The Lead Story

Lake Lure’s insurer sues town

Allegations under seal The municipal insurance fund that provides Lake Lure’s property and liability coverage has sued the town and a private claims-management company, but the complaint explaining the allegations was provisionally filed under seal. The Interlocal Risk Financing Fund of North Carolina filed the lawsuit Sept. 17 in Wake County Superior Court against Lake Lure and Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc. The docket lists claims involving contract, indemnificati

Annie Dance

1 hour ago3 min read

Hiddenite man charged in grandmother’s death

Sheriff’s Office says Jeffrey Michael Minton told detention officers he had killed his grandmother; deputies found Shirleen Prichard, 78, dead at her home. A Hiddenite man was charged with first-degree murder Oct. 13 after authorities said he walked into the Alexander County Detention Center and told officers he had killed his grandmother. Jeffrey Michael Minton, 34, voluntarily made the statement to officers on duty in the detention center lobby, according to a statement fro

Annie Dance

2 hours ago2 min read

Latest News

NC child support changes take effect Jan. 1

Updated guidelines affect how courts calculate payments, but existing orders will not change automatically. North Carolina’s updated child support guidelines take effect Jan. 1, 2027, changing how courts calculate payments based on parents’ incomes and the cost of raising children. For families already paying or receiving support, the new guidelines do not automatically change an existing court order. A change requires court action. The Conference of Chief District Court Judg

2 min read

Lake Lure’s insurer sues town

Allegations under seal The municipal insurance fund that provides Lake Lure’s property and liability coverage has sued the town and a private claims-management company, but the complaint explaining the allegations was provisionally filed under seal. The Interlocal Risk Financing Fund of North Carolina filed the lawsuit Sept. 17 in Wake County Superior Court against Lake Lure and Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc. The docket lists claims involving contract, indemnificati

3 min read

Hiddenite man charged in grandmother’s death

Sheriff’s Office says Jeffrey Michael Minton told detention officers he had killed his grandmother; deputies found Shirleen Prichard, 78, dead at her home. A Hiddenite man was charged with first-degree murder Oct. 13 after authorities said he walked into the Alexander County Detention Center and told officers he had killed his grandmother. Jeffrey Michael Minton, 34, voluntarily made the statement to officers on duty in the detention center lobby, according to a statement fro

2 min read

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Local News

NC child support changes take effect Jan. 1

Updated guidelines affect how courts calculate payments, but existing orders will not change automatically. North Carolina’s updated child support guidelines take effect Jan. 1, 2027, changing how courts calculate payments based on parents’ incomes and the cost of raising children. For families already paying or receiving support, the new guidelines do not automatically change an existing court order. A change requires court action. The Conference of Chief District Court Judg

2 min read

Lake Lure’s insurer sues town

Allegations under seal The municipal insurance fund that provides Lake Lure’s property and liability coverage has sued the town and a private claims-management company, but the complaint explaining the allegations was provisionally filed under seal. The Interlocal Risk Financing Fund of North Carolina filed the lawsuit Sept. 17 in Wake County Superior Court against Lake Lure and Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc. The docket lists claims involving contract, indemnificati

3 min read

Hiddenite man charged in grandmother’s death

Sheriff’s Office says Jeffrey Michael Minton told detention officers he had killed his grandmother; deputies found Shirleen Prichard, 78, dead at her home. A Hiddenite man was charged with first-degree murder Oct. 13 after authorities said he walked into the Alexander County Detention Center and told officers he had killed his grandmother. Jeffrey Michael Minton, 34, voluntarily made the statement to officers on duty in the detention center lobby, according to a statement fro

2 min read

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Regional News

NC child support changes take effect Jan. 1

Updated guidelines affect how courts calculate payments, but existing orders will not change automatically. North Carolina’s updated child support guidelines take effect Jan. 1, 2027, changing how courts calculate payments based on parents’ incomes and the cost of raising children. For families already paying or receiving support, the new guidelines do not automatically change an existing court order. A change requires court action. The Conference of Chief District Court Judg

2 min read

Hiddenite man charged in grandmother’s death

Sheriff’s Office says Jeffrey Michael Minton told detention officers he had killed his grandmother; deputies found Shirleen Prichard, 78, dead at her home. A Hiddenite man was charged with first-degree murder Oct. 13 after authorities said he walked into the Alexander County Detention Center and told officers he had killed his grandmother. Jeffrey Michael Minton, 34, voluntarily made the statement to officers on duty in the detention center lobby, according to a statement fro

2 min read

McDowell leadership changes follow special meeting

Commissioners approved Wooten’s resignation, appointed Kehler and Frye, and accepted unspecified adjustments after closed session. McDowell County commissioners approved two leadership appointments during an Oct. 1 special meeting, naming Will Kehler interim county manager and Maggie Effler Frye register of deeds. The board also accepted former County Manager Ashley Wooten’s resignation and separation agreement. Later, commissioners approved unspecified “adjustments” followin

3 min read

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Business News

NC fuel tax pause offers relief for drivers

Stein signs law suspending the 41-cent-per-gallon tax through Nov. 30, with additional relief for farmers Rutherford County drivers could save $6.15 on a 15-gallon fill-up under a temporary suspension of North Carolina’s motor fuel excise tax, provided the full tax reduction reaches the pump. Gov. Josh Stein signed House Bill 3, the Relief at the Pump Act, on Oct. 9 in Fairview. The suspension began Oct. 10 and runs through Nov. 30, covering gasoline, diesel and alternative f

2 min read

Hilltop festival draws families, sparks discussion

Rutherfordton’s Oct. 3 event featured downtown activities, police vehicles and community groups Families and visitors filled downtown Rutherfordton for the Hilltop Fall Festival on Oct. 3, with entertainment, vendors and children’s activities drawing praise alongside questions about town spending and festival offerings. The Saturday event featured a magic show, a car show, and a pet costume contest hosted by Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue, according to the town’s MyRuth

2 min read

Rutherford Regional reaches 100 robotic-assisted surgeries after $2.2M investment

Rutherford Regional Health System has completed its 100th robotic-assisted surgery, reaching the milestone roughly four months after introducing technology designed to help surgeons perform operations through small incisions. The hospital announced the milestone on Sept. 29 and said Dr. Andrew Demeusy performed the 100th procedure. Its general surgery program uses the da Vinci surgical system for hernia repair, gallbladder removal, colorectal surgery, and other operations. Ru

4 min read