Briskly walking through the dining area at Copper Penny in Forest City recently, Kendall Cudd turned toward a table of fans when she heard her name called and proceeded to add a wide smile and 'hello.' The Forest City woman was on her job after a few weeks of sheer excitement with American Idol.

A cafeteria style meal, served by Welcome Table 2 volunteers at the First United Methodist Church in Rutherfordton recently, was a blessing for community members and volunteers who ate the home cooked meal together inside the church's Family Life Center.

Gardner-Webb University (GWU) senior Connor Settlemyre, of Rutherfordton is back at school after being a percussionist in the National Small Band Programs Intercollegiate Band in Fort Worth, Texas. He is the first student from GWU to be selected for this honor. The concert, featured 124 musicians, and was held in conjunction with the 2025 National Conference of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA). Accompanying him on the trip to Texas was Dr. Sarah Fabian, director of bands and assistant professor of music at GWU.

Ruff'ton Roots Community Garden announces the return of the Plant Sale Saturday, April 26 from 10am-12pm, under the shade sails at 128 Hospital Drive, Rutherfordton. Parking is available in the lot off Edwards Street (turn in at the Ruff'ton Roots sign). This is a celebratory kick off of the fifth growing season for the Garden.

Two wonderful organizations based right here in Rutherford County - Leadership Rutherford and Mosaic Hope - are coming together the second weekend in April for two unique events you will not want to miss.

Logan Preaching Mission event "Faith in the Public Square"

Sunday, April 13 at 11am; First UMC choir singing

Sunday, April 13 at 7pm; The Source Ministry Praise Team singing

Monday, April 14 at 7pm; Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church choir singing

Tuesday, April 15 at 7pm followed by Q&A; First Baptist Church choir singing

The sounds of hammers were heard from the front lawn of Donna Lattimore's house in Forest City as seven North Carolina State University (NCSU) students were working on an assignment away from the college campus. The students, joined by Rutherford Housing Partnership (RHP) staff and the Women Roofers, put a new roof on the Lattimore home.

May 2nd marks the opening of the Spring 2025 session of EASE (Equine Assisted Senior Engagement) at FENCE, a program developed to provide equine support for people in our community affected by early-stage dementia, MCI (mild cognitive impairment) and Parkinson's disease.

On a clear and sunny 52 degree winter Sunday afternoon recently, more than 100 people gathered at Kiwanis Park in Rutherfordton to celebrate and remember a special friend of the community - Eric D. Wells.

Five months ago on September 27, 2024 Hurricane Helene brought devastating flood waters to Rutherford County, adjoining counties and Western North Carolina. Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, as well as other areas in Rutherford and Polk counties, are forever changed.

A claustrophobic person would have had a difficult time exploring the Lost Sea (Cave's) Wild Cave Tour in Tennessee.

With a record of three games lost in a New York City high school tournament doesn't always have a positive outcome, but for the girls high school basketball team from Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy (TJCA) it was a win/win situation.

Andrea Narvaez-Santos of Rutherfordton has returned to classes at Rutherford Early College High School (REaCH) after competing in the Distinguished Young Women of North Carolina program in Greensboro last month. At the conclusion of the program, Andrea won a Preliminary Award in Fitness, and Overall Awards in Interview and Self-Expression.

Thirty-six days ago people were celebrating Christmas Day with gifts, meals, caroling, church services and family gatherings. But for some affected by Hurricane Helene in Chimney Rock Village and Western North Carolina, Christmas was certainly different than in Christmases past.

The Rutherford County Schools Education Foundation (RCSEF) celebrated its supporters during the Sponsor Thank You Breakfast and Backpack Program Box Truck Dedication Ceremony January 15 at the Cool Springs Administration Building.

Cathie Solomonson, a Vietnam War nurse and former Vietnam Women's Memorial Project coordinator, will speak on her experiences on Thursday, January 23 at 6pm at Mountains Branch Library.

A free meal will be served to the community beginning Monday, January 20, at First Baptist Church in Forest City and is an extension of the Welcome Table begun a decade ago in Rutherfordton. At that time, First Baptist in Forest City participated in the Welcome Table ministry joining First Baptist, Rutherfordton, United Methodist Church Rutherfordton and the St. Francis Episcopal Church, also in Rutherfordton, serving meals to the community each Monday night.

Shortly after the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Carolina Panthers 30-14 at the Panthers Stadium in Charlotte, Rutherford County Sports Writer Jacob Conley was invited into the NFL locker room to talk with players. As Conley stood among the boisterous crowd of Cowboys in the mood of festive celebrations, Conley said he looked over to the side at a familiar face.

Trameka Whiteside and son Dreiden, 4, are home for Christmas in Spindale in their new Habitat for Humanity home.

As they celebrate their first Christmas in their own home, they will observe some family traditions.

Four Rutherford County High Schools including homeschoolers participated in the fifth annual Keep Rutherford County Beautiful (KRCB) competition to see who could pick up the most litter. The goal of the competition is to remove litter from public spaces, roadsides, parking lots, parks, trails, and campuses, encouraging the next generation of environmental stewards.

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.