The Lead Story

Council of state to consider $8.4M trail land deal

The proposed purchase covers nearly 3,600 acres in McDowell and Rutherford counties North Carolina’s Council of State is expected to consider an $8.4 million land purchase that could bring a trail connection between South Mountains State Park and Chimney Rock State Park closer to reality. The proposal is for the acquisition of approximately 3,592 acres off Conner Road for the Wilderness Gateway State Trail. The listed price is $8,399,242, or about $2,338 per acre. The land sp

Annie Dance

2 days ago3 min read

Latest News

Rutherford Regional reaches 100 robotic-assisted surgeries after $2.2M investment

Rutherford Regional Health System has completed its 100th robotic-assisted surgery, reaching the milestone roughly four months after introducing technology designed to help surgeons perform operations through small incisions. The hospital announced the milestone on Sept. 29 and said Dr. Andrew Demeusy performed the 100th procedure. Its general surgery program uses the da Vinci surgical system for hernia repair, gallbladder removal, colorectal surgery, and other operations. Ru

4 min read

Old Fort woman faces meth trafficking charge

Chandra Danielle McCool, 32, was issued a $100,000 secured bond; a probable cause hearing is scheduled for Oct. 14. An Old Fort woman faces three felony drug charges after McDowell County sheriff’s deputies responding to a report of a possible assault involving a firearm said they recovered 50 grams of methamphetamine. Chandra Danielle McCool, 32, is charged with trafficking in methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; and posses

1 min read

Corbit Alan "Chino" Smith

Corbit Alan “Chino” Smith, age 60, of Bostic, passed away Friday, September 25, 2026. He was born Saturday, December 4, 1965 in Robeson County, to the late Rubin Smith and to Brenda Mercer Smith who resides in Lumberton, NC.

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Local News

Rutherford Regional reaches 100 robotic-assisted surgeries after $2.2M investment

Rutherford Regional Health System has completed its 100th robotic-assisted surgery, reaching the milestone roughly four months after introducing technology designed to help surgeons perform operations through small incisions. The hospital announced the milestone on Sept. 29 and said Dr. Andrew Demeusy performed the 100th procedure. Its general surgery program uses the da Vinci surgical system for hernia repair, gallbladder removal, colorectal surgery, and other operations. Ru

4 min read

Old Fort woman faces meth trafficking charge

Chandra Danielle McCool, 32, was issued a $100,000 secured bond; a probable cause hearing is scheduled for Oct. 14. An Old Fort woman faces three felony drug charges after McDowell County sheriff’s deputies responding to a report of a possible assault involving a firearm said they recovered 50 grams of methamphetamine. Chandra Danielle McCool, 32, is charged with trafficking in methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; and posses

1 min read

Word of Faith leader enters Alford pleas after years of delays

A Word of Faith Fellowship leader entered Alford pleas on Sept. 28 in Asheville to two misdemeanor charges stemming from an alleged 2013 assault on former church member Matthew Fenner, bringing a criminal case that had gone years without a retrial closer to an end. Brooke McFadden Covington, 68, pleaded to false imprisonment and simple assault in Buncombe County Superior Court, according to court records. The false imprisonment charge replaced a felony count of second-degree

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Regional News

Rutherford Regional reaches 100 robotic-assisted surgeries after $2.2M investment

Rutherford Regional Health System has completed its 100th robotic-assisted surgery, reaching the milestone roughly four months after introducing technology designed to help surgeons perform operations through small incisions. The hospital announced the milestone on Sept. 29 and said Dr. Andrew Demeusy performed the 100th procedure. Its general surgery program uses the da Vinci surgical system for hernia repair, gallbladder removal, colorectal surgery, and other operations. Ru

4 min read

Old Fort woman faces meth trafficking charge

Chandra Danielle McCool, 32, was issued a $100,000 secured bond; a probable cause hearing is scheduled for Oct. 14. An Old Fort woman faces three felony drug charges after McDowell County sheriff’s deputies responding to a report of a possible assault involving a firearm said they recovered 50 grams of methamphetamine. Chandra Danielle McCool, 32, is charged with trafficking in methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; and posses

1 min read

Lake Lure mayoral candidate told to leave dam bridge while documenting repairs

Two years after Helene, the town is preparing to celebrate the dam’s 100th anniversary while questions persist about pedestrian access, construction funding and a replacement timeline. LAKE LURE, N.C. — Mayoral candidate John Edmonds Kozma was walking on the bridge across the Lake Lure Dam on Sept. 25 when a person told him to leave, a video reviewed by WCAB News shows. Kozma, a Republican running as a write-in candidate, has used videos to document his visits and ask questio

3 min read

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Business News

Rutherford Regional reaches 100 robotic-assisted surgeries after $2.2M investment

Rutherford Regional Health System has completed its 100th robotic-assisted surgery, reaching the milestone roughly four months after introducing technology designed to help surgeons perform operations through small incisions. The hospital announced the milestone on Sept. 29 and said Dr. Andrew Demeusy performed the 100th procedure. Its general surgery program uses the da Vinci surgical system for hernia repair, gallbladder removal, colorectal surgery, and other operations. Ru

4 min read

Council of state to consider $8.4M trail land deal

The proposed purchase covers nearly 3,600 acres in McDowell and Rutherford counties North Carolina’s Council of State is expected to consider an $8.4 million land purchase that could bring a trail connection between South Mountains State Park and Chimney Rock State Park closer to reality. The proposal is for the acquisition of approximately 3,592 acres off Conner Road for the Wilderness Gateway State Trail. The listed price is $8,399,242, or about $2,338 per acre. The land sp

3 min read

Governor unveils Helene economic recovery plan two years after storm

In a statement on Sept. 23, Governor Stein and the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC) unveiled the Western NC Economic Recovery Plan, a long-term framework to rebuild and grow the region’s economy as western North Carolina approaches two years since Hurricane Helene. The plan was built with input from 28 counties, the Qualla Boundary, five regional councils of government, chambers of commerce, and economic development organizations. “While the hea

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Obituaries

Corbit Alan "Chino" Smith

Corbit Alan “Chino” Smith, age 60, of Bostic, passed away Friday, September 25, 2026. He was born Saturday, December 4, 1965 in Robeson County, to the late Rubin Smith and to Brenda Mercer Smith who resides in Lumberton, NC.

2 min read

Wanda Cuthbertson

Wanda Cuthbertson, age 61, of Mooresboro went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after winning her battle with cancer. She is at rest and in the presence of God for eternity.

1 min read