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Our 34rd Year • Over 25,000 Weekly Readers ISSUE NO. 8 • February 26, 2026 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408
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Chase High School Junior Chef team wins competition
The presentation of the $625,000 grant for the Tri-City Violent Crimes Task Force was held at Rutherfordton Town Hall. Pictured (front row, left-right): Spindale Mayor Nancy Walker, Forest City Mayor Steve Holland, Congressman Tim Moore, Rutherfordton Mayor Jimmy Randy, (back row, leftright): Officer Noah Radford, Forest City Police Chief Chris Leroy, Rutherfordton Police Chief Clint Ingle, Officer Dustin Owens, Spindale Police Chief Chad Nazelrod, Officer Joey Holland, Officer Tyler Greene.
Tri-City Violent Crime Task Force receives major grant
Story by Scott Carpenter.
Overall, Ingle said, response The police chiefs acknowledge that serving in law enforcement to crime is more efficient, more can be dangerous, and working effective. Understanding the value of close with this Task Force can add a The police chiefs say cooperation when it comes to another layer of risk. communication among the three fighting crime, the three police “All of the Task Force officers departments has never been departments in Forest City, want to do this work,” Nazelrod better. And, law enforcement Spindale, and Rutherfordton said. “We have not had a problem officers across the police came together and formed the Tri- recruiting officers to work on the departments and Rutherford City Violent Crime Task Force in task force.” County Sheriff’s Office have a February, 2024. Two years later, According to the chiefs, every positive working relationship. Forest City Police Chief Chris Task Force officer is a regular There are often major arrests Leroy, Spindale Police Chief Chad member of their police department involving the Task Force, and Nazelrod, and Rutherfordton and works on other cases as well. the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Police Chief Clint Ingle say the While local law enforcement Office ACE (aggressive criminal Task Force is a resounding agencies have always engaged enforcement) Team. success. Since its beginning, the in some level of cooperation, the The Task Force recently Task Force enables much more Task Force has investigated received a major federal grant, efficient cooperation especially and made arrests relating to in the amount of $625,000. with violent crime or other major multiple shootings, and drug Congressman Tim Moore criminal activity. activity. Approximately 40 pounds presented the check during a Because the borders of the of cocaine, as well as meth, ceremony at Rutherfordton Town three towns are contiguous, with marijuana, and other drugs have Hall, attended by members of law Spindale in the middle, it is easy been seized, and at least 25 enforcement and Rutherfordton for criminals to move from one firearms. Mayor Jimmy Dancy, Spindale town to the next. Many members of the general Mayor Nancy Walker, and Forest Criminals, the police chiefs say, public, the police chiefs say, City Mayor Steve Holland. do not observe borders. Those would be surprised at the level This is the first major grant committing crimes may live in of criminal activity taking place in the task force has received and one town, and engage in criminal Rutherford County. The Task Force will be used for the purchase activity in one of the other towns. is frequently involved in combating of specialized equipment, Without the Task Force and organized gang activity. technology, and vehicles. The task various mutual aid agreements, However, they are pleased with force does not receive special responding to major crimes would the support local law enforcement designated funding through the be a slower process. is receiving, and the cooperation police departments. “Having the Task Force is really and communication among law In addition to the three police a manpower multiplier,” said Leroy. enforcement. This, the police chiefs, there are about 20 officers “Cooperation is automatic. Task chiefs agree, makes Rutherford who work directly with the Task Force officers can easily move County safer. Force. from one jurisdiction to another.” Tri-City Violent Crimes Task Force Photo.
Article By: Chase High School. Photo By: Rachael Bradley.
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. More about the competition from N.C. recipe photos. Based on a review of applications and recipes submitted, Department of Public Instruction: finalist teams were selected to advance Five teams of high school students to the cook-off phase of the competition. Teams were evaluated for their cultivated culinary creativity in the North Carolina Jr. Chef Competition ability to work together to demonstrate (NCJCC). Based on applications and skills in recipe development, food recipes submitted, teams from Clyde preparation, safety and sanitation, A. Erwin High (Buncombe County organization and presentation and Schools), South Lenoir High (Lenoir knowledge of nutrition, farm to school County Schools), Martin County High and local food systems. The team advances to the 2026 (Martin County Schools), Chase High (Rutherford County Schools) and Southeast Jr. Chef Competition at Thomasville High (Thomasville City Sullivan University in Birmingham, Schools) competed as finalists in the Alabama, April 23-24. The North Carolina Junior Chef statewide cook-off. Student teams (grade 9-12) Competition was created to inspire were challenged to work with an the next generation of culinary adult team supervisor and a public professionals, stimulate interest in school educator or School Nutrition locally produced agriculture, increase administrator to develop a creative participation in School Nutrition recipe for a school lunch entrée. The Programs, and encourage healthy recipes must meet National School eating habits. The competition seeks Lunch Program nutrition standards, student created and approved recipes include at least two North Carolina- for school meals. Additionally, this grown products and one USDA Foods competition will recognize students for item; be replicable by School Nutrition their ability to work as members of a Programs and also appeal to student team to demonstrate valuable skills in recipe development, food preparation, tastes. public presentation, Teams submitted applications with marketing, recipes, nutrient and cost analysis, and organization, and local food systems.
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