Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Source: U.S. National Weather Service

NORTH CAROLINA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE:

ALAMANCE ALEXANDER ANSON BERTIE CABARRUS CASWELL CATAWBA CHATHAM CLEVELAND DAVIDSON DAVIE DURHAM FORSYTH FRANKLIN GASTON GRANVILLE GUILFORD HARNETT HERTFORD HOKE IREDELL LEE LINCOLN MECKLENBURG MONTGOMERY MOORE NORTHAMPTON ORANGE PERSON RANDOLPH RICHMOND ROCKINGHAM ROWAN SCOTLAND STANLY STOKES SURRY UNION VANCE WAKE WARREN YADKIN

Armed and dangerous felon on the loose

Local residents, please be alert and aware. Do not approach this individual should you see or encounter him, and contact Captain Shanon Smith (McDowell County Sheriff’s Office) at 828-652-2235 or their local 911 center immediately. He is believed to be armed and dangerous.

From McDowell County Sheriff’s Office

Local and State Law Enforcement officials are currently searching for Ryan Ricky Houston (41 y/o white male) for felony warrants out of McDowell County. Houston is the suspect of a home invasion that occurred in McDowell County shortly before midnight. Houston, who is currently out on bond for Attempted First Degree Murder and Assault on Law Enforcement in Buncombe County, forced his way into a home in McDowell County, assaulted the homeowner and stole a firearm and vehicle. This stolen vehicle was located a short time later on Interstate 40 near exit 90. It is believed Houston then broke into Skyline Marine, off exit 90 of Interstate 40, and stole a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 truck. The truck is navy blue in color, crew cab (4-door), 4×4 LTZ. On the back glass of the truck is the wording “Skyline Marine”, “Honda” and “Bass Cat” with Tag Number HE-7004.

If you have any information regarding this individual, please contact Captain Shanon Smith (McDowell County Sheriff’s Office) at 828-652-2235 or dial 911 and contact law enforcement immediately.

Please see attached photos of Houston and the truck in question.

Some of The Needlecrafters Group

When you think of Maiden, North Carolina, you might not immediately picture a thriving hub for needlecrafts. However, this unassuming town is home to a community of passionate fiber artists who are keeping traditional crafts alive.

Some of The Needlecrafters Group
The Needlecrafters Group

The Needlecrafters, a local collective, has become a beacon for embroiderers, knitters, crocheters, and needlepoint enthusiasts from all walks of life. What started as a small group of friends gathering to share techniques and chat around the table has blossomed into a vibrant organization that offers teaching the basics to newcomers, a friendly atmosphere and maybe even a sweet snack!

Whether you’re a seasoned stitcher or a complete beginner, The Needlecrafters welcomes everyone with open arms. From intricate embroidery to bold colored knitting and crochet pieces, the level of skill and artistry on display is truly impressive. But more than that, this group fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie that is hard to find elsewhere.

I visited the lively group today at their normal meeting space within the Maiden Library and spoke with them as they enjoyed their once-a-week meeting. In speaking with accomplished needlecrafter and group leader Allyson, I was guided along the path of learning all of what this group has to offer.

Here is what I learned: Of their current nine member group, Jill knits lap blankets and hats as a charitable contribution for cancer patients! Each member, when their birthday arrives, is normally given a small party while attending the meeting, with a cake and sparkling grape juice. Every year, right around Christmas the group meets at a restaurant to enjoy a sort of Christmas Dinner.

The group is open to all! No age limitations or previous knowledge required! They are willing to teach anyone willing to learn and yarn and hooks are provided! The Maiden Library also offers a Yarn Library where you can grab some yarn that catches your eye, or gift the library any yarn you no longer need.

The Yarn Library

Where & When you may ask? The Needlecrafters meets every Tuesday at 4:00pm at the Maiden Branch Library, 11 S A Ave in Maiden. There is No Cost.

If you have any questions you may call Allyson (828) 994-7692 or find them under Clubs in our Business Directory.

This crafty group has been meeting this way since 2007! Now you know!!

Flash Flooding in Maiden NC After Storm

Tonight’s thunderstorm inundated the Town of Maiden with 4 inches of rain, according to our sources on the ground. The storm hit hard and fast, raising creek levels and turning much of our local area into a waterlogged, muddy mess.

play-sharp-fill

Video courtesy of Danny Hipps

Residents are advised to be aware of local flash flooding. Please pay attention when driving or walking near local water sources or areas of flat ground.

Flash Flooding in Maiden NC After Storm

Photo courtesy of Danny Hipps

Flash Flooding in Maiden NC After Storm

Photo courtesy of Linda Cinque Holmes

The National Weather Advisory Service has issued a flood advisory. Please be aware that floods continue to be a hazard well after a storm has passed.

FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM EDT THIS EVENING…

  • WHAT…Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.
  • WHERE…A portion of Piedmont North Carolina, including the following counties, Catawba and Lincoln.
  • WHEN…Until 1015 PM EDT.
  • IMPACTS…Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.
  • ADDITIONAL DETAILS… – At 613 PM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen. – Some locations that will experience flooding include… Newton, Maiden, Westport, Denver, Lake Norman, Sherrills Ford, Startown, Terrell and Propst. – http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

When it is safe to do so, please report flooding or landslides threatening roads or property to the National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg by calling toll free, 1, 800, 2 6 7, 8 1 0 1, by posting on our Facebook page, or via Twitter using hashtag NWSGSP. Your message should describe the specific location where impacts occurred and the depth of flooding observed.

Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

(Edited to correct capitalization of names.)

Maiden Rec Center

Maiden Parks & Recreation hosts the Senior Morning Out at the Rec Center and we thought you should know!

Where? Located at Maiden Recreation Center 207 E Klutz St.

When? Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

According to Parks & Rec Website:

“This program provides the Maiden area senior citizens with a facility to gather and fellowship. The program is run through the Social Services Department of Catawba County. Seniors enjoy crafts, programs, trips, educational lectures as well as lunch daily. This program is open to all senior citizens in the area.”

Looking further we find these words from Social Services Department of Catawba County:

“Seniors Morning Out is a half-day program for persons 60 or older who live in Catawba County. The program operates Monday through Thursday except for holidays and inclement weather. There are no income requirements to participate. This service is free to participants, however, donations are accepted.

Seniors Morning Out activities include information about nutrition and healthy living, entertainment, games and crafts, exercise, and trips to local shopping and attractions.” Photos courtesy of Catawba County

Photos Courtesy of Catawba County

So if you or a loved one is over 60 and seeking fellowship and some fun activities, this is the place to be!

Other Programs Offered by Maiden Parks & Recreation

Karate Class – Tuesday & Thursday, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Classes are offered to all ages from four years old to Senior Citizens. The classes are taught by certified instructors in Japanese and American Karate. The program offers free demonstrations, physical fitness, self-control, and meditation for men, women, and children. For more information call (828) 215 0775.

Tumbling Classes – Wednesday, 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Classes are offered to boys and girls from ages 2 to 12.  Kindergym (ages 2-5) has a focus on balance, coordination, and body positions as well as learning beginner tumbling skills such as rolls, cartwheels, and handstands. Tumbling (ages 5-12) has a focus on basics (rolls, cartwheels,  handstands, etc.), and intermediate (walk-overs, round-offs, handsprings, etc.) tumbling skills are practiced. Stretching and strengthening exercises are also incorporated.

Summer camp opportunities will be announced each year on April 1st. Please refer back to this page or our social media page for more information. Registration for summer camps can be found at https://maidennc.recdesk.com

Camp Sessions are ongoing at this time! You can check the Calendar for July and August for details!

Parks & Rec Facilities

The Maiden Parks & Recreation Center facilities include a gym and banquet room with a fully equipped kitchen. Also on the premises is a softball complex (four fields and two batting cages) along with Maiden Municipal  Park. The park features playground equipment along with a picnic shelter as well as a Splash Pad. Two other small parks in town are Union Street Park with playground equipment and an outdoor basketball court, and Rosenwald Park, with playground equipment, an outdoor basketball court, and a picnic shelter.

The Splash Pad is open from May 1st to September 30th from 10 am- 8 pm.

You can find forms here: Maiden Parks & Recreation Center facilities

Support our local Maiden programs, as well as the events the Parks & Recreation Department host every year! This is Living Made Easy….. this is Community!!

Maiden NC News - School Supply Drive 2024

Maiden School Supply Drive sponsored by Maiden Police and Maiden Fire Departments.

Maiden Police and Maiden Fire are teaming up again this year to collect school supplies.

Donation collection buckets have been conveniently placed in the Maiden Police Department, Maiden Town Hall, Maiden Fire Department, Maiden Dollar General, and Maiden Family Dollar Stores.

Donations can be dropped off between July 15th and August 15th.

Coffee With A Cop

After a years long break during the pandemic, Coffee with a Cop is once again observed here in Maiden. The mission of Coffee with a Cop is “to break down the barriers between police officers and the citizens they serve.”

“One of the big issues that law enforcement must continually deal with is communication. We all know that the majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public is in emergency, sometimes adversarial, or emotional situations. Let’s face it; those situations are not always the best time for a nice “sit-down chat about community issues.” So how do we communicate better with the people we serve? The answer to that question is simple; just have a cup of coffee.”

These are the words of Sgt. Chris Cognac of the Hawthorne PD in a blog about the origins of “Coffee With A Cop” To learn more about the History of this National Event, read more here! History of Coffee With A Cop

As well as providing a relaxing forum where you can interact with our local Police Officers, staff and command staff, you can also pick up some goodies, pamphlets of information that are quite useful as well as a free gun lock should you require one!

The atmosphere was certainly relaxed and friendly as well! I took a moment to speak with as many people as I could especially all of our local Maiden Police that were on scene. I asked Officer Mark Baker when we would be seeing “Coffee With A Cop” in the future and he said that “These are held once per year” while adding “Although I’d like to have them every six months!” I couldn’t agree more Mark!

This year’s event was hosted by Mae’s Market. Looking back at the history of Coffee With A Cop in Maiden, Mae’s also hosted this event July 23, 2021. Be sure to stop by Mae’s and enjoy some yummy pastries as well as their large selection of coffees, frappes and other treats! Thank You Mae’s!

One of the keys to Coffee with a Cop’s success is that it removes the physical barriers between officers and residents and happens outside of the crisis situations that routinely define interactions between law enforcement officials and community members. Thank you to everyone in the community that turned-out on Friday to have a coffee and chat with our fine MPD officers!

If you would like to contribute photos or opinions to this story, reach out to us by email info@localmaiden.info or contact us on our Facebook Page!

Jive After 5 Crowd

The Town of Maiden and the Maiden Business Association closed-out another Jive After 5 series with an epic performance by “On The Border” – The Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band. Droves of people were in attendance and seen enjoying the tunes. With the weather still hot, but cool breezes to afford some comfort, the night was filled with happy faces and the overall vibe was people having a great time!

The Town of Maiden Staff, Maiden Fire Department, Maiden Police Department & Maiden Rescue provided valuable services to the community for this event. Give them all a high-five, without their efforts none of this would be possible. The following video is courtesy of Rhonda Wise Edwards – North Carolina Real Estate Agent .

video
play-sharp-fill

While this closes-out another Jive After 5 series, Maiden Business Association reminded us there will be more fun events in the near future, with the Maiden Business Jamboree and Food Truck Rodeo scheduled for this fall, as well as the annual Movie In The Park event in October.

More information can be found on The Town of Maiden Facebook Page, The Maiden Business Association website and by following their Facebook Page as well!

Thank you to all supporters and everyone who attended the Jive After 5, you are appreciated.

Maiden is the End of Line for the The Carolina & Northwestern Railway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utgRIcAyXpA

We hope you enjoy this video by Youtubers ‘BlueRidgeRails TM” as they visit our town and explore the ‘end of the line” for the Southern Railway HG Line.

From their video description. “The Carolina & Northwestern Railway (Ca&NW) was a railroad that served South Carolina and North Carolina from 1897 until January 1, 1974. The original line was operated by the CA&NW as a separate railroad controlled by the Southern Railway until 1974 when the name was changed to the Norfolk Southern Railway. On June 1, 1982, Southern Railway and Norfolk and Western Railroad merged to form Norfolk Southern Railway. Choosing to use the name ‘Norfolk Southern Railway’ for the merger, in 1981, the original Ca&NW line along with original Norfolk Southern Railway was renamed Carolina and Northwestern once again. In the early 1950s several shortline subsidiaries of the Southern Railway were leased to the Ca&NW for operation, with these lines remaining a part of the Ca&NW into the 1980s.”

Please subscribe to their channel at https://www.youtube.com/@blueridgerails if you are interested in our local railways!