Recent Articles

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Don Cason loves Rutherford County, and is now heading two organizations that are working to improve the lives of the people who live here. He has served as director of the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) for the past ten years. And starting this month, (February 2026), he is also leading Rutherford County Economic Development (RCED). The position became available upon the retirement of Birgit Dilgert.

Harriet Carson Hines passed away February 8, 2026, rejoining her husband, Paul, after a 30 year pause in their love story.

Beverly E. Hartford, age 78, of Bostic, passed away Sunday, February 15, 2026.

Sandy Greene McBrayer, age 80, of Mooresboro, passed away Friday, February 13, 2026.

Boyce Lee Radford, Sr., age 84 of Forest City died Friday, February 13, 2026.

Seth Cole, age 30, of Mooresboro, passed away Sunday, February 8, 2026.

Vanise Lookadoo Smith, age 84, of Caroleen, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Connie McCraw, age 76, of Mooresboro, passed away Friday, February 6, 2026.