Area Breaking News

RALEIGH – Drought conditions have worsened across North Carolina, with 15 counties now experiencing extreme drought, and most counties experiencing severe drought or moderate drought, according to the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC). Based on data from the Southeast Regional Climate Center, precipitation totals for the last six months are almost 10 inches…

Submitted by Dr. Denita Dowell-Reavis, Ed.D., Communications Director, Alexander County Schools Students’ report of a gun at 2:49 p.m. on a school campus led to swift action by the Taylorsville Police Department on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. No students were threatened or in immediate danger. A North Iredell High School student reportedly drove to a…

Loretta C. Biggs, Senior United States District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina, on March 26, 2026, upheld the NC Voter ID law, which was passed in 2018. In a 118 page decision, Judge Biggs gave the following final conclusion. “This Court’s consideration of the preliminary injunction record, the limited evidence Plaintiffs presented…

Many items are being held by the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office as unclaimed personal property. Sheriff Chad Pennell explained that the items may be claimed by their rightful owners by Saturday, April 4. The items came to the Sheriff’s Office from many different ways, Pennell said. This includes evidence from old cases, items found by…

Due to the dry conditions, low humidity, and the winds, Alexander County Fire Marshal’s Office put into effect a burn ban which began at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2026. The Alexander County Fire Marshal’s Office has been in contact with the NC Forestry Service, Alexander Division, and will follow a statewide burn ban…

Alexander County has hired Hunter Winkler as its new Assistant Fire Marshal, effective Monday, March 23, 2026. Winkler brings 14 years of fire service experience to the role, including serving as chief of Little River Volunteer Fire Department in Caldwell County and working 10 years with the Lenoir Fire Department, where he advanced to fire…

The Rotary Club of Taylorsville is pleased to announce the availability of 2026-2027 Community Grants for local nonprofit organizations. Funded by the club’s Rotary Foundation, Community Grants assist area nonprofits in their efforts to improve the lives of Alexander County residents. Applicants are asked to design a project that reflects Rotary’s core values of service,…

By ANGELA FARR KING The Alexander County Democratic Party held a “We the People” Banquet on Saturday, March 21, at 6:00 p.m. at the fellowship hall of Taylorsville Presbyterian Church. It was a very well attended and highly anticipated event because the featured speaker was Anderson Clayton, Chair of the Democratic Party of North Carolina.…

By MICAH HENRY Taylorsville native Kim Pennell, RN, BSN, age 63, has seen a thing or two in her long career as a nurse. Recently, she was challenged to set down her experiences in a book for the encouragement of others, including young nurses entering the profession. Entitled A Nurse I Am… Because Of Whose…