Donnie Jay Shumaker
Donnie Jay Shumaker, 71, born to John Vance Shumaker and Gladys Dishmond Shumaker on October 28, 1954, in Iredell County, passed away peacefully at his home in Iredell County on June 23, 2026. Donnie was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Union Grove. Survivors include his wife, Donna Shumaker, and his children, Michelle Mooe,…
Read MoreJake McCrackin
Jake McCrackin, born May 11, 1968, in Alexander County, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital. Jake spent most of his life working in the furniture industry, including Paladin and Craftmaster. He was preceded in death by the woman who raised him, Icey McCrackin; his father, Judge McCrackin;…
Read MoreBruce Dean Carrigan
Bruce Dean Carrigan, 67, passed away on June 18, 2026, after a period of declining health. He was born September 9, 1958, the fifth child of Clyde and Evelyn D. Carrigan. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Zane Carrigan, and nephew, Mark Burns. His career was in the automotive mechanic…
Read MoreAlexander County School Board member dies in shooting
(Updated at 10:13 a.m., June 18, 2026, to reflect police press release information) A member of the Alexander County Board of Education has been killed in a shooting, according to police reports. The tragedy occurred on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Newton, when 59 year old Robert Arguelles, of Taylorsville, was shot…
Read MoreDistrict announces changes in Soil and Water Board
Chapman, Sink file for seats in Nov. 3 election The Alexander Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) Board has recently had a few changes. Soil & Water Conservation District Boards consist of appointed and elected members who help guide the natural resource conservation district programs for the SWCD Office. Local farmer Myles Payne, who held…
Read MoreAlexander County provides update on water, sewer projects
Alexander County continues to make significant investments in water and sewer infrastructure to expand access, improve system reliability, enhance fire protection capabilities, and support future growth across the county. Several major projects are currently underway and are expected to be completed over the next year. One of the county’s largest efforts is the American Rescue…
Read MoreAdkins named 2026 Father of the Year
By MICAH HENRY It would be hard to find a more upbeat person than The Times’ 2026 Father of the Year, Darrell Adkins. Daughter Lindsey, 33, of Charlotte, wrote the winning essay about him in the newspaper’s 37th Annual contest. With wide smiles, Darrell, 70, and his wife, Sharon, 67, welcomed me to their Hiddenite…
Read MoreCounty Commissioners adopt 2026-2027 budget
The Alexander County Board of Commissioners adopted the 2026-2027 budget by a 3-2 vote, with Chairman Larry Yoder and Vice Chairman Josh Lail voting against the measure. County Manager Justin Mundy presented the official budget ordinance. The new budget includes a 5-cent property tax rate decrease, bringing the tax rate to 60 cents per $100…
Read More“Local Lens” Readers’ Photo of the Week
PHOTO OF THE WEEK: JUNE 17, 2026 The Taylorsville Times’ “Local Lens: Readers’ Photo of the Week” features one picture of local interest in each issue, submitted by a reader. People (with their permission) are shown in their daily activities or special events, pets, farm animals, wildlife, flowers, remarkable sunrises, sunsets, or other suitable pictures…
Read MoreRobert Roger Arguelles
Robert Roger Arguelles was born on March 29, 1967, in Lima, Peru, to Roger and Pam Arguelles. His first present was a train set, which he loved and had to compete with his father and pet bird for playing time. When he was four, his sister, Raquel, was born, and he took his big brother…
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