District ranks 57th in North Carolina for student dropouts, highlighting historical data Rutherford County Schools’ recent “MythBuster Monday” post claiming consistently low dropout rates is contradicted by state data, a WCAB News analysis shows. In a statement posted on February 23, 2026, the district said:

Deputy Caleb Baliles with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office charged 65-year-old Cornelius White of Asheville with felony Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance. He was initially denied bond due to already being out on pretrial release.

A Marion couple is facing serious drug-related charges after an investigation revealed that a child in their care had been exposed to illegal substances.

Rutherford County’s emergency lines were active around the clock over the weekend, with dispatchers logging 513 total 911 and administrative calls in 48 hours, according to a Rutherford County Emergency Communications radio report obtained by WCAB News.

Early voting continues through Feb. 28 for the March 3 primary.  With just over a week until Primary Election Day, Rutherford County voters are continuing to cast ballots in North Carolina’s 2026 primary election. Statewide election data shows 323,992 people have voted early in person and by mail, with 2,718 in Rutherford County.