top of page
.png)
The Lead Story
Rutherford County Man Charged in Child Exploitation Investigation
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Ellenboro man following a weeks-long investigation into reported child exploitation materials.
Lou Gilliam
1 day ago1 min read
Latest News
Lake Lure Leaders Advance Recovery Projects, Infrastructure Grants at December meeting
Lake Lure leaders pushed forward a wide slate of Hurricane Helene-related recovery work, infrastructure upgrades, and major engineering agreements on Dec. 9 during a 30-minute meeting that highlighted both accelerating progress and ongoing delays tied to state and federal permitting.
3 min read
State Water Infrastructure Authority Meets to Advance Major Helene Recovery Projects
The State Water Infrastructure Authority convened on Dec. 10 for a day-long meeting, taking up a packed agenda centered on funding decisions for communities recovering from Hurricane Helene and expanding statewide drinking water and wastewater resilience.
3 min read
North Carolina Prepares Low Income Energy Assistance Applications
As of December 1, 2025, North Carolina has received federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the state Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is preparing to open applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP).
2 min read
Local News
Lake Lure Leaders Advance Recovery Projects, Infrastructure Grants at December meeting
Lake Lure leaders pushed forward a wide slate of Hurricane Helene-related recovery work, infrastructure upgrades, and major engineering agreements on Dec. 9 during a 30-minute meeting that highlighted both accelerating progress and ongoing delays tied to state and federal permitting.
3 min read
North Carolina Prepares Low Income Energy Assistance Applications
As of December 1, 2025, North Carolina has received federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the state Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is preparing to open applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP).
2 min read
Hurricane Helene Survivors Still Stuck in Limbo as FEMA Buyouts Drag Into a Second Year
More than fourteen months after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, the waiting has become its own form of hardship. Families who lost homes in the storm are still stuck in the federal buyout process, unsure whether they will ever receive help — or when.
2 min read
Regional News
State Water Infrastructure Authority Meets to Advance Major Helene Recovery Projects
The State Water Infrastructure Authority convened on Dec. 10 for a day-long meeting, taking up a packed agenda centered on funding decisions for communities recovering from Hurricane Helene and expanding statewide drinking water and wastewater resilience.
3 min read
Gov. Stein Orders Medicaid Rate Restoration as Budget Stalemate Deepens
Gov. Josh Stein on Wednesday directed the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to restore Medicaid reimbursement rates to their Sept. 30, 2025, levels, saying recent court rulings have made the state’s October rate cuts untenable and have put patient access at risk.
2 min read
Exclusive: NC Gang Prevention Task Force Opens With Misstep on Public Transparency
North Carolina’s new Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force held its first Prevention Working Group meeting Tuesday morning — and it opened with a misunderstanding of the state’s public meeting laws.
2 min read
Business News
North Carolina Prepares Low Income Energy Assistance Applications
As of December 1, 2025, North Carolina has received federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the state Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is preparing to open applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP).
2 min read
U.S. Attorney Announces DMV Fixes After Review Finds Ineligible Voter Registrations
Federal officials say the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles will implement a series of reforms to strengthen voter-registration safeguards after a review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina found that ineligible individuals were improperly added to the voter rolls through DMV processes.
2 min read
Additional premium increases possible for state health plan
The plan’s costs are still increasing by about 6% a year while revenue from premiums is only going up about 3%, first-term Republican state Treasurer Brad Briner said in a news conference.
2 min read
Obituaries
Timothy Dale "Tim" Bailey
Timothy Dale “Tim” Bailey, age 56, of Rutherfordton, passed away Friday, December 5, 2025 at his home.
1 min read
Larry "Bud" Splawn
Larry “Bud” Splawn, age 82, of Rutherfordton, passed away Thursday, December 4, 2025 at Rutherford Regional Medical Center.
1 min read
Michael Isaac Randall
Michael Isaac Randall, age 62, of Ellenboro, passed away Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at Rutherford Regional Medical Center.
1 min read
Harrelson Funeral Home
Harrelson Funeral Home
1/1
bottom of page