The man with a suspected connection to more than 400 bomb threats in Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties over a period of nearly 7 weeks admitted probation violations related to similar offenses and convictions, Monday, during Catawba County Superior Court. 27-year-old Cody Matthew Start admitted to violating terms of his probation by absconding from supervision, being in arrears of court indebtedness and failing to complete court-directed community service. The Honorable Gregory R.Hayes, Superior Court Judge from Catawba County , revoked Start's probation and activated his prison sentence of 4 to 14 months. Start was convicted in October 2015 on 3 counts of making false bomb reports in May 2015. He was arrested on July 6th in Matoaka, WV, by the Hickory Police Department, FBI and West Virginia State Police on the probations related to his prior convictions for making false bomb threats.

The town of Valdese has been awarded up to $175,000 from the Main Street Solutions Fund through North Carolina Commerce's Main Street Center in order to spark small business revitalization in the Valdese downtown business district. Old World Banking, LLC, a small business, will remodel a downtown building located on a corner lot that will be used to sell fresh baked breads and coffee. It will also serve as a community attraction for locals and tourists while creating 7 full-time jobs. Support for small businesses in micropolitian areas or in North Carolina Main Street Communities is provided by the state's Main Street Solutions Fund. These funds can be used for commercial building rehabiliation, energy efficiency and other improvements. Businesses in North Carolina are able to create and retain jobs as well as create private investment through this program. The town of Valdese will leverage about an additional $350,000 in private investment to support the project.

A McDowell County registered sex offender is charged with violating registry rules. 18-year-old Nicholas William Mayo of Marion has been charged by McDowell authorities with a felony registry violation, sex offender using a social website, and felony probation violation. From a January conviction of sexual battery, Mayo served 20 days in jail, and as a registered sex offender, state law prohibits Mayo from accessing social networking websites that minor children also have access. Reports say Mayo's recent charges are the result of McDowell detectives learning he had been utilizing a social network site in communicating with others.