McDowell Tornado

The National Weather Service at Greenville-Spartanburg has confirmed an EF-Zero tornado struck McDowell County Saturday night.

Reports say the tornado touched down along Muddy Creek Road in Dysartsville and then ended one minute later in Nebo.

The weak tornado reportedly damaged the underpinning of a mobile home and partially blew a window from its frame on the same property.

The twister also tore the roof off of a shed, uprooted trees, and snapped some other smaller trees.

The weather service also detected some damage around the tornado’s path that was likely caused by straight-line winds.

McDowell County Emergency officials report winds Saturday evening were estimated at 80 miles per hour.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

New Catawba Facility

A new manufacturing facility is slated to open in Catawba County soon.

Gusmer Enterprises Incorporated will become the fifth tenant in the Trivium Corporate Center.

Gusmer Enterprises plans to construct a 135-thousand square foot manufacturing facility to produce liquid filtration media and devices used in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries; including products used in the production of COVID-19 treatments.

Over the next five years, Gusmer plans to create 73 jobs and invest a minimum of 38-point-2 million dollars in new facility construction, machinery, and equipment.

The company will be hiring a variety of positions including production, maintenance quality, and engineering.

Hiring is expected to begin later this year through 2023.

Iredell Shooting

A man is dead while another is in custody following a Friday night shooting in Iredell County.

Iredell officers were called to a residence off Rock Springs Road near the Harmony area just after 8:15.

Upon their arrival, reports say they found James Henry Potts of Statesville lying in the yard at the home.

Potts had been shot several times and reportedly died at the scene.

Witnesses identified the shooter as being a relative of the deceased – Noah Franklin Potts who fled the crime scene on an ATV.

Deputies later found the suspect and also found a pistol in the ATV.

Potts was charged with felony first-degree murder and is being held without bond.

Checkpoint Drugs

A license checkpoint in McDowell County last month results in another drug arrest.

On March 29^th, a Ford Mustang that approached officers at the intersection of Nix Creek Road and Veteran’s Drive smelled of marijuana.

An occupant of the vehicle 20-year-old Deven Taylor Ramsey of Nebo was charged by deputies with possession of a synthetic cannabinoid, possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana and possession of less than 1 and one-half ounces of marijuana.

Reports say a search of Ramsey and the vehicle turned up THC wax, a dab pen, and marijuana.

Stolen Trailer

McDowell County authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating a stolen utility trailer.

Reports say the 5-by-12 foot custom-built trailer was taken from property on Old Fort-Sugar Hill road sometime between January 7^th and February 21^st.

The side rails of the trailer, which was painted blue, also serve as ramps.

Anyone having information about the theft should contact McDowell detective Lambert at 652-2237 or call Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME.