According to the court filing reviewed by WCAB News, McDowell is accused of "unlawfully, willfully, and with malice aforethought attempting to kill Brian Spurling." 

On October 22, 2025, the remains were positively identified as those of Ricky Watson, who was last seen on June 20, 2025, around 2:00 p.m., and reported missing by family members the following morning.

The survey begins by asking participants what they value most about the town — including options such as community appearance, sense of community, recreation, tourism, and the lake itself — and which attributes are most important moving forward, such as locally owned restaurants, scenic views, walkability, and parks.

“Western North Carolina can’t afford any more delays while families and businesses continue recovering from Hurricane Helene,” Edwards said. “Each day these permits are stalled is another day our mountain communities remain cut off and our economy suffers.”

In an Oct. 24 memorandum to all regional and state SNAP directors, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) stated that “all November 2025 benefit allotments” are suspended effective November 1, “until such time as sufficient federal funding is provided, or until FNS directs State agencies otherwise.”