Burke County Public Schools Board of Education member Catherine Thomas has informed board members of her resignation. Thomas, who has served on the Board of Education for 6 years, made her resignation known Monday via email. Thomas stated that it has been a privilege and honor to serve on the Board, but that due to unanticipated changes in her family's work life, she felt the need to resign. Board Chair Randy Burns said he respects Thomas' decision, and that "she was the right person at the right time during a pivotal point in the history of this school system." In her email, Thomas made it clear she hoped the Board would take this opportunity to add cultural diversity that reflects Burke County's population when filling her seat. Thomas has served on the Board of Education since 2010, was chair of the board for 2 years, and represents the Western District. Burns believes the process to fill Thomas' seat will start in September, as her term expires in November 2017. The board will recognize Thomas for her service at the August 29th regular Burke County Board of Education meeting.

A Wilkes County inmate, originally from Burke County, leaves a highway work crew. Corrections and law enforcement officers are seeking Jason Strickland, who escaped Wednesday morning, by leaving a DOT highway crew working on Old Salisbury Road in Wilkes County. He is believed to have been picked up by a female driving a dark colored GMC Jimmy SUV, who then headed south on NC Highway 115. Strickland was serving a prison sentence for larceny and breaking and entering and was due for release in October. He is a minimum-custody inmate assigned to Wilkes Correctional Center. Anyone who has seen Strickland or has information on his whereabouts is asked to call local law enforcement or Wilkes Correctional Center at 336-667-4533.

A Marion man is charged with vehicle. 33-year-old Waylon Demanuel Hollifield has been charged with 1 felony count each of larceny and larceny of a motor vehicle. A Marion resident had reported her 2000 Ford Explorer stolen from a parking lot on U.S.70 in old Fort. McDowell Sheriff's deputies received information that Hollifield was in possession of the vehicle valued at $3000. Shortly thereafter, reports show the vehicle was recovered.