Governor McCrory announced Monday, that 129 acres have been added to Lake James State Park. The property acquisition results in state ownership of the entire Long Arm Peninsula on the lake's northern shore. Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina aided in negotiations for the $1.74 million acquisition funded through the N.C.Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. Lake James State Park encompasses 3,644 acres on both the north and south shore of the lake. The park recorded 471,566 visitors in 2014.

Lake James State Park is planning on conducting a prescribed burn today. Park officials report the 60-acre burn is scheduled for the Paddy's Creek and Homestead areas from 10AM until 4PM. The Paddy's Creek and Homestead trails will be closed to the public during the burn.

A Catawba County businessman has been appointed to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The Office of Governor Pat McCrory announced Wednesday, that Mike Johnson will serve on the commission. Johnson is a lifeling N.C.sportsman and is very active in hunting education. In 2003, he was presented the Hunter's Education Instructor of the Year Award by the NCWRC. The commission manages, conserves and protects the wildlife resources of North Carolina.