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East Mountain Street 704.739.3611 106 Kings Mountain, NC 28086
www.KMinsure.com Volume 138 • Issue 10
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Community Water Forum to be held March 17, 6pm at Patrick Senior Center The City of Kings Mountain invites you to attend a Public Forum on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., to discuss important updates regarding our community’s water quality. Water Quality Public Forum Tuesday, March 17, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
H. Lawrence Patrick Senior Center 909 E King Street, Kings Mountain, NC 28086 During this meeting, City staff will provide information about the City’s water system, water quality, ongoing actions, and future improvements planned to continue providing safe and reliable
water service for our community. The City is pleased to share that a City Water Updates page is now live on their website. This page will serve as a central location for the latest water updates and information. You can view the page at: https://www.cityofkm. com/828/City-Water-Updates
Incumbent upsets and record low turnout define 2026 Cleveland County Primary The March 2026 primary election in Cleveland County delivered a night of political shifts and surprising upsets, even as local officials expressed concern over historically low participation at the polls. Clifton Philbeck, Director of the Cleveland County Board of Elections, reported that while the voting process “went smooth” across the county’s precincts, the turnout was “one of the lowest” he could recall for a major primary cycle. Despite the quiet atmosphere at polling sites, the results spoke loudly, particularly in the race for North Carolina House District 110. In a significant upset, newcomer Caroline Eason unseated 15-year incumbent Kelly Hastings. Eason secured the Republican nomination with 53.7% of the total vote, bolstered by a strong showing in neighboring Gaston County. She will move on to face Democrat Mary Silver in November. Local Primary Results at a Glance NC House Dist. 110 Caroline Eason 53.7% County Commissioner Wayne King 25.9% County Commissioner Doug Bridges 16.5% School Board (1st) Danny Blanton 17.1% School Board (2nd) Ronnie Grigg 15.0% School Board (3rd) Robert Queen 12.8%
CAROLINE EASON
WAYNE KING
DOUG BRIDGES
School Board (4th) Aaron Bridges 11.9% School Board & Commissioners The Republican primary for the Cleveland County Board of Education saw three DANNY BLANTON ROBERT QUEEN incumbents and one former member qualify for the general election. Danny Blanton maintained his status as a top vote-getter with 17.1%, followed by Ronnie Grigg and Robert Queen. AARON BRIDGES However, the RONNIE GRIGG fourth and final Looking Ahead advancing spot remains in to November question. Incumbent Aaron The Democratic field, Bridges leads challenger Shelia Canipe by a razor-thin which saw fewer contested 0.2% margin. Under North primary races, is now set. Carolina law, Canipe is el- The Republican winners will igible to request a formal face a Democratic slate that recount, as the difference is includes Phillip Glover, Dena well below the 1% threshold. Green, and Coleman Hunt In the race for County for the school board, while Commissioner, newcomer Stormy Mongiello and David Wayne King led the RepubPeace will vie for the comlican field with 25.9% of the vote. Running on a “No New missioner seats. The general election is Taxes” platform, King will join incumbent Doug Bridges scheduled for November 3, 2026. on the November ballot.
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
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KMPD and local merchants unite to end crime in KM By Allyson Parker On Thursday, March 6, 2026, the Kings Mountain Police Department, in conjunction with Kings Mountain Forward and area retailers, held a meeting at Joy Theatre. The meeting, which began at 5:30 p.m., was informative in nature and included a question and answer opportunity. The gathering was called in response to several larcenies, as well as a breaking and entering event, which all occurred in the downtown area of Kings Mountain between late February 2026 and early March 2026. The idea behind the meeting was to educate merchants on the foreshadowing of criminal events and the resources that may safely be implemented to avoid crime from occurring, as well as guarding merchandise and being vigilant of surroundings. Foreshadowing and Prevention Patrol Captain Josh Bryant served as the main presenter for the evening. He emphasized the importance of identifying typical events that foreshadow criminal behavior. One specific trend discussed was the use of a "decoy partner," a tactic used during the most recent downtown incidents. In these cases, two people collaborate; one person distracts the retail clerk so the
other has time to remove items from the store. Assistant Chief Kenneth Hamrick verified the department's latest allocators for the prevention of crime, while Captain Gerald Childress delivered opening remarks regarding "the community working together to reduce crime." Digital Tools and De-escalation Captain Buddy Black conveyed a message regarding administrative support and the duty of providing a direct link to ordering police reports. He introduced a streamlined digital portal which allows business owners to upload high-definition surveillance footage directly to investigators. Other key topics included effective methods of de-escalation techniques beneficial to retailers, retail crime trWends, and the business liaison program. During the question and answer session, a recurring concern surfaced regarding the right of a store owner or staff to approach a criminal. Chief Childress made the department's stance clear, stating: "Your life is what matters. Let the police handle the criminals.” Actionable Steps for Retailers The KMPD noted several positive steps to help avoid criminal incidents: Visibility: Maintain clear signage and organized
stores that provide clerks with a clear view. Exterior Maintenance: Increase business visibility with clear windows and trimmed shrubbery. Staffing: Have more than one staff member per shift. Technology: Install cameras and ensure staff are educated on using those systems. Awareness: Be able to notice customers who act suspicious or "don't seem to belong." Reporting: Understand when to dial 911 versus when to call the regular police number. A Commitment to Prosecution One of the KMPD's main goals is to show a presence in retail areas to dissuade crime. Officers clearly advocated prosecution of criminals by urging merchants to pursue all prosecutor efforts and do not drop charges midway through the process. A Message of Unity The message of unity resonated throughout the theater. As one officer stated, "This isn't about you (the Merchant) or about me (as an officer) it is about us & how we can solve a problem together." As Loretta Cozart closed the meeting, she added, "we are a community and we must work together to solve our problems."
KMLT auditions for 1776 Kings Mountain Little Theatre and their sponsors announce auditions for 1776, a musical with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone. Auditions will take place on Friday, March 13 from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM, and Saturday, March 14 from 2:00 PM-4:00 PM at the Joy Theatre at 202 S Railroad Ave, Kings Mountain, NC 28086. Performances will be June 19-21 and June 26-28. There are roles for 20-25 men, 2 women, plus additional ensemble roles. All are welcome to audition. 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 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.
Please visit www.kmlt. org or call the Joy box office at (704) 730-9408 for further information. Online ticket sales for 1776 will open on April 27th. For more detailed information or to learn about becoming a supporter, please visit our website or the Kings Mountain Little Theatre Facebook page. Kings Mountain Little Theatre, Inc. is a volunteer based, 501c3 tax-exempt community theater. It owns and operates the Joy Theatre and the Liberty Mountain Garden. It is a funded affiliate of the Cleveland County Arts Council and is supported in part by a Grassroots Grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, a state agency.
Easter Sunrise Service at East Lunar Observation at KM Gold Street Wesleyan Church Gateway Trail March 25 gins at 7:00 AM on Sunday, April 5. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the service, as we worship our risen Savior as a community of believers. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Scott Whitney at (704) 461-8651.
Come out to the Kings Mountain Gateway Park in Kings Mountain, NC on March 25, 3:00pm till 9:00pm for Lunar observing with the largest portable aperture telescope from South Carolina. This is a FREE event hosted by the Park
WE WILL BUY YOUR CAR TODAY!
and the Cleveland County Astronomical Society. Weather permitting with a rain date of the 26th of March. For more info call Don Brooks at 864-219-7290 or email baobservatory@gmail.com.
565 Oak Street, Forest City, NC
828-245-1626 www.legendaryford.com
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The Kings Mountain Ministerial Association is hosting the annual Easter Sunrise Service at East Gold Street Wesleyan Church (701 East Gold Street). The service be-