Catawba County

Deputies in Catawba County are investigating two overnight shootings, with the first incident occurring at a residence on 34th Avenue Place NE around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

A Catawba County man was killed after vehicles hit a low-hanging cable, causing a utility pole to fall. Other stories include West Caldwell High School canceling varsity football and a near-miss accident at a Mecklenburg County recycling facility.

A Catawba County man, Darren Bradshaw, was killed when a utility pole fell on him after multiple vehicles struck a low-hanging cable line on Highway 150 in Sherrills Ford. No charges will be filed in the incident.

Human remains were discovered in Catawba County, Hickory, NC, during a search for missing man Claude Wayne 'Doc' Holsclaw. Authorities, including the State Bureau of Investigation, are investigating the remains, which were found buried on 4th Street Place Southwest. Forensic analysis will determine if the remains are linked to Holsclaw and whether foul play is involved.

A man was killed when a power pole snapped near his home in Catawba County after an 18-wheeler and an RV struck a low-hanging line, causing the pole to fall. A car was damaged in the incident, but its driver was unharmed. Authorities have not released the deceased man's name.

The body of a missing Catawba County man, Claude 'Doc' Holsclaw, was found buried on his property, with police suspecting foul play. Authorities and the SBI are investigating, though no suspect has been identified. Neighbors reported not seeing him for a month.

Cleanup efforts are ongoing in Catawba County after storms caused trees to fall onto homes. A homeowner reported having multiple people at his residence to watch the World Cup final during the incident.

Barbara Dawkins, mother of Isis 'Dee Dee' Dawkins, who disappeared in 1992 and was found dead in the Henry Fork River, North Carolina, seeks answers 34 years later. The case remains unresolved, with Brookford Police Chief Willie Armstrong revealing missing evidence and documentation during a recent review.

The search for missing Catawba County man Claude Wayne Holsclaw, also known as 'Doc,' remains active as Brookford police investigate his disappearance. Brookford Police Chief Willie Armstrong stated officers are following leads and coordinating with law enforcement partners, while urging the public to share any information.

A possible microburst caused a tree to fall on a home in Catawba County Sunday afternoon. Catawba County Emergency Management reported the incident along the 600 block of 4th Ave Northeast, with the National Weather Service expected to provide more details Monday. Channel 9 is investigating whether anyone was injured.

A woman was sentenced to at least seven years in prison for the 2022 death of a 4-year-old girl in Catawba County. Chelsea Crompton pleaded guilty to murder in March and was sentenced this week after the child, Hazel Lidey, was found unresponsive at her home in Vale with bruises leading to an investigation.

A 2-year-old toddler fatally drowned at a home near Maiden in Catawba County. The Catawba County Sheriff's Office confirmed an investigation is underway.

A 2-year-old toddler drowned in Catawba County, North Carolina, on July 13 after first responders were called to a home in Maiden. The child was pronounced dead despite life-saving efforts, and authorities are investigating the circumstances leading to the incident.

The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado with 90 mph winds caused damage in Cleveland County, including uprooted trees, home and car damage, and a detached porch. The tornado traveled seven miles in 11 minutes, starting near Casar, affecting parts of Lincoln County, and ending near Cooksville in Catawba County.

Severe thunderstorms with wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail were moving through multiple counties in the Carolinas on July 10, 2026, prompting weather alerts. Interactive radar tools and safety guidelines from Duke Energy were provided to track storms and avoid hazards like downed power lines.

A 59-year-old man from Catawba County was sentenced to up to 23 years in prison for stabbing a woman and attempting first-degree murder. He pleaded guilty to the charges following a conviction four days prior.

A swim beach in Alexander County, North Carolina, reopened after over 6,000 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled into Lake Hickory's Wittenburg Access area due to a pump station equipment failure. Water quality tests showed slightly elevated bacteria levels, but officials confirmed the beach would remain open through the week.

A former EMS supervisor in Watauga County was acquitted of sexual battery and stalking charges after accusations by employees. The supervisor, Corey Greer, is no longer employed with Watauga County Emergency Services.

Goldhofer Inc., a German-based manufacturing company, is investing $20 million to build its first North American facility in Catawba County, North Carolina. The 80,000-square-foot plant at Trivium Corporate Center in Hickory is projected to create 80 jobs by 2030.

Heat advisories were issued for nearly all Charlotte-region counties, effective at noon on Thursday, July 2, until 8 p.m. Weather officials warn of heat index values reaching 105-108°F, risking heat-related illnesses.

Mike Johnson, a well-known businessman in Catawba County, died, as confirmed by his company Mike Johnson’s Hickory Toyota. He led the business since 1999, managed multiple dealerships with over 300 employees, and was recognized for philanthropy and community involvement, including receiving North Carolina’s highest civilian honor in 2025.

Over 6,000 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled into Lake Hickory near the Wittenburg Access boat ramp due to a pump station equipment failure. The beach was temporarily closed, and water quality monitoring is ongoing. Officials reported the equipment has been repaired.

A 20-year-old driver was killed in a fatal crash on Emmanuel Church Road in Catawba County, Conover, around 3:49 p.m. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol reported that speed contributed to the accident involving a 2008 Ford pickup truck.

A 20-year-old man died in a fatal collision on Emmanuel Church Road in Catawba County. Junior Ismael Guerrero's truck veered off the roadway, colliding with a culvert and tree; speed contributed to the crash, and he was not wearing a seatbelt.

Gaston County authorities are increasing patrols and urging vigilance on Mountain Island Lake during the Fourth of July weekend following recent drownings, including a 12-year-old boy in Catawba County and a near-drowning of a father and two sons in Cleveland County. Swimmer Destiny Nazworth and Officer Joshua Self emphasize the importance of life jackets and close supervision to prevent water-related accidents.

Catawba County health officials are warning about rising Legionnaire's disease cases in North Carolina and the U.S. Legionnaire's disease is a serious pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, with doctors at Novant Health noting an interesting aspect of the infection.

Residents in Catawba County are raising concerns about noise, dust, and environmental impact from Microsoft's new data center construction in Conover. County leaders highlight the project's economic benefits, including job creation and minimal water usage, while critics argue it prioritizes corporate growth over local needs. Apple previously opened a data center in Maiden, but nearby families oppose further development.

Homeowners in Catawba County's Magnolia Cove subdivision face a steep HOA fee increase from $350 to $1,250 monthly, plus a $10,000 special assessment. Residents criticize the lack of transparency, ongoing litigation, and the developer's role as HOA president, with some claiming they cannot afford the hikes and were unaware of the community's shift to rentals.

A man was arrested in Uptown Charlotte after a person was stabbed to death. A Catawba County businessman is accused of killing his partner, a kitten was rescued from a car engine in Gastonia, and the Charlotte area experienced heavy rain.

A 22-year-old Charlotte man, Sheck Kamara, was killed in a vehicle crash in Catawba County after his Hyundai Tucson collided with a Ford Explorer at a red light. The front seat passenger and the Explorer driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Highway patrol ruled out speed or impairment as factors in the crash.

A fatal collision occurred at the intersection of North Carolina 16 and Buffalo Shoals Road in Catawba County, killing 22-year-old Charlotte man Sheck Kamara. The Hyundai he was driving ran a red light and struck a Ford Explorer, leaving two others with non-life-threatening injuries. No charges will be filed as the investigation found no speed or impairment involved.

Willard Gary Black, president of Old Hickory Tannery, is accused of shooting and killing his business partner Robert Roger Arguelles in Newton, N.C., amid a financial dispute. Court records show Black owed Arguelles' company over $300,000, and a settlement agreement was reportedly withdrawn by Black on the day of the shooting.

A worker was killed following an altercation with a co-worker at Old Hickory Tannery in Catawba County, North Carolina. Police responded to the incident on June 17 and interviewed the co-worker, but details about the cause or identities of the individuals involved remain undisclosed.

Catawba County approved a $264 million budget with no property tax changes. Commissioners rejected a proposed tax increase to fund future school construction, while the budget allocates funds for education, public safety, parks, recreation, and economic development.

A Hickory man was held on a $3.5 million bond after authorities seized multiple firearms, 256 grams of fentanyl, and other drugs during a search of his home in Catawba County. Malik Nahjeen Maynard faces charges including trafficking and possession with intent to sell fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.

A 19-year-old teenager, Alex Austin, died after a motorcycle crash in Catawba County on June 12. He was riding a Kawasaki motorcycle when it collided with a Hyundai Kona near Highway 70 Southeast. Austin was hospitalized but later died in Charlotte; no charges have been filed as of June 15.

An illegal drug operation was uncovered during a multi-county murder investigation in North Carolina. Rusty Johnson was fatally shot in Catawba County, and Thomas Christopher Banks was arrested for his murder. A psilocybin grow operation and drugs were found in Banks' home, leading to the arrest of Joshua Donald Burns on drug-related charges.

Brookford Police Chief Willie Armstrong has returned to work after a judge dismissed charges against him related to a 30-year-old cold case murder. Armstrong remains focused on solving the 1992 murder of 13-year-old Dee Dee Dawkins, despite previous allegations that he altered or destroyed evidence during the investigation.

A man is accused of growing illegal psilocybin mushrooms in Lincoln County, which were discovered during a search for a Catawba County murder suspect, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.