Archive - Jul 2012 - News Article
July 12th
A new North Carolina law helps protect property owners from thieves trying to turn stolen scrap metal into profit.
Beginning Oct. 1, the "Metal Theft Protection Act of 2012" sets new requirements for scrap metal dealers, including:
• Scrap metal dealers must pay by check if the scrap metal purchase exceeds $100.
Newton will spend about $56,000 to repair and repave about 1,600 linear feet of a city street — but the city won't be paying for property acquisition along the sides of the existing road.
July 11th
Four months after Newton hiring someone to lead the planning department, the city is without a planning director.
A 12-year-old Vale girl was seriously injured when she rode her dirt bike into the road and was hit by an oncoming truck.
N.C. Trooper R.G Griffin said Christopher Wayne Randall, 42, of Cherryville was driving his 1999 GMC pick-up truck along Reepsville Road when the girl darted into his path.
Owners of Newton's Internet sweepstakes businesses have about 60 days to file applications and pay new fees in order to keep their doors open.
Newton City Council set a new fee schedule that requires the Internet gaming operations to pay $2,500 per business, as well as $1,000 per computer terminal within the business. Those are levied annually.
July 10th
By
The O-N-E Publisher Michael Willard
Newton has levied new fees for Internet sweepstakes businesses that will require a $2,500 fee to be paid per business annually. In addition changes to the city’s fee schedule requires $1,000 be paid per computer terminal within the businesses.
No dissenting votes were cast in the Newton City Council decision that spawned divided discussion among elected leaders.
When it comes to vacant buildings, Catawba County has plenty of them.
The problem is, as economic development officials work to recruit new industries and jobs to the area, not all of them are suited for the demands of modern-day operations.
But which ones are ready to welcome a new business, and where are they?
Catawba County leaders gave a green light to efforts to secure loan funding that could help economic development leaders create new "inventory" for future industries.
July 9th
A cookout on Lake Hickory turned tragic Saturday when a five-year-old boy drowned at Dixie Boat Club.
Cody Ray Johnson, 5, was found at the bottom of Lake Hickory after he apparently wandered away from a cookout his mother and siblings attended Saturday evening, said Catawba County Sheriff Coy Reid.
Eight challengers and one incumbent are seeking election to three seats on the Catawba County Schools Board of Education.
At least two of those seats will be filled by new people after Board Chair Joyce Spencer and member Steve Hilton decided they would not seek re-election.
