Oct
07

Local History: Search for information about slave cemetery leads to treasure trove of historical documents

BY SHELLIE TAYLOR A while back, I had the pleasure of working on a research project with an archeological field director for a surveying company based in Asheville. His company

Oct
05

Viewpoint: It’s time to stop pushing on doors marked pull

BY JEFF CORBETT Some years ago, my pastor preached a sermon entitled “Pushing on Doors Marked Pull.” While I’ve long forgotten the details, the title never escaped me. Obviously, the

Oct
04

Viewpoint: A Message from Mayor Kutteh

Dear Citizens of Statesville: The overwhelming outpouring of support from our community for the victims of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina has been nothing short of extraordinary. In the

Sep
20

Superintendent: I-SS students who make or share threats will face serious consequences

Editor’s Note: Iredell-Statesville Schools Superintendent Jeff James sent the following letter to district parents and staff on September 19. BY JEFF JAMES Over the last week, our school and district

Sep
19

Viewpoint: This world needs less judgment and more understanding

BY JEFF CORBETT A 10-year-old boy was captivated by a sign in his neighborhood advertising “Puppies for sale.” He went up to the house and rang the doorbell, and when

Sep
15

Local History: Medicine men preyed on community in early 20th century

BY SHELLIE TAYLOR I recently came across a 122-year-old newspaper article that sent me down a rabbit hole. On December 19, 1902, the Landmark printed a brief story from the

Sep
06

Viewpoint: A thoughtful compliment can truly make someone’s day

BY JEFF CORBETT A friend of mine, an amateur photographer, was at a dinner party, and took along some prized photos to show the hostess. “These are wonderful!” the hostess

Aug
24

Viewpoint: Without a vision and a plan for future development, Iredell County will lose its identity

Editor’s Note: Ken Robertson delivered the following remarks during the Iredell County Board of Commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, August 20. BY KEN ROBERTSON H.L. Mencken said “for every complex problem,

Aug
23

Viewpoint: Never miss the opportunity to be kind to your fellow humans

BY JEFF CORBETT Taking oneself too seriously can derail any relationship. Queen Victoria of England learned this lesson very quickly in her marriage to Prince Albert. It was an extremely

Jul
17

Viewpoint: Embracing life’s many stages provides best path to fulfillment

BY JEFF CORBETT There used to be four stages of life, but  New York Times columnist David Brooks writes the progression of life now has six stages. The four stages

Jun
03

Local History: Hidden Lakes, Northpoint developments encroach on historic sites

Editor’s Note: This is part II of a two-part series. The first column is available HERE. BY SHELLIE TAYLOR I had a huge response to the first article in this series,

May
29

Viewpoint: Statesville Council should rethink decision to create Building Standards Department

BY DAVID PRESSLY The Statesville City Council tells us its policy priorities through its annual budget-making process. This year, the City Council proposes to create a “revenue-generating Building Standards Department.”

May
20

Viewpoint: Republican lawmakers working to jeopardize the physical health and safety of North Carolinians

BY WEST CAUDLE On May 15, N.C. State Senate Republicans took 46 minutes to advance a repeal legislation protecting the physical health and safety of their fellow North Carolinians and

May
19

Viewpoint: I-SS Board has much bigger problems than Kubiniec’s use of inappropriate language

BY MIKE FUHRMAN For the second time in less than six months, the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education is expected to consider a motion to censure one of its members

May
17

Viewpoint: Iredell Health System striving to keep healthcare local

BY JOHN GREEN This week, May 12-18, is National Hospital Week, which gives me an opportunity to talk about hospitals, healthcare, and my teammates — three topics that are near

May
13

Viewpoint: Historic burial sites should be protected from development

Editor’s Note: May is Cemetery Appreciation Month. This is part I of a two-part series. BY SHELLIE TAYLOR I have had several people in the last few months reach out to me

May
12

Viewpoint: A Mother’s Day Memory

BY KARISSA MILLER I have fond memories of my brother and I waking up early to surprise my mom with coffee and breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day. My dad

May
08

Viewpoint: Nurses ‘make the difference’ everyday in our community

BY BECKY WAGNER It is that time of the year when we recognize the work and dedication of the nursing profession by celebrating Nurses Week (May 6-12). The theme this

May
08

Viewpoint: Our fallen heroes will never be forgotten

Editor’s Note: Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell delivered the following remarks during the Peace Officers Memorial Day Ceremony on Tuesday, May 7. BY DARREN CAMPBELL Good morning. What an absolute

May
06

Viewpoint: Fallen Deputy Marshal will be remembered as ‘dedicated, selfless, and courageous’ public servant

Editor’s Note: Mr. Garland delivered the following comments on Monday during the Memorial Service for U.S. Deputy Marshal Tommy Weeks Jr. BY MERRICK B. GARLAND Good morning. It’s an honor

Apr
10

Letter to the Editor: Take the time to learn about candidates for N.C. superintendent

To the Editor: Public education has always been the great equalizer, and North Carolina has always been a “light in the South” as far as education is concerned. In recent

Mar
31

Viewpoint: Iredell County’s public health professionals make a difference every day

BY JANE HINSON It’s time once again to celebrate National Public Health Week. April 1-7 has been designated the week that public health is celebrated nationwide. Locally, we use this

Mar
21

Viewpoint: Oakwood Middle students share research about Fourth Creek Cemetery, help preserve headstones

BY SHELLIE TAYLOR If you make your way to Old Fourth Creek Burying Ground on any given day, you’ll probably see a man with a long grey beard and glasses

Mar
16

Viewpoint: Be a wildlife hero — spare a snake!

BY JESSICA HILL As temperatures rise in the Carolinas, our cold-blooded wildlife will be waking up and snake season will soon be upon us! I’d just like to remind everyone

Mar
14

Letter to the Editor: Troutman Council wasting more taxpayer money on Georgie Park

To the Editor: So let me get this right. The taxpayers in the Town of Troutman have the privilege of paying for a community park that is not accessible to

Mar
12

Letter to the Editor: Board member’s snub of N.B. Mills Elementary School was telling

To the Editor: During the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education meeting on Monday evening, N.B. Mills Elementary was the school spotlight. The administration and staff at N.B. Mills is doing

Mar
11

Viewpoint: Former mayoral candidate sinks to new low with social media attacks on Gallina, Kutteh

BY MIKE FUHRMAN In a world where influencers can reach millions of followers with a few keystrokes, it’s not surprising that social media has taken on a larger role in

Mar
02

Viewpoint: National Call for Moral Revival highlights struggles of poor North Carolinians

BY TODD SCOTT Several members of the Statesville Branch NAACP attended the National Call for Moral Revival at the State Legislature Building ln Raleigh on Saturday. Led by Rev. William

Mar
01

Viewpoint: Voters in I-SS District 2 primary can prevent escalation of Moms for Liberty nonsense

BY MIKE FUHRMAN The fate of Iredell-Statesville Schools may well rest on the outcome of next week’s District 2 primary election. Voters in Tuesday’s GOP primary will decide if they

Feb
26

Letter to the Editor: Statesville Branch NAACP working to re-establish Youth Council

To the Editor: The Statesville Branch NAACP #5454 wishes to re-establish its Youth Council. According to the national NAACP website, “the NAACP’s youth programs ensure a society in which all

Feb
18

Viewpoint: Voters in 84th N.C. House District can choose a different type of leader in March 5 primary

Editor’s Note: Iredell Free News invited candidates for the 84th N.C. House District in the March 5 Republican primary election to share their qualifications, relevant experience and vision for this

Feb
18

Viewpoint: Experience, proven results differentiate candidates in 84th District N.C. House race

Editor’s Note: Iredell Free News invited candidates for the 84th N.C. House District in the March 5 Republican primary election to share their qualifications, relevant experience and vision for this

Feb
16

Viewpoint: Decades of community involvement, trial experience and FOP endorsement matter in DA’s race

Editor’s Note: Iredell Free News invited candidates for District Attorney in the March 5 Republican primary election to share their qualifications, relevant experience and vision for the DA’s Office with

Feb
16

Viewpoint: Improved transparency, efficiency will yield better results for District Attorney’s Office

Editor’s Note: Iredell Free News invited candidates for District Attorney in the March 5 Republican primary election to share their qualifications, relevant experience and vision for the DA’s Office with

Feb
14

Viewpoint: Gallina is the best choice in GOP primary for 84th N.C House District seat

BY BRAD STROUD SR. I guess there is something of an unwritten rule that elected officials should not endorse a candidate other than the incumbent of their own political party.

Feb
12

Viewpoint: My conservative values, experience in local and state government matter in Raleigh

BY JEFF McNEELY This is a tale like many of my fellow neighbors and friends who grew up and live in Iredell County. It’s about a simple life of hard