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The Lead Story
Dunham’s Sports to Open Spindale Store June 19
Dunham’s Sports will officially open its newest location in Spindale on Friday, June 19, with a weekend of promotions, giveaways and special offers for customers.
Annie Dance
4 days ago2 min read
Latest News
How You Can Identify Heat Vulnerability in Your Community
A new experimental data tool from the U.S. Census Bureau is giving state and local officials a more detailed look at where households may be most vulnerable during extreme summer heat, including in Western North Carolina.
2 min read
Lake Lure Science Teacher Says Elevated E.Coli Water Sampling ‘Isn't News
A Lake Lure science teacher is facing scrutiny after criticizing recent reporting on E. coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria levels in western North Carolina waterways, including the Broad River, Chimney Rock, and Lake Lure, calling the coverage is "trying to make people look bad” despite the data coming from a state environmental monitoring program.
3 min read
Homeless Man Arrested
NAME: Dylan Scott Smith DOB: 08/25/2001 Age: 24 Address: Homeless, Morganton Charges: Burke County Failure to Appears (F) Insurance Fraud <$100,000 (F) Obtain Property by False Pretense (X 2) (M) Second Degree Trespassing Catawba County Charges (F) Felony Worthless Check (F) Financial Card Theft (F) Obtain Property by False Pretense (X 3) (M) Possession of Stolen Goods (M) Aid & Abet Larceny Caldwell County Charges (M) Misdemeanor Larceny Summary: On June 7, 2026, deputies wi
1 min read
Local News
Homeless Man Arrested
NAME: Dylan Scott Smith DOB: 08/25/2001 Age: 24 Address: Homeless, Morganton Charges: Burke County Failure to Appears (F) Insurance Fraud <$100,000 (F) Obtain Property by False Pretense (X 2) (M) Second Degree Trespassing Catawba County Charges (F) Felony Worthless Check (F) Financial Card Theft (F) Obtain Property by False Pretense (X 3) (M) Possession of Stolen Goods (M) Aid & Abet Larceny Caldwell County Charges (M) Misdemeanor Larceny Summary: On June 7, 2026, deputies wi
1 min read
Rutherford County to Host Elder Abuse Awareness Event
Rutherford County Department of Social Services and the Rutherford County Senior Center will host a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event on Monday, June 15, to help educate residents about the warning signs of elder abuse and ways to protect vulnerable adults. The event will begin at 10 a.m. at the Rutherford County Senior Center, located at 193 Callahan Koon Road in Spindale, and is open to the public. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was established in 2006 to raise
2 min read
Inmate Death
On June 9, 2026, an inmate was found unresponsive in his cell at the Burke County Jail. Detention and medical personnel responded immediately and initiated life-saving measures while requesting assistance from Burke County EMS, who also responded to the scene. Despite these efforts, the inmate was pronounced deceased a short time later. The Burke County Sheriff’s Office has requested that the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) conduct an independent investigat
1 min read
Regional News
How You Can Identify Heat Vulnerability in Your Community
A new experimental data tool from the U.S. Census Bureau is giving state and local officials a more detailed look at where households may be most vulnerable during extreme summer heat, including in Western North Carolina.
2 min read
Lake Lure Science Teacher Says Elevated E.Coli Water Sampling ‘Isn't News
A Lake Lure science teacher is facing scrutiny after criticizing recent reporting on E. coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria levels in western North Carolina waterways, including the Broad River, Chimney Rock, and Lake Lure, calling the coverage is "trying to make people look bad” despite the data coming from a state environmental monitoring program.
3 min read
DeafBlind Awareness Month Highlights Accessibility Limitations
NC proclamation underscores DHHS-supported services while spotlighting practical steps communities can take to improve communication access and participation.
3 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
Earl Franklin Ritch
Earl Franklin Ritch of Sachse, Texas, passed away on June 8, 2026, at the age of 83. He was born on February 27, 1943, in Concord, North Carolina, Earl was the son of Lindsey F. Ritch and Thelma M. Mills Ritch. Earl is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Sue Ritch; his daughter, Cheryl D. Jenkins and husband Joe of Vancouver, Washington, and their sons, Curtis and Brian Jenkins; his son, Jeffrey A. Ritch and wife Shehnaz of McKinney, Texas, and their daughter, Aliana. H
2 min read
Robin Vaughn Howard
Robin Vaughn Howard, age 56, of Ellenboro, passed away Thursday, June 4, 2026 at her home. Robin was born Monday, March 9, 1970 in Lexington, NC to Nancy Vaughn who resides in High Point, NC. Robin was a dedicated homemaker who loved her family dearly. Among her many gifts was her talent as an artist and photographer. She especially enjoyed painting, drawing and sketching. As a lover of nature she took enormous pleasure in feeding and caring for all kinds of animals. She was
1 min read
William Bradley
William Bradley, age 26, of Mill Spring, NC passed away Thursday, June 4, 2026 at Spartanburg Medical Center. William was born Wednesday, January 12, 2000 in Henderson County to Junior and Tracy Bradley who lives in Mill Spring. He worked for several years as a heavy equipment operator for Clary Hood Grading. William was a member of Shingle Hollow Congregational Holiness Church. He loved calling his sister in the morning after she had worked all night. No matter what the situ
1 min read
Harrelson Funeral Home
Harrelson Funeral Home
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