At their Nov. 3 meeting, Rutherford County commissioners balanced the county’s immediate recovery needs with long-term planning for growth and education.

On October 24 at approximately 9:50 a.m., Forest City Police officers were dispatched to a home invasion at 114 Harris Lee Drive. Assisted by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, officers entered the residence and found 26-year-old Tyler D. Weaver lying on the floor. Rutherford County EMS later confirmed that Weaver had died.

During the investigation, Lennox Pearson of Ellenboro was identified as a person of interest. Pearson, who was on active probation, was contacted at his residence on November 3 by North Carolina Probation and Parole, with assistance from the Spindale Police Department and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.

At the November meeting of the Rutherford County Airport Authority, members voiced strong opposition to a proposal by the Town of Rutherfordton to annex the airport property as part of a sewer service agreement.

“At the end of the day, we protected about 75% of a state natural area rated excellent for wildlife habitat,” said Rebekah Robinson, Assistant Director for Programs at Conserving Carolina.