Rutherford Weekly

N.C. TRACTOR & FARM SUPPLY 299 Railroad Ave., Rutherfordton • 828-288-0395 Mobile: 828-429-5008 • mf1dpshehan@gmail.com SALES SERVICE PARTS PROUDLY SERVING RUTHERFORD, CLEVELAND, GASTON, LINCOLN, POLK COUNTIES AS THE AREAS HOMETOWN MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER. IF YOU BUY ANYWHERE ELSE IF YOU BUY ANYWHERE ELSE YOU WILL PAY TOO MUCH! YOU WILL PAY TOO MUCH! ASK ABOUT 0% INTEREST ISSUE NO. 17 • April 29, ISSUE NO. 17 • April 29, 2021 • 2021 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 Our 29 th Year • Over 25,000 Weekly Readers www.mooresautos.com www.mooresautos.com 345 South Broadway, Forest City 828-245-8067 M O O RE ' S AUTO S ALES ©Community First Media Community First Media Call or come by today! NO CREDIT, POOR CREDIT LET US DECIDE! LET US DECIDE! IT'S IT'S FREE! FREE! Watching youtube videos during the toughest days of COVID-19 last year sparked a new interest and a challenge for one 18-year-old R-S Central High School student. Kiley Keller became interested in barrel racing while watching the videos and subsequently she began to investigate the possibility of becoming a barrel racer with her own buckskin horse Otis and competing on the rodeo circuit. The daughter of Craig and Morgan Keller of Forest City, Kiley actually self-trained to become a competitor in the rodeo circuit with her partner, Otis. "I trained myself," Kiley said. She said she set up trash cans as barrels in fi elds and with the help of some friends, she took training seriously. Some friends even offered their arenas for training. After training in 2020, she began to compete in North Carolina and South Carolina and has won some competitions in 3D and 4D categories, she said. 1D", "2D", "3D" and "4D" are terms that denote the fi rst, second, third and fourth divisions in barrel racing, says the internet. Divisions are determined by taking the fastest time ran by a horse on a specifi c track. "The world of barrel racing is insane," Kiley said recently. "You can work your way up to so any different levels." Kiley sustained a minor injury while doing a practice run at a rodeo competition last year and she couldn't ride for about a week. "Everything was messed up," she said. She had just gotten a new saddle and was not accustomed to it. She admitted she was a bit nervous about getting back in the saddle, but once she did she was okay. Kiley said she is never anxious at rodeos when the gate swing open and she and Otis begin the race toward the barrel. "Once I go through the gates, I do not hear anything. I am so pumped up," she said Unfortunately about three months ago Otis fell in a hole in the pasture that was fi lled with briars and got hurt. "So I haven't competed since then," she said. When it appeared Otis was near recovery and Kiley could ride again, he fell in another hole and he is still recovering. In addition to taking care of Otis, Kiley has two other horses, Dexter and Rooster, for which she is also responsible. A senior at Central, Kiley is completing her academic studies at Central, rides when she can and also works at The Sanctuary at Red Bell Run in Columbus. "I clean stalls, take care of the horses and give medications," Kiley said of her work at the horse sanctuary. Although about to graduate and a person who loves horses, she is not planning an equine career. "I will always have horses, but I don't think that will be my career," she said. Right now she plans to become an esthetician and specialize in the beautifi cation of the skin. Barrel racing caught the attention of this R-S Central senior Article Provided By: Jean Gordon. Photos Contributed. Kiley Keller with horse Otis during competition and at home. STRIVING TO HELP ALL BUSINESSES SUCCEED! STRIVING TO HELP ALL BUSINESSES SUCCEED! Construction is underway at Wells, Jenkins & Wells after being awarded the Increasing Meat Processing Effi ciency and Capacity Grant from NCDA&CS last September. This grant is being used to expand their operations off Rollins Road in Forest City. This grant was created by the North Carolina General Assembly in order to address critical meat processing capacity shortages that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of the grant is to increase the overall throughput capacity of meat processing plants in North Carolina and strengthen the meat supply chain, to ensure an uninterrupted supply of wholesome meat products for consumers. Wells, Jenkins, & Wells is a Forest City-based, full-service abattoir that currently contracts with over 1,040 independently-owned farms to process large livestock from hoof to freezer. Wells, Jenkins & Wells offers USDA inspected slaughter, fabrication, and custom cutting and packaging for beef, pork, lamb, and goat. They are committed to working with small-scale, local meat producers who direct market meats. Wells, Jenkins & Wells works with independent farmers who produce and market natural, local, and niche meats. The grant funding from the state allows Wells, Jenkins & Wells to move forward with a $2.5M robust and streamlined expansion without a disruption in operations and is expected to create 15 new jobs. Rutherford County Economic Development made the announcement last fall. EXPANSION CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY AT MEAT PLANT Article & Photo Provided By: Jean Gordon

• Cover