**Closings Cancellations and Delays are posted on our Facebook Page which also appears on our website home page**

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Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina has added 32 acres along a half-mile of the Henry Fork River in Burke County to its Smith Cliff/Henry Fork Preserve.

The property is mainly forest and also contains a 2.5 acre field, a few small rocky outcrops and a half-mile segment of the Henry Fork River.

Andrew Kota, Foothills Conservancy Director says the acquisition of this property is an important piece of the puzzle connecting two conservancy preserves: the Smith Cliff/Henry Fork River Preserve and South Mountains Headwaters Preserve”.

Foothills Conservancy is committed to protecting lands that benefit the health of the region’s waters and creating land corridors that benefit wildlife.

For More Information visit www.foothillsconservancy.org

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Lenoir City Council is scheduled to meet this evening:

Items on the agenda include:

-an amendment to the Charter Code of Ordinances to remove the 300 block of Church Street from Kirkwood Street to Ashe Avenue which eliminates the current on-way street designation. Also, to indicate on-street parking be allowed on Church Street

A number of consent agenda items will be considered

The meeting will start at 6pm in the council chambers at 905 West Avenue, Lenoir

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The Burke County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a FORMER Connelly Springs Alderman

Charles Philip Mann, 49 of Connelly Springs was arrested on Friday and charged with:

1.                 Solicitation of a Child by Computer or Electronic Device to Commit   Unlawful Sex Act

2.                 Attempted 2^nd Degree forcible Sex Offense

3.                 Indecent Liberties with a Child

Court date is set for today however, will be re-scheduled pending weather.

On January 15^th, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office received a report

alleging that someone was chatting with their minor daughter in an

inappropriate manner.  An online undercover investigation was conducted. 

During the investigation, the identity of the suspect was discovered to be

Charles Philip Mann.  Man traveled to a predetermined location for the

purpose of meeting with a child he had engaged in inappropriate chats with. 

When he arrived, Mann was taken into custody by investigators without

Incident.

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Special Olympics Polar Plunge

Frigid temperatures are perfect conditions for The Polar Plunge!

The Special Olympics Polar Plunge is scheduled for Saturday, February 20^th. 

Registration begins at 10am and 11am, participants will be jumping in the

outdoor pool at the Granite Falls Recreation Center.  All proceeds go to

Special Olympics.  For more information, contact Kelly Eldreth at 850-0226

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