From high school stars to Hurricane Helene: The Herald’s best photos for September

September arrived with excitement for Friday nights and high school football games to Hurricane Helene.

Is there a presidential election happening?

Then came Hurricane Helene.

Rock Hill got plenty of rain and a few downed trees, but Western NC and Mountain Island Lake saw much worse.

Rock Hill visual journalist Tracy Kimball captured record rainfall in the area, the effects of Hurricane Helene in Rock Hill, an 80-year-old special needs baseball player and of course, Friday night lights.

Every day visual journalists bear witness to the people in our communities and their stories. Some images are pleasant, while others are painful and heart-wrenching to produce.

Our mission is to document truthfully, fairly and with compassion.

Larry Ferguson, player on the Miracle League’s Dodgers team in Rock Hill, stands under the stadium lights Wednesday in Rock Hill.
Larry Ferguson, player on the Miracle League’s Dodgers team in Rock Hill, stands under the stadium lights Wednesday in Rock Hill.
Traffic flows down Celanese Road Thursday as heavy rain falls.
Traffic flows down Celanese Road Thursday as heavy rain falls.
Rock Hill and Charlotte firefighters worked early Friday morning to pull a couple from a home on Poinsett Drive in Rock Hill that was crushed by a large tree.
Rock Hill and Charlotte firefighters worked early Friday morning to pull a couple from a home on Poinsett Drive in Rock Hill that was crushed by a large tree.
7-year-old Harlan Culberson walks along a flooded path beside the Catawba River Friday as the river overflowed its banks.
7-year-old Harlan Culberson walks along a flooded path beside the Catawba River Friday as the river overflowed its banks.
A sign alerts boaters and paddlers Monday that the entrance to the Catawba River is closed next to the Pump House Restaurant in Rock Hill.
A sign alerts boaters and paddlers Monday that the entrance to the Catawba River is closed next to the Pump House Restaurant in Rock Hill.
S.C. Dept. of Transportation workers remove a large tree that fell along Celanese Road Friday in Rock Hill.
S.C. Dept. of Transportation workers remove a large tree that fell along Celanese Road Friday in Rock Hill.
Randy Hood, right, and Chad McGown speak to reporters Monday about a lawsuit involving Erickson Lee. A judge sentenced Lee nine years in prison on Sept. 6 after Lee pleaded guilty in An Alford plea to sex crimes involving minor boys.
Randy Hood, right, and Chad McGown speak to reporters Monday about a lawsuit involving Erickson Lee. A judge sentenced Lee nine years in prison on Sept. 6 after Lee pleaded guilty in An Alford plea to sex crimes involving minor boys.
Nikita Baxter, director of student life at York Technical College in Rock Hill, sorts through clothing at the school’s Career Closet.
Nikita Baxter, director of student life at York Technical College in Rock Hill, sorts through clothing at the school’s Career Closet.
C.J. Couch is the quarter back for the varsity football team at Catawba Ridge High School.
C.J. Couch is the quarter back for the varsity football team at Catawba Ridge High School.
Marvin Ridge’s Hudson Murray blocks Indian Land’s Bailey Carzell
Marvin Ridge’s Hudson Murray blocks Indian Land’s Bailey Carzell
Northwestern quarterback Finley Polk dives into the endzone for a touchdown Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 as the Trojans competed with Catawba Ridge High School in varsity football.
Northwestern quarterback Finley Polk dives into the endzone for a touchdown Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 as the Trojans competed with Catawba Ridge High School in varsity football.
Larry Ferguson, 80, makes his way to first base after hitting the baseball Wednesday at the Miracle League game in Rock Hill. Cheering him on is Melissa Inzerillo.
Larry Ferguson, 80, makes his way to first base after hitting the baseball Wednesday at the Miracle League game in Rock Hill. Cheering him on is Melissa Inzerillo.
Haley Kivett, left, and Lauren Johnson walk in the rain at Winthrop University Thursday.
Haley Kivett, left, and Lauren Johnson walk in the rain at Winthrop University Thursday.
An “Old Town” flag hangs near the Children’s Museum in downtown Rock Hill on Thursday. New U.S. Census Bureau data shows how Rock Hill compares with the biggest cities in South Carolina and Charlotte.
An “Old Town” flag hangs near the Children’s Museum in downtown Rock Hill on Thursday. New U.S. Census Bureau data shows how Rock Hill compares with the biggest cities in South Carolina and Charlotte.