A Rutherford County man traveled to Mayfield, Kentucky just before Christmas to take supplies to tornado victims that were donated from people across the county.

Unity in the Community, a faith-based group headquartered in Polk County that reaches over the county line into Rutherford, works to improve the lives of residents across Polk County and surrounding areas by providing activities and services for entire families.

Rutherford County Schools students from grades K-8 enjoyed a day of S.T.E.A.M. on Saturday, Dec. 18 and suddenly became young engineers, electricians and builders of robots.

Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy (TJCA) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony recently, celebrating the completion of their new $18 million high school campus.

A starlit December evening was perfect for the beautiful outdoor setting for the re-dedication of the Glass Chapel off Maple Creek Road, Rutherfordton on December 5.

Hundreds of students, parents and grandparents attended a Holly Jolly Christmas at Forrest Hunt Elementary School recently.

Like so many things in life, Tommy Hicks loved Christmas.

He had "an infinite capacity for love," according to dear friend, Frieda Sellers.

M.J. Bowman says food is her passion.

Carriage rides through downtown Forest City create a festive feel for the Christmas season. They will take place across six nights from 6 p.m. until 8:45. December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18. All Friday and Saturday nights.

Eleven members of Florence Baptist Church traveled to Canton recently to assist people who suffered property damage due to Tropical Storm Fred in August.

SPINDALE -- Country superstar Sammy Kershaw will perform at Isothermal Community College this month to honor the nation's veterans in a celebration capped by fireworks.

Rutherford County is full of dreamers. More than 40 of them are over at the REaCH High School building robots.

Asked to describe their most recent move and expansion for their ever-growing hot sauce business at the ribbon cutting on Friday, Aug. 20, former Cherryville resident and one-half of a custom-made hot sauce entrepreneurship, Bret Morey, said simply, "We are blessed beyond measure!"

The Trash Bowl returned, at the height of football season! Organizers were excited to see more participation and more trash collected. The Trash Bowl is a Keep Rutherford County Beautiful (KRCB) event and is a friendly competition among county high schools to see which school can pick up the most trash off roadsides, parking lots, around campus and other public spaces where there is trash that hasn't been properly disposed of.

The most famous resident of Rutherford County may be a soft-spoken 5'10" Chase High junior with a relaxed smile.

Football famous anyway.

They don't just get educated here and leave.

Among the ones who come home or stay here after high school are one capacity development director and one flower farmer. There are dozens more. They may well be among our best hopes for the future.

Minister Robert Godfrey, 41, of Spindale knows what it is like to get in trouble as a young teen and be incarcerated. He has lived that. He understands the challenges of youth in Rutherford County when they get out of school in the afternoons with "nothing to do," he said recently. He wants to help the youth to make better choices than he did.

For U.S. Army veteran and Shelby native, Stanley Whitaker, the surprise his neighbor, spray paint artist Darrell Endicott had for him thoroughly caught him off guard - but in a good way!

Under a bright sunny sky, similar to the one on Sept. 11, 2001, approximately 200 people gathered Saturday for the 20th anniversary memorial ceremony of 9/11: We Will Never Forget.

Hometown girl makes good.

Or maybe better we should say, distinguished retiring Air Force Colonel is ending her career and speaking to community 9/11 remembrance at the POPS. The park will open at 8 that morning with a number of emergency vehicles on hand and information available from local veterans groups. The program with get underway at 10.

David Caldwell and many like him are heroes for our N.C. environment.

It is a crowd pleasing tradition that brings classic cars and car lovers together in downtown Forest City.

"Thousands,"

With one word, Ray Rice wrapped up 45 years of teaching martial arts. His presence on Main Street, Forest City is highlighted by words like "attitude," and "humility," painted across the fronts of his two storefront studio.

Discovering new ways to earn the required 300 sweat equity hours before ownership of a Habitat for Humanity home has certainly been a challenge for future Habitat families since the global pandemic.