Polk County, NC

HENDERSONVILLE — Flat Rock's Andrew Murray will be the lone candidate on the ballot for District Attorney for Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties after being declared the top candidate for the position by voters in Tuesday night's primary. At 9:15 p.m., Murray called out to his supporters that he was "calling this race" after...

POLK COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — This summer, breathtaking views will once again draw people to Big Bradley Falls in Polk County. The nearly 100-foot falls aren’t easily accessible. The waterfall is on a remote tract of land managed by North Carolina Wildlife Resources. For decades, agency staff has grappled with hikers who take deadly risks to get a peak from a lookout that was just a ledge. Since 2000, eight people have died there.

Polk County Sheriff Tim Wright has handily won the Republican primary against challenger Daniel Elliott. The primary was held May 17. Unofficial totals are 2,042 votes for Wright, and 659 votes for Elliott. “I appreciate the overwhelming support of Polk County and their trust in me to continue serving as...

SALUDA– On Saturday, May 14, Green River Cove Tubing Company began their 2022 season. It was a perfect day for tubing on the Green River and the crowd poured in to enjoy one of the best attractions Polk County has to offer. This is a special year for owner,...

“I didn’t set fire to the jail,” Bettie Sims calmly told a representative from The Charlotte Observer on Dec. 11, 1906. The reporter had tracked down the 29-year-old Polk County native the day before she was to appear on bond in front of a federal judge on charges of, in her own words, “selling a jug of corn.” Dubbed “The Queen of the Moonshiners” by local newspapers, Bettie had been making headlines since May, more for...

Sue Bailey McCoyle, age 77, of Burnsville, went to be with Jesus on Sunday, May 15th, 2022 at the home of a son. A native of Polk County, she was a daughter of the late Clarence and Effie Bailey. She was also preceded in death by the father of her children and friend, Daniel “Tater” McCoyle, Jr.; three children: Dean Bailey, Patsy Conner Russell and Ted Earl McCoyle; a grandchild; a great-grandchild; sister, Donnie May Burnett and brothers: Lonnie, Leonard, Lloyd, Leland and Isadore Bailey.

The early voting period for the 2022 primary ends Saturday, May 14 with primary day right around the corner on Tuesday, May 17. On Saturday, May 14, early voters can go to the one stop voting location at the Board of Elections office, 40 Courthouse St. in the Womack Administration Building in Columbus. The office will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Voters can see a sample ballot online at polknc.gov (search Departments drop-down menu for Board of Elections).

Bryson McCraw hopes he has set an example for future Polk County wrestlers to follow. “All the youth wrestlers, the ones in middle school, the ones in high school now, you can accomplish this, too,” McCraw said. This, as in McCraw’s signing to continue his wrestling career at Montreat...

SALUDA, N.C. (WLOS) — The ribbon was cut on the newly-restored Saluda Inn in Polk County on Thursday, May 12. The multi-million-dollar renovations of the 1880s inn feature 12 unique guest rooms and suites, filled with art and furnishings. The inn dates back to the 1880s and had fallen...

Two Republican candidates are vying to be District Attorney for Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties, a position made infamous when Greg Newman was removed from his post last year. He was the first district attorney to be removed outside of an election in Western North Carolina history. Mary Hollocker, a...

Polk County’s season came to an end Tuesday as solid West Stokes pitching keyed an 11-1 victory in the opening round of the state 2A baseball playoffs in King. West Stokes (18-5) advances to a second-round game Friday against Brevard, which defeated Madison in its first-round matchup. Polk County...

POLK COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — For Polk County residents, the nationwide epidemic of drug overdoses has hit close to home. National Fentanyl Awareness Day, which was Tuesday, stands as a stark reminder just as the numbers in Polk County do. In the past 12 days, response teams have gone...

Unity in the Community board member David Staley recently delivered a surprise to three Polk Central Elementary award-winning students. The students designed posters to advertise an Arbor Day tree distribution by UITC and were rewarded with a tree product – checks made from paper. Polk Central fifth graders have...

On Saturday, May 21 at 10 a.m., Vicky Burke, Ventures birding guide, will lead attendees through the basics of birding. The workshop will meet in the Great Room at FENCE for an intro to birding before heading outside to put our gained knowledge to the test. This workshop is perfect for individuals who are interested in starting up a new hobby of birding or for those who are beginner birders looking to gain more knowledge on the topic.

West Stokes' baseball team got off to a strong start in the first round of the NCHSAA 2A playoffs with an 11-1 win at home over Polk County via mercy rule in five innings on Tuesday. Junior Josh Jones led the way offensively for the Wildcats (18-5, 9-1 Mid-State 2A)...