Pate was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, altering or destroying criminal evidence, possession of a controlled substance on jail premises, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance, and trafficking in opium or heroin. Her bond was set at $100,000, and her first court appearance was scheduled for September 16, 2025.

“The Flowering Bridge is a historic and beautiful piece of Lake Lure that’s become part of the area’s identity,” Moore said in a statement. “I’m grateful to the Trump Administration and FEMA for stepping up with the funding needed to get it rebuilt. This project will support local tourism and marks another important step in rebuilding Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.”

Council members committed $250,000 toward road widening and revitalization efforts to connect Rutherfordton and Spindale, which is scheduled to begin right-of-way acquisition this fall and full construction in 2026. The project was first announced in August 2022, and a public meeting was held in October 2024. The town will also assume responsibility for sidewalk and landscaping maintenance and cover 1.3 percent of any future cost overruns.

Church members first became aware of possible financial problems when the electricity at their building was cut off in June 2025, a victim told WCAB News. Since then, stricter financial audit controls have been put in place to prevent future issues, they said. 

In a press release on Sept. 15, the sheriff’s office said its Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received a cyber tip on Aug. 25 reporting “known” child exploitation material. Investigators traced the information to a residence in Rutherfordton.