Viewpoint: Statesville High students call out I-SS Board of Education for illegal meetings, jokes promoting school violence and attitude toward LGBTQ community
Editor’s Note: Statesville High School students wrote the following letters to Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education members in response to an Iredell Free News investigation detailing the board’s secret meetings
Letter to the Editor: I-SS Board members should resign and allow people who care about students’ welfare to lead district
To the Editor: If Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education member Anita Kurn thinks that adding fight classes at Statesville High School will solve the discipline problems there, we should all
Letter to the Editor: Working at Statesville High School is a blessing
To the Editor: “Oh, bless your heart.” That is the response I often get when I tell people where I work. While I am thankful for the sentiment, I would
Viewpoint: This is what happens when voters elect partisan extremists to the school board
BY BETH KENDALL There was an accident, so traffic was at a standstill. The gravitational pull of the moon causes the tides of the ocean. I stuck to a training
Letter to the Editor: Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education members have demonstrated they are unfit to serve
To the Editor: After reading the text messages exchanged between members of the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education, I would like to say that I am highly disappointed in the
Viewpoint: An Open Letter to the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education
“Suggesting that student violence be encouraged and used for profit is not funny. It is a ‘joke’ of the worst kind — one that devalues human life and reveals your
Viewpoint: Nurses make a difference in our community every day
BY BECKY WAGNER What profession provides world-class care and is considered the most honest and ethical profession? Individuals working in this career field can walk an average of 4 to
Viewpoint: Green Street Cemetery project casts light on Statesville history
BY SHELLIE TAYLOR The study at the Green Street Cemetery in Statesville has been one of the most important and rewarding projects I have ever been involved with. Last year,
Viewpoint: National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week provide opportunity to reflect on past year
BY JOHN GREEN It seems like just a few days ago I wrote an editorial regarding National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week. Obviously, time flies, as it has been
Viewpoint: Historic inflation rate, growing tax base will factor in Iredell commissioners’ budget decisions
BY JAMES B. MALLORY III Iredell County Manager Beth Mull is putting the finishing touches on her budget message and recommendations to the Iredell County Board of Commissioners for the
Viewpoint: Statesville firefighters grateful for outpouring of support
BY GLENN KURFEES The City of Statesville Fire Department would like to express its sincere appreciation to the Statesville Community for all the prayers, words of encouragement, and food during
Viewpoint: Spring Games provides a magical day for group of extraordinary children
BY MIKE FUHRMAN There’s something absolutely magical about the Special Olympics. In an era where reports of mass shootings, civil unrest and political rancor dominate nearly every news cycle, there
Viewpoint: Will elected officials do anything after students across nation protest against gun violence in schools?
BY COOPER HALL Uniting a high school is hard work, but I watched it happen at South Iredell High on April 5 as students participated in the national walkout to
Viewpoint: The Cross and the Lynching Tree are entwined
BY REV. H. STEPHEN SHOEMAKER Today is the day we call Good Friday, and on this day we gathered by the old tree standing outside the Old Jail in Statesville.
Viewpoint: Iredell’s public health team has remained mission focused during challenging times
BY JANE HINSON April 3-9, 2023, is National Public Health Week. The last three years have been difficult ones for our public health team at the Iredell County Health Department.
Viewpoint: Female assistant district attorneys in Iredell, Alexander counties dedicated to keeping community safe
BY SARAH KIRKMAN March is Women’s History Month, and I almost let it get by me without recognizing it. The observance of Women’s History Month began in California in 1978
Letter to the Editor: N.C. lawmakers should give local governments ability to require developers to pay impact fees
To the Editor: An impact fee is typically a one-time payment imposed by a local government on a property developer. The fee is meant to offset the financial impact a
Viewpoint: Two new I-SS Board members display arrogance, insult professional educators
BY MIKE FUHRMAN There were a couple of very telling moments at Monday’s Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education meeting, including one in which a board member claimed he could run Statesville
Viewpoint: Keeping justice-involved students in school leads to better outcomes for all students
Editor’s Note: This column is adapted from a presentation to the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education on February 13. BY TERRI MASIELLO For 26-plus years, I have been working to
Letter to the Editor: Troutman residents should demand better from Town Council
To the Editor: When discussing the town’s property tax rate, Troutman Councilman Paul Henkel recently said, “The town does not collect money for the fun of it.” I disagree! This
Viewpoint: Recognizing the historical significance of the Green Street Cemetery
BY SHELLIE TAYLOR Every February, the Iredell County Public Library staff joins the African-American community in celebrating the achievements of Black men and women in our county and promoting their
Viewpoint: Planned STEAM charter school will aim to boost academic achievement of at-risk students
BY PAMELA JOHNSON It is my passion and dream to bring a K-8 STEAM charter school to Statesville and Iredell County. I believe that we can build an education model
Viewpoint: A call for action to support our schools and community
BY ERIC TODD SCOTT SR. I would like to say thank you to Dr. Jeff James and the participants for the Iredell-Statesville Schools press conference. Great job! It was very
Viewpoint: State of North Carolina working to build reliable, sustainable grid powered by renewable energy
BY GOV. ROY COOPER RALEIGH — North Carolinians deserve reliable, sustainable electricity at a reasonable cost because of increasingly severe weather and aging fossil fuel plants that result could be
Local History: Unraveling the mysterious disappearance of Virginia Sneed
BY SHELLIE TAYLOR I don’t know about you, but I love a good mystery. While researching something completely unrelated, I came across a newspaper article that grabbed my attention and
Viewpoint: All I want for Christmas is a little less schadenfreude and a little more freudenfreude
BY REV. H. STEPHEN SHOEMAKER My worst course in college was German. Thank God I needed only four semesters to graduate. From my studies and experience, I am too well
Viewpoint: Iredell County GOP Executive Committee wisely rejects party disloyalty complaints
BY MIKE FUHRMAN During the two years leading up to the 2022 elections, there was a carefully orchestrated effort to undermine the public’s confidence in Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education
Viewpoint: Don’t be scared to talk about suicide
BY AMY FUHRMAN In December, my thoughts turn to death. I know that sounds morbid — and it is — but it’s impossible for me not to think about as
Viewpoint: Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County committed providing exemplary service to community
BY MIKE SMITH ProPublica and The New Yorker recently published an article entitled “How Hospice Became a For-Profit Hustle,” outlining multiple instances of fraud and malfeasance targeting the Medicare hospice
Letter to the Editor: Candidate appreciates community support during campaign
To the Editor: Thanks to everyone who supported me in the campaign through their efforts and their votes. I gave it my all, but the partisan headwinds were just too
Viewpoint: Will voters stop self-proclaimed ‘Puppet Master’ from taking control of Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education?
BY MIKE FUHRMAN A Statesville man who calls himself the “Puppet Master” is dangerously close to achieving his goal of taking control of the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education. Iredell
Viewpoint: AFSP working with community partners to prevent suicides in Iredell County
BY SUSAN TOLLE It all started five years ago. 2018 brought us our first Central Piedmont Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention right here in Iredell County. Our
Letter to the Editor: I-SS board candidates who did not participate in forum deprived voters of opportunity to evaluate their suitability for office
To the Editor: Four years ago I had the pleasure of running as an unaffiliated candidate for the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education in District 7. I strongly believe that
Viewpoint: One mom’s Halloween reflection
BY WENDY GORDON PAKE Halloween at the Pake house – with a child with food allergies – always went the same: My husband and I would spill out our son’s
Letter to the Editor: Some elected officials seem to have forgotten their purpose
To the Editor: An elected official’s role, whether it be on the school board, in the state senate, or in any other public office, is to serve its community as
Letter to the Editor: Pittman’s inquisitive nature, communication skills make her great candidate for I-SS Board of Education
To the Editor: I am writing to urge the citizens of District 3 to vote for Sarah Parker Pittman for the open seat on the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education.