North Carolina voters, including residents across Rutherford County, will decide this November whether to amend the state constitution to require limits on how much local governments can increase property tax levies.

Deputies and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence on Silvers Lake Road around 4 p.m. on May 20 after the Rutherford County Communications Center received multiple calls reporting that two people had been shot.

A western North Carolina man has pleaded guilty in federal court to posting the home address of a United States Supreme Court justice online to Bluesky with the intent to threaten, intimidate or incite violence, according to federal prosecutors.

As Josh Stein announced a new statewide economic development strategy promising “opportunity in every corner” of North Carolina, new labor data shows Rutherford County continues to face one of the state’s highest unemployment rates.

North Carolina Department of Transportation officials revealed this week that residents and business owners in Chimney Rock Village could face at least four more years of construction, property negotiations, and uncertainty as the state moves forward with a massive post-Helene rebuilding effort projected to exceed $250 million.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deadly shooting that happened Tuesday afternoon on Silvers Lake Road. Deputies were called to the scene around 4 p.m. After arriving, authorities found two people suffering from gunshot wounds. Officials say one victim died at the scene, while the second victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. According to investigators, deputies immediately took the suspect into custody upon arrival. Authorities say

Josh Stein visited Lake Lure on May 15 to celebrate the reopening of one of western North Carolina’s best-known outdoor destinations following extensive recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene. Joined by federal, state and local officials at Morse Park, Stein called the reopening a major milestone for the region’s recovery and tourism industry. “This is an exciting day for western North Carolina,” Stein said. “Twenty months ago, Hurricane Helene devastated Lake Lure, but toda

A federal jury in Asheville has found the North Carolina Highway Patrol retaliated against former state trooper Jonathan Daniel Williams after he raised religious objections to mandatory COVID-19 testing policies during the pandemic.

McDowell County leaders say deputies are increasingly responding to mental health and addiction emergencies as officials push for expanded behavioral health services.

Federal regulators say proprietary reactor analysis data at Catawba, McGuire and Oconee plants can remain secret despite public accountability questions.

Jean Nix Morrow, age 85, of Forest City, NC passed away peacefully on May 15th, 2026 to be with our Lord and Savior, and to join her family and friends that preceded her in death. Born April 23rd, 1941, in Rutherford County, she was the youngest of three children born to Fred and Nora Nix. She retired from Tanner Co. after 20 years of service there. Prior to that, she worked at Crellin Plastic and the Hanes Plant. She was very devoted to her family, being a caregiver to her m

Landon Wray Wilson, age 24, of Ellenboro, passed away on Monday, May 18, 2026.

Authorities in Morganton are investigating a deadly shooting that left one person dead and another injured Monday evening on Mount Olive Church Road.

Investigators with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office are asking for the public’s help following two separate shootings reported over the weekend during the “N2-Deep” camp out and trail ride event at Bar-H Arena on Holly Hill Road.

The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office recently solved two burglary cases dating back to 2020 and 2023 thanks to advancements in DNA technology, the use of the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), and the diligent investigative work of Detectives Billie Brown and Derrick McGinnis.

On May 15, 2026, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office proudly recognized and congratulates Lt. Tom Hester on his retirement after 20 years of dedicated service from 2006-2026.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for Special Olympics is the largest year-round public awareness and grassroots fundraising campaign for Special Olympics

U.S. Rep. Tim Moore highlighted more than $4 million in federal disaster recovery funding for Rutherford County in his latest weekly update, while also promoting law enforcement legislation and banking reforms during a weekly update from Washington.

City officials cite water conservation concerns as regional drought impacts communities across western North Carolina.

A Forest City man is facing a felony assault charge after authorities alleged he used a vehicle as a deadly weapon during an incident in Rutherford County, according to court records (case number 26CR308098-800).