Area News

The Alexander County Schools system is receiving $98,000 to upgrade safety at local schools. This funding is from the Center for Safer Schools School Safety Grant Program of the N.C. Dept. of Public Instruction. According to a letter sent from the Center for Safer Schools Executive Director, Karen W. Fairley, to ACS Superintendent Dr. Jennifer…

By MICAH HENRY An incident occurred last Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 24, 2024, which prompted local schools to use heightened security measures and blocked traffic in a portion of Taylorsville. According to Taylorsville Police Chief Michael Millsaps, the incident occurred about 1:30 p.m. Jan. 24 when a vehicle crashed into four utility poles on West Main…

A Taylorsville man suffered gunshot wounds and another man has been arrested following a shooting over the weekend. According to Alexander County Sheriff Chad Pennell, on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at around 10:44 p.m., the Alexander County Communications Center received a call of a shooting at 434 McAlpin Ln. in Taylorsville. Deputies arrived on the…

  By MICAH HENRY For several years, leaders and staff at Hospice of Alexander County have been working to achieve a certificate from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. Now, the agency has achieved their long-sought goal, said Executive Director Jamison Presnell, RN CHPN. The news of Alexander Hospice’s ACHC Accreditation was communicated recently to…

The Town of Taylorsville and Western Piedmont Council of Governments will host a public meeting on the town’s Land Use Plan on Monday, January 29, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall (67 Main Avenue Drive). The Land Use Plan is a policy document that outlines the long term goals and vision for the…

After devoting her entire professional career to Alexander County Schools, Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Hefner is stepping aside. Hefner gave the local school board her retirement letter during the board’s closed session January 16th, according to a school system press release. Her official retirement date is July 1, 2024. Hefner has served as the superintendent since…

By ANGELA FARR KING The Alexander County Board of Education met on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. The meeting had been delayed a week due to inclement weather on January 9. Several schools in Alexander County were recognized for their Positive Academic Growth for the 2022-2023 school year. Alexander Early College (AEC) was recognized twice, one…

Substance Use Disorder Prevention Coalition hears data at meeting By ANGELA FARR KING The Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Prevention Coalition met Tuesday, January 16, 2024, for their regularly scheduled meeting, with representation from county schools, mental health agencies, local law enforcement, local clergy, and concerned citizens. Shannon Childers, the Post Overdose Response Team (PORT)/Community Paramedic…

Attorney Chaz Beasley was guest speaker at the 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Monday, January 15, at the Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center’s Education Complex, in Hiddenite, hosted by the Alexander County NAACP Branch. NAACP officer Helen Chestnut was mistress of ceremonies for the event. Rev. William Little, pastor of Smith Grove Baptist…

By MICAH HENRY County Manager Shane Fox outlined several county project updates during the Alexander County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday, January 8, 2024, at the CVCC Alexander Center. Four commissioners were present; Commissioner Larry Yoder was absent. Fox said a final walk-through is planned January 10 for the swim beach and walking trail…