Area Breaking News

AMONG TOP FIVE IN NATION — Alexander Central High School Beta Club leaders announced that brothers Carter and Parker Payne won fifth place in Performing Arts Solo/Duo/Trio Instrumentalist category at the Beta National Convention. They were up against 41 talented acts and represented ACHS, Alexander County, and North Carolina with grace and humility. They also…

After 35 years of proudly serving as a wireless provider in western North Carolina, Carolina West Wireless has entered into an agreement to transition its wireless network to Verizon and will discontinue its wireless services effective September 30, 2026, according to a press release. Since its founding, Carolina West Wireless has remained committed to delivering…

(Updated at 11:42 a.m., June 24, 2026, to reflect civil case 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 at the…

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…

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…

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…

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…

The Town of Taylorsville experienced a discharge of untreated wastewater on Saturday, June 13, 2026, of an estimated 3,750 gallons at Manhole 482, located in a wooded area adjacent to Taylorsville Cemetery along 1st Avenue Dr. SE, according to a Town press release. The untreated wastewater was discharged into Stirewalt Creek tributary in the Catawba…

City of Hickory remains in Stage 2 Low Inflow Protocol, Updates irrigation restrictions HICKORY – Recent rain has offered some short‑term relief, but not enough to lift the City of Hickory or the Catawba‑Wateree River Basin out of mandatory water restrictions. Hickory remains in Stage 2 of the Low Inflow Protocol (LIP), which requires all…

Local residents and business owners are urged to be vigilant of check fraud, following one recent example which was preempted, thanks to the work of keen bankers. Attorney Caryn Brzykcy, of Harbinson Brzykcy Attorneys At Law in Taylorsville, explained that a $32,000 fraud was attempted against their firm’s checking account recently. “We had no problem…