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What we know about a missing man's death in a national forest
The missing Black Mountain man was found near Pine Gap Trailhead on Nov. 10; his cause of death has not been announced. The search for Justin Quinn Lobdell ended just before noon Tuesday, Nov. 10, when crews found his body about a quarter-mile down the trail from the Pine Gap Trailhead in Pisgah National Forest, according to Burke County officials. Here is what authorities have released about his disappearance and the search. Who was Justin Lobdell? Lobdell was a Black Mounta
Annie Dance
13 minutes ago3 min read
Over 500 motorcyclists escort The Wall That Heals through Rutherfordton
Students, veterans and residents welcome traveling Vietnam memorial ahead of its four-day exhibit in Spindale. Approximately 600 motorcyclists escorted The Wall That Heals through Rutherfordton on Tuesday, Nov. 10, as students, veterans and residents gathered along Main Street to welcome the traveling Vietnam memorial. The procession continued to Isothermal Community College in Spindale, where the exhibit opens Thursday, Nov. 12, for four days of free public viewing. American
Annie Dance
1 hour ago2 min read
Latest News
What we know about a missing man's death in a national forest
The missing Black Mountain man was found near Pine Gap Trailhead on Nov. 10; his cause of death has not been announced. The search for Justin Quinn Lobdell ended just before noon Tuesday, Nov. 10, when crews found his body about a quarter-mile down the trail from the Pine Gap Trailhead in Pisgah National Forest, according to Burke County officials. Here is what authorities have released about his disappearance and the search. Who was Justin Lobdell? Lobdell was a Black Mounta
3 min read
How to Know Your Vote Counted in North Carolina
North Carolina voters who participated in the 2026 midterm election have several resources to check and ensure their vote counted. According to a statement from the state board of elections, voters can view the instructions below to check the status of their ballot, depending on which voting method they used. Also, the video at the following link walks voters through the process of checking whether their vote counted: “Did My Vote Count? How to Check That Your Vote Counted in
3 min read
ALE and SBI Investigation Leads to Charges in $200,000 Embezzlement at Burnsville ABC Store
North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) Special Agents, in joint operation with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), have concluded a multi-month financial crime investigation involving the Burnsville ABC Store located at 752 W US Hwy 19 E, Burnsville, NC 28714. The investigation began after ALE received information about potential embezzlement by the store's manager, Linda McDowell. In May, ALE requested that the North Carolina Alcoholic Beve
1 min read
Local News
How to Know Your Vote Counted in North Carolina
North Carolina voters who participated in the 2026 midterm election have several resources to check and ensure their vote counted. According to a statement from the state board of elections, voters can view the instructions below to check the status of their ballot, depending on which voting method they used. Also, the video at the following link walks voters through the process of checking whether their vote counted: “Did My Vote Count? How to Check That Your Vote Counted in
3 min read
NC to use $11.3M of federal disaster funds for child care worker retention
North Carolina will use $11.3 million in federal disaster aid to supplement child care workers’ pay across 39 Hurricane Helene-affected counties, expanding a retention program as policymakers debate how to keep care available without making it more expensive for parents. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein announced the three-year Child Care WAGE$ expansion on Nov. 5. It will establish supplements in Ashe, Madison, and Watauga counties and add annual incentives, initially estimate
3 min read
Forest City woman wins $100,000 lottery prize
Susan Messer plans to pay bills and save after buying winning scratch-off at local Drop-In A Forest City woman plans to pay bills and save after winning a $100,000 top prize on a scratch-off ticket, according to a statement from the North Carolina Education Lottery. Susan Messer bought the winning $100,000 Cash Payday ticket at the Drop-In on West Main Street in Forest City. “It looked good to me that morning,” Messer said, recalling her decision to choose the ticket. The win
1 min read
Regional News
What we know about a missing man's death in a national forest
The missing Black Mountain man was found near Pine Gap Trailhead on Nov. 10; his cause of death has not been announced. The search for Justin Quinn Lobdell ended just before noon Tuesday, Nov. 10, when crews found his body about a quarter-mile down the trail from the Pine Gap Trailhead in Pisgah National Forest, according to Burke County officials. Here is what authorities have released about his disappearance and the search. Who was Justin Lobdell? Lobdell was a Black Mounta
3 min read
How to Know Your Vote Counted in North Carolina
North Carolina voters who participated in the 2026 midterm election have several resources to check and ensure their vote counted. According to a statement from the state board of elections, voters can view the instructions below to check the status of their ballot, depending on which voting method they used. Also, the video at the following link walks voters through the process of checking whether their vote counted: “Did My Vote Count? How to Check That Your Vote Counted in
3 min read
ALE and SBI Investigation Leads to Charges in $200,000 Embezzlement at Burnsville ABC Store
North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) Special Agents, in joint operation with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), have concluded a multi-month financial crime investigation involving the Burnsville ABC Store located at 752 W US Hwy 19 E, Burnsville, NC 28714. The investigation began after ALE received information about potential embezzlement by the store's manager, Linda McDowell. In May, ALE requested that the North Carolina Alcoholic Beve
1 min read
Business News
Rutherford Regional earns Healthgrades honors for joint replacement, specialty care
Hospital ranks among the top 15% nationally for joint replacement for a third consecutive year, according to its announcement. Rutherford Regional Health System announced Thursday that it has received national recognition from Healthgrades for joint replacement and earned five-star ratings for care in five categories. The hospital received a Joint Replacement Excellence Award, placing it among the top 15% of hospitals nationwide for joint replacement for a third consecutive y
2 min read
Trump says deportations may have been ‘too tough,’ seeks immigration talks after midterm losses
In a post-election interview, the president defended his economic record and expressed interest in working with Democrats as they prepare to control Congress. President Donald Trump said his administration’s deportation policies may have hurt Republicans in the midterm elections and expressed interest in negotiating an immigration agreement with Democrats, who won control of both chambers of Congress. Trump defended his border enforcement efforts while acknowledging concerns
3 min read
Womack credits community campaign after defeating Moore in NC’s 14th District
Mecklenburg margin delivers Democratic victory as congresswoman-elect outlines priorities and addresses pending felony case Democrat LaKesha Womack says listening to voters and showing up in their communities helped her defeat Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Moore in North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District, despite a substantial fundraising disadvantage. “Those dollars don’t vote. People vote,” Womack said in a post-election interview. Unofficial election-night returns show Wom
3 min read
Obituaries
Billie M. Martin
Billie M. Martin, age 89, of the Holly Springs Community, passed away Sunday, November 8, 2026 at her home. Billie was born Monday, February 15, 1937 in Rutherford County to the late Memory J. Morgan and Ola Mae Frazier Morgan. She owned and operated Billie’s Beauty Shop for twenty-eight years. Billie was a longtime member of Holly Springs Baptist Church and a former member of the Rutherford County Rescue Auxilliary. She enjoyed reading, gardening, hiking and working on cross
2 min read
Roger Dale Pleasant
Roger Dale Pleasant, age 80, of Forest City, passed away Thursday, November 5, 2026 at Atrium Health in Charlotte.
1 min read
Russell Pye
Pye, age 69, of Cliffside, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at the Belaire Health Care Center in Gastonia, NC.
1 min read
Harrelson Funeral Home
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Harrelson Funeral Home
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