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The Lead Story
Exclusive: Spartanburg man Held on $750k Bond for McDowell Child Sex Offense Case
A South Carolina man accused of committing a sex offense against a 10-year-old child in McDowell County is facing two felony charges and a $750,000 secured bond, according to court records obtained by by WCAB News.
Annie Dance
2 days ago2 min read
Latest News
Discarded Lithium-ion Battery Sparks Fire in Rutherfordton Trash Truck
A discarded lithium-ion battery sparked a fire inside a Town of Rutherfordton garbage truck Wednesday morning, putting the driver, firefighters and a nearly new collection truck at risk.
3 min read
Former Forest City Council Member’s Animal Cruelty Case Moves to Superior Court
The animal cruelty case against former Forest City Town Council member Justin Edward Conner has moved to Rutherford County Superior Court following grand jury indictments. Conner was arrested on May 6 and charged with one felony count and two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals following a Forest City Police Department investigation. Court records show indictments were issued July 15 and Aug. 17, according to case number 26CR300140-800. The felony charge indictment said,
1 min read
Federal Data Show Rutherford County Lagging Nearby Economies
New federal numbers show a big difference in how the economies of Rutherford, McDowell, and Buncombe counties are doing.
3 min read
Local News
Discarded Lithium-ion Battery Sparks Fire in Rutherfordton Trash Truck
A discarded lithium-ion battery sparked a fire inside a Town of Rutherfordton garbage truck Wednesday morning, putting the driver, firefighters and a nearly new collection truck at risk.
3 min read
Former Forest City Council Member’s Animal Cruelty Case Moves to Superior Court
The animal cruelty case against former Forest City Town Council member Justin Edward Conner has moved to Rutherford County Superior Court following grand jury indictments. Conner was arrested on May 6 and charged with one felony count and two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals following a Forest City Police Department investigation. Court records show indictments were issued July 15 and Aug. 17, according to case number 26CR300140-800. The felony charge indictment said,
1 min read
Federal Data Show Rutherford County Lagging Nearby Economies
New federal numbers show a big difference in how the economies of Rutherford, McDowell, and Buncombe counties are doing.
3 min read
Regional News
Mooresville Mayor to Step Down After Months of Controversy
Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney announced Tuesday that he plans to leave office Sept. 30, following months of pressure from town commissioners and controversy surrounding an after-hours incident at Town Hall.
2 min read
White House Highlights Drug Savings, Jobs and Rancher Policies in Labor Day Briefing
The White House used its Labor Day weekly briefing to highlight new prescription drug pricing agreements, stronger-than-recent job growth, two executive orders affecting the cattle industry, and a G20 technology agreement reached in North Carolina.
3 min read
Stein Joins Democratic Governors Opposing DOJ disability Policy Shift
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has joined 17 other Democratic governors in challenging a major shift by the Trump administration over how federal disability law applies to people receiving state services.
4 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
Janie Bowen
Janie Bowen, age 63, of Forest City, passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at her home. Janie was born Wednesday, November 7, 1962 in Rutherford County to the late Charles Bowen and Margaret Quinn Neal. She worked as a skilled medical transcriptionist for many years and was a member of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. She was an avid reader and enjoyed watching Jeopardy and was a trivia enthusiast. Those left to cherish her memory include her son, William Kyle Bowen and
1 min read
Vickie Clay Rayfield
Vickie Clay Rayfield, age 72, of Cliffside, passed away Monday, September 7, 2026 at Atrium Health-Charlotte. Vickie was born Wednesday, December 23, 1953 in Cleveland County to the late Freddie Clay and Betty Lail Clay. She attended Shelby High School and was a past member of the Missionary Methodist Church in Shelby. Vickie worked for twenty-two years for Cone Mill-Haynes Plant and also was a real estate agent for Cardinal Realty for several years. She enjoyed working on cr
1 min read
Kairo Maddox Greene
Kairo Maddox Greene, infant son of Alexis Greene of Bostic, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, September 4, 2026 at Rutherford Regional Medical Center. Even though we were not able to see him grow into a young man, we look forward to the day that we will see him again. He will eternally be with God the Father and the host of Heavenly Angels. During his short time in this earthly world and being carried by his precious mother, he was able to make a lasting imp
1 min read
Harrelson Funeral Home
Harrelson Funeral Home
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