Catawba Valley Community College recently joined nine community colleges in the Charlotte region to form a new partnership aimed at making the region a hub of global commerce. The 10 colleges forming the Regional Collaborative for a Global Economy are Catawba Valley, Central Piedmont, Cleveland, Gaston College, Mitchell, Northeastern Tech, Rowan-Cabarrus, South Piedmont, Stanly and York Tech. The tagline for the collaborative is, “Community Colleges Providing Leadership for Global Commerce.”

The group seeks to lead the region in its economic vision to make Charlotte a bigger player on a global scale. Keys to this vision will be producing a workforce capable of meeting the needs of and attracting more global companies and helping businesses of all sizes become more globally competitive. “The Regional Collaborative for a Global Economy willbring together employers, innovative leaders and the region’s workforce development partners,” explained Dr. Tony Zeiss, president of Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC). “The collaborative will work to communicate the Charlotte region’s global vision with policymakers and economic developers, while gaining their support. We’ll collaborate on skills training and share best practices to help ensurethis region’s workforce is among the best trained in the world.” The ultimate objectives of the collaborative, Zeiss said, are greater regional prosperity with more jobs, a globally competitive, job-ready workforce, and greater prominence for the Charlotte region in terms of global commerce.

Deborah Johnson, director of the Children's Advocacy & Protection Center of Catawba County (CAPC), recently retired after 10 years of service.

During Ms. Johnson's tenure, the CAPC expanded its mission by providing educational programs designed to prevent child abuse. Primary among these is the “Stewards of Children: Darkness to Light” program, which trains adults in ways to prevent child sexual abuse and respond appropriately.

Prior to joining the CAPC, Johnson served in the US Air Force for 22 years. She also previously worked for an agency that provided temporary shelter and transitional living services for persons experiencing homelessness. She holds a master's degree in social work from New Mexico State University, a master's degree in religion from Lutheran Southern Seminary and a bachelor's in management from Park University. She also serves as a diaconal minister with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Following her retirement, Johnson said she plans to spend some time traveling.

The CAPC works with law enforcement, the District Attorney's Office and Catawba County Social Services to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse and severe physical abuse. Located in Conover, the agency was previously known as the Children's Advocacy Center.

For more information about the CAPC of Catawba County, go to www.catawbacountycapc.org or call 828-465-9296.

24-year-old Justin Tyler Queen of Christopher Road in Iron Station and 25-year-old Heather Michelle Tutterow of Hickory Lane in Bessemer City were arrested by Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Officers Saturday (January 17) on drug charges. They were both charged with one felony count each of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, conspiracy to sell a schedule II controlled substance and conspiracy to deliver a schedule II controlled substance. Queen was also charged with one misdemeanor count each of communicating threats and resisting, delaying or obstructing a public officer, while Tutterow faces an additional felony charge for obtaining property by false pretense.  

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Narcotics Investigators learned that a drug transaction would take place in the parking lot at a Lincolnton grocery store on East Main Street. Investigators saw an exchange take place between several individuals. Officers attempted to stop all the participants, but Queen attempted to flee the scene. He was apprehended after a brief foot chase.

Queen and Tutterow were both jailed with bond for Queen set at a $25,000, secured, while Tutterow was given a $30,000 secured bond. They were scheduled to make first appearances in District Court today (January 20).

58-year-old George Ronald Lovell of Maralane Trail in Denver was arrested by Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Officers this morning and charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.

Detectives say Lovell and 44-year-old Charles Edward Harvell, who both live at the same Maralane Trail address, had been out for a night of drinking at the Twin Oaks Bar & Grill on Slanting Bridge Road. When they returned home, the two men got into an argument and Lovell allegedly shot Harvell.

The suspect ran to a neighbor's residence around 2:40 a.m. today and asked them to call 9-1-1 because he had just shot his roommate. Lovell was taken into custody at the scene without incident.

Mr. Harvell, who was shot in the chest with a .38 caliber pistol, was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte by Med-Center Air. At last report, he was listed in stable condition.

Lovell was jailed in the Lincoln County Detention Center under a $75,000 secured bond. He was scheduled to make a first appearance in court at 9 a.m. today.