Alert Top Story Marion is Small Town of the Year for 2018 By MIKE CONLEY Nov 16, 2018 Nov 16, 2018 Updated Mar 19, 2019 0 Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save By MIKE CONLEY Marion’s growth and vitality has earned it the Small Town of the Year Award for 2018 from the N.C. Rural Center.kAm%96 2H2C5 H2D AC6D6?E65 uC:52J >@C?:?8 5FC:?8 E96 @C82?:K2E:@?’D a_`g #FC2= pDD6>3=J[ H9:49 H2D 96=5 :? #2=6:89]k^AmkAm%96 $>2== %@H? @7 E96 *62C pH2C5 C64@8?:K6D 2 E@H? @C D>2== 4:EJ “E92E 6>3C246D 4:E:K6? 6?8286>6?E[ G2=F6D 5:G6CD:EJ[ 2?5 7@DE6CD DEC@?8 A2CE?6CD9:AD]”k^AmkAm“%96 E@H? >FDE AC@>@E6 :??@G2E:G6 64@?@>:4 56G6=@A>6?E :?:E:2E:G6D 2?5 AC@8C2>D 2D H6== 2D 2? 6?EC6AC6?6FC\7C:6?5=J 6?G:C@?>6?E[” C625D E96 4C:E6C:2 7@C E96 2H2C5] “%96 ?@>:?66 >FDE 56>@?DEC2E6 9@H E96J 92G6 @G6C4@>6 64@?@>:4 32CC:6CD 2?5 492==6?86D 2D H6== 2D 36:?8 4C62E:G6[ 5:=:86?E[ 2?5 C6D@FC467F= :? 3F:=5:?8 2? 64@?@>:4 7FEFC6 7@C 2== @7 :ED C6D:56?ED]”k^Am People are also reading… Old Fort mayor suddenly resigns from office, mayor pro tem appointed acting mayor See events that will close Marion downtown streets this year, including Friday night concerts McDowell County high schoolers show off art, music, more at Spring Art Show No Kings protests will happen in area for a 3rd time this Saturday. See when and where Marion man charged with murder Wednesday in 2024 death of 3-month-old daughter Los Compadres owners bringing street food, festive vibe to new restaurant in downtown Newton Marion to replace bridge to lift station with $1.4 million grant from state McDowell County man charged with abuse of child, adults with special needs The story behind new McDowell County ice cream business The Scream Man found dead along Interstate 40 in Burke County; Medical examiner notified McDowell County Schools superintendent: Planning for a new school Property tax exemptions are available for qualifying property owners in McDowell County Lenoir woman accused of scratching Telsa Cybertruck using board with nails; see video here McDowell County leaders hear updates, concerns about 2027 property value reappraisal Railroad conference in Morganton focuses on passenger trains, rebuilding from Helene kAmr:EJ |2?286C q@3 q@J6EE6[ |2C:@? qFD:?6DD pDD@4:2E:@? s:C64E@C uC655:6 z:==@F89[ !=2??:?8 s:C64E@C w62E96C r@EE@?[ |4s@H6== r92>36C @7 r@>>6C46 s:C64E@C $E6G6 qFD9 2?5 5@H?E@H? 3FD:?6DD @H?6C #2496= (:E9C@H H6C6 E96C6 :? #2=6:89 E@ 2446AE E96 2H2C5]k^AmkAm“xE’D 46CE2:?=J 2 8C62E 9@?@C 7@C |2C:@? E@ 36 C64@8?:K65 3J E96 #FC2= r6?E6C[ H9:49 :D E96 AC:>2CJ @C82?:K2E:@? :? }@CE9 r2C@=:?2 AC@>@E:?8 CFC2= :?E6C6DED[” D2:5 r:EJ |2?286C q@3 q@J6EE6 E@ %96 |4s@H6== }6HD]k^AmkAm(96? E96 2H2C5 H2D 2??@F?465[ #FC2= r6?E6C @77:4:2=D 4:E65 E96 8C62E 4@==23@C2E:@? 36EH66? E96 4:EJ @7 |2C:@?[ |4s@H6== r@F?EJ[ E96 |4s@H6== r92>36C[ E96 |qp 2?5 E96 |4s@H6== t4@?@>:4 s6G6=@A>6?E pDD@4:2E:@?[ 244@C5:?8 E@ q@J6EE6]k^Am kAm%96 4:EJ’D vC@H:?8 t?EC6AC6?F6CD |2C:@? Wvt|X AC@8C2> H2D 2=D@ 4:E65 3J E96 #FC2= r6?E6C 2D 2 C62D@? 7@C E9:D 2H2C5] %96 vt| AC@8C2> :D 2? 6:89E\4=2DD EC2:?:?8 D6DD:@? E6249:?8 E96 32D:4D @7 @H?:?8 2?5 @A6C2E:?8 2 D>2== 3FD:?6DD] %96 4=2DD 8@6D @G6C DF49 E@A:4D 2D H96E96C E96 :562 :D 762D:3=6 2?5 9@H :E H:== 36 7:?2?465] p== 2DA64ED @7 DE2CE:?8 2 ?6H 3FD:?6DD 2C6 :?4=F565 :? E96 4=2DD]k^AmkAm|2C:@?’D C6G@=G:?8 =@2? AC@8C2> H9:49 96=AD D>2== 3FD:?6DD6D 86E @77 E@ 2 8@@5 7:?2?4:2= DE2CE H2D 2?@E96C 724E@C :? E96 2H2C5[ 244@C5:?8 E@ q@J6EE6]k^AmkAm“|2C:@? qFD:?6DD pDD@4:2E:@? :D 56=:89E65 23@FE |2C:@? 36:?8 2H2C565 }]r] #FC2= r6?E6C $>2== %@H? @7 E96 *62C[” D2:5 z:==@F89] “%96C6 2C6 >2?J 6I4:E:?8 E9:?8D 92AA6?:?8 :? |2C:@? 2?5 |qp :D AC@F5 E@ 36 A2CE @7 E96 A2CE?6CD9:AD E92E >2<6 |2C:@? DA64:2=]”k^Am Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts kAm“x 2> G6CJ AC@F5 E@ 36 2 A2CE @7 DF49 2 F?:BF6 2?5 2>2K:?8 4@>>F?:EJ E92E :D |2C:@?[” D2:5 (:E9C@H[ H9@ :D E96 @H?6C @7 E96 rC@@<65 s@@C r@7766 w@FD6] “(6 2==[ 3FD:?6DD6D[ E96 4:EJ[ E96 492>36C[ E96 |qp[ ?@?\AC@7:ED[ 2?5 E96 4@>>F?:EJ 92G6 H@C<65 D@ 92C5 @G6C E96 A2DE J62CD E@ 3C:?8 =:76 324< E@ @FC E@H? 2?5 ?@H H6 2C6 36:?8 C64@8?:K65 7@C :E] |2C:@? 92D 364@>6 2 H@?56C7F= 6I2>A=6 @7 9@H 92G:?8 2 G:D:@? 2?5 DEC@?8 4@==23@C2E:@? H:E9:? J@FC 4@>>F?:EJ[ J@F 42? >2<6 2?JE9:?8 92AA6?] (2J E@ 8@ |2C:@?P”k^AmkAmr@EE@? D2:5 E@ %96 |4s@H6== }6HD D96 H2D 9@?@C65 E@ 36 E96C6 7@C E9:D C64@8?:E:@?]k^Am kAm“xE H2D 962CEH2C>:?8 =:DE6?:?8 E@ w62E96C z:=3@FC?6[ 2 |2C:@? ?2E:G6 2?5 AC@;64E >2?286C @7 u2:E9 :? #FC2= r@>>F?:E:6D 2E E96 }]r] #FC2= r6?E6C[ DA62< 23@FE 96C =@G6 @7 |2C:@? 2?5 9:89=:89E:?8 D@>6 @7 E96 AC@8C2>D 2?5 AC@;64ED E92E :?7=F6?465 E96 @C82?:K2E:@?’D 564:D:@? E@ >2<6 E9:D 2H2C5[” D2:5 r@EE@? :? 2 AC6A2C65 DE2E6>6?E] “Wz:=3@FC?6X DA@<6 23@FE E96 4@>>F?:EJ’D EC2?D7@C>2E:@? 2?5 D@>6 @7 E96 :?7=F6?4:?8 724E@CD DF49 2D E96 5@H?E@H? DEC66ED42A6[ vC@H:?8 t?EC6AC6?6FCD |2C:@? Wvt|X :?:E:2E:G6[ r2E2H32 #:G6C 8C66?H2J[ E96 r:EJ $E286[ 2?5 ?6H |2C:@? tG6?E r6?E6C 2D ;FDE D@>6 @7 E96 C62D@?D |2C:@? 92D 366? ?2>65 $>2== %@H? @7 E96 *62C] xE H2D 2 H@?56C7F= C67=64E:@? @7 H92E 8@@5 A2CE?6CD9:AD 42? 244@>A=:D9[ 2?5 x 42?’E H2:E E@ D66 H92E H6 4@>6 FA H:E9 ?6IE E@ >2<6 |2C:@? 2? 6G6? 36EE6C D>2== E@H? E@ =:G6[ H@C<[ 2?5 A=2JP”k^Am kAmqFD9 D2:5 96 E@@ H2D 9@?@C65 E@ 36 2 A2CE @7 E96 =@42= 56=682E:@? 2?5 96=A 2446AE E96 2H2C5]k^AmkAm“x 2> AC@F5 @7 @FC 4@>>F?:EJ 2?5 E96 4@==23@C2E:G6 H@C< E92E :D @?8@:?8[” D2:5 E96 492>36C 5:C64E@C] “xE :D 2 AC:G:=686 E@ 36 C64@8?:K65 7@C 2== E96 92C5 H@C< E92E 92D 366? 5@?6 2?5 4@?E:?F6D E@ 92AA6?] (96? H6 AFE @FC 5:776C6?46D 2D:56 2?5 H@C< 7@C 2 4@>>@? 8@2=[ E96? 2?JE9:?8 :D A@DD:3=6] (6 2C6 AC@F5 E96 r92>36C :D 2==@H65 E@ A=2J 2 A2CE :? E96 4@>>@? 677@CED 7@C E96 36EE6C>6?E @7 @FC E@H?]”k^AmkAm|2J@C $E6G6 {:EE=6 H2D ?@E 23=6 E@ 2EE6?5 E96 #FC2= pDD6>3=J :? #2=6:89 3FE 96 DE2E65 E@ %96 |4s@H6== }6HD 9:D AC:56 :? |2C:@? C646:G:?8 E9:D C64@8?:E:@?]k^Am kAm“x’> G6CJ 6I4:E65 E92E |2C:@? 92D C646:G65 E96 9@?@C 2?5 5:DE:?4E:@? @7 36:?8 ?2>65 E96 $>2== %@H? @7 E96 *62C E9:D H66< 3J E96 }r #FC2= t4@?@>:4 s6G6=@A>6?E r6?E6C WFDF2==J C676CC65 E@ 2D E96 }r #FC2= r6?E6CX[” D2:5 E96 >2J@C] “%92?<D E@ E96 677@CED @7 2 8C62E >2?J ?6H 2?5 6I:DE:?8 3FD:?6DD @H?6CD[ 5@H?E@H? |2C:@? 2?5 >2?J @E96C 2C62D @7 |2C:@? 92G6 364@>6 6?6C8:K65] |2C:@? ?@H 5C2HD A6@A=6 7C@> @E96C 2C62D E@ 4@>6 96C6 E@ D9@A[ C6=2I[ >66E 7C:6?5D 2?5 92G6 2 8@@5 E:>6] x’> G6CJ AC@F5 @7 2== E96 3FD:?6DD A6@A=6 H9@ >256 E9:D C64@8?:E:@? A@DD:3=6] |2C:@? :D 567:?:E6=J ‘@A6? 7@C 3FD:?6DD]’”k^AmkAmt249 J62C[ E96 #FC2= r6?E6C C64@8?:K6D :?5:G:5F2=D[ @C82?:K2E:@?D[ 2?5 E@H?D E92E 92G6 56>@?DEC2E65 G:D:@?2CJ =6256CD9:A[ :>A24E65 E96 64@?@>J[ 2?5 3F:=E DEC@?8 4@>>F?:EJ A2CE?6CD9:AD] pE E9:D J62C’D a_`g #FC2= pDD6>3=J[ H6 H:== 2H2C5 ?@>:?66D 7C@> H:E9:? 7:G6 42E68@C:6Di =6256CD9:A[ 25G@424J[ 6?EC6AC6?6FCD9:A[ D>2== E@H? 8C@HE9 2?5 G:E2=:EJ[ 2?5 D>2== 3FD:?6DD =6?5:?8] q@J6EE6 D2:5 96 36=:6G6D E96 #FC2= r6?E6C’D 4C:E6C:2 7@C 2 D>2== E@H? :D =6DD E92? `_[___]k^Am kAmp 7@C>2= AC6D6?E2E:@? @7 E9:D 2H2C5 H:== 36 >256 2E %F6D52J’D |2C:@? r:EJ r@F?4:= >66E:?8]k^AmkAm$:?46 `hgf[ E96 #FC2= r6?E6C 92D H@C<65 E@ :>AC@G6 E96 BF2=:EJ @7 =:76 7@C E96 DE2E6’D CFC2= A6@A=6 2?5 A=246D]k^AmkAm“(6 @A6C2E6 H:E9 E96 4@C6 36=:67 E92E @FC CFC2= 4@>>F?:E:6D 92G6 :?96C6?E 4F=EFC2= G2=F6 2?5 2C6 G:E2= E@ E96 @G6C2== 64@?@>:4 962=E9 @7 @FC DE2E6[” DE2E6D :ED (63 D:E6] “(6 C64@8?:K6 E92E E96 492?8:?8 =2?5D42A6 @7 CFC2= }@CE9 r2C@=:?2 3C:?8D H:E9 :E D:8?:7:42?E 492==6?86D[ 3FE H6 2=D@ 36=:6G6 :? E96 C6D:=:6?4J @7 @FC DE2E6’D CFC2= A6@A=6 2?5 E96:C 565:42E65 DE6H2C5D9:A @7 E96 4@>>F?:E:6D E96J 42== 9@>6] %96 }r #FC2= r6?E6C’D >:DD:@? :D E@ 56G6=@A[ AC@>@E6[ 2?5 :>A=6>6?E D@F?5 64@?@>:4 DEC2E68:6D E@ :>AC@G6 E96 BF2=:EJ @7 =:76 @7 CFC2= }@CE9 r2C@=:?:2?D] (6 D6CG6 E96 DE2E6’D g_ CFC2= 4@F?E:6D[ H:E9 2 DA64:2= 7@4FD @? :?5:G:5F2=D H:E9 =@H E@ >@56C2E6 :?4@>6D 2?5 4@>>F?:E:6D H:E9 =:>:E65 C6D@FC46D]”k^Am 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Most Popular Old Fort mayor suddenly resigns from office, mayor pro tem appointed acting mayor “I enjoyed my time being the mayor but now look forward to new opportunities. I love Old Fort and am excited to see the town continuing to grow." Marion man charged with murder Wednesday in 2024 death of 3-month-old daughter During an investigation that spanned a year and six months, investigators conducted interviews and awaited medical records, the release said. Marion to replace bridge to lift station with $1.4 million grant from state Since this bridge floods, replacing it is a priority to avoid potential flood damage and add resilience against future natural disasters. McDowell County man charged with abuse of child, adults with special needs An 11-year-old girl, an adult man and adult woman (both with special needs) were living at the home without running water or indoor plumbing, … Man found dead along Interstate 40 in Burke County; Medical examiner notified The person has not been publicly identified as of 2 p.m. Watch Now: Related Video US claims 'strong signs' for deal with Iran US jury finds Meta and Google liable in social media addiction trial US jury finds Meta and Google liable in social media addiction trial Parents demand reforms after verdict in social media addiction trial Parents demand reforms after verdict in social media addiction trial Trump promises 'bigger majorities' for GOP even as midterm warning signs flash for his party AP Trump promises 'bigger majorities' for GOP even as midterm warning signs flash for his party Recommended for you
Old Fort mayor suddenly resigns from office, mayor pro tem appointed acting mayor “I enjoyed my time being the mayor but now look forward to new opportunities. I love Old Fort and am excited to see the town continuing to grow."
Marion man charged with murder Wednesday in 2024 death of 3-month-old daughter During an investigation that spanned a year and six months, investigators conducted interviews and awaited medical records, the release said.
Marion to replace bridge to lift station with $1.4 million grant from state Since this bridge floods, replacing it is a priority to avoid potential flood damage and add resilience against future natural disasters.
McDowell County man charged with abuse of child, adults with special needs An 11-year-old girl, an adult man and adult woman (both with special needs) were living at the home without running water or indoor plumbing, …
Man found dead along Interstate 40 in Burke County; Medical examiner notified The person has not been publicly identified as of 2 p.m.
