Catawba County

Lashawn 'Shawn' Malcoln Davis, a habitual felon, was sentenced to 10-13 years in prison for a shooting in Catawba County. He pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and possession of a firearm by a felon.

A flood advisory was issued for Burke County, North Carolina, on Tuesday afternoon, remaining in effect until 8 p.m. The advisory follows 1-3 inches of rain and additional heavy rain expected from northern Cleveland County and western Lincoln and Catawba counties.

A judge denied bond for Derrick Randall Jr., accused of murdering Brandi Merrick, a 37-year-old mother of three who went missing in Charlotte, N.C. on June 12, 2026. Evidence including phone pings, surveillance footage, and a shallow grave site were presented during the court hearing, though Merrick's body has not been found.

Derrick Randall Jr. has been charged with the murder of his ex-girlfriend Brandi Merrick, with DNA and forensic evidence linking him to her death. Blood matching Merrick's DNA was found in Randall's garage, and items like gloves and a ratchet strap with her DNA were discovered near a potential grave site. Surveillance and phone records tracked Randall's movements to a wooded area where investigators found tire tracks and a depression but no body.

A man charged with the murder and kidnapping of a Hickory woman was ordered held without bond by a judge. Leroy Allen Loper appeared in Catawba County District Court for a first appearance hearing on August 3.

Leroy Loper faces charges in Catawba County for the abduction and killing of Robin Doyle, whose body was found in a wooded area. Investigators used Flock camera technology to track Loper's vehicle and discovered items like zip ties and duct tape linked to the crime. Loper, a registered sex offender with prior convictions for kidnapping and sexual offenses, remains in custody.

A 54-year-old registered sex offender, Leroy Loper, has been charged with murder and kidnapping in the death of Robin Doyle, whose body was found in Catawba County. Doyle was reported missing on July 28, and Loper, already in custody for unrelated sex offender violations, was identified as a person of interest two days later.

Robin Doyle, a 58-year-old gas station clerk in Catawba County, North Carolina, was found dead in the woods on July 31 after going missing on July 28. Leroy Loper, 54, was charged with kidnapping, murder, and concealing her death. The community mourned her loss, with tributes displayed at the Propst Superette where she worked.

Police have arrested Adam Ramsey and charged him with accessory after the fact and concealment of death in connection with the death of Claude Holsclaw in Catawba County. This marks the second arrest in the case, with Joshua Begley already charged.

Brookford Police arrested Adam Kyle Ramsey on felony charges related to the death of Catawba County veteran Doc Holsclaw. Ramsey was charged with accessory after the fact to murder and concealment of death, following a second arrest in the case. Joshua Ray Begley was previously charged with murder after Holsclaw's remains were found with gunshot wound evidence.

Robin Doyle, a 56-year-old woman reported missing in Catawba County, was found dead in a wooded area, and her death has been ruled a homicide. Leroy Looper, a 54-year-old registered sex offender with prior convictions for kidnapping and sexual offenses, was named a person of interest but has not been formally charged.

A woman’s body was found in Catawba County during a search for missing 58-year-old Robin Doyle, who was reported missing on July 28. Investigators are examining the possibility of kidnapping, and registered sex offender Leroy Allen Loper, previously convicted of kidnapping and sexual offenses, was arrested days earlier and is a person of interest.

A master deputy died during a training exercise in South Carolina, a tornado with 80 mph winds touched down in North Carolina, and Catawba County officials reported a missing woman may have been kidnapped. Scattered storms are expected this weekend.

The FBI has joined the search for Robin Doyle, a missing woman from Catawba County, whose disappearance is considered suspicious. Her father reported finding the back door of her Hickory home open with her phone still inside, indicating something may be wrong. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office.

National Weather Service meteorologists confirmed no tornadoes caused storm damage in Catawba County, attributing it to 75 mph straight-line winds and hail. Surveys near St. Stephens found downed trees from these conditions.

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.