Archive
October 13th, 2010
It's time.
That's what members of the Catawba Valley Pride Inc. say about Catawba County's upcoming gay pride event, the first held in the county.
The event is scheduled for Oct. 15-17 at various locations across the county, from Lenoir-Rhyne University to area churches.
"I have gotten many e-mails with people saying, 'It's time, and we're wishing you the best in turnout,'" said Christy Austin, Catawba Valley Pride president. "We're really excited for this event."
Clyde Andrew Josey, 75, of Maiden, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010, at Valley Nursing Center in Taylorsville. Burke Mortuary in Newton is serving the Josey family.
DeVere Rogers Smith Sr., 82, of Hickory, died Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010, in Newton. The Smith family has entrusted the funeral arrangements to Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home & Crematory in Newton.
By
Associated Press Writer Mitch Weiss
HICKORY, N.C. — Investigators used a police dog to search among tree-trimming equipment and piles of mulch for a missing 10-year-old North Carolina girl on Wednesday, a day after authorities said they believed the girl had been killed.
Hours earlier, Zahra Clare Baker's stepmother showed no emotion in court as a judge explained she could be sentenced to up to 30 months in prison if convicted of obstruction of justice. Elisa Baker is accused of trying to throw off investigators with a fake ransom note.
By
Barbara Burns — Outlook Editor
Comfortable chairs and a sofa surround a coffee table to form an area for conversation and knitting that lends a warm-hearted ambience to Wildskeins Yarn Co.
Owner Ann Dobbins, 60, works in the shop and graciously welcomes everyone who walks in — new customers as well as old.
The warmth and coziness is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the newspaper newsroom. where Dobbins worked for almost 10 years — the Catawba Valley Neighbors, a bureau of the Charlotte Observer.
A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Zahra Baker, a 10-year-old disabled child who was reported missing during the weekend.
The public vigil is set for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at East Hickory Baptist Church on 16th Street Southeast in Hickory.
The stepmother of a missing Hickory girl appeared in court Wednesday under a felony obstruction of justice charge.
Elisa Baker, 42, stepmother of missing 10-year-old Zahra Clare Baker, walked into a courtroom in the Catawba County Justice Center on Wednesday morning wearing a pink jumpsuit and handcuffs.
Baker's bond for the felony obstruction of justice charge is set at $40,000. Her court-appointed attorney, Scott Reilly, said he plans to file a motion to reduce Baker's bond. The process could take about five days, he said.
By
Associated Press Writer Mitch Weiss
HICKORY, N.C. (AP) — To relatives and former neighbors, Elisa Baker had a short fuse. In interviews and court documents, they portrayed her as nasty-tempered and willing to use a gun or her fists to settle an argument and say her disabled stepdaughter usually bore the brunt of her rage.
Investigators said Tuesday they believe someone killed 10-year-old Zahra Clare Baker, who was reported missing over the weekend. Baker was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, accused of trying to throw off investigators with a fake ransom note.
October 12th
Area high school students are working to create a unique honor code to govern their school's rules, regulations and policies.
Challenger Early College High School students will review and discuss their beliefs and values about what keeps a school running smoothly, and they'll put those values into an honor code.
Challenger Early College High School, located on the campus of Catawba Valley Community College, is a school of 380 students that blends the high school experience with the first two years of college.
A documentary about one of Catawba County's jewels will air at the Adrian L. Shuford YMCA.
Margaret "Sparky" Sparkman, also known as The Gourd Lady, will be the feature of a documentary on her service. An open house and premiere screening will be 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday in the Sparkman Community Center located behind the YMCA.
James Smith, the documentary's creator, will be present at the event and will sell DVDs for $15 each. The Gourd Lady will be available to autograph DVDs sold Thursday.
Semi-formal or formal attire is optional.
Two Catawba County ambulances were involved in accidents Monday, with one being recorded as fatal.
Nathan Turner, 54, of Claremont, was driving an ambulance occupied with another paramedic and a patient from an Alexander County nursing home to a hospital in Catawba County. As Turner approached the Alexander and Catawba county line, a 2003 Ford Escape crossed the center line and hit the ambulance head on about 1:30 p.m. Monday.
Patrick Salmons, 67, of Taylorsville, was driving the SUV and died at the scene.
