Micah Henry

FATHER AND DAUGHTER — Lindsey Adkins, right, wrote the winning essay in The Times’ 37th Annual Father of the Year Contest, about her dad, Hiddenite resident and retired teacher and coach, Darrell Adkins. By MICAH HENRY It would be hard to find a more upbeat person than The Times’ 2026 Father of the Year, Darrell Adkins. Daughter Lindsey, 33, of Charlotte, wrote the winning essay about him in the newspaper’s 37th Annual contest.

By MICAH HENRY The Alexander County Board of Commissioners approved a measure at their meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, to accept state grant money for streamflow rehabilitation projects. Soil and Water Conservation District Director Pamela Bowman presented the item to the board, noting the Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP) awarded the Alexander District $516,000 to remove debris from six to eight streams that were impacted by Hurricane Helene.

By MICAH HENRY Becky Herman Dupuis wrote that her mother is “Captain of the Ship” in her family. “She was the rock we didn’t even realize we were standing on,” Becky related. Becky, 57, wrote the winning essay in The Times’ annual Mother of the Year contest about her mom, Pat Herman, 81, of the Sugar Loaf Community. “I feel unworthy. I’m very humbled that I won it,” Pat commented.