Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS

DID YOU KNOW?
The Lincolnton Christmas tree is a 60-plus-foot-tall Cedar tree from Georgetown Road resident Kenneth Herndon, age 67. He planted the tree 60 years ago, when he was only 7-years-old.

The annual Christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony is Sunday, December 7th
starting at 4 p.m.

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
INCIDENT REPORTS

Photo by Jon Mayhew/The Carolina Scoop
Anonymoyus callers may receive a reward of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to an arrest in any crime. The tipline number is (704) 736-8909

December 5, 2008

2008-08960
Damage to Property
Assigned: Deputy Locklear
Location: 2826 Moose Gantt Tr
Suspects threw a brick through victim’s backdoor window
Date Reported: December 1, 2008
District A

Click HERE for the whole story

MAN CHARGED WITH IDENTITY THEFT
The Carolina Scoop's Exclusive Video of the arrest

By Jon Mayhew

Officer Tony Potts walked identity theft suspect Michael Rhyne from the probation office on Sycamore Street to the Magistrate's Office on the Court Square.
Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS

LINCOLNTON -- A Lincolnton man is arrested at the probation office on Sycamore Street Thursday after a month-long investigation that stemmed from a traffic stop last month. Authorities learned via a tip the suspect, Michael Ray Rhyne, 29, Bryant Cooper Lane, would be at the probation office around 4 p.m.

Rhyne got a surprise shortly after entering the building. Instead of visiting and leaving, the suspect got arrested on felony identity theft charges for using his own brother's name during a traffic stop. The Carolina Scoop's video camera captured exclusive footage of Rhyne being led to the Magistrate's Office.

Click HERE for the whole story INCLUDING EXCLUSIVE VIDEO

PARKING, PARKING, PARKING
City leaders tackle Cedar Street and downtown Lincolnton

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- City residents can no longer park on Carter Street effective when the "No Parking" signs go up.

Lincolnton City Council made the decision Thursday night after hearing from Lincolnton Police chief Dean Abernathy, who said the request came from neighbors on Carter Street. The "No Parking" effects residents from Cedar to Kissler Streets.

"After I received the neighbors' petition, I went down to look at the street," said Abernathy.

Click HERE for the whole story

"GIFTS FOR CHILDREN" CONCERT SET FOR FRIDAY

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- The second annual "Gifts for Children" concert will be 7 p.m. Friday at Highland Drive Freewill Baptist Church on Highland Drive in Lincolnton.

Proceeds from the concert benefit needy children in Lincoln County, with the money being used to help provide gifts and clothing. The first concert in 2007 raised $1,200 for families with children who received the gifts.

Click HERE for the whole story

MAN STABBED MULTIPLE TIMES

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- Police are investigating a case of assault with a deadly weapon after a man is taken to the hospital with multiple stab and cut wounds around 3:45 a.m. Wednesday.

Thirty-four year old Jerome Wesley Streeter told officer Mark Sain at Carolinas Medical Center Lincoln that he got into an altercation with four black males.

Click HERE for the whole story

October's Officer of the Month Mark Sain
"PEEPAW" ALWAYS ON THE MOVE

By Jon Mayhew

Officer Mark Sain (left) and Officer Richard Taylor look over information on a case.
Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS

LINCOLNTON -- He's known to his fellow officers as "Peepaw." And at first glance, one would think 51-year-old Mark Sain has been a police officer for many years.

Guess again.

The former electrical supervisor for the City of Lincolnton has actually been on the beat since February of this year. And while the October Fatz Cafe/The Carolina Scoop Lincolnton Police Officer of the Month has only been an officer for the past 10 months, he doesn't miss a beat while on patrol.

Just ask the guy he arrested a few weeks ago for possessing liquid morphine.

"I saw him originally pull out with a tail light out," said Sain.

Click HERE for the whole story

Inside: See a sampling of calls with Officer Sain.

Beauty in Simplicity

By Shane Manier

A streetlight makes love to the asphalt 
on a summer night where me and a friend
keep trying to run away and see how 
far we get till dawn breaks the midnight blue.
Drowning out the city's gleam into sparkling sunlight
rose tints on glass towers.
Reflecting, projecting memories of the night
and hopes for this brand new day.
We are the ones who don't care that
today our bodies will ache. 
We know all the possible prices for riding the night
steering with the wind as it's mane.
Letting the music carry us as it joins 
the scenery like soulmates. 
Life is lost in this world to so many.
and sometimes...
when I've come back I stop and fear
that we are the only ones to see 
the bursts of beauty each day.
And sometimes... I fear that the sky
would disappear,
for lack of attention.

If you have a poem you would like to submit e-mail it to mail@thecarolinascoop.com

How to Keep Children Safer While Shopping and Traveling During the Holidays

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) wants to remind parents not to let their guard down or be distracted while traveling or attending public celebrations during this 2008 holiday season.

NCMEC encourages parents to talk with children about safety before heading out to a busy shopping mall or boarding a plane, train, or bus this holiday season. Crowds are greater this time of year and children may easily become separated from their parents, causing confusion and fear. If that should happen, parents need a plan and children should know what to do.

And remember: child safety is a year-round priority. Parents and guardians need to look out for kids and keep communication lines open 365 days a year!

NCMEC urges parents to do the following:

Click HERE for the Whole Story

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
DECEMBER 3, 2008
INCIDENT REPORT

Photo by Jon Mayhew/The Carolina Scoop
Publisher's Note: Crimestoppers of Lincolnton/Lincoln County will pay a reward of up to $1,000 for an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest in any crime. Call the tipline at 704-736-8909.

2008-07807
PWISD Cocaine Sch. II, S & D Cocaine Sch. II, Maintain Dwelling
Assigned: File Only (Helms)
Location: 2049 Hines Circle Rd.
Victim: State of N.C.
Suspect selling crack cocaine to cooperating witness
Date Reported: October 19, 2008
District C

2008-08984
Simple Assault
Assigned: File Only (Frye)
Location: 4574 Cherokee Dr.
Victim: Eliud Morales
Both parties got into fight
Date Reported: December 02, 2008
District B

Click HERE for the Whole Story

WOMAN CHARGED WITH CHILD ABUSE
Six-year-old hit repeatedly and forcefully by mother

Brandee Flowers of Railroad Road, Lincolnton, is being held in jail on child abuse charges involving her six-year-old son. Photo contributed/TCS

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- Lincolnton Police detective Chuck McGInley arrested and charged a 23-year-old Lincolnton with child abuse involving her own six-year-old son.

A witness told authorities the mother -- identified as Brandee Flowers of Railroad Road -- punched her son in the face and head

Click HERE for the whole story

CONVENIENCE STORE BROKEN INTO TWICE

By Jon Mayhew

DENVER -- An East Lincoln convenience store is broken into twice, where more than $8,700 worth of North Carolina scratch-off lottery tickets were taken. Now, Lincoln County Sheriff's Department detectives are investigating the break-ins.

The break-ins occurred Saturday around 2:30am and Tuesday just after midnight at the Jones Exxon at 504 South Highway 16.

"In both cases, the suspect used a dark colored Honda SUV to back through the two front doors

Click HERE for the whole story

MAN ARRESTED FOR
LINCOLN COUNTY ASSAULT

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- Lincolnton Police didn't have to go very far to investigate an assault of a female by a man from Charlotte.

Around 12:05 a.m. Wednesday, two vehicles pulled into the police department parking lot. In one vehicle were two males. In the other, a Charlotte man and Cornelius woman following in another vehicle.

Officer Richard Taylor responded to the scene and discovered the female, believed to be from Mecklenburg County, had been assaulted by Isacc Lartey, 33, somewhere in Lincoln County.

Click HERE for the whole story

EMPLOYEE CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLEMENT
By Jon Mayhew

Jessica Sanborn was charged with embezzlement from Raceway in Boger City. File Photo/TCS


BOGER CITY -- Jessica Sanborn usually greeted customers with a kind word and a smile at the Raceway at 1913 E. Main Street. Now, the 18-year-old Huss Street

Click HERE for the whole story

Members of Lincolon County's Second Citizen's
Police Academy Graduate

LINCOLNTON –- The Second Citizen’s Police Academy graduated recently with an academy dinner and awards ceremony.  The academy began in early September with 28 students chosen from those who submitted applications and cleared a background check.

 During the course, the class was schooled on court procedures, criminal investigations, narcotics investigations, domestic violence, crime prevention, juvenile procedures, weapons and use of

Click HERE for the Whole Story

"Arrested Developments"
THE OFFICIAL LINCOLNTON POLICE BLOTTER 
Lincoltnon police officer Mark Sain. Photo by Elizabeth Mayhew/TCS

December 1, 2008

12:26am -- Police responded to a call for service and possible unlawful restarint at the Days Inn at 614 Clark Drive. A female subject told authorities a male was refusing to let her leave a room.

4:22am -- Authorities were called to a residence at 814 E. Pine Street in reference to a welfare check. Police checked on the status of the resident at that location.

9:44am -- Police, along with fire and medic, responded to a bomb threat at 1908 East Main Street (Peoples Bank), where the bank was evacuated. Officers searched the building and found nothing.

Click HERE for the whole story

BOMB THREAT EVACUATES BANK
Caller threatens to blow up Peoples Bank branch

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- Authorities were called to the People's Bank branch on East Main Street in Lincolnton, after a male calls in a bomb threat.

According to Lincolnton Police Lt. Randy Willis, the incident heppened around 9:45 a.m. Monday, a little over an hour after the bank opened.

"One of the employees answered the phone and the man said a bomb is going to go off at one of their branches," said Willis.

Click HERE for the whole story.

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
INCIDENT REPORTS

DEC. 2, 2008

Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for an arrest in any crime. Anonymous tips may be called in to (704) 736-8909.

2008-08961
Larceny of MV
Assigned: Detective Paris
Location: 1544 Bishop Dr.
Suspect took 1995 Honda Civic teal in color with vin# 2HGEH2378SH505335 from driveway
Date Reported: December 01, 2008
District B

Click HERE for the whole story

MAN ARRESTED AFTER
BIZZARE BEHAVIOR

By Jon Mayhew

It wasn't "dyno-mite" for suspect Jimmy Walker late Monday afternoon, as his jail mugshot shows. Photo contributed/TCS

LINCOLNTON -- City police arrest a Lincolnton man after he exhibits unusual behavior at a busy gas station, then goes down the street and causes a disturbance at a fast-food restaurant.

Officer Billy Burgin responded to the V&B Food Mart around 5:15 p.m. Monday and spoke to a female victim.

She told him that a white male -- later identified as Jimmy Franklin Walker, 60

Click HERE for the whole story

NEW COMMISSIONERS SWORN IN

By Jon Mayhew

George Arena (far left), Alex Patton (center), and Carrol Mitchem (right) were administered the oath of office to become Lincoln County Commissioners by Clerk of Court Fred Hatley (far left). Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS

LINCOLNTON -- One new commissioner, a previous county commissioner and an incumbant county commissioner were sworn in Monday night in a special ceremony held in the James W. Warren Citizens Center.

George Arena, Carrol Mitchem and Alex Patton were administered the oath of office by Lincoln County Clerk of Court Fred Hatley.

After the swearing-in ceremony, nominations were taken for commisison chairman

Click HERE for the whole story

NEW FEATURES ON "THE SCOOP"

Staff Reports

LINCOLN COUNTY -- Lincoln County's first online newspaper has rolled out new things for our readers to check out.

First, and most important, we've made our ads bigger so everyone can read them. We'd like to thank our advertisers for their support over the past eight months as we've made several changes to the Web site to make it easier for our readers to navigate.

Click HERE for the whole story

SELECTING AND PLANTING
PECAN TREES

By: Kevin D. Starr
County Extension Director
N.C. Cooperative Extension Service

By all indications, there is a bumper crop of local pecans this fall. We normally plant bare-root trees in late winter. But some folks are already looking for trees. Let's look at some of the keys to success with this crop.
As always, it's important to take a soil sample prior to planting. This test will tell you whether the soil pH is at the optimum 6.0 to 6.5. If the pH is too low, you'll be able to add needed lime at planting time. The soil test will also reveal whether the soil needs phosphorus. If needed, it's essential that this nutrient be added to the soil prior to planting. Plant the trees in the best soil you can, being careful to avoid poorly drained sites. A pecan tree takes a long time to reach a productive size. Make sure you take the time needed to select a good site and get the soil ready.

When purchasing plants, you will likely buy a four to six foot “whip” (unbranched tree). The tree will probably be bare-root and should be planted as soon as possible after taking it home. You will sometimes find pecan trees sold in containers but these are also likely bare-root trees that have been recently potted up. You can hold these trees a

Click HERE for the Whole Story

"Arrested Developments"
THE OFFICIAL LINCOLNTON POLICE BLOTTER

Lincolnton Police Officer Spencer Summers. Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS

Nov. 29 - Nov. 30

November 29, 2008

2:30am -- Break and enter/larceny/damage to property at 16 Woodmont Circle
By breaking glass and stealing TV and pistol from residence

11:04am -- Disturbance at 301 S. Aspen Street
Verbal argument between subjects

12:10pm -- Lost property at 2218 E. Main St. (Harris-Teeter)
Lost diamond ring

Click HERE for the whole story

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
INCIDENT REPORTS FOR DECEMBER 1, 2008

Crimestoppers of Lincolnton/Lincoln County may pay a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in any crime. Anonymous tips may be called in to (704) 736-8909.

2008-08473
Embezzlement
Assigned: Detective Alvarado
Location: Hwy 27 & Cat Square Rd.
Suspect took church funds for own use
Date Reported: November 07, 2008
District A

Click HERE for the whole story

NEW LINCOLN
COMMISSIONERS
SWORN IN TONIGHT
Revaluations, tax rate future topics

By Jon Mayhew

Alex Patton, George Arena and Carrol Mitchem will be sworn in as new Lincoln County Commissioners tonight at the James W. Warren Citizens Center. Photos by Jon Mayhew/TCS

LINCOLNTON -- Tonight marks the swearing-in of Lincoln County's three commissioners-elect to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners.

East Lincoln activist and planning board member George Arena,

Click HERE for the whole story

"Arrested Developments"
THE OFFICIAL LINCOLNTON POLICE BLOTTER

Lincolnton Police Officer Jimmy Barlowe II. Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS

Nov. 27 - Nov. 28

Nov. 27

10:51am -- Indecent Exposure at Bi-Lo, North Generals Boulevard -- By subject exposing private parts in the parking lot

12:28pm -- Disturbance at 422 E. Church St. -- Disturbance at a residence between subjects

Click HERE for the whole story

CRIME OF THE WEEK


Staff Reports

Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputies are investigating a rash of mailbox vandalism over last weekend.

Click HERE to learn more

MAN TASED BY POLICE

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- A Lincolnton man lunges at police in the police department parking lot and is tased by authorities.

The family of Mark Todd McManus, 40, of Pine Street were on their way home from a party, being driven by a friend, when McManus became aggressive with his wife and son.

The four pulled into the parking lot of the Lincolnton Police Department at the corner of East Main and Flint Streets,

Click HERE for the whole story

AIRPORT MANAGER RECOVERING
FROM GASTON PLANE CRASH

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- The Lincoln County Airport manager continues to recover Sunday from a plane crash last week in Gaston County.

Jeff Lynn had just taken off from the Mauney Field Airstrip south of Cherryville Wednesday when his plane went down. Lynn was able to call 911 and report he was in

Click here for the whole story

"Arrested Developments"
THE OFFICIAL LINCOLNTON POLICE BLOTTER

Lincolnton Police Sgt. Johnny Caudle. Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS

Nov. 25 - Nov. 26

Nov. 25

6:20am: Breaking and entering/larceny/damage to property
1281 Huddelston-sish Trail

1:06pm: Accidental fire -- 208 Crescent Court

Click HERE for the whole story

MAN EXPOSES SELF IN PARKING LOT

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- Thanksgiving Day, some shoppers at a local grocery store got more than last-minute groceries for their holiday dinners.

Around 11 a.m., a shopper from the Bi-Lo on North General's Boulevard noticed a man exposing himself in a vehicle.

Officers patrolling the parking lot were stopped by a black female,

Click HERE for the whole story

NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING

MWF BRAWL GAMES 2008 A SUCCESS

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- The Millennium Wrestling Federation held it's most successful Brawl Games ever, Saturday night at the Howards Creek Veteran's Center in Lincolnton. A crowd of more than 125 people witnessed a night of action culminating in a 10-man cage match.

The action, however, got underway before the official start time of 8 p.m. Commissioner Chris Mellon came out before the show began and confronted fired referee Scott Foster. At one point, Mellon tore up a couple of signs Foster made that protested his own firing. Foster was even escorted out of the building by security.

However, Mellon was unaware that MWF owner Timothy Longbottom

Click HERE for the whole story

"Arrested Developments"
THE OFFICIAL LINCOLNTON POLICE BLOTTER

Lincolnton Police Lt. Tony Hallman. Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS

Nov. 23 - 24, 2008

Nov. 23

1:48am -- Disturbance -- 475 N. Generals Boulevard (Zippers)
By subjects arguing with each other

3:50pm -- Suspicious person/panhandling -- 1403 E.Main St. (CVS)

Click HERE for the whole story

MOTORIST TAKES DRIVE
THRU CONCEPT TO HEART
Alcohol is a factor

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- A motorist takes the concept of the drive-thru literally during the Thanksgiving weekend holiday.

Officers responded to reports of a motor vehicle accident at the Hair Works at 2624 East Main Street early Thursday morning, where authorities say the suspect was intoxicated more than three times the legal limit of .08.

Click HERE for the whole story.

Traffic Safety Tip for December 2008

Staff Reports

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety/ACE team offers this safety tip for December. With cold weather comes the threat of “Black Ice” on the roadway. This type condition is very dangerous because it is ice that you cannot see since it blends in with the asphalt.

Traffic Safety Sgt. Larry Ingle said, “Should you be driving

Click HERE for the whole story

The Carolina Scoop Exclusive

MAN DIES IN EARLY MORNING ACCIDENT

First Thanksgiving weekend fatality of the year

By Jon Mayhew

VALE -- A single-vehicle accident around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday marked the first Thanksgiving fatality on Lincoln County roads this year.

According to North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper C. Casey, 57-year-old Gary Cooper of Frank Cline Road, Vale, was traveling on Perry Jonas Road off Plateau Road when the accident happened.

Click here for the whole story

DETECTIVES NEED HELP IN CATCHING SUSPECT

By Jon Mayhew

Do you recognize this man? He's wanted in a number of East Lincoln vehicle break-ins.
Photo contributed/TCS

EAST LINCOLN -- Authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying a man who is a suspect in a number of vehicle break-ins in East Lincoln.

Detective Kelly Paris said a number of vehicle break-ins occurred on November 7 along Highway 27 East and the Pine Village Area. Items stolen from vehicles included electronic equipment, a credit card and an AR 15 Assault rifle.

Security video from an ATM shows a white male withdrawing money using a stolen

Click HERE for the whole story

DENVER CONTRACTOR CHARGED WITH FRAUD IN NINE-MONTH OLD CASE

David Charles Jackson was arrested on charges of obtaining property by false pretenses.
Photo contributed/TCS

By Jon Mayhew

DENVER -- A Denver contractor is charged with obtaining property by false pretenses after a nearly nine-month investigation revealed the contractor put prospective client's money into a fraudulant bank account.

Detective Andrew Alvarado charged David Charles Jackson, 51, of 2910 Lake Shore Road South, after Jackson turned himself into authorities on Monday. He was arrested and then released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.

Investigators became aware of problems at the end of February

Click HERE for the whole story

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
INCIDENT REPORTS FOR NOV. 26, 2008

Crimestoppres of Lincolnton/Lincoln County may pay a reward of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to an arrest in any crime. Anonymous tips may be called in to 704-736-8909 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

2008-08842
Breaking & Entering
Assigned: Officer Hoover
Location: 1495 Leonard’s Fork
Door was opened, no forced entry
Date Reported: November 25, 2008
District A

Click HERE for the whole story

DRUNK DRIVER CATCHES HIMSELF

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- Sometimes, authorities have to spend a lot of time investigating a crime. Sometimes, investigators have an easy time investigating crimes. Then there's that once-in-a-lifetime moment when the criminal catches himself.

That's exactly what happened to 35-year-old Abdiel Salazar-Rios of Lincolnton Monday around 10:30 p.m.

As Salazar-Rios was driving down Salem Church Road,

Click HERE for the whole story

MAN INTERFERES IN INVESTIGATION

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- A Lincolnton man is cited for interfering in a police investigation after authorities respond to reports of an overdose

The incident unfolded at a residence on Elizabeth Avenue. Officer Mike Reep responded around 8 p.m. Monday to find a female victim extremely "intoxicated" on pills.

Click HERE for the whole story

MAN CHARGED WITH LARCENY, ASSAULT
Suspect shoved store employees while trying to leave

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- It's becoming more and more common as the economy gets tighter and tighter; people will steal anything.

Just ask a Lincolnton man who recently went into Times Turn Around in the 2600 block of East Main Street.

Click HERE for the whole story

LINCOLN F.O.P. GIVES
TIME, FOOD FOR HOLIDAY

By Jon Mayhew

Lincolnton Police Sgt. Matt Painter loads a pickup with food. Photo by Adam Diaz/TCS

LINCOLNTON -- Members of the Lincoln County Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) gathered behind the Bi-Lo grocery store last week to give of their time and efforts to help others in need have a happier Thanksgiving.

With food supplied by Bi-Lo and help from the Lincoln County law enforcement Explorers, 15 FOP members moved boxes filled with food from the loading dock

Click HERE for the whole story

For more information on the FOP or to donate, call 704-736-8900.

AUTHORITIES URGE CAUTION
DURING MORNING TRAVEL

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLN COUNTY -- The biggest enemy during early morning travel across Lincoln County Tuesday wasn't heavy traffic or weather; it's what Mother Nature left behind after rains fell Monday.

The extremely cold temperatures have caused what's left on the roadway to freeze, leaving black ice in some places.

As of about 7:30 a.m., several accidents across Lincoln have been reported.

Click HERE for the whole story.

CORRECTION
In the story Monday on the larceny rings busted in Wal-Mart, the suspect being taken to jail by Officer Potts and Sgt. Vaughn wasn't related to the Wal-Mart incidents. It was a subject from a larceny of beer at the Times Turn Around. As the officers were escorting the suspect in that larceny to jail, a vehicle with three larceny suspects from Wal-Mart pulled out in front of the officers.

COLLEGE STUDENT DEATH UNDER INVESTIGATION

By Jon Mayhew

HICKORY -- The Catawba County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a Lenoir Rhyne University Student.

Harrison Kowiak, 19, was originally from Tampa, Fla., and died while participating in a fraternity initiation activity according to authorities.

Law enforcement said about 17 people were participating in the activity. Some of the witnesses' statements to authorities were inconsistent concerning the exact nature of the particular event.

Click HERE for the whole story

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