News (2211)
Catawba County Library To Showcase Hmong Culture
Written by Rob Eastwood
Among the Catawba County Library’s 2018 programs is the preservation of the artifacts and histories of the local Hmong community through digital technology.
Thanks to a grant by the National Endowment for the Humanities and in partnership with the Historical Association of Catawba County and the Digital Heritage Center of North Carolina, the library has spearheaded a series of collection events to encourage Hmong residents to share their personal items for documentation.
As these efforts continue, the library is also highlighting Hmong culture and the traditions that immigrants to America carried with them from Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. As a special treat to county residents, the library is hosting a Hmong May Day event, where these customs will be showcased. At this special after-hours presentation at the Conover Branch Library from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 18, an array of groups will stage beloved and time-honored Hmong performing arts.
The performances offer a window into Hmong dance and music and will also provide a presentation of traditional dress, jewelry, and accessories, exhibiting embroidery and sewing skills, along with cultural symbolism. The event is an opportunity to learn more about Hmong culture on a variety of fronts.
On Saturday, May 19, the fourth Hmong Collection Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at True Life Alliance Church at 1245 12th Street SW in Hickory. As with all collection events, people are encouraged to bring items that represent their lives and culture. These artifacts will be scanned or photographed and immediately returned to their owners. Anyone who would like to record an oral history is also welcome to share their experiences as well.
A final collection event will happen later in the summer, visit the library’s website or check out its newsletter for dates.
The public is invited to the 2018 North Carolina Association of Municipal Electric Systems Lineman Rodeo at Catawba Meadows Park in Morganton on May 17. This is a free event in which electric linemen from cities all over North Carolina are invited to compete with their peers in day-long contests. Events will run from 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This contest consists of a series of seven different events that will test the electric linemen’s skills, knowledge and experience against the clock. The goal is to safely complete these tests of skill as quickly as possible. These events include the hurt man rescue, where linemen will demonstrate how to save an injured lineman, the rope toss, the bell change-out and more!
“We are honored to host the NCAMES Lineman Rodeo this year,” said Electric Services Director Brooks Kirby. “Morganton recognizes and appreciates the sacrifices linemen make by putting themselves in potentially dangerous situations so the rest of us can enjoy the benefits of a city where our own employees send the power down the line.”
These contests are representative of what electric linemen do all the time. The participants who perform these events the quickest and in the safest manner will be declared the winners.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Detective Richard Calhoun is investigating a report of skimmers found on two gas pumps at the Country Corner Convenience Store on Highway 150 east of Lincolnton.
Detective Calhoun was notified on May 2 by People’s Bank that they had received reports from several victims in Lincoln County regarding financial card fraud taking place in Florida. The bank told authorities that the common point of purchase with the victims was that all their cards had been used to make fuel purchase at Country Corner Texaco at 2847 East Highway 150 in Lincolnton.
The management at the convenience store was contacted and upon further investigation skimmers were found in Pump #1 and Pump #4 at the store. The skimmers were removed and seized by Detective Calhoun. It’s believed the skimmers were placed in the pumps on or before March 27, 2018.
This particular type skimmer is placed inside the gas pumps and is not visible from the exterior of the pump. Detective Calhoun stated the management of Country Corner Texaco took immediate action once the problem was reported and the pumps will now be inspected on a daily basis to ensure the security of all customer’s information. Calhoun said, “this type of incident can occur at most any gas station and recommends that consumers use their financial cards as credit, rather than a PIN based debit card, when paying at the pumps.”
Any financial card used at the pumps from about March 27, 2018 until May 2, 2018 could have been compromised. Monitor your credit card and bank accounts regularly to spot unauthorized charges.
Stolen Vehicle Charges Lodged Against Man Arrested In Burke County
Written by Rob Eastwood
33-year-old Nathan Bradley Gibson was arrested Tuesday (May 8) by Burke County Sheriff's Officers. He's charged with felony counts of larceny of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and one misdemeanor count of failure to appear. Gibson was arrested shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday and placed in jail in Morganton under $16,000 secured bond. A Superior Court date is set for June 25.
Virginia Man Arrested On Stolen Vehicle Charge In Alexander County
Written by Rob Eastwood
18-year-old David Elsea of Sterling, Virginia was arrested last Saturday (May 5) by Alexander County Sheriff's Officers. He's charged with felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Elsea's bond was set at $1,000 secured. His next District Court date is May 21.
Lenoir Man Arrested In Alexander County On Felony Charge From Catawba County
Written by Rob Eastwood
39-year-old Nicholas Bolick of Lenoir was arrested last Tuesday (May 1) by Alexander County Sheriff's Officers. He's charged with felony failure to return a hired motor vehicle. The charge is from a warrant issued in Catawba County. Bolick was placed in jail under $5,000 secured bond. A District Court date is May 21 in Catawba County.
There are new names on the Iredell County most wanted list.
41-year-old Jennifer Head is wanted by authorities in Iredell County. She's charged with felony breaking and entering and larceny after breaking and entering. Head's last known address was 4063 Alexandria Drive in Trinity.
50-year-old Melissa Dawn Brown has also been added to the Iredell County most wanted list. She's wanted on a charge of felony embezzlement over $100,000. Brown's last known address was 406 Brown Ridge Road in North Wilkesboro.
43-year-old Bradley Scott is wanted by authorities in Iredell County. He's charged with failure to work after being paid. Scott's last known address was 817 River Highway in Mooresville.
You can see the entire list of wanted suspects with their photos at www.iredellsheriff.com. If you have any information on any of the suspects on the list you can e-mail icsoinfo@co.iredell.nc.us. You can also call any tips into the Iredell County Sheriff's Office at their Statesville location, 704-878-3180, or the Mooresville office, 704-664-7500.
Morganton Man Arrested In Alexander County On Drug Charges From Wilkes County
Written by Rob Eastwood
Mark Curtis of Morganton was arrested April 30 by Alexander County Sheriff's Officers. He's charged with felony counts of conspiring to traffic methamphetamine and conspiring to sell and deliver schedule II controlled substance. The charges are from Wilkes County. Following the arrest Curtis was placed in jail under $25,000 secured bond. He's scheduled to appear in Wilkes County District Court May 16.
Alexander County Man Charged With Assaulting Officer
Written by Rob Eastwood
40-year-old Anthony Chambers of Taylorsville was arrested last Thursday (May 3) by Alexander County Sheriff's Officers. He's charged with felony assault with physical injury to a detention employee. Following the arrest, Chambers was placed in jail under $5,000 secured bond. He has a Superior Court appearance scheduled for June 11.
Break-in Related Charges Filed Against Man Arrested In Burke County
Written by Rob Eastwood
30-year-old Grayson Alexander Edney was arrested Tuesday (May 8) by Burke County Sheriff's Officers. He's charged with felony counts of non-forced breaking and entering and possession of stolen goods. He's also charged with misdemeanor failure to appear. Edney was arrested at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and placed in jail in Morganton under $50,000 secured bond. A Superior Court appearance is scheduled for June 25, a District Court date is July 11.
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Meth Possession Charge Filed Against Hickory Man
Written by Rob Eastwood
41-year-old Bill Casey Hinson of Burke County Line Road in Hickory was arrested Tuesday (May 8) by Catawba County Sheriff's Officers. He's charged with possession of methamphetamine along with four counts of failure to appear. Hinson was jailed in the Catawba County Detention Facility under $14,000 bond. District Court appearances were scheduled today (May 9) and June 28.
**-Indicates Winner
District Attorney- All Precincts Reported (93/93)
**Scott Reilly- 57.48%
David Learner- 42.52%
Catawba County Sheriff- All Precincts Reported (40/40)
**Don Brown- 69.64%
Jason Reid- 30.36%
Catawba County Clerk of Superior Court- All Precincts Reported (40/40)
**Kim Sigmon- 57.58%
Cathy Starnes- 42.42%
Catawba County Board of Commissioners (Top 3) All Precincts Reported (40/40)
**Randy Isenhower- 30.99%
**Kitty Barnes- 25.72%
**Sherry Butler- 25.29%
Derek Colson- 17.99%
N.C. State Senate District 42 All Precincts Reported (50/50)
**Andy Wells- 47.47%
Mark Hollo- 34.25%
Ryan Huffman- 11.77%
Dustin Long- 6.51%
N.C. State House District 96 All Precincts Reported (20/20)
**Jay Adams- 69.70%
Taylor Huffman- 30.30%
U.S. House of Representatives District 10 All Precincts Reported (197/197)
**Patrick McHenry- 70.73%
Gina Collias- 13.81%
Jeff Gregory- 7.71%
Ira Roberts- 3.51%
Seth Blankenship- 2.97%
Albert Wiley- 1.28%
U.S. House of Representatives District 5 (Republican) All Precincts Reported (263/263)
**Virginia Foxx- 80.82%
Dillon Gentry- 14.09%
Cortland J. Meader Jr.- 5.09%
U.S. House of Representatives District 5 (Democrat) All Precincts Reported (263/263)
**DD Adams- 54.43%
Jenny Marshall- 45.57%
U.S. House of Representatives District 11 (Republican) All Precincts Reported (281/281)
**Mark Meadows- 86.36%
Chuck Archerd- 13.64%
U.S. House of Representatives District 11 (Democrat) All Precincts Reported (281/281)
**Phillip G. Price- 40.58%
Steve Woodsmall- 31.18%
D. Scott Donaldson- 28.24%
Burke County Board of Commissioners (Top 2) All Precincts Reported (33/33)
**Wayne Abele- 30.17%
**Maynard Taylor- 29.13%
Jennie Cook- 23.61%
Gary Kling- 17.09%
N.C. House of Representatives District 86 All Precincts Reporting (28/28)
**Tim Barnsback- 76.57%
Robert Griner- 23.29%
Caldwell County Board of Commissioners (Top 2) All Precincts Reported (20/20)
**Brian Foster- 41.11%
**Tom Blanton- 29.62%
Michael Careccia- 29.27%
Voter Turnout:
Catawba- 24.01%
Alexander- 8.84%
Burke- 9.77%
Caldwell- 7.48%
Statewide- 14.25%
Vehicle Theft Charge Lodged Against Man Arrested In Burke County
Written by Rob Eastwood
31-year-old Jason Robert Hill was arrested Monday (May 7) by Burke County Sheriff's Officers. He's charged with felony larceny of a motor vehicle and misdemeanor parole violation. Hill was arrested at 5:50 p.m. Monday and placed in jail in Morganton under $15,000 secured bond. A District Court date is set for Wednesday (May 9).
Man Arrested In Burke County On Multiple Felony Charges
Written by Rob Eastwood
32-year-old Johnathon Andrew Mayfield was arrested Monday (May 7) by Burke County Sheriff's Officers. He's charged with felony counts of breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, larceny of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen goods, and receiving, transferring, or possessing stolen goods. He's also charged with misdemeanor counts of reckless driving to endanger and driving during revocation.
Mayfield was arrested just before noon Monday at an address on Laurel Street NE in Valdese. He was placed in jail in Morganton under $26,000 secured bond. A District Cour appearance is scheduled for Wednesday (May 9).
