Alexander County man stopped for drink, “stunned” to win $100,000 RALEIGH – Daniel Costner of Taylorsville stopped to get a drink, tried his luck on a new lottery game, and found himself the first winner of the game’s $100,000 prize, according to a NC Lottery Commission press release. “I was stunned,” Costner said. “I had…

By MICAH HENRY Whether it was a car or truck or some other vehicle, all types have passed through the bays of Pearson’s Automotive in the long tenure of brothers Raleigh and Coy Pearson. The two brothers had about three years prior experience running a service station in Catawba County for a friend when they…

By MICAH HENRY For five decades, the local company Craftmaster Furniture has produced quality upholstered sofas and chairs. The company management and employees recently marked the milestone with a 50th anniversary celebration, said CEO Roy Calcagne, including with associates who have been at the company the entire half century. He noted that Craftmaster was incorporated…

By MICAH HENRY A new group is hoping to improve the lives of convicted felons, reduce recidivism (the likelihood they will offend again), and create better outcomes for all Americans. New Hope Initiative (NHI), incorporated a year ago, is “a collective of felons and families of felons who believe in the need for major criminal…