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The Lead Story
Unsheltered Homeless Count Now Canceled in 11 Counties
The unsheltered Point-in-Time (PIT) Count will not be conducted in Rutherford County or 10 other North Carolina counties in 2026, following a decision by the NC Balance of State Continuum of Care (BoS CoC) that was approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The cancellation affects Burke, Cabarrus, Catawba, Davie, Davidson, Iredell, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Union, and Yadkin counties. WCAB first broke the story about Rutherford County and Par
Annie Dance
3 hours ago1 min read
Rutherford County Homelessness Count Canceled for 2026
Taxpayer-Funded Agency Cancels Rutherford County Homelessness Count, Creating Gap in HUD Data and Funding Rutherford County will go more than a year without an official count of people experiencing homelessness after Partners Health Management, the region’s taxpayer-funded Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization (LME/MCO), canceled the county’s 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count and Housing Inventory Count (HIC).
Annie Dance
1 day ago2 min read
Latest News
Unsheltered Homeless Count Now Canceled in 11 Counties
The unsheltered Point-in-Time (PIT) Count will not be conducted in Rutherford County or 10 other North Carolina counties in 2026, following a decision by the NC Balance of State Continuum of Care (BoS CoC) that was approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The cancellation affects Burke, Cabarrus, Catawba, Davie, Davidson, Iredell, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Union, and Yadkin counties. WCAB first broke the story about Rutherford County and Par
1 min read
New Rutherford County Economic Development Director Selected
Rutherford County officials announced Monday that longtime Tourism Development Authority Director Don Cason has been selected to serve as the county’s new Economic Development Association Director, expanding his leadership role across two key agencies. The announcement follows the retirement of Birgit Dilgert.
2 min read
DA Spared Removal as Report Flags Years of Delay
An independent counsel has concluded that Rutherford County District Attorney Ted Bell should not be removed from office under North Carolina law, finding insufficient evidence to meet the state’s high legal standard for ouster. However, the report documents years of delay, conflicting explanations, and structural problems in the county’s trial courts that raise new questions about how serious felony cases are prioritized and prosecuted.
4 min read
Local News
Unsheltered Homeless Count Now Canceled in 11 Counties
The unsheltered Point-in-Time (PIT) Count will not be conducted in Rutherford County or 10 other North Carolina counties in 2026, following a decision by the NC Balance of State Continuum of Care (BoS CoC) that was approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The cancellation affects Burke, Cabarrus, Catawba, Davie, Davidson, Iredell, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Union, and Yadkin counties. WCAB first broke the story about Rutherford County and Par
1 min read
New Rutherford County Economic Development Director Selected
Rutherford County officials announced Monday that longtime Tourism Development Authority Director Don Cason has been selected to serve as the county’s new Economic Development Association Director, expanding his leadership role across two key agencies. The announcement follows the retirement of Birgit Dilgert.
2 min read
DA Spared Removal as Report Flags Years of Delay
An independent counsel has concluded that Rutherford County District Attorney Ted Bell should not be removed from office under North Carolina law, finding insufficient evidence to meet the state’s high legal standard for ouster. However, the report documents years of delay, conflicting explanations, and structural problems in the county’s trial courts that raise new questions about how serious felony cases are prioritized and prosecuted.
4 min read
Regional News
Renew NC Housing Recovery Assistance Deadline Is Tomorrow for Western North Carolina Homeowners
Homeowners across western North Carolina have until tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 31, to apply for housing recovery assistance through Renew NC’s Single-Family Housing Program, the state’s long-term disaster recovery effort following Hurricane Helene.
2 min read
Are You Immune to Measles?
With cases rising in North Carolina and South Carolina, public health leaders stress that vaccination is highly effective but not perfect. As measles cases increase across the Carolinas, public health officials are urging residents to check their immunity status and understand what protection vaccination does — and does not — provide. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, immunity to measles depends on age, medical history, and vaccination
2 min read
ICE Arrests Surge in North Carolina Jails, Not Streets
Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested more than 3,300 people across North Carolina during President Donald Trump’s first nine months in office — more than double the total for all of 2024 — underscoring how local jails, particularly in Western North Carolina, have become a primary point of federal immigration enforcement.
2 min read
Business News
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
State data show gap between job announcements and jobs delivered in North Carolina
As North Carolina leaders highlight a record number of job announcements, state economic data show a growing disconnect between promises made and jobs ultimately delivered, particularly within the state’s primary incentive program.
3 min read
Obituaries
Wanda Marie Taylor
Wanda Marie Taylor, age 75, of Shelby, earned her wings on February 2, 2026, leaving this world peacefully and stepping into the arms of her Savior. Born in Virginia, she was the beloved daughter of the late Augustus Washington White and Gussie Mae Short. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Grover Hicks Taylor; her daughter, Christina Marie Pearson; and her grandson, Nathaniel Sizemore. Wanda was the heart of her family — a refuge, a safe place, and a steady sou
2 min read
Leonard Lewis Tessnear
Leonard Lewis Tessnear, age 83, of Forest City, passed away Sunday, February 1, 2026 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.
2 min read
Christina “Chris” Currie Hardin
Christina “Chris” Currie Hardin
1 min read
Harrelson Funeral Home
Harrelson Funeral Home
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