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The Lead Story
Online Child Predator Bust Yields Multiple Arrests
A multi-agency operation targeting individuals seeking to solicit children online and meet them in McDowell County for sex, led to multiple arrests and charges last week.
Lou Gilliam
5 hours ago3 min read
Latest News
Online Child Predator Bust Yields Multiple Arrests
A multi-agency operation targeting individuals seeking to solicit children online and meet them in McDowell County for sex, led to multiple arrests and charges last week.
3 min read
Rutherford County Voter Guide
Rutherford County Candidates Largely Back Right to Record; Mixed Answers on Lincoln Question WCAB News survey shows broad agreement on state recording law, varied responses to local historical claim As part of its March 3 primary coverage, WCAB News asked Rutherford County candidates multiple questions, including two notable ones: whether they support the public’s right to record under North Carolina law, and whether they believe Abraham Lincoln was born in Bostic. Twenty-fiv
3 min read
Town of Lake Lure Special Meeting
The town of Lake Lure plans to hold a special meeting on Friday to consider hiring a new law firm to represent the town.
1 min read
Local News
Online Child Predator Bust Yields Multiple Arrests
A multi-agency operation targeting individuals seeking to solicit children online and meet them in McDowell County for sex, led to multiple arrests and charges last week.
3 min read
Rutherford County Voter Guide
Rutherford County Candidates Largely Back Right to Record; Mixed Answers on Lincoln Question WCAB News survey shows broad agreement on state recording law, varied responses to local historical claim As part of its March 3 primary coverage, WCAB News asked Rutherford County candidates multiple questions, including two notable ones: whether they support the public’s right to record under North Carolina law, and whether they believe Abraham Lincoln was born in Bostic. Twenty-fiv
3 min read
Town of Lake Lure Special Meeting
The town of Lake Lure plans to hold a special meeting on Friday to consider hiring a new law firm to represent the town.
1 min read
Regional News
Connecticut Firm Awarded $4.66M Contract to Modernize North Carolina Elections System
A Connecticut-based technology company has been selected to lead the first phase of a sweeping modernization of North Carolina’s statewide elections management system, a project state officials say is critical to improving security, reliability and public confidence.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections voted unanimously on Feb. 25 to award a $4.66 million contract to ReFrame Solutions to upgrade the Statewide Elections Information Management System, known as SEIMS.
3 min read
Helene: Republicans from Mountains say Stein’s Red Tape Stifling
Stalled recovery in Hurricane Helene is blamed on “stifling bureaucracy utterly lacking in common sense and resourcefulness,” say seven Republican members of the North Carolina House of Representatives in a statement directed at first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.
3 min read
Task Force Report Outlines Path for Meeting North Carolina’s Growing Energy Demand
A state task force formed by Gov. Josh Stein has released an interim report offering early recommendations aimed at keeping electricity in North Carolina affordable, reliable and cleaner as demand rises.
2 min read
Business News
Supreme Court Voids Trump Emergency Tariffs
The U.S. Supreme Court on Feb. 20 struck down President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs imposed under a federal emergency powers law, ruling 6-3 that the Constitution gives Congress — not the president — the power to levy import taxes.
2 min read
Report: Tariffs are $695M Risk to North Carolina Farmers
Plausible reductions in agricultural exports because of retaliatory trade policies stemming from aggressive U.S. tariffs could cost North Carolina farmers $695 million, a new report says.
3 min read
North Carolina Tops Nation for Workforce Development
North Carolina has been named the number one state for workforce development in 2026 by Site Selection magazine, following its 2025 ranking as “America’s Top State for Business.”
2 min read
Obituaries
Anne Mathis-Grafe
Anne Mathis-Grafe, age 60, of Shelby, passed away Sunday, February 22, 2026 at Wendover Hospice House in Shelby. Anne was born Wednesday, January 26, 1966 in Darby, Pennsylvania to the late Jere Lintner and Shirley Gober. She worked for SONY manufacturing in her early years. She later worked as the Bakery Manager for Ingles for twenty-one years before retirement. Anne enjoyed watching horror movies and reading. She also enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. Her greatest
1 min read
Katy Dills
Kathy Dills, age 67, of Rutherfordton, NC passed away Thursday, February 19, 2026 at her home. Kathy was born Wednesday, July 2, 1958 in Corpus Christie, Texas to the late Bill Pressley and Jean Lindsey Pressley. She graduated with an associate’s degree from Isothermal Community College. Kathy worked for PPG/NEG Industries for several years and proudly worked as a commercial truck driver for many years. Kathy had a heart for underprivileged people having volunteered at Sister
1 min read
Joseph "Joey" Vickers
Joseph “Joey” Vickers, age 78, passed away Monday, February 16, 2026 at his home. Joey was born on Sunday, December 14, 1947 in Rutherford County, to the late Grover Vickers and Lillie Burgess Vickers. He served honorably in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. Joey worked for various textile mills for several years. Later, he became the owner and operator of Sandy Mush Rugs. He served as a volunteer fireman for the Sandy Mush Fire Department fo
1 min read
Harrelson Funeral Home
Harrelson Funeral Home
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