Area News

On Friday, November 16, 2018, The Times was notified that Alexander County Schools have been made aware of a future threat that was intercepted by law enforcement in Alexander County. Law enforcement officers are taking this very seriously. All available personnel are working to assure the safety of our community, according to Renee Meade, Public…

The following persons were arrested for various crimes by the Taylorsville Police Department, according to police reports submitted by Chief Dennis James: • Lisa Byrd Lozano, age 47 of Newton, was arrested Nov. 4, 2018, and charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell or distribute Schedule II Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), possession of Schedule II…

A stabbing has left a Taylorsville man hospitalized after an attack this week. On November 8, 2018, at 7:42 p.m., officers with the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office and Taylorsville Police responded to a reported stabbing located at 935 Old Wilkesboro Road, Taylorsville, according to Sheriff Chris Bowman. Upon arrival Officers found a 38 year-old male…

New outreach organization My Safe Haven will hold a Thanksgiving Food Drive in Taylorsville for local families in need this season. The deadline to deliver items is Thursday, Nov. 15, at the the My Safe Haven office at 54 East Main Ave. (in the First United Methodist Church Mission Campus). The items needed are listed…

Incumbent Democratic Alexander County Sheriff Chris Bowman kept his seat in the top county law enforcement position Nov. 6 in the 2018 General Election, according to unofficial results. Bowman received 7,196 votes (52.28%) to Republican challenger Darin Bumgarner’s very good showing of 6,569 votes (47.72%). After finding out he was winner, Bowman told The Times:…

In the Alexander County Commission race, there were three open seats this election cycle, and the Republicans held fast in this race, as well as the Register of Deeds and state legislature seats that represent Alexander. County Commission Marty Pennell received 9,794 votes (27.19%), followed by Ronnie L. Reese (R-incumbent) with 9,297 votes (25.81%), Larry…

A Bethlehem man was placed in custody this week under a one million dollar bond, pending trial for sex offense charges, according to Alexander County Sheriff Chris Bowman. On Wednesday, October 31, 2018, after a lengthy investigation, detectives from the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office obtained warrants on a Registered Sex Offender from the Bethlehem Community. …

In recent days, a state prison worker in Taylorsville has been charged with providing drugs to an inmate. On October 25, 2018, members of the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office responded to the North Carolina Department of Corrections’ Alexander Correctional Institution, located on Old Landfill Road, in reference to an investigation about a prison employee possibly…

Thousands of dollars worth of gems were taken from a local establishment over the weekend. On Sunday, October 21, 2018, the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office received a breaking and entering report at the Emerald Hollow Mine, located on Emerald Hollow Mine Drive in Hiddenite. Officers arrived and found that a window had been broken out…

The Citizens for the Future of Alexander County group held a County Commissioner Candidate Forum on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at the CVCC Alexander Center for Education. All five commission candidates were present: including: Democratic candidates Melissa Benfield and Glenn Deal, Jr., and Republicans Ronnie Reese (incumbent), Marty Pennell, and Larry Yoder. Dale Clary served…