Bethlehem News

Area: Bethlehem Address: 377 Greenlea Circle Lot Size: .93 acre Levels: 1 Bedrooms: 3 Baths: 2 Year built: 2008 Price: $106,400 Listed by: Joseph Griffin Company: Ben Griffin Realty-Builders Amenities: So many ...

"I feel like the mole on Cindy Crawford's face: just happy to be here," says playwright David Wright, who authored Ruthie .

Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Middle Jun. 20--What you see is not always what you get.

“Although Felicia was born in Henderson County, her first language was Spanish”

Local teen named N.C. Youth of the Year Special to the Times-News Felicia Arriaga, a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County, has been named the Youth of the Year for the state of North Carolina by ... via HendersonvilleNews.com

“Because I'm an immigrant myself”

Alexander County's immigrant population is still small compared with neighboring counties, but it's growing -- and a new service is helping to meet the newcomers' special needs.

The Alexander International Center grew out of a local pastor's concern for newly arrived Latinos.

Though it's still a small, part-time service, it's getting its footing as volunteer organizers try to model it after similar centers in the area.

Alexander's service is unique because it reaches out to all immigrants instead of just one group. The county has populations of Latinos, Hmong and Laotians. Read more

“It is our hope that some of the talented employees in Hickory might consider relocation to our Elliston facility as needed”

Clayton Marcus, an upholstered furniture company started in 1960 in the basement of the founder's home, will move production from Alexander and Catawba counties to Virginia, company officials told employees Wednesday.

The company's two plants, the original one in Bethlehem, the other in Hickory, will close later this year or in 2009, said officials with Virginia-based Rowe Fine Furniture.

Officials said production will shift to a plant in Elliston, Va., for efficiency because the Virginia facility is more technologically advanced. Read more

“They're interested in growth. They understand growth is needed”

Alexander County is beautiful with its rolling hills and quiet countryside, and people here want to keep it that way. But they also want to see it bring in jobs and tax revenue.

A county-appointed committee has taken that vision and incorporated it into a new version of Alexander's land-use plan, the document's first update since county commissioners adopted the inaugural version in 1993.

The proposal, which commissioners could adopt in April, would guide the board and planners as they control the county's growth over the next 10-15 years. Read more

Firefighters pour water on what remains of a woodworking shop belonging to L.C. and Sue Trivette on Roten Rd. via Charlotte.com

Bethlehem- A Taylorsville man was killed following a crash Friday in Alexander County. via Hildebran News

Three men were arrested at a Hickory motel Saturday in connection with a Friday night assault and robbery of an elderly disabled man at his Bethlehem home. via Charlotte.com

One person was killed and another injured when a car went off an Alexander County road and plummeted 75 feet down an icy ravine early Friday. via Charlotte Channel 9

WOMEN'S CONFERENCE at St. Luke Holy Church, Rose Hill at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 and at 10 a.m. Jan. via Jacksonville Daily News

Happy Almost 2008! There's a lot of advice out there about hip places to go and be New Year's Eve. via NWI Times

The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute will offer a talk about the Star of Bethlehem starting at 5 p.m. Friday at the observatory outside of Rosman. via The Asheville Citizen-Times

“This is for people that are lonely. It brings people together”

Renee Pagano puts clean dishes on shelves as she and others get ready for the Bounty of Bethlehem on Christmas Day. via HendersonvilleNews.com

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.”

By Evelyn Dove Coleman In preparation for a Christmas program, I discovered a Web site with a few carols. via Kinston Free Press

“I'm taking a lot of grief for that.”

Mother Nature has forced fire officials to take on the role of the Grinch that stole Christmas. via Washington Daily News