Good morning, Statesville.

The Salvation Army of Iredell County will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Saturday, Jan.

23 with a gala at the Statesville Event Center (the nonprofit has supported local families for decades).

On Tuesday, community and business leaders gathered at the Iredell County Business, Workforce and Child Care Summit (presented by NC ExCEL and local partners) to address rising childcare costs impacting families and the local workforce.

They discussed policy changes and subsidy increases that may boost childcare enrollment and stabilize local employment.

Mooresville Arts hosted the 44th Annual Artoberfest Judged Show and Competition with 57 entries and an awards ceremony attended by over 300 people on Friday, Oct.

10 — the exhibit remains on display until Thursday, Nov. 12 where art is for sale to benefit local artists.

Dr. Omid Safi, an award-winning author and Islamic scholar, will speak at the 2026 Davis Lectures at Grace Baptist Church on Oct.

25–26 — his talks will cover Islamic love on Sunday and modern faith on Monday, and they will be free at 719 Club Drive.

A WSOC-TV and WRAL poll found that voters in North Carolina list the economy and health care as top issues as early voting begins tomorrow.

The survey shows 51 percent say their lives have worsened since 2024 (underscoring affordability concerns).

The Stony Point Volunteer Fire Department held live burn training on Oct.

12 at a structure off Highway 90 donated for the exercise (Chief Scotty Abernathy supervised the session).

Attorney General Jeff Jackson launched N.C.

Fuel Check and sent letters to major gas retailers to ensure that the savings from a suspended 41‑cent-per‑gallon tax reach drivers. Prices will drop as new fuel deliveries arrive, expected within about a week after the tax suspension took effect Oct. 10 and runs through Nov. 30.

Local teams are set for a rivalry game in Week 9 as Troutman hosts a key matchup while West Iredell (conference favorite) gears up for competition.

Fans can follow the high school athletics scene for more local action.

Catawba senior Hannah Caudill earned SAC Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week after leading her team to victory at the Royals Challenge—recognition given by WePlayed Sports in our local meet.

The N. Iredell tennis team earned a second-round playoff match against the same team it beat in August.

The team will face its opponent at local courts as the tournament continues.