Rescue Workers Find Missing Caldwell County Man

Ricky Starnes, Jr.

Search teams found Ricky Starnes, Jr. Tuesday after looking for the man since Monday night. Starnes, 35, had been missing from his home in Edgemont since about 5:00 Sunday afternoon, when he reportedly left on foot.

Starnes' loved ones organized a search of their own before they called police Monday afternoon. Once authorities were informed, Caldwell County Emergency Management, together with the Caldwell County Sheriff's Department, started an official search. The teams worked to find Starnes until inclement weather arrived early Tuesday morning, preventing further searching.

When the search resumed later Tuesday morning, authorities used dogs to help find the missing man. Authorities found Starnes alive within their search area. Though exact details have yet to be released, Starnes is undergoing a medical evaluation to ascertain his condition.

Lenoir Native Sentenced for String of Armed Robberies

Douglas Durant Lipford, a 38 year-old Lenoir native, was sentenced to serve between 178 and 250 months in prison for two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon.

The charges stem from the robberies of several Lenoir businesses in 2010 including Westgate Cinemas, 2 Subways restaurants, Domino's Pizza, Crossroads Restaurant, and TCBY.


Lipford was aided by two accomplices during the robberies.