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The Lead Story
Council of state to consider $8.4M trail land deal
The proposed purchase covers nearly 3,600 acres in McDowell and Rutherford counties North Carolina’s Council of State is expected to consider an $8.4 million land purchase that could bring a trail connection between South Mountains State Park and Chimney Rock State Park closer to reality. The proposal is for the acquisition of approximately 3,592 acres off Conner Road for the Wilderness Gateway State Trail. The listed price is $8,399,242, or about $2,338 per acre. The land sp
Annie Dance
16 hours ago3 min read
Latest News
Word of Faith leader enters Alford pleas after years of delays
A Word of Faith Fellowship leader entered Alford pleas on Sept. 28 in Asheville to two misdemeanor charges stemming from an alleged 2013 assault on former church member Matthew Fenner, bringing a criminal case that had gone years without a retrial closer to an end. Brooke McFadden Covington, 68, pleaded to false imprisonment and simple assault in Buncombe County Superior Court, according to court records. The false imprisonment charge replaced a felony count of second-degree
3 min read
Rutherford County holds hearing on 2027 property reappraisal rules
No public comments recorded Rutherford County commissioners held a public hearing on Sept. 24 on the rules that will guide the county’s 2027 property reappraisal. No members of the public spoke, according to the meeting minutes. Revenue Director Richard Lawson told commissioners that the proposed schedule of values, standards and rules had been presented on Aug. 25. Asked about changes from previous reappraisals, Lawson said property sales drive changes in value. Lawson said
1 min read
Lake Lure mayoral candidate told to leave dam bridge while documenting repairs
Two years after Helene, the town is preparing to celebrate the dam’s 100th anniversary while questions persist about pedestrian access, construction funding and a replacement timeline. LAKE LURE, N.C. — Mayoral candidate John Edmonds Kozma was walking on the bridge across the Lake Lure Dam on Sept. 25 when a person told him to leave, a video reviewed by WCAB News shows. Kozma, a Republican running as a write-in candidate, has used videos to document his visits and ask questio
3 min read
Local News
Word of Faith leader enters Alford pleas after years of delays
A Word of Faith Fellowship leader entered Alford pleas on Sept. 28 in Asheville to two misdemeanor charges stemming from an alleged 2013 assault on former church member Matthew Fenner, bringing a criminal case that had gone years without a retrial closer to an end. Brooke McFadden Covington, 68, pleaded to false imprisonment and simple assault in Buncombe County Superior Court, according to court records. The false imprisonment charge replaced a felony count of second-degree
3 min read
Rutherford County holds hearing on 2027 property reappraisal rules
No public comments recorded Rutherford County commissioners held a public hearing on Sept. 24 on the rules that will guide the county’s 2027 property reappraisal. No members of the public spoke, according to the meeting minutes. Revenue Director Richard Lawson told commissioners that the proposed schedule of values, standards and rules had been presented on Aug. 25. Asked about changes from previous reappraisals, Lawson said property sales drive changes in value. Lawson said
1 min read
Lake Lure mayoral candidate told to leave dam bridge while documenting repairs
Two years after Helene, the town is preparing to celebrate the dam’s 100th anniversary while questions persist about pedestrian access, construction funding and a replacement timeline. LAKE LURE, N.C. — Mayoral candidate John Edmonds Kozma was walking on the bridge across the Lake Lure Dam on Sept. 25 when a person told him to leave, a video reviewed by WCAB News shows. Kozma, a Republican running as a write-in candidate, has used videos to document his visits and ask questio
3 min read
Regional News
Lake Lure mayoral candidate told to leave dam bridge while documenting repairs
Two years after Helene, the town is preparing to celebrate the dam’s 100th anniversary while questions persist about pedestrian access, construction funding and a replacement timeline. LAKE LURE, N.C. — Mayoral candidate John Edmonds Kozma was walking on the bridge across the Lake Lure Dam on Sept. 25 when a person told him to leave, a video reviewed by WCAB News shows. Kozma, a Republican running as a write-in candidate, has used videos to document his visits and ask questio
3 min read
Police leaders back Whatley in ad criticizing Cooper’s public safety record
Cooper points to his record as attorney general and to a 2023 bail law; a pandemic-era prison settlement remains disputed Two North Carolina police association leaders are backing Republican Michael Whatley in a new ad that challenges Democrat Roy Cooper’s public safety record in the U.S. Senate race. “He showed up with policies that handcuff the cops and took the handcuffs off the criminals,” David Rose, president of the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association, said in
2 min read
Council of state to consider $8.4M trail land deal
The proposed purchase covers nearly 3,600 acres in McDowell and Rutherford counties North Carolina’s Council of State is expected to consider an $8.4 million land purchase that could bring a trail connection between South Mountains State Park and Chimney Rock State Park closer to reality. The proposal is for the acquisition of approximately 3,592 acres off Conner Road for the Wilderness Gateway State Trail. The listed price is $8,399,242, or about $2,338 per acre. The land sp
3 min read
Business News
Council of state to consider $8.4M trail land deal
The proposed purchase covers nearly 3,600 acres in McDowell and Rutherford counties North Carolina’s Council of State is expected to consider an $8.4 million land purchase that could bring a trail connection between South Mountains State Park and Chimney Rock State Park closer to reality. The proposal is for the acquisition of approximately 3,592 acres off Conner Road for the Wilderness Gateway State Trail. The listed price is $8,399,242, or about $2,338 per acre. The land sp
3 min read
Governor unveils Helene economic recovery plan two years after storm
In a statement on Sept. 23, Governor Stein and the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC) unveiled the Western NC Economic Recovery Plan, a long-term framework to rebuild and grow the region’s economy as western North Carolina approaches two years since Hurricane Helene. The plan was built with input from 28 counties, the Qualla Boundary, five regional councils of government, chambers of commerce, and economic development organizations. “While the hea
3 min read
Chimney Rock advances Helene recovery projects, awaits grants
Two years after Hurricane Helene, village officials report progress on river restoration, infrastructure repairs and property buyouts, but major recovery projects remain dependent on state and federal funding decisions. Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene devastated Chimney Rock Village, local officials are moving forward with river restoration, water and sewer repairs and plans to rebuild the downtown business district. However, approximately $42 million in proposed reco
5 min read
Obituaries
Wanda Cuthbertson
Wanda Cuthbertson, age 61, of Mooresboro went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after winning her battle with cancer. She is at rest and in the presence of God for eternity.
1 min read
Reverend Jerry Ruppe
Reverend Jerry Ruppe, age 83, of Bostic, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.
1 min read
Aileen Curtis Wright
Aileen Curtis Wright, age 88, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, September 21, 2026 at Fair Haven of Forest City. Aileen was born Saturday, July 9, 1938 in Cleveland County to the late Don Eugene Curtis and Iris Scruggs Curtis. She was a graduate of Mooresboro High School, class of 1956. Aileen worked as a Rutherford County Deputy Tax Collector for thirty years before retirement. She was a faithful member of Drury Dobbins Baptist Church. Her grea
1 min read
Harrelson Funeral Home
Harrelson Funeral Home
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