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Jenkins Funeral Home opens new pavilion

2013-05-18T03:24:19-04:00

Jenkins Funeral Home, 4081 Startown Road, celebrated on Thursday the opening of its new pavilion with a ribbon cutting ceremony with the city of Newton and Catawba County Chamber of Commerce.

“I want to thank you for your commitment to Newton,” Mayor Anne P. Stedman said. You’ve been a good citizen and a good steward.”

The new outdoor pavilion features a small kitchen, restrooms and ceiling fans and is available to families after events at the funeral home, Carl Jenkins, owner of Jenkins Funeral Home said.

To read more of this story, pick up the weekend print edition of Catawba County's community newspaper, The Observer News Enterprise, at newsstands throughout the county.

Newton’s Unity Day tomorrow

2013-05-17T03:22:17-04:00

Unity Day, the day-long festival that combines a city-wide yard sale, Unity Day celebration and evening entertainment occurs tomorrow.

All events will take place in downtown Newton.

The day kicks off with the 8th Annual city-wide yard sale at 7 a.m. hosted by the Newton Festival and Events Committee. The yard sale will take place on the streets between South Brady Avenue and South Ashe Avenue and between A and C Streets.

At 11 a.m. the Unity Day Celebration hosted, by the Newton Human Relations Council begins downtown with the annual Parade of Flags.

To read more of this story, pick up the Friday edition of Catawba County's community newspaper, The Observer News Enterprise, at newsstands throughout the county.

Sigmon retires after 20 years

2013-05-16T03:37:02-04:00

After a total of 38 years in local government, 20 of which has been spent in his current role as Claremont’s Fire Chief, Gary Sigmon has announced his plans to retire effective June 30.

Sigmon has been a member of the fire department for the past 27 years. He began his service to the department as a volunteer firefighter and grew through the ranks holding the positions of lieutenant and captain. Then in 1993 he was voted by the membership to hold his current title as Fire Chief. Sigmon began his local government career at the age of 17 with Catawba County and spent 15 years with the County in the building and grounds department. Sigmon held various roles in the department, but left the County holding the title of buildings and grounds Supervisor. He then transitioned to the city of Newton in 1991 and held the rank of Engineer with the fire department. Then in 1995 Sigmon took on the full time duties as the city’s first salaried Fire Chief. In addition to his fire service, Sigmon has also been a reserve Sheriff’s Deputy with the Catawba County Sheriff since 1977.

To read more of this story, pick up the Thursday edition of Catawba County's community newspaper, The Observer News Enterprise, at newsstands throughout the county.

Student raises money

2013-05-16T03:37:01-04:00

In January, Rachel Cooke found out her grandfather, Eddie Travis, had aggressive prostate cancer. Once she found out, Cooke began a grassroots effort to help raise money for not only her grandfather, but for cancer research in the county.

The project paid off, with Cooke and classmates raising $281 in honor of her grandfather. The money was given to the American Cancer Society of Catawba County on May 7.

To read more of this story, pick up the Thursday edition of Catawba County's community newspaper, The Observer News Enterprise, at newsstands throughout the county.

Letter carriers help hungry

2013-05-15T03:24:10-04:00

An important part of the mission of Eastern Catawba County Cooperative Christian Ministry (ECCCM), a United Way Agency, is helping county residents in need of crisis assistance with food.

With the help of the Newton-Conover letter carriers during the 21st Annual Letter Carrier’s Food Drive, ECCCM will be able to provide this assistance.

On Saturday, May 11, letter carriers in surrounding areas helped fight hunger by picking up food donations from residents along the post office mail routes.

“Our food pantry has been seeing heavy demands due to the economic conditions in our area,” Executive Director of ECCCM, Rev. Robert Silber said. “We are proud that through our community’s support ECCCM has never turned anyone in need away as we work tirelessly to eliminate hunger in Catawba County. From the thousands of families served each year, to the many children served through the Backpack Program, ECCCM remains committed in its fight against hunger.”

To read more of this story, pick up the Wednesday edition of Catawba County's community newspaper, The Observer News Enterprise, at newsstands throughout the county.

Hospice room dedicated in memory of John Carl Ervin

2013-05-14T03:33:10-04:00

When John Carl Ervin passed away, hundreds mourned. There was standing room only at the First Presbyterian Church in Newton where his funeral was held.

Ervin was well known and well loved. As a NASCAR crew chief he worked with three generations of the Jarrett family and helped ensure their racing success. As a longtime radio commentator and personality, his sense of humor brought smiles to many. Ervin was also active in his church and community and had a gift for nurturing friendships and enriching the lives of everyone who knew him.

To read more of this story, pick up the Tuesday edition of Catawba County's community newspaper, The Observer News Enterprise, at newsstands throughout the county.

Mother charged in toddler’s death

2013-05-11T03:45:18-04:00

LONG VIEW — A Catawba County woman has been arrested and charged with the death of her son earlier this month.

Twenty-one-year-old Whitney Weathers of Long View was arrested Thursday and charged with felony child abuse.

Weather’s boyfriend, William Howard Lail III was charged with murder May 3 after police found their 20-month-old son dead.

To read more of this story, pick up the weekend print edition of Catawba County's community newspaper, The Observer News Enterprise, at newsstands throughout the county.

Casey awarded by Conover

2013-05-12T03:50:16-04:00

On Friday evening April 5, Catawba County EMS, Conover Fire Department and Conover Police were alerted to respond to a report of a small child calling 911 reporting that her mother was not breathing.

The fire department and Catawba County EMS arrived to find the mother lying on the floor, breathing only six times a minute. Her color indicated to the responders that she was not moving good quality air.

To read more of this story, pick up the weekend print edition of Catawba County's community newspaper, The Observer News Enterprise, at newsstands throughout the county.

School creates buddy program for students

2013-05-11T03:45:18-04:00

Every other Friday Shuford Elementary welcomes a large group of high school students. The students aren’t there to observe. They are there to visit friends.

In January, Shuford Elementary began a partnership with Newton-Conover High School. The partnership created the Be A Mentor program. In the past the school had worked with other community members to have “lunch buddies,” but the goal for BAM was to connect older students to younger students.

To read more of this story, pick up the weekend print edition of Catawba County's community newspaper, The Observer News Enterprise, at newsstands throughout the county.

The perfect present

2013-05-09T03:55:01-04:00

Owen Gilleland is a nine year old that cares about his community.

The Concordia Christian Day School student decided last month for his birthday to accept donations instead of presents so he could help raise funds for The Corner Table, is a soup kitchen outreach ministry in Newton.

Gilleland learned about the non-profit from his father, Scott, who volunteers there.

“I had a swim birthday party at the Conover YMCA and instead of gifts, my friends brought donations,” Owen said.

To read more of this story, pick up the Thursday edition of Catawba County's community newspaper, The Observer News Enterprise, at newsstands throughout the county.