Area News

Duo with Bethlehem tie releases album honoring their grandfathers A family legacy of music can be a precious thing for a musician, and when a duo brings two of them together, the results can be even more special. But when the duo are John Cloyd Miller (a Bethlehem native) and Natalya Zoe Weinstein, whose grandfathers…

The Alexander County Sports Hall of Fame is currently taking nominations for the 11th class of inductees. The tenth Hall of Fame Class was inducted in November 2022. Above, the Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022 is pictured above from the left: Mickey Moree, Joel Harbinson, Gene Chapman, and Bobby Brown. Nominations for this…

Alexander Central High School Principal Jacob Lail announced the following information about ACHS 2023 graduation, set for Friday. June 9, at 7pm: • All traffic should enter through the School Drive entrance except handicap parking. • Only handicap placards can allow entrance at the stadium using the Liledoun Road gate. • No air horns, no…

By ANGELA FARR KING The Alexander County Board of Education met for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 9, at 6 p.m. In her Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Jennifer Hefner said she had spent the day with superintendents across the state and Governor Roy Cooper. She said she is very “concerned about the movement…

By MICAH HENRY Joyce Patterson, age 94 of Taylorsville, is special lady — a mother in the truest sense. Just ask her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her daughter Joy P. Gardner, of Hiddenite, wrote the 2023 winning entry in The Times’ annual Mother of the Year essay contest. The Times was able to sit down…

By MICAH HENRY A tragedy occurred early on Monday morning, May 8, 2023, in the Bethlehem Community. Shortly after 1:00 a.m., Alexander County 911 received a call about a fire at an apartment at 75 Pine Lane, off S and K Road. Alexander County Fire Marshal Mark Earle told The Times that Bethlehem, Wittenburg, Ellendale,…

Upon passage of a bill by the North Carolina General Assembly, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is announcing changes to the graduated driver licensing (GDL) program for teens. Effective May 8, 2023, teen drivers will again need to have their Level 1 Limited Learner Permit for six months before being able to get their…

Alexander County constituents invited to visit with issues or concerns NC Tenth District Congressman Patrick McHenry’s staff will hold office hours in Alexander County on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Taylorsville Town Hall, located at 67 Main Avenue Drive Northeast. Roger Kumpf, McHenry’s Regional Director for Alexander County, will…

False fire alarms can cause a strain on volunteer fire departments and emergency personnel. At their May 1 meeting, the Alexander County Board of Commissioners approved a false fire alarm ordinance that allows fines to be charged for repeat offenders, with the goal of reducing the number of false alarms. The board also approved an…

By ANGELA FARR KING The Alexander Furniture Academy offers opportunities locally that some may not be aware of. When visiting the Academy, students can be found sewing or upholstering furniture with the close supervision of trainers who are on hand to offer their expert advice in a real factory setting. The merchandise they create is…