Passers-by in the areas of Illinois and Elm streets and Pennsylvania Avenue in Spindale, who haven't been in that area for a while, will immediately notice radical changes in housing.

New homes are being constructed, older homes are being repaired and some properties have been cleared to make property available for even more affordable housing.

On a crisp fall day, October 13, 1955, a baby girl named Molly at birth was adopted by Charles and Margie Andrews of Rutherfordton when her name was changed to Karen. She was born January 31, 1955, to a 20-year-old single mother. Just eighteen days later, on October 31, 1955 another baby girl named Polly at birth, born January 31, 1955, to that same 20-year-old single mother was adopted by Gaither and Mary Lou Beam of Louisburg, NC, when her name was changed to Barbara. Molly/Karen and Polly/Barbara were fraternal twins, spending their first eight months together in a children's home outside Greensboro. Because of the attending pediatrician's recommendation, they were separated and adopted by different families, who didn't know their daughters were twins. Seven decades later those two girls were able to find each other thanks to Ancestry.

"It was a week full of fun, jam packed with learning...and a huge success."

That is how director Ali Bovender High described the third annual WeBuild! Summer Camp hosted by Rutherford Housing Partnership and Women Roofers with numerous sponsors helping with camp and bringing snacks.

Rutherford County's traditional public school students begin the 2025-26 school year on Monday, August 11. Already in session are students at Forest City Dunbar Elementary School, the county's only year-round school. Students attending Lake Lure Classical Academy also begin on August 11 and Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy students begin August 13. Private schools and homeschooled students have varying schedules, but everything is true for every student -- school supplies are needed for every grade beginning with kindergarten to the senior year of high school.