SFC Charlotte Rome Vick (Ret) U.S. Army, age 65, of Lakeland, Florida passed away Monday, February 9, 2026 at the Wendover Hospice House in Shelby. Charlotte was born Wednesday, March 16, 1960 in Cleveland County to the late Claude Rome and Ostine Rome Gowan. She served her country honorably in the United States Army and retired as a Sergeant First Class. Charlotte was a part of the Grenada Invasion Force. She was a faithful member of Hopewell Baptist Church in Plant City, Fl

A 24-year-old Forest City woman is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including methamphetamine trafficking, following her arrest this week, according to Rutherford County court records obtained by WCAB News.

A state advisory subcommittee guiding long-term economic recovery in western North Carolina identified workforce development, infrastructure improvements, and housing stability as key priorities during a virtual meeting.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recently released a report detailing progress in increasing access to quality mental health, developmental disability, and substance use services. The year-one progress report on the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS) 2024-2029 strategic plan highlights achievements in the seven priority areas geared toward creating a comprehensive mental health care s

Minority borrowers challenging Navy Federal Credit Union’s mortgage lending practices will have their class allegations move forward after a key ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The appellate court ruled that claims of systemic discrimination could not be dismissed at the early stage and warranted discovery.

North Carolina Treasurer Brad Briner has personally paid the first repayment for the Cashflow Loan Program, relieving local governments still recovering from Hurricane Helene of a small administrative task.

Gov. Josh Stein issued an executive order on Feb. 5 directing North Carolina agencies to address workforce shortages, expand support for first responders, and improve coordination between behavioral health and public safety systems, he said in a press conference and a written statement.

North Carolina lawmakers questioned Charlotte-area officials for hours Monday about public safety, criminal justice practices and jail operations during an oversight committee hearing prompted by two stabbings on the city’s light-rail system, including one fatal attack that helped spur state policy changes.

Gary Paul, age 75, of Union Mills, passed away Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills. Gary was born Wednesday, April 12, 1950. He was a proud graduate of Augusta Military Academy in Ft. Defiance, Virginia. Later, Gary would work in the banking industry as a commercial loan officer for most of his life before retiring. He was of the Catholic Faith. Gary enjoyed many things in life such as going to the beach, fishing, watching movies with his family on

Kathy Waters, age 69, of Rutherfordton, passed away Friday, February 6, 2026 at Rutherford Regional Medical Center. Kathy was born Friday, June 15, 1956 to the late Robert Samuel Parker and Irene Bradley Parker. She worked in textiles for many years and was a faithful member of Spindale Fellowship Holiness Church. Her greatest love and joy was being able to spend time with her granddaughter, Abby. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Jody Parker,

Land-use regulation and the question of countywide zoning surfaced as a defining campaign issue during a recent candidate forum featuring contenders seeking seats on the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners, as voters prepare for Republican primaries in Districts 1, 4, and 5.

Early voting for the Rutherford and McDowell County District Court judge primary begins Feb. 12. The race features incumbent Robert Martelle and challenger Andrew LaBreche. Court records show that in 2017, LaBreche was cited for a low-level driving while impaired (DWI) charge by the NC State Highway Patrol. The case was sentenced by Martelle, with all fines and court obligations resolved. In 2018, LaBreche also pleaded guilty to driving with a revoked license; all penalties w

Lake Lure’s Town Council will meet Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Town Hall at The Landings, for their normally scheduled monthly meeting with an agenda covering storm recovery, infrastructure planning, and government operations.

Brandon Atkins, age 55, passed away Saturday, January 31, 2026 due to an auto accident. Brandon was born Sunday, August 16, 1970 in Rutherford County to Arlene Putman Atkins who resides in Henrietta and to the late Roger Atkins. He worked at Cone Mill-Haynes plant for seventeen years and most recently as a vendor for Canteen Vending for many years. Brandon was a member of High Shoal Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He enjoyed collecting vintage stereo equipment, vi

Detective Michael Vaughn with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office charged 36-year-old Bryan Michael Justice of Marion with felony Discharge Weapon into Occupied Property. He received a secured bond of $107,000.

The City of Hendersonville has released documentation detailing the termination of a Hendersonville Police Department captain following an internal complaint alleging misconduct, while a state-level investigation remains underway.

State Auditor Dave Boliek announced the creation of the Modernization of Election Data Systems (MEDS) Commission on Feb. 5, a bipartisan 22-member panel aimed at guiding efforts to update North Carolina’s election management system.

Over the past 24 hours, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office responded to more calls than the combined totals of the towns of Lake Lure, Rutherfordton, Forest City, and Spindale, according to an emergency communications report obtained by WCAB News.

A Rutherford County man is being held in jail after authorities say a joint investigation led to fentanyl trafficking charges when narcotics were discovered hidden inside a device at the county detention center, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and court records.

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Federal regulators cited Duke Energy’s McGuire Nuclear Station for two violations linked to procedural and maintenance shortcomings — including one that led to a manual reactor shutdown — underscoring ongoing scrutiny at North Carolina’s largest power plant.