North Carolina
Spruce Pine equestrian estate sells for record $4.1 million
An expansive equestrian estate in Spruce Pine has sold for $4.1 million, the highest residential sale on record in Mitchell County, according to Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.
Located on 68 acres west of downtown Spruce Pine, 1987 Rabbit Hop Road sold March 16, taking the equestrian compound off the market. The property had been listed for sale in mid-2025 for over $4.2 million, according to Zillow.
Developed as an equestrian compound, the estate features a main residence, a six-stall heated barn with a tack room and studio apartment, an indoor riding arena, an outdoor riding track and an RV and horse trailer storage area. The main residence features three bedrooms, 3,000 square-feet of living space and vaulted wood ceilings.
The property is located at elevations between 2,500 and 3,000 feet, according to Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. Properties of the size and scale of the estate are “extremely limited,” Premier Sotheby global real estate advisors Leslie Young and Cheryl Cenderelli said in a March 19 news release.
Western North Carolina’s luxury real estate market has remained relatively strong in recent years, as more luxury homes list across the region. In Buncombe County, not including the city of Asheville, 99 homes were listed above $1.5 million at the end 2025, according to Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty’s 4th quarter of 2025 market report. It represented an estimated 11.5 months of inventory.
The most expensive home in Buncombe County is Deerhaven Gardens, which is currently listed for $15.9 million on Zillow, down from its $34 million listing in 2023. With a 5% down payment and a 30-year loan term at 6.22% fixed-rate mortgage, one would pay $104,881 a month to rent the property, according to Rocket Mortgage’s loan calculator.
Will Hofmann is the growth and development reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at WHofmann@citizentimes.com or message will_hofmann.01 on Signal.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — The Myrtle Beach Police Department announced Monday the arrest of a man wanted in North Carolina.
Officers arrested Leko Jones, 46, who was wanted by authorities in Burlington, North Carolina, according to the Myrtle Beach Police Department.
Jones is charged with attempted first-degree murder and assault by strangulation.
The arrest resulted from a coordinated effort between the Myrtle Beach Police Department’s Patrol Division and Investigations Division, working alongside the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Investigators said they safely located Jones and took him into custody.
A section of E. 4th Street in Washington will close next week for sewer line replacement work.
According to the city, E. 4th Street from Hudnell Street to Aycock Street will be closed to local traffic on Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
PINE KNOLL SHORES, Carteret County — A longtime Pine Knoll Shores public servant is preparing to begin a new chapter after nearly two decades with the town.
Ryan Thompson announced he will leave his full-time role with the Town of Pine Knoll Shores on August 12 after 18 years of service.
Thompson said he first came to Pine Knoll Shores in 2008 and has served the town in several roles, including police officer, chief of police, assistant town manager and most recently interim town manager.
In a message shared by the Pine Knoll Shores Police Department, Thompson said serving the community has been the greatest honor of his professional career.
Town of Pine Knoll Shores announces Ryan Thompson to depart after 18 years
He reflected on working alongside first responders through several hurricanes and coastal emergencies over the years, including Irene, Arthur, Matthew, Florence, Dorian, Isaias, Ophelia and Debby.
Thompson also highlighted the community’s response after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of western North Carolina in 2024. He said Pine Knoll Shores helped raise nearly $20,000 to support people impacted by the storm.
Thompson said Pine Knoll Shores has also been a special place for his family. His son served as a part-time firefighter with the Pine Knoll Shores Fire Department, and his wife served as the town’s tax collector.
Although he is leaving his full-time role, Thompson said he is not saying goodbye to the town.
He will begin serving as a public safety risk management consultant with the North Carolina League of Municipalities. He said the new role will allow him to work with cities and towns across the state to help support public safety and local governments.
Thompson also said he will remain with the Pine Knoll Shores Police Department as a part-time police officer.
He said he will also continue helping the town during its transition as Pine Knoll Shores begins the search for its next police chief and works through the town manager transition.
Captain Eric Tellefsen will become interim chief of police after Thompson’s departure.
Thompson said he is confident in the department’s leadership team and thanked the Pine Knoll Shores community for its trust, support and friendship over the past 18 years.
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