Michael Waltrip, a former NASCAR driver, has opened a new sports bar, the Michael Waltrip Taproom, in Mooresville, North Carolina. This is the third location of the taproom, with others in Concord and Bristol, Tennessee. The taproom offers a family-friendly environment with a menu featuring a variety of food and drinks, including beers from Michael Waltrip Brewing Co. Waltrip sees this venture as a way to stay connected to the NASCAR community and contribute to the local hospitality industry. He also recently invested in the 500 Club golf course in Statesville, further expanding his business interests in Iredell County.

The planned combination of Marshfield Clinic Health System and a South Dakota-based entity aims to advance physician-led integrated care, emphasize research on underrepresented populations, and prioritize patients and communities. Additionally, Mike Suick has become the fourth-generation owner of Suick Lure Company, continuing the legacy of the 'Thriller' jerk bait, a popular product among muskie anglers.

For over a decade, Saga Cruises has collaborated with marine charity ORCA, hosting their experts on cruises for research and enhancing passenger experiences with whale and dolphin watching, guided excursions, and educational talks. ORCA, established in 2000, focuses on the study and protection of marine mammals in UK and European waters. Passengers on Saga cruises, particularly to Norway, Iceland, and the Mediterranean, have the opportunity to volunteer for data collection, participate in talks, and join wildlife excursions. These cruises have successfully spotted a variety of marine wildlife, including numerous species of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and birds.

Mary Faye Parsons and Juanita Brucke, born on the same day in 1953 at Wilkes General Hospital, were accidentally sent home with the wrong parents. The error was quickly discovered and corrected, and the two women lived separate lives in Wilkes County, North Carolina, with the story becoming a family anecdote. They met for the first time 70 years later in Wilkesboro, sharing a meal and discovering similarities between their families. The incident influenced how they handled the births of their own children, ensuring they kept their babies in sight.

Mary Faye Parsons and Juanita Brucke, who were mistakenly sent home with the wrong parents by Wilkes General Hospital in 1953, met for the first time in December to celebrate their shared birthday. The error was quickly corrected 70 years ago, and the two women grew up in Wilkes County, North Carolina, living separate lives despite having mutual friends. They shared a meal at Coach's Neighborhood Grill in Wilkesboro, where they discovered coincidences between their families and reflected on the impact of the hospital's mistake on their lives.

Mary Faye Parsons and Juanita Brucke, born on the same day in 1953 at Wilkes General Hospital, were mistakenly sent home with the wrong parents. The error was quickly discovered and corrected, and the two women lived separate lives until they met for the first time 70 years later in Wilkesboro. They shared a meal and stories, discovering coincidences and similarities between their families. The incident has been a lifelong anecdote for both, influencing how they handled the births of their own children.

The first week of filing for Iredell County's 2024 elections has concluded, with several candidates having filed for the Iredell County Board of Commissioners, North Carolina House of Representatives District 84, and Iredell-Statesville Schools District 2. The Republican side has four candidates for the Board of Commissioners, while the Democrats have one. Three seats are available on the Board. Other filings include candidates for local school districts and North Carolina District Court Judges. Filing ends on the following Friday at noon.

Main St. Antiques & Design Gallery in Mooresville will host its annual Christmas Open House on Dec. 3, featuring story time with Santa and Mrs. Claus, free train rides, and various treats. The event is free and includes a chance to win a $100 gift certificate. The gallery, located at Merino Mill, houses 500 vendors offering a wide range of antiques and handcrafted items. Visitors can also enjoy meals at nearby restaurants, The Barcelona Burger & Beer Garden and Aliño Pizzeria, both highly acclaimed.

Iredell County's Teen Court program, facilitated by Piedmont Mediation Center, offers restorative justice for young offenders by allowing them to be judged by their peers, avoiding a criminal record while taking responsibility for their actions. The program includes Teen Courts in Statesville and Mooresville and an informal Circle setting for those with learning disabilities or high anxiety. The process involves the offender, the victim, and peers to understand the impact of the offense and work towards repairing the harm. With less than 25% recidivism, the program is deemed successful by its coordinators, Jessica Lemons and Sandra Donawa. The program also seeks volunteers, including middle and high school students.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and Safe Kids Iredell County have partnered to host a Blaze Orange Donation Drive aimed at ensuring the safety of youth hunters in Iredell County during the deer firearm season. The initiative focuses on promoting hunting safety by providing blaze orange clothing, which is highly visible and essential for hunter safety. The drive is collecting new or gently used blaze orange items at various locations until December 31.