Area News

The following news release on the Town of Valdese Facebook page notes that Todd Herms, Alexander County Manager for the past several months, who resigned effective April 30, 2025, will be Town Manager for Valdese effective May 1. “The Valdese Town Council initiated an extensive hiring process to select the best candidate to serve as…

By ANGELA FARR KING April has been designated as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is a subject that is difficult to discuss, but very necessary. According to the American Children’s Alliance (ACA), more than 550,000 U.S. children were victims of abuse and neglect in 2022. Neglect is the most common form of abuse, with…

By MICAH HENRY You could say local attorney Joel Harbinson knows a thing or two about law. For 45 years, Harbinson has practiced law in his hometown of Taylorsville and feels privileged to provide legal services here in the foothills where he grew up, allowing him to be close to his family. Recently, Harbinson, 71,…

Following Alexander County Manager Todd Herm’s absence during the April 7, 2025, meeting of the Alexander County Commissioners, it was announced that Herms was on leave last week. On Tuesday, April 22, Commission Chairman Marty Pennell announced that Herms has resigned, effective April 30. As of press time, an interim county manager has not yet…

Multiple emergency agencies responded to the scene of a small plane crash in the field across from Crossroads Grill in the Wittenburg Community of Alexander County on Friday, April 18, 2025. Two people suffered minor injuries in the crash, which occurred about 1:00 p.m. near 5585 Rink Dam Road. An eyewitness told the Highway Patrol…

Authorities have arrested a man after a standoff this morning. On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at approximately 3:00 a.m., the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office responded to a possible domestic disturbance on Lail Lane, in the Bethlehem Community. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a woman and a child who exited the residence. A man remained…

For the past eleven years, Urgent Care of Mountain View has leased a building from the Town of Taylorsville to offer medical services to this area. Recently, however, issues have arisen between the two entities. Leaders of both parties shared their views in written statements on April 15 with The Times. Town’s viewpoint Taylorsville Town…

Since the approval of the Alexander County Land Development Code in May 2024, Alexander County staff has been fielding requests from citizens who wish to change the zoning of their property, a county news release of April 8 stated. According to Alexander County Senior Planner Patrick Creech, NC General Statutes allow a large-scale zoning map…

An Alexander County man, who is a doctor in residency in Forsyth County, is facing charges after investigators allegedly found illicit images of a child on electronic devices. Alexander County Sheriff Chad Pennell said that investigators received a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force regarding the distribution and possession of possible child…

Matthew Douglas Roop, 34, of Taylorsville, was sentenced to serve 10 to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to death by distribution during Catawba County Superior Court on Thursday, April 3, 2025, according to a press release from the District Attorney’s Office for Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba counties. The Honorable Karen Eady-Williams, Superior Court…