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The Lead Story
State seeks comments on Lake Lure wastewater agreement
Comments are due by Nov. 2 on proposed interim discharge limits, construction deadlines through 2031, and conditional cancellation of more than $67,000 in penalties. The public has an opportunity to comment on a proposed state wastewater agreement that would allow pollutant concentrations above the town’s underlying permit limits while sewer improvements proceed through 2031. The public comment period opened Oct. 3 and closes Nov. 2. The North Carolina Department of Environme
Annie Dance
1 day ago5 min read
Latest News
Nebo man faces 10 charges after reported vehicle and building break-ins
Travis Paul Cook received a $100,000 secured bond; court records list an Oct. 19 probable cause hearing. A 40-year-old Nebo man faces eight felony charges and two misdemeanor charges after authorities say he broke into multiple vehicles and a building at a West Marion residence Sept. 27. Deputy Caleb Baliles of the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office charged Travis Paul Cook with six counts of felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle, one count of felony larceny after breaki
2 min read
Stein challenges proposed Head Start language requirement
English has been NC’s official language since 1987 Gov. Josh Stein is challenging a proposed English-language instruction requirement as part of a broader federal Head Start overhaul that the Trump administration says would expand access, improve nutrition and give parents and local providers greater control. In an Oct. 5 letter, Stein asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to withdraw or substantially revise provisions affecting classroom staffing, preschool
4 min read
Marion woman gets three years for Helene aid fraud
A Marion woman has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for collecting more than $30,000 in Hurricane Helene assistance by falsely claiming the storm destroyed her home. Peggy Lee Cantrell, 41, was sentenced Sept. 17 by Chief U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina. She must repay $30,631.59 to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and serve four years of supervised release after pri
2 min read
Local News
Nebo man faces 10 charges after reported vehicle and building break-ins
Travis Paul Cook received a $100,000 secured bond; court records list an Oct. 19 probable cause hearing. A 40-year-old Nebo man faces eight felony charges and two misdemeanor charges after authorities say he broke into multiple vehicles and a building at a West Marion residence Sept. 27. Deputy Caleb Baliles of the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office charged Travis Paul Cook with six counts of felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle, one count of felony larceny after breaki
2 min read
Stein challenges proposed Head Start language requirement
English has been NC’s official language since 1987 Gov. Josh Stein is challenging a proposed English-language instruction requirement as part of a broader federal Head Start overhaul that the Trump administration says would expand access, improve nutrition and give parents and local providers greater control. In an Oct. 5 letter, Stein asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to withdraw or substantially revise provisions affecting classroom staffing, preschool
4 min read
Marion woman gets three years for Helene aid fraud
A Marion woman has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for collecting more than $30,000 in Hurricane Helene assistance by falsely claiming the storm destroyed her home. Peggy Lee Cantrell, 41, was sentenced Sept. 17 by Chief U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina. She must repay $30,631.59 to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and serve four years of supervised release after pri
2 min read
Regional News
Stein challenges proposed Head Start language requirement
English has been NC’s official language since 1987 Gov. Josh Stein is challenging a proposed English-language instruction requirement as part of a broader federal Head Start overhaul that the Trump administration says would expand access, improve nutrition and give parents and local providers greater control. In an Oct. 5 letter, Stein asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to withdraw or substantially revise provisions affecting classroom staffing, preschool
4 min read
CBP reaches 1 billion biometric traveler checks
Facial screening affects western North Carolina residents traveling by plane Rutherford County and western North Carolina residents flying internationally through Charlotte Douglas Airport may encounter a camera that compares their face with a passport or other government travel-document photograph. That technology is part of a nationwide border screening system that U.S. Customs and Border Protection says has surpassed 1 billion traveler identity verifications. CBP announced
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
Business News
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
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
Obituaries
Mary Wynn Bostic
Mary Wynn Bostic, age 84, of Mooresboro, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at Hilltop Health and Rehabilitation in Rutherfordton.
1 min read
Charles E. Smith
Charles E. Smith, age 89, of Ellenboro, passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at Fair Haven of Forest City.
1 min read
Corbit Alan "Chino" Smith
Corbit Alan “Chino” Smith, age 60, of Bostic, passed away Friday, September 25, 2026. He was born Saturday, December 4, 1965 in Robeson County, to the late Rubin Smith and to Brenda Mercer Smith who resides in Lumberton, NC.
2 min read
Harrelson Funeral Home
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Harrelson Funeral Home
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