Area News

A former prison guard has been charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer after a run-in with local police this week. On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Taylorsville Police officers responded to Ridgecrest Drive in reference to a civil dispute. The caller advised that James Davis had blocked a vehicle in and would not allow its…

Crowd grows for 2026 Apple Blossom Festival        

By MICAH HENRY The Alexander County Board of Commissioners approved a measure at their meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, to accept state grant money for streamflow rehabilitation projects. Soil and Water Conservation District Director Pamela Bowman presented the item to the board, noting the Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP) awarded the Alexander District $516,000…

By ANGELA FARR KING The Alexander County Board of Education held their monthly meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. It was a night of celebrating the accomplishments of some of the outstanding students in Alexander County Schools. One award stood out because of the bravery that was required of this student. Dakota…

Fire danger moderates following recent rainfall Effective at 8 a.m. Friday, May 8, 2026, the N.C. Forest Service has lifted a ban on all open burning for Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, Stokes and Union counties. The ban, which went into effect statewide…

Alexander County leaders are have announced the 2026 Summer Concert Series on the Rotary Performance Stage at Alexander County Courthouse Park in downtown Taylorsville will kick off Saturday, May 9, with On The Border (an Eagles tribute band). The band delivers an authentic concert experience, performing everything from ballads like “Desperado” and “Lyin’ Eyes” to…

By MICAH HENRY Becky Herman Dupuis wrote that her mother is “Captain of the Ship” in her family. “She was the rock we didn’t even realize we were standing on,” Becky related. Becky, 57, wrote the winning essay in The Times’ annual Mother of the Year contest about her mom, Pat Herman, 81, of the…

Taylorsville, City of Hickory, and EnergyUnited water customers are now under mandatory water restrictions due to the ongoing drought, as listed below. TAYLORSVILLE IMPLEMENTS MANDATORY WATER RESTRICTIONS DUE TO DROUGHT In response to the current conditions outlined by the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council, The Town of Taylorsville has implemented Stage II – Mandatory…

At approximately 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026, Ellendale Fire Department, along with Bethlehem and Taylorsville fire departments, were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 79 Meadlock Pennell Drive in the Ellendale Community, according to Chris Hicks, Alexander County Fire Marshal. Crews arrived within 10 minutes to find a working fire. Crews made…

On Saturday, May 2, 2026, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Hiddenite Fire Department along with Vashti Fire and Stony Point Fire, was dispatched to 55 Raccoon Hollow Drive, off of Sulphur Springs Road, for a reported structure fire, stated Chris Hicks, Alexander County Fire Marshal. Units arrived on the scene within 10 minutes to find a…