The Lead Story

Marion treatment program expands substance use care for adolescents

Insight Human Services celebrates a nine-person residential program for youths ages 12–17 A new residential substance use treatment program in Marion will provide around-the-clock care for adolescents, adding a treatment option for North Carolina families whose children need intensive support. Insight Human Services celebrated the program with a ribbon-cutting Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 200 Little Acres Drive. The program is designed to serve up to nine youths ages 12–17 in a stru

Annie Dance

4 hours ago2 min read

Latest News

Russell Pye

Pye, age 69, of Cliffside, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at the Belaire Health Care Center in Gastonia, NC.

1 min read

What does a soil and water conservation supervisor do?

Rutherford County’s nonpartisan board helps guide conservation assistance, water quality projects and storm recovery. Soil and water conservation supervisors help set local priorities for protecting farmland and waterways, guiding assistance programs that help landowners address erosion, runoff and storm damage. In Rutherford County, voters selected candidates for two supervisor seats in the Nov. 3 election. The office is nonpartisan, meaning candidates run without party labe

2 min read

Ager wins NC-11, returning mountain seat to Democrats after more than a decade

Fairview farmer defeats Balkcom, puts Helene recovery funding at top of congressional agenda Western North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District will have Democratic representation for the first time since 2013 after Fairview farmer and business owner Jamie Ager defeated Republican Jennifer Balkcom. The Associated Press called the race for Ager on election night. He will become the district’s first Democratic representative since Heath Shuler, whose congressional service end

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Local News

What does a soil and water conservation supervisor do?

Rutherford County’s nonpartisan board helps guide conservation assistance, water quality projects and storm recovery. Soil and water conservation supervisors help set local priorities for protecting farmland and waterways, guiding assistance programs that help landowners address erosion, runoff and storm damage. In Rutherford County, voters selected candidates for two supervisor seats in the Nov. 3 election. The office is nonpartisan, meaning candidates run without party labe

2 min read

Ager wins NC-11, returning mountain seat to Democrats after more than a decade

Fairview farmer defeats Balkcom, puts Helene recovery funding at top of congressional agenda Western North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District will have Democratic representation for the first time since 2013 after Fairview farmer and business owner Jamie Ager defeated Republican Jennifer Balkcom. The Associated Press called the race for Ager on election night. He will become the district’s first Democratic representative since Heath Shuler, whose congressional service end

3 min read

Marion treatment program expands substance use care for adolescents

Insight Human Services celebrates a nine-person residential program for youths ages 12–17 A new residential substance use treatment program in Marion will provide around-the-clock care for adolescents, adding a treatment option for North Carolina families whose children need intensive support. Insight Human Services celebrated the program with a ribbon-cutting Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 200 Little Acres Drive. The program is designed to serve up to nine youths ages 12–17 in a stru

2 min read

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Regional News

Ager wins NC-11, returning mountain seat to Democrats after more than a decade

Fairview farmer defeats Balkcom, puts Helene recovery funding at top of congressional agenda Western North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District will have Democratic representation for the first time since 2013 after Fairview farmer and business owner Jamie Ager defeated Republican Jennifer Balkcom. The Associated Press called the race for Ager on election night. He will become the district’s first Democratic representative since Heath Shuler, whose congressional service end

3 min read

Rutherford Airport advances 'land acquisition' under 'race conscious' rules

The Rutherford County Airport Authority approved work Nov. 2 toward acquiring nearly 23 acres near Runway 19 and adopted higher aircraft rental and parking fees effective Jan. 1. The land acquisition is part of a broader effort to control property along the runway’s approach. Airport Director Devon Raisch said the airport is starting with a property owner interested in selling. “Our goal is to find folks that are amenable to selling their property,” Raisch said. Documents acc

3 min read

WNC Election 2026 results and upsets

Cooper, Ager and Womack win federal races, while local voters choose sheriffs, commissioners and town leaders. Democrats won control of Congress, but Republicans remained the clear choice in most major local races in Rutherford and McDowell counties. Democrat Roy Cooper won North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race against Republican Michael Whatley. Democrat Jamie Ager defeated Republican Jennifer Balkcom in the 11th Congressional District, and Democrat LaKesha Womack won the seat a

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Business News

Rutherford Airport advances 'land acquisition' under 'race conscious' rules

The Rutherford County Airport Authority approved work Nov. 2 toward acquiring nearly 23 acres near Runway 19 and adopted higher aircraft rental and parking fees effective Jan. 1. The land acquisition is part of a broader effort to control property along the runway’s approach. Airport Director Devon Raisch said the airport is starting with a property owner interested in selling. “Our goal is to find folks that are amenable to selling their property,” Raisch said. Documents acc

3 min read

USDOT Awards $36 million for Future WNC Rail Service

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the N.C. Department of Transportation approximately $36 million as the state works to improve safety while reconnecting western North Carolina by rail. The announcement of $35.8 million in federal funding is for the project’s development, final design and construction and includes activities to support the upgrade of more than 40-highway-rail crossing signal systems between Salisbury and Hickory. The project will enhance rail saf

1 min read

From the White House to Main Street: Trump targets housing costs, federal fraud

New directives seek to reduce mortgage expenses and duplicative housing requirements, with potential implications for Western North Carolina. President Donald Trump is directing federal agencies to reduce certain homeownership costs and streamline manufactured housing requirements, changes that could matter to Western North Carolina residents buying or replacing homes. The administration also launched a fraud reporting incentive program aimed at protecting taxpayer dollars. B

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Obituaries

Russell Pye

Pye, age 69, of Cliffside, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at the Belaire Health Care Center in Gastonia, NC.

1 min read

Julia Stacey Lovelace

Julia Stacey Lovelace, age 79, of Cowpens, formerly of Forest City, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, November 2nd at the Woodruff Manor in Woodruff, SC.

1 min read