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.
Letter to the Editor: Trent will provide a voice for students, parents on I-SS Board of Education
To the Editor: Iredell County native and lifelong resident Abby Trent is the Republican nominee on the November 8 ballot for the Iredell-Statesville Schools’ Board District 3 seat. Abby won
Viewpoint: Electing divisive school board candidates would be harmful to Iredell-Statesville Schools
BY TODD CARVER I write this fully anticipating my political suicide. In today’s political climate, there can be no greater sin than speaking out against a fellow member of one’s
Viewpoint: A moratorium on new development will not solve traffic issues in southern Iredell County
BY SEN. VICKIE SAWYER I too get stuck in traffic, shake my head in disgust as I see another rezoning for apartment buildings and worry about where the money will
Letter to the Editor: Troutman officials should listen to residents and stop ‘out-of-control’ development
To the Editor: It seems like the Town of Troutman is always on the defensive because town officials may not like the simple fact the citizens want this out-of-control development
Viewpoint: Residents have opportunity to help shape future of Statesville
BY RON SMITH In 2019 city staff began receiving numerous calls about potential development opportunities. We received so many, in fact, that we began tracking all new development inquiries. These
Viewpoint: Moratorium needed to pause large-scale developments in southern Iredell County
BY BLAKE PALMER Iredell County experienced explosive growth between 2010 and 2020, gaining over 27,000 residents. This trend is projected to accelerate over the next few decades with Iredell County
Iredell Firewire Report: First responders were prepared for remnants of Hurricane Ian
BY DAN GITRO This week first responders all over Iredell County prepared for the remnants of Hurricane Ian to hit Iredell County. The forecast from local meteorologists and the National
Viewpoint: Statesville Council should name future fire station after late community leader
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Statesville City Council will consider a proposal ton Monday to name the new fire station in honor of William T. “Woody” Woodard. By President Eric Todd Scott
Viewpoint: Research about Iredell County cemeteries sparks interest in Crawford family history
BY SHELLIE TAYLOR Tucked away in the woods on a hill behind a church in western Iredell County lies a hidden family cemetery. It isn’t a church graveyard. In fact,
Viewpoint: Local cowboys shine in neighborhood roundup
BY JOHN A. SHERRILL As I sat in my recliner one evening, watching some useless television show, I noticed movement through the picture window out on the front lawn. It
Letter to the Editor: Robert Wayne Stamey’s legacy of service should inspire all of us
TO THE EDITOR: As one who knew him nearly as long as his mother and father, I resonate when I consider and remember personal characteristics of Robert Wayne Stamey. Each
Viewpoint: Let’s shine a light on the service of Iredell County veterans
BY GENE HOUPE Each year we come together as a nation on Veterans Day to honor and celebrate the hundreds of thousands of brave Americans who have served our country
Viewpoint: Is there a balm in Gilead? The Church in post-Roe America
BY REV. H. STEPHEN SHOEMAKER The Hebrew prophet Jeremiah cried out on behalf of his people and nation. It was wracked by rampant greed and deceit, and the lives of
Viewpoint: Recent contract controversy creates trust issues for volunteer fire departments
BY DAN GITRO Here’s a recap of the contract controversy that had volunteer fire departments across Iredell County concerned — and justifiably so — about losing their primary source of
Viewpoint: Iredell commissioners should delay countywide property revaluation to ensure property taxes remain fair and equitable
BY BLAKE PALMER Within Iredell County’s 2022-20 23 fiscal year budget message was a reminder that county residents will be on the receiving end of a property revaluation in 2023.
Viewpoint: Kutteh is the vastly superior candidate in Statesville mayor’s race
BY MIKE FUHRMAN In today’s hostile climate, it takes more than a little courage for elected officials and those with future political aspirations to cross party lines. That’s why it’s
Viewpoint: Wasson running for at-large Statesville Council seat to be the voice of working-class citizens
EDITOR’S NOTE: Iredell Free News invited candidates in the run-off election for two at-large seats on Statesville City Council to make their final pitch to voters, outlining their experience, vision, goals and
Viewpoint: Pressly running for at-large Statesville Council seat to ‘move our citizens and our city forward’
EDITOR’S NOTE: Iredell Free News invited candidates in the run-off election for two at-large seats on Statesville City Council to make their final pitch to voters, outlining their experience, vision, goals and
Viewpoint: Councilman Johnson seeking another term to help Statesville reach ‘tremendous’ potential
EDITOR’S NOTE: Iredell Free News invited candidates in the run-off election for two at-large seats on Statesville City Council to make their final pitch to voters, outlining their experience, vision, goals and
Viewpoint: Mayor Kutteh seeking fifth term in office to continue working on behalf of all Statesville residents
EDITOR’S NOTE: Iredell Free News invited candidates in the Statesville mayoral race to make their final pitch to voters, outlining their experience, vision, goals and plans for the city. This is
Viewpoint: It’s past time for Iredell commissioners to adequately fund fire protection
Contract dispute with volunteer fire departments brings real issue to light BY MIKE FUHRMAN The rift between Iredell County government officials and many of the volunteer fire departments that honorably