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Volume 135 • Issue 14
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Easter Sunrise Service planned The Kings Mountain Ministerial Association will be leading in an Easter Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday, April 9 at 7:00 A.M. at Mountain Rest Cemetery in Kings Mountain. The service will be held around the huge white cross. Brother Chris Waldt, Lay Assistant to the Pastor at East Gold Wesleyan Church, will bring the Easter Sunrise message. Special music will be provided by Mr. Bill McMurrey and Mr. Johnathan Frady. Rev. Scott Whitney, Pastor of the East Gold Street Church
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
Chief Jeff Ledford looks back on career at SPD By Loretta Cozart
will lead the service. In the event of inclement weather, the service will be moved to Eastside Baptist Church, 308 York Road. Everyone is invited to come and worship as we celebrate the greatest event in history—the Resurrection of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ!
EASTER EGG HUNT AT THE AMERICAN LEGION – Otis D. Green American Legion Post 155 in Kings Mountain announces their 10th annual Easter Egg Hunt at the post home at 613 E. Gold Street on Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for children ages 1 – 12. This family friendly event is open to the public. A hotdog lunch will be served.
75¢
On Friday, March 31 at 4 p.m., Shelby Police Chief Jeff Ledford retired, signing off for the last time after 30years of service with the department. He was quick to thank others for pointing him toward a career in law enforcement. After graduating from Kings Mountain High School in 1986, he began his path into public service when he joined the Kings Mountain Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter at the age of 18. Chief Ledford was born, raised, and continues to live in Kings Mountain. He is the son of the late Harold and Rachel Ledford. “My Godfather was David Corn, and he had a heavy influence on me. He had worked at Kings Mountain Police Department before going on to the state to instruct officers in use of the Intoxilyzer. On his advice, I studied Criminal Justice and went into the Police Academy in 1991. He introduced me to
CHIEF JEFF LEDFORD Shelby Police Department, and I began my career here in 1992. I was promoted to chief fifteen years ago and have been fortunate to work my entire career in one place.” When asked if any event in his career stands out in his mind, Chief Ledford answered saying, “I’ve spent the last couple of months reflect-
ing about that and there is not one single moment that was the moment. I would have to say that moment is made up of lots of different moments, if that makes sense?” “It is made up of all the people I’ve worked for. I came up under some good leaders and mentors. They helped me, and not just peo-
ple from Shelby. Those I worked alongside watching what they did every day, it was just humbling to watch,” he said. “Lots of moments in the last five years stand out, watching how officers have handled and worked with groups in the community. And this was before the time that the national narrative was police being against the community. The people I work alongside take customer service very seriously, engaging the community. It is amazing how the community has rallied around us. We have had our dark days, but I have been blessed for 30-years to be part of this group.” According to Chief Ledford, the program he takes immense pride in is Partners for Change, started in 2012. He feels this group has strengthened community relations and community cohesion. “I didn’t do this myself,” he was quick to point out. “This group was formed by several pastors, community leaders, See LEDFORD, Page 5A
Bill filed banning foreign adversaries to buy NC farmland On March 28, state House Majority Leader John Bell filed the N.C. Farmland and Military Protection Act, House Bill 463, to prohibit China, Russia, Iran and other foreign adversaries and state-controlled entities from purchasing agricultural land, including property surrounding military bases. Primary sponsors include Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland), Rep. Jeff Zenger (R-Forsyth) and Rep. Jennifer Balkcom (R-Henderson). “Allowing foreign adversaries to purchase farmland is
a legitimate concern in rural North Carolina and poses a serious risk to our national and food security,” said Rep. Bell. “By putting a halt to these land grabs, this bill will protect our state’s most precious natural resources while further safeguarding our military instillations. It is critical that we act now to mitigate this unnecessary threat to our state and nation.” The legislation, which has the support of the N.C. Farm Bureau, becomes effective on January 1, 2024, and applies only to land acquired on and after that date.
Last week, KMPD responded to a residence on Garrison Drive in reference to a dispute over services rendered putting out pine straw. Two black males driving a red in color Ford F250 with Georgia plates solicited an elderly citizen to hire them to put pine
straw out at $9.00 a bale. The work took approximately one hour to complete when the males provided the citizen with an invoice for $3800.00 after only putting out an estimated 12 to 15 bales of pine straw. These “SCAMMERS” misrepresented to the citizen that the ($9.00 per bale) was $9.00 per bundle, which was described by the See KMPD, Page 2A
Members of the Gateway Trail Committee, politicians, and stakeholders posed for the ribbon cutting for Kings Mountain’s newest playground. See more photos on page 5A. Photos provided
KM Gateway Trail Playground ribbon cutting By Loretta Cozart Kings Mountain Gateway Trail held a ribbon cutting on Friday, March 31 at 3:30 p.m. for the new playground at 807 S. Bat-
tleground Ave., in Kings Mountain. Shirley Brutko thanked the folks that made the playground possible and introduced Tim Moore, Speaker of the NC House.
Speaker Moore spoke about the financial gift from the state that helped make the playground possible and added that 2023 is the Year of the Trails for North Carolina and how important
trails are to the state. For more information about the Gateway Trail, call: 704-685-3549 OR 704739-9663 or email Shirley Brutko at “sbrutko@att. net“.
14th annual KMPD warns of Gateway Trail Runs pine straw scam had huge turnout The Kings Mountain Gateway Trail Run was a big success even with a little rain. Over 180 runners signed up for the runs, 10Mile & 5K. Thirty-five pottery trophies were awarded to the 10Mile runners and 47 were awarded to the 5K runners. The run t-shirts featured the new North Carolina “Year of the Trail” logo for 2023.
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Director, Kings Mountain Gateway Trail, Inc. Shirley Brutko said, “Approximately 16 volunteers helped with the run. Starr and Neil Dowell, of Finish Well Timing, did an awesome job of timing the runners. Taylor Caldera from Royal T Café, as well as Ronnie & Rita Franks, helped with drinks and refreshments for the crowd.”
The Gaston Runners Club participated in the KM Trail run on Saturday, March 25. Photo by Starr Dowell
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