Carolyn Christine Epps Francis, age 85, passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

Commissioners also hear updates on Helene recovery, a planned elementary school and county building repairs. McDowell County has temporarily suspended some evening and Saturday transit service because of a shortage of trained drivers, county commissioners learned during their October meeting at the Historic Carson House. Brandon Gaddy, who recently moved into a leadership role with the county’s transit operation after working in social services, said employee turnover has lef

Kathy Ann Thomason, age 67, of Granite Falls, NC, passed away Friday, October 9, 2026, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center while being surrounded by her loving family.

Election workers write on ballots for different reasons as required by law. This does not impact whether your ballot will be counted, the State Board of Elections (NCSBE) said in a statement. NCSBE said they are "again responding to social media posts that state that if an election worker writes on a voter’s ballot, it will invalidate it and the voter should request a new ballot." "This is false. These posts have been circulating for several years and have resurfaced recentl

Court records show $125,000 bond posted after initial detention without bond A Swannanoa man charged with a felony sex offense in McDowell County posted a $125,000 secured bond Oct. 2 after initially being held without bond, according to court records. Zachary Groben Lebbon, 29, was arrested Oct. 1 on a charge of second-degree forcible sex offense following an investigation by Detective Kyle Gibson, the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office said. The investigation began Sept. 27,