Area News

A ranking career lawman has retired from the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office. A retirement reception was held on Thursday, July 9, 2020, for Captain Chad Pennell, age 49, who has worked for the Sheriff’s Office since 1993. Pennell, the son of Dale and Dolly Pennell, is a resident of the Ellendale Community. In 1989, after…

As of 11:00 a.m. on July 9, the Alexander County Health Department reported that 51 people are in quarantine for COVID-19, with three people in the hospital and one death. Of the cumulative total of 146 confirmed cases, 91 people have fully recovered.

On the afternoon of Sunday, July 5, 2020, Alexander County 911 received a call from a man who was holding two individuals at gunpoint at his residence, Sheriff Chris Bowman said in a news release. Officers responded to the residence, located on Highway 127 in the Ellendale Community of Alexander County. After arriving on scene,…

The Alexander County Habitat for Humanity is holding a big Christmas in July sale at the former Habitat ReStore location, 294 East Main Avenue, Taylorsville, next week. A Preview Night will be held Thursday, July 16, 6-8 p.m., for an admission fee of $2 ($1 to Habitat and $1 to ACHS Food Pantry). Normal sale…

In lieu of the Stony Point Fire Department’s traditional Cruise-In, the department will host a “Cruise” through Stony Point on Saturday, July 11, at 5 p.m., to show support for two fire members, Isaac McCurdy and Dianne McAlpin, who are fighting cancer. Due to COVID restrictions, the group will not be able to come together…

ALEXANDER COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE  — On Monday, July 6, 2020, as of 3:30 p.m., Alexander County has 48 people in quarantine with COVID-19, according to a county news release. The county has a cumulative total of 132 confirmed cases since testing began, which includes one person in the hospital, one death, and 82 people who…

N.C. Forest Service officials urge the public to use extreme caution with fireworks to reduce the risk of igniting wildfires during Independence Day celebrations. “With the current COVID-19 pandemic and cancellations of local fireworks shows, more North Carolinians may resort to setting off backyard fireworks,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “During a typical year, we…

By MICAH HENRY A two-vehicle collision on Wednesday, July 1, disrupted traffic and resulted in heavy damage to both vehicles, but no injuries were reported. According to the crash report filed by Patrolman Z. Stevenson of the Taylorsville Police Department, the wreck occurred about 12:49 p.m. on July 1 on East Main Avenue, at the…

Statewide ‘Booze It & Lose It’ Campaign Underway The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program has a new weapon in its arsenal in the war against impaired driving during the Independence Day holiday – window chalk. “As a show of solidarity during the campaign, which runs today through July 5, drivers are being asked to write…

Alexander County Sheriff’s Office Detective Daniel Millsaps, age 33 of Taylorsville, was honored Friday, June 26, with a ceremony honoring his 12 years of service to the agency. Millsaps is leaving to take a position with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Daniel was hired in January 2008 by former Sheriff Hayden Bentley as…