While many families were anticipating a weekend of high school football and watching college and NFL games, JJ Ervin, 14, was having the time of his life experiencing a dream come true during a VIP trip to Seattle, Washington that began Nov. 22.

Holiday parades and tree lighting ceremonies

Thanksgiving night Forest City will have their annual tree lighting ceremony. Main Street will close at 9am Thanksgiving Day to prepare for the tree lighting. The street will remain closed until 9pm. The tree lighting ceremony starts at 6:30pm and the lights will be turned on at 7pm.

Abstract Ice Inc, a manufacturer of specialty craft ice products is coming to Forest City, Gov. Roy Cooper announced last week. Joining in the announcement were Rutherford County and Forest City officials. The manufacturing plant will create 26 new jobs and invest more than $14.7 million in establishing a new manufacturing facility in Forest City.

Troy and Caitlin Howell of Sandy Mush were due to have a new baby girl on Christmas Day 2024, but their new baby girl, Belle, decided to arrive two months early and was born October 31.