"It's time to say enough is enough," said Shores. "Let's do what's right, put education first, let's stand together and take back control of our schools, our future and our opportunities."

The portal helps modernize a compensation program that last year approved 2,449 paper claims submitted by mail. In 2024, the program reimbursed victims of violent crime and their families $9.8 million.

Long’s death was not formally on the council’s agenda, but Rhodes’ remarks underscored the broader theme of accountability threaded through the evening’s presentations.

A 73-year-old man experiencing homelessness in Rutherfordton was arrested this week after allegedly threatening to “handle” police officers “with a rifle." 

McDowell County Sheriff Ricky T. Buchanan has announced he will not seek re-election when his current term ends in 2026.