Three men charged in connection with a double homicide in March made their first appearances, Monday, in Catawba County District Court. Devin Maurice Ussery of Conover, Jordan Alexander Rivera of Hickory and Arsenio DeWayne Curtis of Hickory, are each charged with 2 counts of murder for the March 12th deaths of 34-year-old Mark Anthony Wilson and 39-year-old Deidra LaCarol Ramseur at the couple's home on Rest Home Road in Conover. All three defendants appeared before District Court Judge Robert A.Mullinax and were given August 15th, as a probable cause hearing date. They are being held without bond and will be appointed counsel by the Capital Defender's Office.

The McDowell County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Marion man wanted for felony warrants. A cash reward is being offered for information leading to the whereabouts of 23-year-old Dylan Ryan Grindstaff. He is described as a white male 5' 6" tall, weighing about 125 pounds, with blue eyes and blond hair. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Grindstaff is asked to contact Detective Paul Alkrie of the McDowell County Sheriff's Office at 652-2237 or call McDowell County Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME (652-7463).

The Governor has signed into law an alert notification to help law enforcement statewide in the apprehension of those suspected of attacking officers. The "Blue Alert" notification system is modeled after the Amber and Silver Alert systems that are currently in place nationwide to help find missing people. Whenever a suspect is wanted for killing or seriously injuring a law enforcement officer, the blue alert will include a detailed description of the suspect, vehicle and license plate information, plus any other available suspect details. The broadcast is then given to law enforcement agencies across the state. The NC Center for Missing Persons will issue the alerts based on the determination if a suspect poses a threat to the public and other law enforcement. The new law comes on the heels of separate attacks on officers in Texas and Louisiana.

Two area women are among 21 volunteers honored statewide by Governor McCrory, Monday, during a ceremony at the State Capitol Building. Ann Lowder of McDowell County has dedicated most of her 88 years of life to volunteer service, including founding the Girl Scouts in McDowell County and was also involved with the Boy Scouts. She and her husband built Camp Carolina on their property and operated this camp free to campers. She also volunteered for the American Red Cross, Asheville Rehabilitation Center and YMCA of WNC. Donna Ethier of Catawba County volunteers with the Rape Crisis Center of Catawba County. She has spent the last 2 years pursuing improved access to services for victims of sexual violence. Ethier has researched grant opportunities for Frye Regional Medical Center, made toolkits for nurses and ER staff, and secured equipment to better serve victims of sexual assault that come into the emergency room.