Mike Conley

1 week ago | mcdowellnews.com | Mike Conley

On Tuesday, the Marion City Council unanimously approved the recommended $19.7 million budget for fiscal year 2025-2026. The budget does not call for an increase in the property tax rate but does have a 3% increase in the water rate and a 25% increase in the sewer rate. The decision to adopt the budget took place during Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Marion City Council held at the Marion Community Building. Earlier this month, City Manager Woody Ayers presented the plan for next fiscal year.

1 week ago | mcdowellnews.com | Mike Conley

On Monday, the Old Fort Board of Aldermen adopted a $1.88 million budget for the town, which does not include a property tax rate increase or higher water and sewer rates. This comes after the town was hit hard by Hurricane Helene nine months ago and continues to recover from the storm’s destructive impact. On Monday, the Old Fort Board of Aldermen held the regular meeting for June at the Old Fort Town Hall.

1 week ago | mcdowellnews.com | Mike Conley

The town of Old Fort will get a $378,000 loan to help with Hurricane Helene recovery. The N.C. Department of State Treasurer is giving a second round of interest-free loans for Hurricane Helene relief. This round of Cashflow Loans uses the remaining $34.4 million provided by the state General Assembly in the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024. The Helene Cashflow loan for Old Fort is in the amount of $378,312.67, according to a news release from the Department of State Treasurer.

1 week ago | mcdowellnews.com | Mike Conley

An investigation continues on a fatal wreck that took the life of a dump truck driver Tuesday morning in Old Fort. The driver of a dump truck was killed when his truck lost its brakes coming down Old Fort Mountain and crashed into the new gas station and Taco Bell under construction along Bat Cave Road. The wreck happened at about 10:23 a.m. Tuesday, according to Old Fort Police Chief Melvin LytleOn Wednesday, Lytle said the driver’s name was Ralph Hibbert and he was 65 years old.

1 week ago | mcdowellnews.com | Mike Conley

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