DMV schedule changes to increase walk-in availability

The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles reminds customers of changes announced in February to appointment scheduling, walk-in availability, and office hours in order to improve service at its 115 driver license offices across the state.

From Monday, May 1, all customer services statewide have been provided on a walk-in basis after noon. Appointments will only be available in the mornings through the 11 a.m. hour and can be booked at skiptheline.ncdot.gov.

“We’re making adjustments to increase walk-in availability because that’s what we’ve heard our customers want,” said NCDMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin, “and given that about 25% of appointments are no-shows, we will be better able to maximize efficiencies by shifting to more walk-in availability.”

Even with this change, walk-in customers may still have the opportunity for morning-hour service if there is time between scheduled appointments or if a customer does not appear for a scheduled appointment.

Walk-In Wait Time Tool Online:

As appointment scheduling shifts toward more walk-ins, a new feature is available on the NCDMV office locations webpage to show the public the current estimated wait time at driver license offices. This allows customers to see the current estimated wait time at various locations so they can make the best decision on which office to go to, or whether they want to try again another day.

Saturday Hours Began June 3:

As in years past, NCDMV is preparing to offer Saturday hours at 16 locations this summer during its peak season. These offices will open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays from June 3 to Aug. 26: Asheville, Charlotte-University City, Charlotte South, Fayetteville West, Greensboro East, Greensboro West, Greenville, Hudson, Huntersville, Jacksonville, Monroe, Morganton, Raleigh North, Raleigh West, Wilmington South,

Gov. Cooper signs sports wagering into law

and Winston-Salem South. DMV is exploring the potential for adding more Saturday locations as staffing levels permit. Tips to Improve Your DMV Experience: DMV offers the following tips for an improved customer experience:

• Renew early – Don’t wait until the last minute to renew your driver’s license. DMV sends a reminder card to the address on file six months before the expiration date. Customers can renew at any time during this sixmonth window.

• Renew online – In most cases, unless they renewed online last time, customers can renew their credential online.

• Be prepared – Check the DMV website to make sure you bring the required documentation for your desired service. One frequently forgotten item is a printed document proving liability insurance.

• REAL ID – Customers have more time to get their REAL ID as the federal implementation date requiring a REAL ID to fly commercially or to visit federal, military, and nuclear facilities has been moved back two years to May 7, 2025.

Pick up your copy of the Kings Mountain Herald at one of the following locations:

In Grover: Carolina Crossing Restaurant; 218 S. Main St. Grover Post Office; 102 Mulberry Rd. JK’s Food Mart; 2738 E. Cherokee St. Mike’s Food Store; 2731 E. Cherokee St.

Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill 347, Sports Wagering/Horse Racing Wagering, into law on Wednesday, June 14. The bipartisan legislation will authorize and regulate wagering on professional, college and amateur sports and on horse racing in North Carolina.

“This legislation will help North Carolina compete, make sure taxpayers receive a share, create many good-paying jobs and foster strong economic opportunity,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “As we move forward, we should work to make sure more of the revenue is used to invest in our public schools, teachers and students.”

Governor Cooper was joined by representatives from professional sports organizations including the Charlotte Hornets, Carolina Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, Charlotte Football Club, NASCAR and the PGA Tour. The Governor was also joined by Rep. Zack Hawkins, Rep. Jason Saine and Sen. Paul Lowe for the bill signing.

House Bill 347 charges the North Carolina State Lottery Commission with regulating sports wagering and will be responsible for issuing licenses and collecting any license application fees. Licenses will be valid for five years and types of licenses include interactive sports wagering license, service provider license and sports wagering supplier license.

The legislation will create two ways to place a sports wager – in-person at a place of public accommodation or as a registered player via an interactive account. The interactive sports wagering operator would be responsible for ensuring the identity and age of any person trying to place a wager. To place a wager, a person must be at least 21 years of age.

Sports wagers would be authorized on professional sports, college sports, electronic sports, amateur sports or any other event approved by the Commission.

This bill invests the proceeds collected in the Department of Health and Human Services for gambling addiction education and treatment programs; North Carolina Amateur Sports; 13 public universities; major events fund to help bring sporting events and festivals to the state; the North Carolina Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council and the state’s General Fund among other purposes.

How to prepare for extreme heat days

By Loretta Cozart

Piedmont Ave.

Mountain Market; 506 Waco Rd.

Mountain Street Pharmacy; 709 W. Mountain St.

Mountain View Restaurant; 100 E. King St.

Parker’s Amoco and Tires; 908 Shelby Rd.

Rick’s Ole Country Store; 1557 N. Piedmont Ave.

Scotchman; 2120 Shelby Rd.

Shell; 511 Linwood Rd.

Silver Express; 501 E. King St.

Sub Factory; 311 S. Battleground Ave.

Swooger’s; 1016 Shelby Rd.

Three Point Market & Grill; 102 Goforth Rd.

Tom’s Family Mart; 733 Stony Point Rd.

Walgreens; 900 Shelby Rd.

Walmart Neighborhood Market; 1011 Shelby Rd.

Woodbridge Handy Mart; 987 Stony Point Rd.

YMCA; 211 N. Cleveland Ave.

Summer begins today, June 21, and with it comes hot days. Prepare now for extremely hot days by following the advice from the American Red Cross.

Different from a particularly hot day in a week, extreme heat days are a series of hot days that average higher than normal temperatures for our area. Extreme heat is deadly and kills more people than any other weather event. But we can take action to prepare and protect ourselves during a series of hot summer days.

To prepare, learn how to stay hydrated, gather supplies, and make plans to stay cool.

How to Stay Hydrated: You need to drink enough water to prevent heat illness. An average person needs to drink about 3/4 of a gallon of water daily. Everyone’s needs may vary.

• You can check that you are getting enough water by noting your urine color. Dark yellow may indicate you are not drinking enough.

• Avoid sugary, caffeinated, and alcoholic drinks.

• If you are sweating a lot, combine water with snacks or a sports drink to replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.

• Talk to your doctor about how to prepare if you have a medical condition or take medicine.

Gather Emergency Supplies: Gather food, water, and medicine. Stores might be closed. Organize supplies into a Go-Kit and a Stay-at-Home Kit. In the event of a power outage, you may lose access to clean drinking water. Set aside at least one gallon of drinking water per person per day. Consider adding drinks with electrolytes. Include sunscreen and widebrimmed hats.

• Go-Kit: at least three days of supplies that you can carry with you. Include backup batteries and chargers for your devices (cell phone, CPAP, wheelchair, etc.).

• Stay-at-Home Kit: at least two weeks of supplies.

• Have a 1-month supply of medication in a child-proof container and medical supplies or equipment.

• Keep personal, financial, and medical records safe and easy to access (hard copies or securely backed up). Consider keeping a list of your medications and dosages on a small card to carry with you.

Plan to Stay Cool: Do not rely only on electric fans during extreme heat. When temperatures are in the high 90s, fans may not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.

• Spending a few hours each day in air conditioning can help prevent heat illness.

• If you have air conditioning, be sure that it is in working order.

• If you do not have air conditioning or if there is a power outage, find locations where you can stay cool. For example, a public library, shopping mall, or a public cooling center. Plan how you will get there.

• Additional resources may be available from See HEAT, Page 7B