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Congratulations to members of the Chase High School Junior Chef team who were announced as the winners of the North Carolina Junior Chef Competition last week!

The team of Keira Macopson, Chadea Byrd, Lexi Jack, and Quan Murray, under the leadership of Mrs. Taylor Wilson, placed first in the state in the school's first year participating in the event.

The team next competes at the regional level in Alabama.

Understanding the value of close cooperation when it comes to fighting crime, the three police departments in Forest City, Spindale, and Rutherfordton came together and formed the Tri-City Violent Crime Task Force in February, 2024. Two years later, Forest City Police Chief Chris Leroy, Spindale Police Chief Chad Nazelrod, and Rutherfordton Police Chief Clint Ingle say the Task Force is a resounding success.

Film and television production activity in North Carolina generated an estimated $185.5 million in direct in-state spending in 2025. The total reflects robust investment across feature films, streaming and television series, reality programming, commercials, and independent projects, and the sum ranks as the fourth-highest year-end total since the current version of the North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant program went into effect in 2015.

Anne Mathis-Grafe, age 60, of Shelby, passed away Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Danny Lawrence Toms, age 69, of Rutherfordton, passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Darlene Gowan, 73, of Forest City, died Saturday, February 21, 2026

Johnny Green Floyd 87 of Huntsville AL passed away February 9, 2026.

Joseph "Joey" Vickers, age 78, passed away Monday, February 16, 2026.

Kathy Dills, age 67, of Rutherfordton, NC passed away Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Romeo Hicks (RH) Morrow went to be with the Lord on February 22, 2026. He was 92 years old.

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Ruth R. Price of Mill Spring, NC, went home to glory February 20, 2026, at age 92

Shirley Yelton, age 86, of Rutherfordton, passed away Sunday, February 15, 2026.