Recent Articles

Rudy and Cat (Catrina) Romero with their toddlers, Milo, 4, and Hallie, 2, walked on the property in Chimney Rock on January 7 where their home once stood. The house, garage, vehicles, and everything they owned were lost in the early morning hours of Sept. 27, 2024 - the day Hurricane Helene brought devastation to Western North Carolina.

Paul Dwight Robinson, Sr., age 80 of Ellenboro died Friday, January 9, 2026.

PG Jolley, age 88 of Mooresboro, NC, passed away Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Edith Conner Robbins, age 90, went home to be with her Lord and Savior January 8, 2026

Carolyn Lawson Newman age 87 of Spartanburg, SC a former resident of Murrell's Inlet, died Friday, January 9, 2026.

David Landrum Atkins, age 81, passed away Friday, January 9, 2026

Barbara Ann Philbeck Higgins of Forest City died January 9, 2026.

Linda Lee Roper, age 83, a resident of Forest City passed away Saturday, January 10, 2026

Theresa Tallent Arnold, age 58 of Mooresboro, NC passed way Monday, January 5, 2026.

Shirley Kelly Anthony, 88, went to be with her Lord and Savior Friday, January 2, 2026.

Donnie Ray Cody, (also known as 'Cuz" to those close to him) 70, of Shelby NC, entered into eternal rest January 1, 2026.

Joyce Marie Brewer Bouchard, 85, passed away Thursday, January 1, 2026.

Casey Dean Jones, 51, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025.

Joy Fowler Smith, age 52, of Rutherfordton, NC, died Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Albert "Al" Leonard Roberts, Jr. passed away Sunday, January 4, 2026.

Jay Dee Strayer, age 86, of Rutherfordton, NC, passed away January 7, 2026.

Wayne Newton Houser, 87, of Mooresboro, NC passed away January 6, 2026.

Jean Dyer Boone, age 84, of Forest City, passed away Monday, December 29, 2025.

Wendell Ray Teague, known to many as "Pete," age 67, of Rutherfordton, passed away January 4, 2026.

Jennings Elliott Haney, Jr. died in Canton, Massachusetts Monday, January 5, 2026.

Birgit Dilgert joined Rutherford County Economic Development (RCED) in November, 2012, and became executive director in 2019 upon the departure of Tom Johnson. She officially retires at the end of January, following an interesting and successful career.