Longtime County Manager Steps Down After 23 Years
Nebo, NC · October 1, 2026
Early boaters on Lake James will catch calm waters this morning before afternoon clouds roll across the ridge. A quiet start to October gives way to plenty happening on the water and in town today.
The Lead
County Manager Ashley Wooten announced his resignation this week, concluding more than two decades in public service with McDowell County. Wooten first joined county administration in 2003 and stepped into the county manager role in 2015, steering county operations, annual budget cycles, capital projects, and multi-agency emergency coordination through eleven years of rapid regional change. The Board of Commissioners acknowledged his long tenure on Wednesday, expressing gratitude for his steady administrative leadership and institutional knowledge. Wooten's departure marks a pivotal shift for local government as commissioners prepare to navigate ongoing infrastructure upgrades, public safety facility investments, and regional grant projects. The board is expected to name an interim administrator and outline the formal recruitment process during their upcoming regular session.
Local Pulse
County Solicits Bids for Park Restoration Parks Contractors can submit proposals through late October to repair flood damage across three regional recreational sites.
Volunteer Rebuild Center Opens on Highway 221 Community Teams at the newly dedicated facility will coordinate ongoing home repair projects and emergency supply distribution.
Today's Outlook
- High 83°F · Low 56°F — Overcast
- Start with a light layer this morning before mild afternoon cloud cover settles in.
What's On Around Town
Today
Morning Lake Discovery Tour Lake James State Park - Paddy's Creek Access, 8:00–10:00 AM · Free Guided ranger exploration highlighting lake ecology and quiet morning shoreline views.
Kin'ly Called A Band The Spillway (93 S Main St), Marion, 7:00–9:00 PM High-energy acoustic roots and bluegrass tunes to start the month.
Tomorrow
Trivia Night Euda Wine, Old Fort, 5:30–7:00 PM · Free
Jeff Honeycutt Live Mica Town Brewing (311 NC 126), 6:30–8:30 PM
Saturday
Marion Tailgate Market Marion Tailgate Market (67 W Henderson St), Marion, 9:00 AM
Fonta Flora Trail Group Hike Lake James State Park, 9:30 AM–12:30 PM · Free
Spotlight & Story
- Marion Livermush Festival
- Conceived in 2007 to celebrate Roy Hunter’s 1955 hometown recipe, this downtown ritual proved so enduring that state lawmakers officially designated it North Carolina's spring livermush festival in 2012. Contestants still pack Main Street each year for the live hog-calling showdown.
Nebo Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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