Two of nine inmates were sentenced on charges of brutally beating a McDowell corrections officer. 25-year-old Christopher Byrd and 29-year-old Brandon Montez Giles - both of Marion, were each found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury, conspiring to assault an officer, and assault causing serious injury to an officer. Giles faces up to five years in prison; while Byrd was sentenced to at least two and three quarter's years for the incident. The Assistant District Attorney in the case states the nine inmates at the Marion Correctional Institute hit and kicked the guard; and struck him with a mop handle. The officer has reportedly undergone surgery and has met with numerous medical specialists since the assault. The remaining seven inmates are scheduled for court later this year.

After 22 years of service to the Hickory police Department, Major Thurman Whisnant will now serve as Hickory's new Chief of Police, following the retirement announcement of the current Chief of Police, Tom Adkins. Whisnant has served with the Hickory Police Department in multiple positions, including Patrol Officer, PACT Commander, Criminal Investigations Division Lieutenant, and Patrol Division Commander.

A random check for drugs at four McDowell schools leads to charges for two and the confiscation. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office Wednesday, reported that 18-year-old Alexander Scott Byrd and a 17-year-old female were charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana. On April 28th, officers and k-9s from McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey sheriff's offices and the N.C.Department of Correction performed a random check of drugs at McDowell High, Accelerated Learning Center and East and West Middle Schools.

A Connelly Springs man is charged with Stat Rape/Offense Defendant Greater that 6 yr and Indecent Liberties with a Child. According to reports from the Burke County and Catawba County Sheriff's Offices, 25-year-old Thomas Eugene Smith was arrested under a bond of $75,000. He is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow.

Steele Rubber Products of Denver NC has announced that President and CEO Matt Agosta, will be inducted into the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association Hall of Fame this year. The SEMS chose Agosta for his impactful contributions to the automotive industry. Agosta began working at Steele in 1975 for his father-in-law, Lynne Steele, and became President in 1989.