Following interviews, evidence review, and consultation with the District Attorney’s Office, investigators identified Chad Ledbetter as a suspect. Warrants were issued on October 3, 2025, for Death by Distribution and Sell or Deliver a Controlled Substance.

The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office charged two Old Fort men following a traffic stop on Saturday, September 27.

Bobby W. Lamb, age 80, of Forest City, passed away Thursday, October 2, 2025 at Oak Grove Healthcare in Rutherfordton.

The case began on October 24, 2024, when Detective Matt Smith of the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in the West Marion area for traffic violations.

Deputies from the Road Patrol Division and Investigations Division, along with the Sheriff, canvassed the area around midday and identified two juveniles as suspects. Evidence was collected linking them to the reported crimes, and interviews were conducted.

The program, supported by a $3 million federal HRSA grant awarded to the United Way of Rutherford County in 2024, has been operating quietly since March but had not previously been discussed at a Rutherfordton council meeting

Wanda Hill Vickers, age 65, of Mooresboro, passed away Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.

Of roughly 14,500 National Park Service employees, more than 9,200 are being furloughed. Only a skeleton crew deemed “essential” or funded through non-annual appropriations continues working.

The governor highlighted the link between excessive online activity and adolescent mental health. A 2023 study found that teens who spent more than three hours per day on social media faced double the risk of depression and anxiety.

The 79-year-old woman was treated for her injuries by Cleveland County E.M.S. and transported to Atrium Health Cleveland Emergency, where she passed away.

These changes are part of a broader legislative agenda passed during the 2025 session and signed by the governor earlier this year.

Many county and municipal projects depend on federal grants and assistance, from infrastructure improvements to emergency management programs. With the shutdown underway, those funds may be delayed, suspended, or harder to access, potentially stalling current projects and postponing new ones.

However, Mayor Pritchett’s statement that Lake Lure suffered “no loss of life” does not align with official records. Chimney Rock resident Lisa Peeler Brady died from landslide injuries and was found in Lake Lure five and a half days after the storm

Owens urged the legal community and residents to prepare in advance. “Please make sure any electronic accounts are set up and ready,” he said. “During this transition, some services will be limited, and early preparation will help avoid disruptions.”

The auditor’s office also noted that PSS had not fully staffed its positions at the time of Zarutska’s death. Transit officials told the Metropolitan Transit Commission on Sept. 3 that the company had only 186 personnel in place and was still hiring.

"The best way to prevent rabies is to avoid contact with wild animals and ensure pets are vaccinated against rabies," said Emily Herring, NCDHHS Public Health Veterinarian. "Through this annual oral rabies vaccine distribution and the vigilance of pet owners, we can work to prevent the spread of this deadly disease."

The Tri-City Task Force includes officers from Rutherfordton, Spindale, and Forest City police departments. Formed to pool resources and strengthen enforcement efforts, the task force aims to make a greater impact on drug-related crime across the region.

Court records show Register’s total secured bond is $280,000, divided across three magistrate-set bonds of $50,000, $150,000, and $80,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 19, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at the Rutherford County Courthouse.

Sheriff Aaron Ellenburg said the local numbers reflect the work of his deputies and the broader community. “It takes a dedicated team, working together, to achieve the success we’ve seen,” Ellenburg said Monday.

The U.S. 64 bridge over U.S. 221 is closed after a tractor-trailer hauling an over-height cargo container struck the structure early Monday morning, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.