Many community members spoke in support of Bella the 4-year-old mixed breed pit-bull that is being held at animal control, in Tuesday night's regular Burke County Board of Commissioners meeting. At least eight people spoke in support of Bella, who is being held ay animal control, pending further investigation. According to reports, Bella was surrended to animal control January 10th, after a woman, who was in the process of adopting Bella, claims she bit her adult son. She has requested that Bella be euthanized next week. Candy Bowman who owns a rescue organization out of Alexander County that owns Bella, has filed a lawsuit and been granted a restraining order against the Sheriff's Department and Animal Control, meaning Bella cannot be euthanized until the hearing on Friday. Concerns have been brought to light as to who is the rightful owner of Bella and that will be decided in the trial on Friday.

Public Safety and multiple fire crews responded to a residential structure Monday night. Just after 7:30, firefighters responded to to 109 Keller Street. Heavy smoke from the residence and shed was visible. Assisting agencies included West End, Salem, Glen Alpine, Triple Community and Oak Hill Fire Departments, along with the Burke County Rescue Squad, and Burke County EMS. The cause of the fire is under investigation and no one was injured. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the family.