Youth cattle team brings home National Title
Recently, three local Alexander County young men travelled to Athens, GA, to compete in the first annual National Youth Cattle Working Contest. They were representing North Carolina as the 2025 State Champions. During the September 17 competition, they were tasked with vaccinating, tattooing, ear tagging, DNA sampling, and deworming two cows and one calf. They…
Read MoreState Committee visits Alex. Fire Academy
Members of the State Education and Workforce Innovation Commission (EWIC) met on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the Alexander Central Fire Academy, located in the former Sugar Loaf Fire Department building. The EWIC group, appointed by state and Department of Public Instruction leaders from across the state, has generously supported Alexander County through grants in…
Read MorePlacida Brazinski Montgomery
Placida Brazinski Montgomery, 95, of Beaufort, South Carolina, formerly of Taylorsville, and Allisonia, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Placida was known by friends and family as Pal. Pal was born on October 11, 1930, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the daughter of Adolph B. and Agatha (Stevens) Brazinski. She was a sister to…
Read MoreLonnie L. Shew
Lonnie L. Shew, 92, passed away peacefully at his home in Alexander County on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. He was born on Saturday, February 20, 1933, in Wilkes County, to the late Rev. T.R. Shew and Beulah Porter Shew. Lonnie was of the Baptist faith. He owned and operated Lenoir Woodcarving with his wife, Carfene…
Read MoreBryson Andrew Self
Bryson Andrew Self (aka Bright Sun), 76, of Lincolnton, passed away on October 14, 2025. Born in Gastonia on May 28, 1949, he was the son of the late John Lester Self and Bonnie Lou Mclean Self. Bryson worked in the pest control industry from the age of 18 until retirement. His greatest love was…
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Read MoreBrandon Lee Kerley
Brandon Lee Kerley, 32, of Hickory, passed away on Monday, October 13, 2025, at his home. Brandon was born September 7, 1993, in Iredell County, the son of the late David Lee Kerley and Donna Hutton Cameron. Brandon was of the Baptist faith. He loved his family and was a super devoted uncle. He also…
Read MoreDavid Leroy Stokes
David Leroy Stokes, affectionately known as “Dave” and “Hawkeye,” passed away peacefully at the age of 80 on October 13, 2025, at the Greens of Maple Leaf in Statesville. Born on December 13, 1944, in Alexander County, David was the beloved son of the late James Wiley Stokes and Myrtie Lee Smith Stokes. He was…
Read MoreBetty Kerley
Betty Kerley, 81, of Taylorsville, passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at her home. Betty was born January 20, 1944, in Wilkes County, the daughter of the late Ernest Fortner and Annabelle Kilby Fortner. Betty was a homemaker and worked in the cafeteria at Sugar Loaf Elementary School before retirement. She was a member…
Read MoreLarry Schronce
It is with grief and heartbreak that the family of Larry Schronce announces his passing to his heavenly home on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at his home with his family, who loved and adored him, by his side. Larry was born in Catawba County on December 28, 1940, to Clyde R. Schronce and Nell W.…
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