Covering Iredell County Since 2026 · Statesville, North Carolina

Statesville Times

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  • Iredell Health System Opens New Urgent Care Facility on East Broad

    Iredell Health System has opened a new 12,000-square-foot urgent care facility on East Broad Street, expanding access to walk-in medical services for Statesville’s growing east side population.

    The facility, which began seeing patients Monday, offers treatment for non-emergency illnesses and injuries, on-site X-ray and lab services, and sports physicals. It is staffed by board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners.

    Iredell Health CEO John Green said the location was chosen based on population growth data and patient feedback. “Our community told us they needed more convenient access to care on this side of town, and we listened.”

    The urgent care center is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and accepts most insurance plans. Walk-ins are welcome, and online check-in is available through the Iredell Health patient portal.

  • Carolina BalloonFest Returns to Statesville with Record Lineup

    The 53rd annual Carolina BalloonFest is set to take flight October 16-18 at the Statesville Regional Airport, featuring a record 60 hot air balloons, live entertainment, and a new Friday night balloon glow spectacular.

    The beloved fall festival, one of the Southeast’s premier balloon events, draws over 50,000 visitors annually to Statesville. This year’s lineup includes balloons from 14 states, aerobatic flight demonstrations, and tethered balloon rides available to the public.

    New additions include a craft village featuring 75 artisan vendors, a kids’ STEM zone with aviation-themed activities, and a Saturday night concert headlined by Carolina country artist Scotty McCreery.

    “BalloonFest is Statesville’s signature event,” said festival director Karen Bunch. “Every year we work to make it bigger and better while keeping that small-town festival feeling everyone loves.” Tickets are available at carolinaballoonfest.com.

  • Letter to the Editor: Thank You, Statesville Fire Department

    Dear Editor,

    Last Wednesday evening, my family experienced every homeowner’s worst nightmare when an electrical fire broke out in our kitchen on Garner Bagnal Boulevard. Within four minutes of our 911 call, Statesville Fire Department Engine 1 was at our door.

    The professionalism, speed, and compassion shown by the firefighters that night was extraordinary. They not only extinguished the fire and prevented it from spreading but also helped us secure the house, connected us with Red Cross resources, and checked on our elderly neighbor who had been alarmed by the commotion.

    In a moment of crisis, these men and women reminded us what community truly means. We are deeply grateful to the Statesville Fire Department and to the dispatchers who kept us calm while help was on the way. Thank you for keeping our city safe.

    Robert and Linda Jamison, Statesville

  • Editorial: Statesville Must Plan Wisely for Its Next Chapter

    Statesville is at an inflection point. The same qualities that have long defined our city — affordable living, scenic beauty, small-town warmth, and easy access to Charlotte — are now driving a wave of growth that will reshape our community for generations.

    The question is not whether Statesville will grow. The Charlotte metro area is expanding northward, and our location along the I-77 corridor makes growth inevitable. The question is whether we will manage that growth wisely or let it manage us.

    We need updated zoning that protects established neighborhoods while directing density to appropriate corridors. We need infrastructure investments — roads, water, sewer — that get ahead of demand rather than chasing it. And we need to preserve the historic downtown character that makes Statesville special.

    The City Council’s downtown revitalization plan is a promising start. But it must be paired with a comprehensive growth strategy that balances economic opportunity with quality of life. Our community deserves nothing less.

  • Statesville Craft Breweries Form Downtown Ale Trail

    Four downtown Statesville craft breweries have joined forces to launch the Statesville Ale Trail, a collaborative passport program designed to draw visitors to the city’s growing craft beverage scene.

    Participants who visit all four breweries — Fourth Creek Brewing, Broad Street Taphouse, Piedmont Ale Works, and Signal Hill Brewing — within 60 days receive a commemorative pint glass and entry into monthly prize drawings.

    The trail was conceived after a downtown business survey showed craft beverages as the fastest-growing segment of Statesville’s hospitality sector. Combined, the four breweries have invested over $3 million in the downtown area since 2023.

    “We’re stronger together than competing against each other,” said Fourth Creek owner Mike Dellinger. “When people come downtown for one brewery, they end up visiting shops, restaurants, and galleries too.” Trail passports are free and available at any participating brewery.

  • New Distribution Center Brings 400 Jobs to Iredell County

    National logistics firm Summit Supply Chain announced Wednesday it will build a 750,000-square-foot distribution center in the Statesville Regional Airport business park, creating approximately 400 full-time jobs over the next two years.

    The $85 million facility will serve as the company’s Southeast regional hub, taking advantage of Statesville’s strategic location at the intersection of I-77 and I-40. Operations are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027.

    Starting wages will range from $18 to $24 per hour, with benefits including health insurance and tuition reimbursement. The company has pledged to prioritize local hiring.

    “Iredell County’s workforce, infrastructure, and business-friendly environment made Statesville the clear choice,” said Summit CEO Patricia Wren. County economic development director James Cathey called the announcement “a game-changer for our community.”

  • Fort Dobbs Historic Site Unveils New Exhibit on Colonial Frontier Life

    Fort Dobbs State Historic Site has opened a major new permanent exhibit exploring daily life on North Carolina’s colonial frontier, featuring dozens of newly discovered artifacts and interactive displays.

    The exhibit, titled “Edge of Empire: Life at Fort Dobbs, 1756-1764,” includes musket balls, pottery shards, and personal items recovered during recent archaeological excavations at the site. A recreated soldier’s quarters allows visitors to experience the cramped conditions of frontier garrison life.

    Site manager Thomas Harwell said the exhibit fills a significant gap in telling the region’s story. “Fort Dobbs was the westernmost outpost of British colonial defense in North Carolina. This exhibit brings that history to life in ways we’ve never been able to before.”

    The exhibit is free with regular site admission. Fort Dobbs is located on Fort Dobbs Road, just west of downtown Statesville, and is open Wednesday through Saturday.

  • Iredell County Farm Heritage Trail Launches Spring Season

    The Iredell County Farm Heritage Trail kicks off its 2026 spring season this Saturday, connecting visitors with 18 family farms, vineyards, and orchards across the rolling Piedmont countryside surrounding Statesville.

    Now in its fifth year, the self-guided driving trail has become one of Iredell County’s top agritourism attractions. New stops this season include a lavender farm in Troutman, a goat dairy near Harmony, and a pick-your-own strawberry operation on the outskirts of Statesville.

    “People are hungry for authentic farm experiences,” said trail coordinator Beth Overcash. “Families want their kids to understand where food comes from, and our farmers love sharing what they do.”

    Trail maps are available at the Statesville Visitors Center and online. Many farms offer seasonal products, workshops, and farm-to-table dinners throughout the spring and summer months.

  • Lake Norman Sailing Club Hosts Regional Regatta This Weekend

    The Lake Norman Sailing Club will host its annual Iredell Cup Regatta this Saturday and Sunday, bringing more than 120 sailboats and crews from across the Carolinas to compete on the largest man-made lake in North Carolina.

    The two-day event features racing in six classes, from youth Optimist dinghies to high-performance keelboats. Last year’s regatta drew spectators from three states and generated an estimated $500,000 in local tourism revenue.

    Race director Amanda Fulton said conditions on Lake Norman are ideal for competitive sailing. “The thermal winds we get in spring create challenging, exciting racing that sailors love.”

    Shore-side festivities include a seafood cookout, live bluegrass music, and boat tours for non-sailors. Spectator viewing is free from the club’s waterfront lawn. Racing begins at 10 a.m. both days.

  • Statesville Greyhounds Win Third Straight Conference Football Title

    The Statesville High School Greyhounds captured their third consecutive North Piedmont Conference football championship Friday night with a dominant 35-14 victory over South Iredell at Helmsman Stadium.

    Senior quarterback Jaylen Mitchell threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns while adding 65 yards on the ground in a performance that head coach Marcus Tillman called “the best I’ve seen from any quarterback in my 20 years of coaching.”

    The Greyhounds defense was equally impressive, holding South Iredell to just 180 total yards and forcing four turnovers. Linebacker Devon Washington recorded 12 tackles and two interceptions.

    Statesville improves to 11-0 on the season and earns a top-four seed in the 3A state playoffs beginning next week. The team hasn’t lost a conference game in three years.