Area News

With the arrival of summer, Alexander County is brimming with exciting opportunities for outdoor fun, live entertainment, local flavor, and one-of-a-kind attractions. Alexander County Board of Commissioners Chairman Marty Pennell encourages everyone to take advantage of the many recreational, cultural, and seasonal activities available right here in our own backyard. “There’s something for everyone in…

Chief Coty Fox of Vashti Fire-Rescue, Inc., would like to invite the community to come out to the 48th Annual Vashti Day Celebration on June 28, 2025. This year’s celebration will include breakfast and the parade. Breakfast will be from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and is dine-in or carry-out. It will be at the…

The corner of NC Highway 127 and Rink Dam Road has transformed into a Japanese destination as Little Japan LLC recently opened in Bethlehem. Located at 9541 NC 127, Little Japan serves a variety of Japanese dishes, including a fabulous sushi menu. To celebrate the grand opening of Bethlehem’s newest restaurant, Alexander County Economic Development…

By MICAH HENRY Sometimes, a woman in a relationship is faced with abuse, be it mental, physical, sexual, financial, or in other forms. Where can she go for help? In addition to seeking help from authorities and relatives, women can contact Dream-Love Saze Ministry, a domestic violence shelter founded by Ruby Smyre. She is herself…

Local authorities made five arrests in two separate visits to a local home in a single day, according to Alexander County Sheriff Chad Pennell. On Monday, June 16, 2025, at approximately 12:00 p.m., the Alexander County 911 Center received a call reporting a breaking and entering on Pop Davis Road. Officers arrived on the scene…

By ANGELA FARR KING The Alexander County Board of Education met on Monday, June 16, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. for their monthly work session. Taylor Dellinger, Data Analyst from the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, shared a presentation about the upcoming changes coming to the Voting Districts for the Alexander County School Board. To be…

By ANGELA FARR KING East Alexander Middle School (EAMS) has much to celebrate as they close out the 24-25 school year. A press release was shared by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Communications Director for Alexander County Schools (ACS), Dr. Denita Dowell-Reavis, stating that “The state announced June 5th an award of…

The Town of Taylorsville has a brand new online presence, said Nathan Hester, Town Manager. Presentations on the Web, owned and operated by Berenda Samples and her daughter, Stacy Samples, have been honored to serve the Town of Taylorsville for the past 25 years. The Town of Taylorsville contracted with Berenda Samples to design the…

By MICAH HENRY The Alexander Central High School 2025 Graduation Ceremony, held Friday, June 6, at Cougar Stadium, was quite memorable, as much as for the weather as the gifted students going out into the world. Senior Taylor Brown, Student Body Co-President, introduced stage guests and gave the graduation address. She is the daughter of…

By MICAH HENRY Dozens of antique cars pulled into The Hiddenite Center’s Lucas Mansion parking lot on the morning of Saturday, May 31, as the NC Regional Group of the Horseless Carriage Club of America visited the Victorian era mansion. Club member Bill Adams, of Lexington, whose mother was from Taylorsville and father was from…