Observer News Enterprise
Man charged with kidnapping after missing juvenile is located in Conover
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, investigators with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office safely located a previously reported missing juvenile in Conover, North Carolina. The juvenile was located with suspect William Ethan Sessoms, 36, a Hickory...
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Carolina Caring Foundation’s Cardinal KidsFest encourages family fun, cultivates awareness
On Saturday, September 19th, Carolina Caring Foundation brought the community together for the 2nd annual Cardinal KidsFest, a free, medically-supervised environment that offered family-friendly activities for children of all medical needs and physical...
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15 sex offenders charged in operation “Full Compliance”
During the past three months the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division conducted Operation Full Compliance. This operation focused on Catawba County’s Registered Sex Offenders, with Sheriff’s investigators working to ensure...
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Bennett Funeral Service honors Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor survivors, remember loved ones lost, and stand alongside individuals and families affected by breast cancer. Bennett Funeral Service is recognizing the month in a meaningful and visible way,...
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Community invited to Veterans Day Ceremony at Historic Catawba County Courthouse
Carolina Caring, the communitybased nonprofit healthcare provider, is hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11th from 11:00am-12:00pm at the Historic Catawba County Courthouse on 30 N College Avenue, Newton, NC 28658. This program...
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Catawba County resident honored by NC Association
The Association of North Carolina Boards of Health recognized longtime Catawba County Board of Health member and local Pharmacist William “Bill” Pitts III with the 2026 Carl Durham Award for his contributions to public health and his dedication to...
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Connections Clubhouse presents the 2026 Catawba Valley Christmas Show Fundraiser
Join us on Saturday, December 5th, 2026, for our annual Catawba Valley Christmas Show and pottery fundraiser at Catawba Farms! Experience a festive day of holiday shopping with local artists and craftspeople showcasing their work. Held in collaboration...
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Catawba County Board of Commissioners meeting recap
The October 5, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting was called to order at 7pm. The agenda for the meeting can be found at https://bit. ly/3utv5SE. BOC approved minutes from the Board’s Regular Meeting of September 21,...
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This week at the Catawba County Library
We’ve got storytimes! Ready to Learn Storytime: Preschool Preschool story time with reading readiness. Join us for songs, sensory play, crafts, and stories designed to prepare your preschooler to learn. Wednesdays at 10 am Sherrills Ford-Terrell...
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Catawba County Public Health named NC Health Department Of The Year
The North Carolina Public Health Association has named Catawba County Public Health as the Sarah Morrow Health Department of the Year at its annual awards ceremony on October 1. The award recognizes the department’s work to protect and improve the...
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42nd Annual Murray’s Mill Harvest Folk Festival held
Mild autumn weather welcomed the 42 annual Murray’s Mill Harvest Folk Festival. On September 26-27, the grounds were crowded over the weekend with festival goers enjoying all that the festival had to offer. As usual, there was fun for the whole...
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Newton Restaurant Week celebrates local food, local restaurants and Newton Farmers Market
Food lovers have a delicious reason to explore downtown Newton and support local agriculture during Newton Restaurant Week, September 29 through October 6. Throughout the week, community members are invited to visit participating restaurants, try...
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Officer involved shooting is under investigation
On Thursday, 09/24/2026, at 9:42 p.m. deputies with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office responded to a request from Troutman Police Department to attempt to locate a juvenile allegedly in possession of a stolen firearm at a residence on Reed Creek Dr...
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Catawba County celebrates improvements to Sherrills Ford Convenience Center
Catawba County celebrated the completion of improvements to the Sherrills Ford Convenience Center with a ribbon cutting on September 22. County leaders and Commissioners Barbara Beatty and Cole Setzer joined staff and community members to mark the...
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CCYC applications are open
The Catawba County Youth Council has been a part of the County and United Way since 2003 and has been facilitated by Catawba County Cooperative Extension since 2014. Our group includes high school students from public, private, and home schools all...
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Four-time Emmy-winning journalist Molly Grantham to emcee CAPC’s Denim & Diamonds
Four-time Emmy-winning journalist Molly Grantham will serve as emcee for the Children’s Advocacy and Protection Center of Catawba County’s 19th annual Denim & Diamonds: An Evening of Hope & Healing on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Moretz Mills in Hickory. The...
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United States Constitution Week to be observed locally
United States Constitution Week to be observed locally Hickory Tavern Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution along with local Newton Mayor, Jerry T. Hodge and Conover Mayor, Kyle Hayman, asks you to join with us in “Celebrating United States...
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Habitat Catawba Valley celebrates Ridgeview neighborhood milestone with Rock the Block event
Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley will celebrate an important milestone in the Ridgeview community with Rock the Block, a community celebration and home dedication event on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at The Cottages at Ridgeview in Hickory. The...
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Former Newton Police lieutenant will spend eight to ten years in prison
A former Newton Police Department lieutenant will spend eight to 10 years in prison following his conviction for second-degree murder during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Carlos Alverto Uribe, 29, of Conover, was given...
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Conover man will spend 7-10 years in prison
A Conover man will spend seven to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to trafficking opioids by possession and possession of a firearm by felon during Catawba County Superior Court on August 24, 2026. The sentence was imposed by Superior Court...
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Catawba man receives six to eight year prison sentence
Joshua Lynn Whitmire, 38, of Catawba, was given an active prison sentence of six to eight years following his conviction for trafficking methamphetamine by possession and transportation. The sentence was imposed by Superior Court Judge Kaen Eady...
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Fatal domestic shooting under investigation in Claremont
On September 2, 2026, at approximately 10:26 p.m., deputies with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting involving two individuals at a residence on Dover Street in Claremont. Upon arriving, deputies located an adult...
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NAACP Catawba County Branch announces 2026 election process
The NAACP Catawba County Branch is announcing an important upcoming electionrelated activity for branch members as part of the organization’s 2026 election process. NOMINATING COMMITTEE ELECTION The election of the Nominating Committee will take...
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Newton men arrested and charged for shooting into an occupied dwelling
On Sunday August 16, 2026, at 0613 Hours the Newton Police Department received a call in reference to shots fired in the area of Day Break Apartments, 650 East First Street Newton, NC 28658. When officers arrived on scene, they located several...
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Newton Elks Lodge to host Fallen Brothers Charity Golf Tournament
The Newton Elks Lodge #2042 will host its Fallen Brothers Charity Golf Tournament on Monday, September 14, 2026, bringing golfers, sponsors and community supporters together for a day of fellowship, remembrance and charitable giving. The tournament is...
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United Way school supply drive collects 20,000 items, impacts hundreds of families
Public school students are back in the classroom and thanks to the generosity of everyone who supported this year’s Catawba County United Way School Supply Drive, more than 20,000 items were collected. These donations mean hundreds if not thousands of...
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Area man is charged following shooting
On Saturday, August 22, 2026, deputies with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Noah’s Path in Conover after a father allegedly shot his adult son. Deputies arrived and located the victim suffering from at least one gunshot...
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Soldiers Reunion has been a part of Newton for more than 130 years
For more than 130 years, the Soldiers Reunion has been one of the defining rhythms of life in Newton. What began in 1889 as a gathering of Civil War veterans on the courthouse square has grown into the longest running patriotic celebration in the...
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Prysmian to invest $1 billion in Claremont facility
The City of Claremont is proud to celebrate Prysmian’s historic $1 billion investment in its Claremont facility, which will bring approximately 900,000 square feet of new manufacturing and research space and hundreds of new jobs to the community. The...
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2026 Car Reunion held this weekend
The September meeting of the Catawba County Branch NAACP will be on Sunday, September 6th, 2026, at 4:00pm Mt. Olin AME Zion Church, 2583 Smyre Farm Rd, Newton, NC. The September meeting will feature two public health professionals who will speak with...
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Bennett Funeral Service continues tradition of commemorative hand fans for Balls Creek Campmeeting, Soldiers Reunion
Bennett Funeral Service is once again honoring two of the Catawba Valley’s most cherished traditions by distributing more than 5,000 commemorative hand fans during the 173rd Balls Creek Campmeeting and the 137th Soldiers Reunion. Since 2013, Bennett...
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Ashure Ministry receives van funded with portion of $957,612 grant awarded to City of Newton
Ashure Ministry has a new cargo van to help expand its efforts to fight food insecurity and provide crisis assistance throughout Catawba County. The vehicle was purchased with funding awarded to the City of Newton through the North Carolina Department...
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Local man to serve seven to ten years in prison
Shane Tyrell Stenson, 29, of Hickory, was given an active prison term of seven to 10 years for possession of firearm by a convicted felon, possession of methamphetamine and status as a habitual felon. The sentence was imposed by Superior Court Judge...
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Catawba man sentenced to 10-13 years in prison for crimes of violence
Lashawn “Shawn” Malcolm Davis, 35, of Catawba, was sentenced to serve 10 to 13 years in prison for crimes of violence and his status as an armed habitual felon during Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The sentence was imposed...
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Conover man given an active prison sentence of six to eight years
Nathan Carl Adams, 42, of Conover, was given an active prison sentence of six to eight years after his conviction for trafficking fentanyl during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday, July 13, 2026. The sentence was imposed by Superior Court Judge...
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Soldiers Reunion Baby Parade bigger than ever
Plans for the Soldiers Reunion Baby Parade, sponsored by Drum and Willis-Reynolds Funeral Homes, have been finalized for the 137th weeklong series of events that pay tribute to veterans of Catawba County. “We are so excited to be sponsored by these...
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Women’s Resource Center invites the community to celebrate Art in the Park
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) invites the community to its signature annual fundraising event, Art in the Park, on Saturday, September 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Sally Fox Park, located on the campus of the Women’s Resource Center. Now in...
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Plans are being finalized for the 137th Soldiers Reunion
Plans are being finalized for the 137th Soldiers Reunion of Catawba County slated to begin next month. The theme, “Catawba Cares” will be the focal point of the weeklong patriotic celebration that honors and pays respect to the veterans of Catawba...
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Catawba County Public Health honored with national Promising Practice Award
Catawba County Public Health has been recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials as one of a few Promising Practice Award Winners for 2026. The award celebrates the development and adoption of local public health best...
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Newton man to serve 7 to 13 years in prison
Coy Lamar Scott Jr., 53, of Newton, was given an active prison term of seven to 13 years following his conviction for firstdegree sexual exploitation of a minor during Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. The sentence was imposed...
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The Monument Companies broke ground on Ridgeview Hosiery Mill redevelopment
Last week, The Monument Companies officially broke ground on the $30 million redevelopment of the historic Ridgeview Hosiery Mill in Newton. Over the next 18 months, the former mill buildings at 2101 North Main Ave. will be transformed into more than...
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Newton man to serve 7 to 10 years in prison
Gregory Shawn Kain, 57, of Newton, will serve seven to 10 years in prison after he was found guilty of trafficking fentanyl by a Catawba County jury on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The sentence was imposed by Superior Court Karen Eady
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Catawba County has something to crow about
Catawba County was well represented again this year at the 4-H State Poultry Competitions held in Raleigh, NC, on July 7 and 8. The Catawba County 4-H Poultry Club entered three teams, featuring nine local youth, and hosted two guest 4-H members from...
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Next Movies in the Park set for July 17 in Newton
City of Newton Parks and Recreation Department invites residents to enjoy a summer filled with outdoor entertainment, featuring free Movies in the Park screenings and a special Dive-In Movie at the Newton Swimming Pool. Families and friends are...
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Local Food Lion associate celebrates milestone 30 years
Food Lion is honored to recognize a record number of more than 400 associates who are celebrating 30 to 45 years of service in 2026, including one long-tenured associate in Newton, NC. These associates were celebrated April 30 during Food Lion’s...
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Conover man to serve 18-23 years in prison for attempted murder
Jonathan Leslie Blackburn, 59, of Conover, was sentenced to serve 18 to 23 years in prison following his conviction for attempted first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping during Catawba County Superior Court on Thursday, July 9, 2026. The...
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Catawba County Branch NAACP to inform members on the upcoming Soldiers Reunion event
The July meeting of the Catawba County Branch NAACP will be on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 4:00pm Mt. Olin AME Zion Church, 2583 Smyre Farm Rd, Newton, NC. Join us for our regular Catawba County NAACP meeting, featuring a special workshop led by two...
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Registration open for the 2026 Catawba County Hunger Walk
Registration is now open for the 2026 Catawba County Hunger Walk, scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 2026, in Downtown Newton. The annual event brings together individuals, churches, businesses, and community organizations to support local hunger-relief...
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Catawba County Schools middle school students GEAR UP
Catawba County Schools GEAR UP and Catawba Valley Community College Partner to Inspire Future Careers Through Red Hawk N.E.X.T. Summer 2026 This summer, middle school students from Catawba County Schools explored future careers and developed new...
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John Hoyle Chapter of the DAR announce recent award winners
John Hoyle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is pleased to announce several recent award winners. Cassie Marie Harris received the Alice Spuller Scholarship. Harper White was recognized as the Mildred Showfety History Award...
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Alex Fulbright selected as City of Newton Planning Director
The City of Newton is pleased to announce Alex Fulbright as its next Planning Director, recognizing his decades of experience, deep knowledge of the community, and longstanding contributions to the city’s growth and development. Fulbright has served...
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Local man to serve six to nine years in prison for conviction for habitual larceny
William Eric Clark, 43, of Hickory, was sentenced to serve six to nine years in prison following his conviction for habitual larceny and tampering with an anti-shoplifting device along with admission of habitual felon status during Catawba County...
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Conover woman sentenced to serve 39 to 50 years in prison for multiple child abuse offenses
Amy Lynn Gonzalez, 40, of Conover, has been sentenced to serve 39 to 50 years in prison following her conviction on multiple child abuse offenses involving three young children. The sentence was imposed by Superior Court Judge Sherri W. Elliott after...
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City of Newton Names Mark David Beal as Chief of Police
The City of Newton is pleased to announce that Interim Police Chief Mark David Beal will soon be sworn in as Chief of Police for the Newton Police Department. Beal has served as Interim Police Chief since the retirement of Vidal A. Sipe in March. A...
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Catawba County Board of Commissioners adopted its Fiscal Year 2026/27 budget
The Catawba County Board of Commissioners adopted its Fiscal Year 2026/27 budget totaling $353,319,157, maintaining the current property tax rate of .3985 cents per $100 valuation and reflecting an overall 4.3 percent increase in the total budget. The...
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Bandys High names Nicki Brittain as an Assistant Principal
Bandys High School is excited and proud to announce that Mrs. Nicki Brittain has been named as an Assistant Principal effective July 1. Mrs. Brittain is a proud graduate of BHS and has served as a math teacher for the last 12 years. During this time,...
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Pedestrian struck by train in Hickory succumbs
The Hickory Police Department is investigating an incident involving a pedestrian who was struck by a train at the pedestrian crossing between Union Square and Hickory Station on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Hickory Police responded to the incident at...
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Catawba County Schools announces four principal appointments
Catawba County Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Stover announced the appointment of four new principals—Mountain View Elementary School, Webb A. Murray Elementary School, St. Stephens Elementary School, and St. Stephens High School. The Board of...
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Former NPD officer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder
A former Newton Police Department lieutenant awaits sentencing after he pleaded guilty to seconddegree murder during Catawba County Superior Court on Thursday, June 4, 2026. Carlos Alverto Uribe, 29, of Conover, entered the plea in front of the...
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Conover couple to spend 33-40 years in prison
A Conover couple will spend 33 to 40 years in prison following their convictions for second--degree murder and related charges during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Cecil Ray Traylor Jr., 35, and Tara Melinda Jackson, 36,...
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K9 Loki is officially retiring from the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office
After years of dedicated service, K9 Loki is officially retiring from the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. Loki joined the Catawba County Sheriff ’s Office agency on July 1, 2019, thanks to the generous support and donations from GKN, Poppleman...
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Catawba County Public Health Farmers Market to open June 4
atawba County Public Health’s Farmers Market is returning for its 14th season on June 4 and will offer fresh produce from local farmers and activities for people of all ages. Throughout the season, farmers will have ripe summer crops like tomatoes,...
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Two historic counties reunite for one night only at Liberty Ball celebrating America’s 250th anniversary
As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, two neighboring counties with deeply intertwined Revolutionary roots are coming together once again for a unique evening of history, celebration, and patriotism. On Saturday, June 27, 2026, the...
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Area man sentenced to 30-37 years for second-degree murder
Wilbern Carlos Springs, 50, of Claremont, was sentenced to serve 30 to 37 years in prison following his conviction for second-degree murder during Catawba County Superior Court on Friday, May 22, 2026. The Honorable Clifton H. Smith, Superior Court...
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Catawba County Branch NAACP June meeting is set
The June meeting of the NAACP Catawba County Branch will be on Sunday, June 14th, 2026, at 4:00pm. The meeting will be held at Mt. Olin AME Zion Church located at 2583 Smyre Farm Rd, Newton, NC 28658. We are honored to welcome Cynthia Johnson Scott as...
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Catawba County Funeral Director featured in Times Square for national campaign
Daniel McGee, Funeral Director, Preplanning Counselor, and Certified Celebrant with Bennett Funeral Service in Newton, NC, was recently featured in New York City’s Times Square as part of a national campaign recognizing the work of funeral...
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Community forum with election experts is set for June 4
The League of Women Voters of Catawba Valley (LWVCV) announces a community forum on Thursday, June 4, 2026, from 6:00 PM-7:30 PM at the Catawba County Library, 115 W. C Street in Newton. The forum is sponsored by LWVCV in cooperation with the Catawba...
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Catawba County man arrested on child sex offense charges
On May 10, 2026, the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office received a report regarding allegations of a sex offense involving a child. The Criminal Investigations Division Special Victims Unit (SVU) initiated an investigation into the allegations which were...
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From Film to Living History: Ralph “Yerby” Ray brings the Revolutionary War to life in Newton
For decades, Ralph “Yerby” Ray has stepped into the shoes of soldiers from America’s past, sharing their stories across North Carolina and beyond. On Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM, he will bring that passion for history to the Historic 1924...
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Attempted robbery/ shooting at Love’s Travel Plaza on Monday
At approximately 1:14 p.m. Monday, May 11, 2026, the Newton Police Department received a call in reference to a possible kidnapping and shooting that occurred at the Love’s Travel Stop, 1760 Southfork Drive, Newton, NC 28658. When officers arrived on...
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CCS teacher selected as NC DNCR Teacher Ambassador
Melia Stover, math teacher at Fred T. Foard High School, has been selected as one of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) 2026 cohort of Teacher Ambassadors, 20 exceptional K-12 educators from across the state. These ambassadors...
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City of Newton appoints Alex Fulbright as Interim Planning Director
The City of Newton announces that Alex Fulbright, longtime Assistant Planning Director, will step into the role of Interim Planning Director on May 9, following the retirement of Planning Director Randy Williams. A dedicated public servant with deep...
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Man sentenced to 20 to 25 years in prison for second-degree murder
Jakeis Zameir Harris, 21, of Hickory, was sentenced to serve 20 to 25 years in prison following his conviction for second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury during...
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City of Newton Planning Director Williams to retire after decade of transformational leadership
The City of Newton will bid farewell to Planning Director Randy Williams, who will retire from public service on May 8, concluding more than a decade of leadership in Newton and a distinguished career spanning more than 30 years in planning and...
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River Bend Middle School educator named North Carolina Teacher of the Year
Teachers of Tomorrow, the nation’s top alternative teacher certification, is proud to announce Ian Elkins as the North Carolina Teachers of Tomorrow Teacher of the Year, recognizing his exceptional commitment to his students, classroom, and school...
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Catawba County Schools announces six leadership appointments
Catawba County Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Stover announced six leadership appointments, including one principal and five directors. The Board of Education approved the appointments at its regular meeting on Monday evening, April 27, 2026. “We are...
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