One year ago, Hurricane Helene tested the strength of Lake Lure, Chimney Rock Village, and the Hickory Nut Gorge. What followed wasn’t defeat, but determination. This weekend, the community will gather to honor that resilience with a series of events dedicated to remembrance, recovery, and looking toward the future.

The case began when a passerby found two children outside the home and called police. Officers discovered the crime scene, sparking a five-year investigation involving interviews with family, neighbors, and associates, as well as forensic evidence and assistance from state and federal agencies.

During the stop, troopers developed probable cause to believe that controlled substances were inside the vehicle and requested assistance from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.

During a Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee hearing on September 22, Chimney Rock Mayor Peter O’Leary told Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) did not arrive in his community until months after the storm.

ICAC investigations often involve complex and sensitive matters that require detailed investigative and prosecutorial efforts. According to officials, Shaffer has worked to expand her expertise in this area, resulting in multiple convictions in Rutherford County.