Archive - Mar 8, 2012 - News Article
March Madness is under way with the beginning of — and conclusion of some — college basketball conference tournaments.
The madness will kick into high gear at homes, schools and offices across Catawba County after the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament selection committee announces the "Big Dance" field of 68 on Sunday evening.
Will you participate in the madness, and how many brackets will you fill out for various pools and online contests? Vote now at observernewsonline.com.
Creativity flows through Mason Strother.
It always has.
"Mason's been drawing since he was big enough to pick up a pencil," said his grandfather, Randy Halsey. "He'd sit in his highchair and draw."
Mason has drawn images of Spiderman since he was 4, said his father, Jay.
"His imagination won't stop," Jay said. "He'll probably go home tonight and draw for two hours. He'll hit the door, and he won't stop."
The local Red Cross chapter continues to help dozens of Burke County residents get back on their feet following January tornadoes.
Tornadoes ripped through small communities in Burke County, just across the Catawba County line, destroying or damaging at least 97 homes.
Mobile homes in the Icard community were turned to shreds, and residents lost everything.
Those residents continue to receive help putting their lives back together.
Cops arrested a Maiden man on drug and child abuse charges after finding more than a half-pound of marijuana in his home Wednesday night.
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office narcotics investigators and SWAT team members executed a search warrant at the Woodstream Drive home of Jarvis Lanard Miller, 27.
Miller is charged with two felony counts of possession with the intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana; and one felony count each of maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance and maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance.

The N.C. Department of Transportation announced Thursday that it plans to replace a 50-year-old bridge in Catawba that is “structurally deficient.” 

NCDOT officials said the department approved a contract to replace the Boggs Road Bridge over Hagan Creek in Catawba, a project that will cost about $847,000.

NCDOT Secretary Gene Conti awarded the contract to Sunbelt Structures Inc., of Tucker, Ga., and work will begin as early as April 2 and should be completed by Feb. 10, 2013, according to information provided by NCDOT. 

A former Maiden municipal employee and high school soccer coach who once held a position of trust in the town is now indicted for embezzlement.

A Catawba County Grand Jury indicted Dennis Rolando Ly, of Maiden, this week on three felony counts of embezzlement of public funds by a public officer or trustee.

Ly, who worked as a part-time employee for Maiden Parks and Recreation for nearly 15 years, is accused of taking funds intended for sports leagues and other parks and recreation activities for personal use.

Fans of the National Gourd Lady are remembering Margaret “Sparky” Sparkman after she passed away in the night Tuesday.
See The O-N-E’s tribute to Sparky, as well as elected officials’ reflections on the perpetually positive “jewel of Conover” — all in the Thursday print edition of The O-N-E.
Government is going live on the Internet, as Conover is working on a project to stream city council meetings on the web.
Police in Hickory busted a small-scale methamphetamine lab after an anonymous tip.
