Archive - 2011 - News Article
January 13th
Unknown suspects stole medicine and money from a Newton pharmacy.
An employee at The Medicap Pharmacy, located at 401 W. A St., arrived at work Wednesday to find the store was broken into and property was missing.
Newton Police Capt. Kevin Yarborough said the incident occurred some time late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. The damage was reported at 8:50 a.m. Wednesday, and the business was last secure at 4:25 p.m. Tuesday.
January 12th
It could be months before Catawba County residents walk along the seashore in a bathing suit, but that won't stop resolution-makers from getting a jump start on their fitness goals for the new year.
Resolution season is in full swing this month, and county fitness centers noticed an increase in their membership as more people vow to have a healthier 2011.
The Shuford YMCA in Conover had 108 new memberships since December, which Community Wellness director Daniel White said can be attributed, in part, to New Year's resolutions.
A Claremont man was injured Wednesday after his SUV slid on ice and crashed into a building.
Joshua Gage Byrd, 19, was driving west on West B Street in Newton when he turned into a shopping center to purchase cigarettes, said Newton Police Sgt. D.T. Harris.
Byrd was traveling about 20 mph when he pressed on the brakes of his Ford Explorer and drove down a hill into the shopping center.
Harris said the hill was covered in ice, and Byrd's vehicle crashed into the shopping center.
By
By Jordan-Ashley Baker
Soda machines in Conover might feel neglected during January, or at least that's what the city's mayor hopes.
Conover is participating in an initiative to elminate soda and encourage healthy hydration in North and South Carolina. Conover Mayor Lee Moritz Jr., city officials and staff committed to 30 days of no soda. Instead of fizzy drinks, participants drink at least 60 ounces of water a day to remain hydrated.
The Mayor's Challenge is part of NoFizzCLT, a nonprofit organization designed to educate the public about the dangers of drinking too much soda and not enough water.
Hard work from schools' maintenance departments and area public works departments isn't enough to get all students back in school Thursday.
Catawba County Schools and Hickory Public Schools canceled classes for students Thursday, after surveying roads Wednesday afternoon. Newton-Conover City Schools will operate on a two-hour delay Thursday.
"Our maintenance department has been working, since the snow and sleet stopped falling, to clear walkways and partial areas of the parking lots for staff," said CCS interim superintendent Glenn Barger in an e-mail to staff Wednesday.
January 11th
Library closings
All branches of the Catawba County Library will close at 5 p.m. Tuesday because icy roads expected tonight.
Catawba County Library branches are located in Newton, Claremont, Conover and Maiden, and in the Sherrills Ford, Southwest and St. Stephens areas of Catawba County.
Patrick Beaver Memorial Library will close at 6 p.m. Tuesday, and the Ridgeview Library will close at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Recreation
Highland Recreation Center will close at 6 p.m. Tuesday and all evening classes are canceled.
Everyone knows winter preparedness is critical before, during and
after a winter storm strikes.
This week's snow and ice was the second major storm of this winter but Catawba County residents continue to purchase emergency items and services needed in light of adverse weather conditions.
According to the National Weather Service, people should compile emergency preparedness kits to use during winter storm events.
The NWS says these kits should include the following items:
-A flashlight and extra batteries.
Newton wants to make one of its windows to the world more "modern and professional" looking.
At the same time, however, the city wants to also "keep it simple."
"We are looking for ways to redesign our website. The current site has been here for about five years, and there have been no significant changes to the design," said Jason Clay, Newton Information Systems director. "We set the objective of making it more modern and professional looking. It doesn't take much to recognize a professional looking website."
Roads in Catawba County were covered in ice Tuesday after freezing
rain blanketed snow already fallen across the region.
This layer of ice not only creates hazardous driving conditions, but
it also complicates cleanup procedures for area public works crews and creates additional costs for already-strained budgets.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation budgeted $30 million for snow and ice removal this fiscal year and spent $26.2 million so far. According to the NCDOT, any extra money required for winter-weather cleanup will be drawn from the general maintenance budget.
School officials cancel classes for Wednesday.
Officials with the three Catawba County school systems plan to announce make-up days as they are decided.
As the North Carolina Department of Transportation clears roadways, residents are asked to stay inside and only drive if it's necessary.
