News-Topic

10/03/2025

Superintendent Dr. Don Phipps will become the next Superintendent of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools .
Dr. Phipps will
remain fully engaged through December 2025 to ensure a seamless leadership
transition and will continue to serve as an advisor to the District and Board of Education
for some time after.
The WS/FCS Board sought out Dr. Phipps to help navigate significant financial and
operational challenges. Caldwell County Schools and the Caldwell County Board of
Education view this selection as a compliment to the successful systems, extraordinary
stability, academic success, and financial health that Dr. Phipps helped establish during
his tenure at CCS.
"While we are certainly bittersweet to announce Dr. Phipps' departure, the fact that he
was selected to solve a high-stakes crisis elsewhere is a testament to the robust
foundation he is leaving behind," said Darrell Pennell, Chair of the Caldwell County
Board of Education. "The stability and strength of our system are not dependent on one
person. I want to reassure our students, staff, and families: Our operations will continue
as normal, focused entirely on the great education CCS is known for.”
To ensure this continuity, the Superintendent’s Cabinet will remain in place, including the
Assistant Superintendent of Education Program Services, Dr. Katrina McEllen; Assistant
Superintendent of Human Resources, Dr. Thomas Howell; Assistant Superintendent of
Auxiliary Services, Andy Puhl; Assistant Superintendent of Finance/Chief Financial
Officer, David Johnson; and Chief Information Officer, Nathan Pope. This experienced
and prepared leadership team guarantees the uninterrupted flow of all operations.
Dr. Phipps expressed his gratitude for this time in Caldwell County, which he plans to
call home after he retires from education. “It has been the privilege of my career to
serve Caldwell County Schools.

The Caldwell County Board of Education is prepared to immediately begin a thorough
and transparent search process for the next permanent Superintendent. Further details
regarding the search timeline will be shared in the coming weeks.
# # #

Caldwell County Schools

10/03/2025

BREAKING NEWS
Caldwell County schools superintendent Don Phipps has accepted the same position with the Winston-Salem Forsyth schools.

He will start Dec.1.

This is developing story. More to follow.

10/02/2025

Arrests
October 1

Brian Newport, 53, 1941 28th St. NE Hickory, larceny. $1,000 bond

Joshua Dent Townsend, 36, 4060 Forest Oaks Rd. Patterson, failure to appear. $2,500 bond

Mathew Lawrence Farthing, 35, 1315 NW Lenwell St. Lenoir, possession of stolen property, failure to appear, resisting arrest. $70,000 bond.

Zachery Nathaniel Kerse, 25, 2617 Collettsville Rd., Lenoir, assault and battery, communicating threats. No bond.

Tony Richard Wyatt, Jr., 45, 207 Whitnel Pl SW Lenoir, domestic violence, assault on a female.

09/26/2025

Arrests

Sept. 24

Jose Isai Sambrano, 32, 2443 Gabriel Ln. NW, discharge of firearm violating local ordinance. $1,500 bond.

Jason Chantel Gibbs, 37, 203 Abington Rd. Lenoir, failure to appear, non-support. $1,000 bond

Jerry Mikeal Sluder, 42, 1060 Warrn Pl. NW. Lenoir, unauthorized use of motor vehicle. No bond.

Christopher Naphies Gibbs, 19, 1449 Roy Dula Pl Lenoir, failure to appear. $10,500 bond.

Rodney Dale Reese, 35, 1779 Lee Pearson Rd. Lenoir, failure to appear. $1,000 cash

Demontay June Michauz, 21, 532 Beall St. NW Lenoir, possession of ma*****na, drug paraphernalia. $1,500 bond.

Jessica Augustin Davidson, 47, 4192 Dug Hill Rd. Lenoir, failure to appear. $1,202 bond.

Sabrina Denise Williams, 50, 1832 29th Ave. Dr. NE Hickory, breaking and entering, injury to personal property. No bond.

Adam Franklin Kirschner, 47, 3842 Calico Rd. Lenoir, assault on a female, domestic violence, larceny. No bond.

Sept. 25

Xzavier Marquis Rowan, 24, 3623 Clarks Chapel Rd. Lenoir, fugitive extradition. $15,000 bond.

Keith Edwin Parsons, 49, 1781 Cajah Mountain Rd. Lenoir, failure to appear. No bond.

Luther Lee Penley, 47, 3845 Calico Rd. Lenoir, failure to appear, $1,000 bond

Charles Everette Biship, 40, 708 Pine Mountain Rd. Hudson, failure to appear. $1,883 bond.

Mary Danette Roark, 46, 4195 Peachtree Ln. Granite Falls, possession of schedule II controlled substance, probation violation, $30,000 bond.

Tasha Renee Prestwood, 43, 1249 SW Fairview Der. Lenoir, failure to comply nonsupport. No bond.

Timothy David Cook, 35, 1259 Hopewell Rd. Lenoir, probation violation. $60,000 bond.

Joel Brandon Crisp, 35, 1312 Gilbert Pl Lenoir, comunicating threats, unauthorized use of vehicle. $2,500 bond.

Kenneth Scott Haas, 62, 4742 Ike Starnes Rd. Granite Falls, indecent liberties with a child. $100,000 bond.

James Tyler Ollis, 36, general delivery, possession of schedule II controlled substance, assault, possession of drug paraphernalia. $10,000 bond.

William Tyrone Davis, 46, 3520 Smith Rd. Lenoir, failure to appear. $20,000 bond.

Cheyenne Nicole Winebarger, 24, 26 Berkley Ave. Granite Falls, failure to appear. $500 bond.

Justin Matthew Conway, 39, 1944 Freedom Ln. Hudson, probation violation. $100,000 bond.

Scottie Jean Shelton, 47, 818 Abington Rd. Lenoir, possession of m**h. $5,000 bond.

Matthew Orain McKinney, 58, 2465 Hayes St. Lenoir, failure to appear. $3,260 bond

09/10/2025

On Wednesday, September 10, at approximately 9:10 a.m., the N.C. State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Caldwell County on U.S. 321 at River Bend Drive involving three passenger vehicles.

On Wednesday, September 10, at approximately 9:10 a.m., the N.C. State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Caldwell County on U.S. 321 at River Bend Drive

08/26/2025

3,827 voters as of 11:14 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26 in Best of Caldwell. Polls close Aug. 31.

08/21/2025

Over 2,000 votes through 9 a.m.!!!

08/20/2025

The link has been fixed. Let Best of Caldwell voting begin!
Sorry for the glitch

08/19/2025

We are aware of the problem with voting for Best of Caldwell and are working to fix it as soon as possible. Will update here when the problem has been resolved. Thank you for letting us know.

07/29/2025

The heat and humidity did not slow June Michaux down.

07/28/2025

Arrests

July 28

07/23/2025

Don't miss the Jump Street Drive Music Festival this Saturday at the MLK, Jr. Center in Lenoir. Music starts at 6 p.m.