. The café, owned by Taylor Caldera, opened earlier this year, and had their ribbon cutting ceremony with the Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce on June 30. They are located in the former First Citizens Bank building between Farmers Home Fur-
niture and Mr. Tire. Festival activities included face painting, hayrides, pumpkin painting, making caramel apples, music, and lots of candy being given away at a trunk-or-treat. They even had a bounce house for the children and a costume contest. Families with children streamed in throughout the afternoon to join in the fun. Regarding the festival, Taylor said, “The event was See ROYTAL T, Page 5A
Taylor Caldera, owner of Royal T Café, joins in the fun as she prepares coffee for customers. (photos by Loretta Cozart)
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