“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. 

Even though the jackpot remains up for grabs, players are taking home lots of other prizes playing Mega Millions. Friday’s drawing produced more than 10,000 winning tickets in North Carolina. 

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our children,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson, “and we will do whatever it takes to protect them. Thanks to the exceptional work of the FBI, CMPD, and the federal prosecutors in this office, this predator was identified, found, and brought to justice, and we will continue that effort.”

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.

“Recovering from Hurricane Helene is a long-term process,” Governor Josh Stein said in a statement. “It’s critical we not only clean up the pollution, but also build our infrastructure back stronger. This funding will help communities weather future disasters.”

Deputy William Guzman of the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office charged 58-year-old Robert Dale Keith with felony larceny of a motor vehicle. Keith was denied bond because he was already out on pretrial release at the time of the offense.

“Over 500 people came out tonight because of what they saw on social media yesterday,” Haulk said. “They’re passionate about it. They’re upset by what happened with Charlie Kirk...and the effort the sniper had in trying to silence Charlie Kirk will be a thousand times, a million times, the opposite.”

Under the plan, the lake will reach a partial level of 978.5 feet by March 1, 2026, allowing visiting rowing teams to resume training. A full pond of 990.5 feet is expected by May.

Fred Eugene Holland, 50, of Shelby, was arrested Aug. 28 after Cary police sought multiple warrants. He was booked at the Polk County Detention Center following his local arrest and has since been released on a $20,000 secured bond.

He was taken into custody and transported to the McDowell County Detention Center. During processing, detention officers reported finding a plastic bag containing a suspected amount of methamphetamine concealed on his person.

“This was largely as a result of somebody being released from a jail who should not have been released,” Hall said of the Charlotte case. “We’ve got to get to the bottom of how it happened … and we’re looking at a number of possible legislative actions.”

The town’s annual 9/11 ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the Pavilion on Park Square (POPS), honoring the nearly 3,000 Americans killed in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. The program will include an emergency vehicle parade recognizing first responders’ sacrifices.

According to investigators, the individual is a suspect in a breaking and entering and larceny at Spindale United Methodist Church on September 2, 2025.

Both Hughes and Adkins were charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. Each was given a $10,000 secured bond and taken to the McDowell County Detention Center.

According to the sheriff’s office, Liam had been under the care of his mother’s boyfriend when he was reported missing. The child’s body has been sent to the medical examiner’s office to determine the cause of death.

In narcotics enforcement, authorities reported seizing 121.3 grams of marijuana, 93.3 grams of methamphetamine, 225.9 grams of fentanyl, 10 grams of cocaine, 154 pills, 1.9 grams of other substances, and 11 firearms.

The organization is suspected of involvement in a conspiracy to traffic fentanyl and other opioids. Previous arrests in the case included Rahkim Franklin, Ezekial Suber, Keanthony Lowrance, Kharief Franklin, Ricketta Twitty, Jacelyn Hamilton, Darien Brown, Ty’J Cooks, and Elijah McDowell.

Since last October, the Town of Lake Lure has worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to repair extensive damage. USACE has led the restoration, with critical support from AshBritt Environmental and local contractors working around the clock for nearly a year.