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704-466-6008 Volume 135 • Issue 4
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
75¢
Kings Mountain Fire Chief Tommy Harmon speaks to the crowd at the Monday, Jan. 23, 2023 QRV presentation. (photos by Michael Powell)
Steve Crump is presented the Key to the City by Mayor Neisler. See more photos on page 3A. Photos by Angela Padgett
City of KM; Gaston Co. partner to provide KM Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther enhanced EMS service to area residents King, Jr. Day By Loretta Cozart Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was remembered by the citizens of Kings Mountain in an observance held on Monday, January 16 at 2 p.m. at the Joy Performance Theater. Opening remarks were brought by Mayor Scott Neisler, followed by the invocation by Mayor Pro Tempore, Annie Thombs. “Meet Dr. King,” of Bright Star Touring Theatre of Asheville, was brought to life by actors Lauren Ainsworth and Ryan Anthony. Keynote Speaker, Steve Crump, Emmy Award winning journalist at WBTV, shared the legacy of Dr. King, his impact on our area, and his everlast-
ing imprint on civil rights in America. Crump spoke of King’s trips to Charlotte and South Carolina’s St. Helena Island. Those trips to the SC low country reduced his risk for arrest and allowed his creative juices to flow in a relaxed environment. While changes continue supporting civil rights, Crump reminded those in attendance there is much left to do to achieve Dr. King’s dream. Afterward, Mayor Neisler presented Crump with a key to the City of Kings Mountain. Henry Gilmore, III paid musical tribute to Dr. King by singing “Amazing Grace and “We Shall Overcome,” during the observance.
Kings Mountain; western Gaston County residents will soon see new, bright green QRV unit responding to calls By MICHAEL E. POWELL
On Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, the City of Kings Mountain Fire Department and Gaston County Emergency Services (GEMS) partnered with each other to provide a new Quick Response Vehicle, or QRV, to the Kings Mountain Fire Department. One thing is for sure… you WILL see this emergency vehicle coming; it is painted a bright, neon green and will be VERY visible, noted one of the folks attending the afternoon press and public meeting. The new vehicle, according to KMFD Fire
Cleveland County appoints American Interim County Manager Legion At its January 17 meeting, the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners announced the appointment of interim County Manager Todd Carpenter. Mr. Carpenter will assume the role effective February 1, 2023, and will replace outgoing County Manager Brian Epley, who has accepted a position with another county in the same role. Carpenter is a lifelong Cleveland County resident who brings more than 38 years of local government experience to the interim position. “I am thrilled for the opportunity to work with the great team in place in Cleveland County,” Carpenter said. “I look forward to steering the ship as the Board conducts a search for a permanent manager. I’m thankful for the trust placed in me by the Board of Commissioners and I look forward to
Male Beauty Contest
By Loretta Cozart
TODD CARPENTER Interim County Manager Photo by City of Gastonia
getting to work.” Board of Commissioners Chairman Kevin Gordon expressed confidence in Carpenter’s abilities. “We are fortunate to have found such an experienced and knowledgeable leader who is willing to step in on an interim basis to assume the duties of County Manager,” Gordon said. “We welcome Todd to the team and look forward to working with him.” The County Manager See MANAGER, Page 5A
American Legion Post 155 announces their Kings Mountain Male Beauty Contest on January 28, at 7 p.m. Dinner will be served beginning at 6 p.m. They invite all to come have dinner and enjoy an evening of family friendly entertainment. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance. Cost is $12 at the door. Candidates participate in casual wear, evening wear, talent, and impromptu response events. Judges and talent include elected officials, business owners, well-known members of the community, and members of the American Legion. Sponsorships are available. Tickets can be purchased at the American Legion between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, while supplies last.
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The new GEMS QRV, Unit 131, stands at the ready inside the bay of the Kings Mountain Fire Department. Chief Tommy Harmon and Gaston County EMS Chief Mark Lamphiear, will help the two entities “address EMS response times.” According to a media release given out at the 11 a.m. meeting at the KMFD Fire Station, “EMS response times in Kings Mountain and western Gaston County have been a significant issue, most notably to industry on Canterbury Rd., two (2) housing subdivisions, and the I-85/US 74
interchange area.” Chief Harmon spoke and noted he had envisioned a need for an EMS first response by his fire department. “Chief Lamphiear and I began discussions a while back (September 2019) on the needs and plans for making our vision come about; to make it a reality,” said Chief Harmon. Harmon noted the response times in the Gaston County portion of Kings Mountain
Kings Mountain Mayor Scott Neisler delivers his comments at the GEMS QRV vehicle presentation on Monday at the Kings Mountain Fire department. and the western Gaston County area had “…the longest EMS response time of anywhere in the county.” See EMS, Page 5A
Woman dies after stabbing, ex-boyfriend arrested Kings Mountain Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Thursday afternoon, January 19, near 400 Dixon School Road and I-85 on a vehicle of interest, a 2003 BMW 325I occupied by one white male and one white female. The driver was identified as 37-year-old Timothy Prescott Parson and he was placed under arrest without incident and transported to the Kings Mountain Police Department for processing in connection to the murder of 34-year-old Ashley Erin Scoggins. He has been charged with homicide and assault on a female with no bond. The passenger was identified as 42-year-old Tracy Marie Hartis. She was placed under arrest for obstruction of justice and transported to the Kings Mountain Police Department for processing. On January 17, KMPD responded to the Silver Express at 501 E King Street
TIMOTHY PRESCOTT PARSON
TRACY MARIE HARTIS
in reference to a stabbing. Officers discovered that a female had been assaulted with a knife and suffering from life threatening injuries. The next day, the vehicle was located abandoned at a business in Kings Mountain. A search of the area was conducted but at this time Timothy Parson has not been located. The vehicle was seized and is in the possession of the KMPD. Cleveland County
Emergency Medical Services and Kings Mountain Fire responded to the scene along with KMPD to provided medical care. The victim was transported to Kings Mountain Hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries. Parson, the victim's ex-boyfriend, was identified as the assailant. He allegedly assaulted the victim inside of the store before leaving the parking lot in a dark in color gray Nissan Sentra.
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