A column of black smoke visible from the U.S. 321 intersection with N.C. 10 revealed burning destruction to motorists several miles from Stone Gate Stables in Vale.
Not far from the $1.3 million estate on Malcolm Road, neighbor Allen Biggerstaff knew something was amiss when he heard fire sirens roaring down the private road secluded from N.C. 10.
The "BATmobile" came to Newton during the weekend, and while it didn't feature any caped crusader, it did help remove law-breakers from area streets.
Seven cases of whooping cough have been reported in Catawba County during 2012, including three open cases.
The news comes in the wake of a weekend report that 122 cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, has been reported in Alamance County since December 2011.
Statewide 126 cases of whooping cough were reported during 2011.
Fire departments from throughout Catawba, Lincoln, Burke, Cleveland counties responded to a barn blaze in the Vale community Monday morning.
