Area News

As opioid prescription painkiller addiction continues to be a problem across the area, attorneys at a local law office are offering to represent defendants in two counties free of charge in certain opioid possession cases, if those charged seek help for addiction. On June 29, 2017, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed into law a…

On Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at 3:49 a.m., Bethlehem Fire & Rescue, along with Ellendale Fire Department, responded to a possible structure fire located at 5639 NC Hwy 127 N, in the Bethlehem Community, according to the incident report filed by Alexander County Deputy Fire Marshal Mark Earle. Arriving firefighters advised the scene was a…

New rules that set limits on the quantity of opioids that can be prescribed took effect Jan. 1, 2018. The STOP Act, supported by Governor Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein, set new initial prescribing limits and is part of the state’s multi-pronged effort to reduce the oversupply of prescription opioids that has contributed…

Guy Elvis Barriger, age 82, former Mayor of Taylorsville, died on Saturday, December 23, 2017, at his home surrounded by his family. Guy was born on March 2, 1935, in Alexander County, the son of the late Shelby Guy Barriger and Grace Feimster Barriger Holleman. Guy grew up in the town of Taylorsville and he…

One of Taylorsville’s famous sons is being laid to rest this week. (Obituary information is available at this link.) Harry Mitchell Deal, Jr., of Harry Deal and the Galaxies, passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2017, at age 76. Born in Alexander County on May 19, 1941, to the late Harry M. Deal, Sr. and Eloise…

Mrs. Cheryl A. Triplett was named Interim Principal of Bethlehem Elementary School effective January 2, 2018, according to Alexander County Schools administrators. Bethlehem Principal Jill Peek announced her retirement recently, effective January 2018. Triplett has 17 years of experience in public education including service as the assistant principal at East Alexander Middle School in 2016-2017.  Prior…

A special supplement to The Times this week, titled “Career Opportunities,” looks at the many manufacturing jobs available in Alexander County. The supplement is included in this  issue (begins on Page 24 for electronic Online Edition readers). The section features employee interviews and job listings by manufacturers, including Schneider Mills, Taylor King, Mitchell Gold +…

NON-ESSENTIAL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS CLOSING EARLY ON DEC. 8 —   Alexander County Emergency Services has announced that, due to rapidly deteriorating conditions, all non-essential Alexander County offices, convenience sites, the Library, and Rocky Face Park closed effective 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. Landfill, convenience sites, library and Rocky Face Park will remain closed…

  Due to predicted afternoon weather conditions and dropping temperatures, Alexander County Schools will dismiss at 1:30 PM today (Friday, Dec. 8, 2017). After school care will close at 2:30 PM. All athletic events, games, and practices have been canceled for today, according to Renee Meade, Public Information Officer for the school system.