Tammy Dunn

A man originally charged with murder, pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a felon last week in Superior Court. The plea deal came after the state’s only witness developed memory issues, leaving the state with a much weaker case against Paul Baldwin who was charged in the murder of Kelly Collins.

Dr. Dale Ellis, superintendent of Montgomery County Schools, asked the board of education what they wanted to do about applying for any funds from the state’s Public School Needs Capital Grant fund, noting it was coming up on the time of year to do so. Ellis noted that two years after the funding for Montgomery Central High School came on line this grant was developed by the state.

Patrolman Alex Whitley was assaulted by a driver whom he stopped on I 73/74 Sunday afternoon. The driver of the vehicle, Clint Andrew Snipes, 24, of Rockingham, who was being stopped for speeding, was slow to stop for the trooper.

The Star Town Board ended with a motion to go into closed session that failed to get a second. The motion was brought by Commissioner Ray Mims. No one seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned. Following the meeting, Mims said he would bring his matter up in open session at the next meeting, which is September 9 at 5 p.m.

A 21-year-old man, Dawson Thompson, was brutally murdered Monday night. His body was found by a passerby at the intersection of Fairview and Zion Church Road at approximately 6 p.m. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is being very tightlipped about the investigation, releasing very little information.

Two juveniles, a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old, charged in the brutal murder of 21-year-old Dawson Thompson of Mt. Gilead had their first appearance in District Court last Thursday via video from their individual juvenile holding locations. The pair are not being held at the same location. Appointed attorneys for the juveniles are Chris Purkey and Stacey Fulcher of Stanly County; however, mothers of the juveniles stated they intended to hire attorneys to represent their sons.

Email Print Copy article link Save Mt. Gilead Town Board members addressed a proposal for a streetscape mural to be located on South School Street near the elementary school, the library and the community garden. While the project was approved, the entire commission was not on board for the project.

Two juveniles, a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old, charged in the death of Dawson Thompson, appeared in court for the second time last week. This time it was to determine if the juveniles should remain in secure custody. At the end of the hearing, District Court Judge John Nance determined that both juveniles should remain in secure custody.

Star Town Board’s meeting was filled with controversy and accusations last week during the regular monthly meeting. With very little on the agenda, the meeting dragged on for over an hour due to the disruptions.

In addition to the streetscape project approved at this month’s regular meeting, which was reported on in last week’s edition, local resident Mary Poplin also presented the idea of a secondary art project. Poplin hopes to establish a public art campaign called “Bigfoot Watch.” Unlike the first project, Poplin does not need board approval for this but did want the board to be aware of the project and support it.