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Forest City---After teaching martial arts in Rutherford County for 50 years, Ray Rice has closed his karate school.

Rice, who has trained in tae-kwon-do, kenpo, ju-jitsu, and akido, holds the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt. He has trained thousands of Rutherford County students since he began in the early 1970s. He has fought professionally across the United States and internationally, and became something of a local legend in the world of combat sports.

Alma Lou Hardin Haynes age 94, of Rutherfordton passed away and was reunited with her loved ones in heaven Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

Ann Emory Keller, 82, of Kings Mountain, NC, passed away Sunday, April 26, 2026.

Calvin Russell Tate, age 57, of Sunshine, passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Charles Griffin Hamrick, age 94 of Ellenboro died Monday, April 27, 2026.

Edna Mae Hutchins Hollifield Ledbetter, age 93 went home to be with the Lord Sunday, May 3, 2026.

Gary Joseph Metcalf, age 75 of Spindale, NC went home to be with our Lord Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Jerry Wade Hamrick, age 82 of Bostic, died Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

JoAnn B. Peeler, age 90, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2026.

Sherry Skipper Gragg, age 78, of Rutherfordton, passed away Thursday, April 30, 2026

Vickie Roberson Rich, age 82 of Bostic, NC died Thursday, April 30, 2026.