The Lead Story

Federal detainees returning to Mecklenburg jails

Federal detainees held outside North Carolina while awaiting proceedings in the state’s western federal district will move to Mecklenburg County under a renewed agreement announced Oct. 16. The arrangement between the U.S. Marshals Service and Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office restores a detention partnership that ended in 2023. Since then, federal pretrial detainees have been housed in as many as 14 facilities across several states, some as far as six hours away, according

Annie Dance

13 hours ago2 min read

Latest News

Not arrested, on a voter repair list, newspaper now says

The 17 people identified as arrested by The Daily Courier were not arrested, the newspaper acknowledged on Oct. 14. Their names came from North Carolina’s voter registration repair list. “Last week’s list of arrests in the Daily Courier was incorrect,” the statement said. The newspaper, whose editor is Chris Bumgarner, published a correction identifying the affected people and explaining that their names appeared on a list of voters who needed to contact election officials. “

2 min read

Charlotte ICE protester gets probation, fine after blocking federal facility

Jury convicted William Stanley of three petty offenses but acquitted him of assaulting a federal officer. A Charlotte man convicted of blocking access to a federal immigration office will serve one year of probation, avoiding a jail sentence after prosecutors proposed either a weekend in custody or probation with additional penalties. William Stanley, 26, was sentenced Oct. 8 by U.S. District Judge Matthew Orso to one year of probation, 50 hours of community service and a $1,

2 min read

NC auditor’s tipline accepts confidential reports of government misconduct

State accepts confidential complaints about fraud, waste and abuse, with options for anonymous tips and supporting documents. North Carolina residents who suspect fraud, waste or misuse of state resources can submit confidential complaints to the Office of the State Auditor, including anonymous tips. The office investigates allegations involving state agencies or employees within its legal authority. Complaints may concern misappropriation or mismanagement of resources, viola

1 min read

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Local News

Not arrested, on a voter repair list, newspaper now says

The 17 people identified as arrested by The Daily Courier were not arrested, the newspaper acknowledged on Oct. 14. Their names came from North Carolina’s voter registration repair list. “Last week’s list of arrests in the Daily Courier was incorrect,” the statement said. The newspaper, whose editor is Chris Bumgarner, published a correction identifying the affected people and explaining that their names appeared on a list of voters who needed to contact election officials. “

2 min read

Charlotte ICE protester gets probation, fine after blocking federal facility

Jury convicted William Stanley of three petty offenses but acquitted him of assaulting a federal officer. A Charlotte man convicted of blocking access to a federal immigration office will serve one year of probation, avoiding a jail sentence after prosecutors proposed either a weekend in custody or probation with additional penalties. William Stanley, 26, was sentenced Oct. 8 by U.S. District Judge Matthew Orso to one year of probation, 50 hours of community service and a $1,

2 min read

NC auditor’s tipline accepts confidential reports of government misconduct

State accepts confidential complaints about fraud, waste and abuse, with options for anonymous tips and supporting documents. North Carolina residents who suspect fraud, waste or misuse of state resources can submit confidential complaints to the Office of the State Auditor, including anonymous tips. The office investigates allegations involving state agencies or employees within its legal authority. Complaints may concern misappropriation or mismanagement of resources, viola

1 min read

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Regional News

Charlotte ICE protester gets probation, fine after blocking federal facility

Jury convicted William Stanley of three petty offenses but acquitted him of assaulting a federal officer. A Charlotte man convicted of blocking access to a federal immigration office will serve one year of probation, avoiding a jail sentence after prosecutors proposed either a weekend in custody or probation with additional penalties. William Stanley, 26, was sentenced Oct. 8 by U.S. District Judge Matthew Orso to one year of probation, 50 hours of community service and a $1,

2 min read

NC auditor’s tipline accepts confidential reports of government misconduct

State accepts confidential complaints about fraud, waste and abuse, with options for anonymous tips and supporting documents. North Carolina residents who suspect fraud, waste or misuse of state resources can submit confidential complaints to the Office of the State Auditor, including anonymous tips. The office investigates allegations involving state agencies or employees within its legal authority. Complaints may concern misappropriation or mismanagement of resources, viola

1 min read

Federal detainees returning to Mecklenburg jails

Federal detainees held outside North Carolina while awaiting proceedings in the state’s western federal district will move to Mecklenburg County under a renewed agreement announced Oct. 16. The arrangement between the U.S. Marshals Service and Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office restores a detention partnership that ended in 2023. Since then, federal pretrial detainees have been housed in as many as 14 facilities across several states, some as far as six hours away, according

2 min read

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Business News

NC auditor’s tipline accepts confidential reports of government misconduct

State accepts confidential complaints about fraud, waste and abuse, with options for anonymous tips and supporting documents. North Carolina residents who suspect fraud, waste or misuse of state resources can submit confidential complaints to the Office of the State Auditor, including anonymous tips. The office investigates allegations involving state agencies or employees within its legal authority. Complaints may concern misappropriation or mismanagement of resources, viola

1 min read

NC fuel tax pause offers relief for drivers

Stein signs law suspending the 41-cent-per-gallon tax through Nov. 30, with additional relief for farmers Rutherford County drivers could save $6.15 on a 15-gallon fill-up under a temporary suspension of North Carolina’s motor fuel excise tax, provided the full tax reduction reaches the pump. Gov. Josh Stein signed House Bill 3, the Relief at the Pump Act, on Oct. 9 in Fairview. The suspension began Oct. 10 and runs through Nov. 30, covering gasoline, diesel and alternative f

2 min read

Hilltop festival draws families, sparks discussion

Rutherfordton’s Oct. 3 event featured downtown activities, police vehicles and community groups Families and visitors filled downtown Rutherfordton for the Hilltop Fall Festival on Oct. 3, with entertainment, vendors and children’s activities drawing praise alongside questions about town spending and festival offerings. The Saturday event featured a magic show, a car show, and a pet costume contest hosted by Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue, according to the town’s MyRuth

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Obituaries

Carolyn Christine Epps Francis

Carolyn Christine Epps Francis, age 85, passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

1 min read

Kathy Ann Thomason

Kathy Ann Thomason, age 67, of Granite Falls, NC, passed away Friday, October 9, 2026, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center while being surrounded by her loving family.

2 min read