Mayor Pritchett praised the dedication of advisory board volunteers and emergency responders, calling the town’s progress “a testament to perseverance.”

Hager served in the state legislature before resigning in 2016 to care for his aging parents. Speaking with WCAB News, he described returning to public service as a response to what he sees as a lack of attention to local issues. He also served on the Rutherford County School Board briefly post-legislature. 

This is the first confirmed positive in Rutherford County. In the last 30 days, there have been three backyard flocks with confirmed positives in North Carolina. Cases have also been confirmed in Guilford and Union counties.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 24 people per minute are victims of domestic violence in the United States, totaling more than 12 million people annually. Domestic abuse encompasses a wide range of behaviors, including rape, physical violence, stalking, and other forms of sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse.

"Measles, though rare in North Carolina, is a serious public health threat," Jason Masters, Foothills Health Director, said in a statement. "Measles is highly contagious and can be dangerous, especially for young children and those with weakened immune systems. Vaccination is the best protection."