Western Piedmont Community College Trustees recently honored Judge Claude Sitton by naming him a Trustee Emeritus of WPCC. Judge Sitton served as a trustee from 1977 to 2015 and as chair of the board in 1988, 2010, and 2011. He his public service career has spanned over 60 years where he has served as an attorney and superior court judge. Judge Sitton has received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, was named Rotary Club Morganton Man of the Year in 2010, and has worked to preserve local history through the History Museum of Burke County and preservation of the Sam J.Ervin, Jr. Memorial Home. He also was instrumental in developing the Senator Sam J. Ervin Library and Museum on the WPCC main campus.

Hickory firefighters responded to a possible drowning early Tuesday morning. At about 1:50, firefighters and other agencies responded in the area of 4800 North Center Street, the bridge over the Catawba River and Lake Hickory between Catawba and Alexander Counties. Firefighters were told that an employee, who was working on the bridge, fell into the water. Additional employees went into the water to locate the worker, but attempts were unsuccessful. Various agencies from several counties responded, with water equipment rescue assistance with the location of the victim and at approximately 3am, the victim was removed from the water by divers.

A Burke County resident is charged with 2 counts of felony probation violation. The Catawba County Sheriff's Office Tuesday, charged 30-year-old Danielle Renee Hoosier of Morganton. Bond was set at $50,000 with a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday.

A Marion man is charged with breaking into a safe. The McDowell County Sheriff;s Office Tuesday, charged 43-year-old Jonathan Wayne Griffin with 3 counts of safecracking. A Nebo man reported on August 16th that money was missing from his safe. An investigation showed that Griffin, who is
acquainted with the victim, broke into the safe on multiple occasions and stole cash.

Catherine Thomas was honored for her time serving on the board and a schematic design plan was approved for the new elementary school in Monday night's Burke County Board of Education regular meeting. Thomas resigned from the board earlier this summer for family reasons, but was recognized for her time and outstanding work while on the board. School board members praised Thomas for her dedication to the students and for her heart as a public servant. The board has already begun taking letters of interest from those currently living in the western district to fill Thomas' seat. Chairman Randy Burns said that the board is looking for applicants who do not have a political agenda, but who are willing to show their heart and value children. A New schematic design for the new elementary school was also approved during Monday night's meeting. The new elementary school will be built in the same location as the previous Mt.View Elementary and construction is projected to start around the end of September. In other news, Chartwells, who partnered with BCPS in the child nutrition program, donated money to Freedom and East Burke High School FFA for their agricultural programs. Chartwells also donated $7,000 to United Way for the build-a-back-pack-program.

A Morganton woman has been charged after her vehicle hit a school bus. The News Herald reports that the accident occurred Monday when Jessica Muill's car struck the bus on Lail Road. No one was injured. Mull was charged with driving left of center. Glen Alpine Police Chief Tony Moses told the News Herald that another bus was brought in to complete the route.

A Marion man has been charged with taking indecent liberties with a child. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office Friday, charged 32-year-old James Gregory Parker. The incident reportedly occurred when the victim was 6, she is now 16. The victim and suspect are acquainted.

Funding is available to Hickory low income families with urgent home repair needs. The City of Hickory currently has funding available to assist qualified low income families needing urgent home repairs. Assistance up to $7,200 can be made available to qualified homeowners to alleviate housing conditions posing a threat to the life or safety of the resident, or to provide accessibility modifications and other repairs necessary for those with special needs. Qualified applicants must also be 62 years old, handicapped or disabled, be a single parent with at least one dependent child in the residence, be a family of five or more, or have a child age 6 or younger with an elevated blood-lead level. The home must be located within the Hickory city limits. The program is sponsored by the City of Hickory with funds provided by the state Housing trust Fund. For more information call 323-7414.

Today is the first day of school in Burke County, and the the Public Schools is taking a stand against bullying and asking everyone associated with the school system to sign a pledge acknowledging bullying will not be tolerated in the schools. Bullying can manifest itself in many actions, uncluding pushing, shoving, hitting, spitting, name calling, picking on, making fun of, laughing at and excluding someone. Cyberbullying is when a person is tormented, threatened, harassed, huiliated, embarrassed or targeted by another person using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. Students, parents, teachers and other staff members will be presented with an anti-bullying pledge. By signing this pledge, they promise to be a buddy and not a bully. The pledges will go home with all students today. Parents and students will read and review the information at home, sign the pledge and return it to school.

The 25th District Attorney's Office rules on an officer-involved shooting that happened in Catawba County. Actions by law enforcement officers in a shooting that occurred in Catawba County August 10th have been deemed justifiable by District Attorney David Learner. The shooting took place at the end of a 40-mile chase that began in Mecklenburg County and ended at NC 16 and Buffalo Shoals Road, as the suspect vehicle crashed into a utility pole. Reports say when officers tried to arrest the suspects, 29-year-old Rodolfo Joel Ulloa-Paz pointed a firearm at them. Officers then responded with the use of deadly force injuring the suspect. Ulloa-Paz was hospitalized from the incident, but did survive. DA Learner reviewed body-cam footage and determined the officers were totally justified in their use of deadly force to defend themselves. Charlotte Mecklenburg Police, the State Highway Patrol, and Catawba County Sheriff's Department are among the agencies involved.

Burke County's rate of death due to accidental drug overdoses is over twice the average for North Carolina. Area pharmacies now can provide the public with a life saving antidote. Table Rock Pharmacy in Morganton is going to host a no charge public information forum tomorrow at 5pm. Learn what you can to help someone facing a life or death situation. Call 438-9355 for details.

An escaped inmate from North Carolina has been captured in West Virginia. State prison officials report that inmate Jason Strickland is now in law enforcement custody in West Virginia. Strickland escaped by leaving a highway work crew in Wilkes County July 27th. That day he was picked up by a female driving an SUV. Several days later, Strickland was spotted in Galax, Virginia, but there had been no leads since then. Strickland was located after checking into a homeless shelter in Beckley. Preparations are underway for his extradition to North Carolina.

A dedication event will be held this morning at the Whippoorwill Farm at 6793 High 126 Nebo. It will be a celebration of Foothills Conservancy of NC's donation of 41 acres of the Whippoorwill Farm property to Lake James State Park beginning at 10 o'clock.  A short hike will follow brief remarks.

An Eastern Burke County man faces methamphetamine and other charges after an arrest early this morning. Hickory Police charged 28-year-old Joshua James Hampton of Icard will possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of stolen goods/property. Bond was set at $25,000 with a court appearance scheduled for today.

In a special meeting, held Wednesday, Hickory City Council voted unanimously to approve a settlement agreement with Willie Grimes in the amount of $3,250,000. Grimes was convicted of the rape and kidnapping of Carrie Lee Elliot in July of 1988. He was sentenced to life, plus nine years. After serving 24 years of his sentence, Grimes was released in 2012 while still maintaining his innocence. His claim of innocence was investigated by the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, a State agency which investigates post-conviction claims of innocence. The Commission found that latent finger prints from the case did not match Grimes' prints. Grimes was exonerated of the crime in October 2012 by the Commission. In 2014, Grimes filed a lawsuit against the City of Hickory and four Hickory Police Chiefs and Officers. After Plaintiffs and Defendants mediated the case, a proposed settlement was reached, which releases all Defendants. The City of Hickory will pay $2,250,650, while the City's insurance carrier, National Casualty, will be responsible for $999,350.

More charges are filed against four McDowell County residents accused of counterfeiting. Detective Billie Brown of the McDowell County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, filed additional charges against 33-year-old April Marie Byrd of Marion, 34-year-old Sylvia June Crain of Nebo, 41-year-old Richard Andrew Smith of Old Fort, and 40-year-old Scotty Keith Styles of Old Fort. The four suspects have been in custody since August 4th, when McDowell County sheriff's deputies and Marion police officers raided Smith's house and garage on Souther Road and found counterfeit money of all denominations, equipment used to make the currency, and stolen goods, according to Brown. The SBI, U.S.Department of Homeland Security and N.C.Department Division of Motor Vehicles assisted in the cases.

The Alexander County Sheriff's Office has filed multiple charges on a Valdese man. 28-year-old Justin Wayne Singleton was charged Wednesday, with Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, Larceny of a dog and Cruelty to Animals. The charges are related to the incident from last week at the Dollar General in Bethlehem where a car and dog were stolen. More arrests are expected and the investigation continues. Singleton is currently in the Burke Catawba Jail on unrelated charges.

Volunteers are needed for the Susan G.Komen Northwest NC Foothills Race for the Cure. This year's race will be held October 15th at L.P.Frans Stadium in Hickory, as event organizers are calling for volunteers from the foothills region. The Komen Race for the Cure series - the largest series of 5k events in the world - raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer suvivorship, and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. The foothills affiliate covers Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Alexander, Avery, Mitchell, Madison, Yancey, Watauga, Ashe, and Alleghany Counties. For information call Gina Simmons at 828-295-2190.

Foothills Conservancy recently received a $1 million grant from the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund in order to further conserve Wildacres Retreat. Governed by a board of directors, Wildacres Retreat is a nonprofit conference center that offers its facilities and surrounding woodlands to nonprofit groups conducting educational or cultural programs. Wildacres property consists of 1,100-acres along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Little Switzerland. It shares more than a mile of boundary with the Parkway, is surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest and shares land with the Deer Lick Gap Overlook. The Clean Water Management Trust Fund awards grants to local governments, state agencies and conservation nonprofits to help finance projects that address water pollution problems specifically. Protecting the water quality in these areas benefits millions of residents in the Carolinas who draw drinking water from the Catawba River. Money from the grant will be used to purchase the conservation easement on the lands surrounding the nearly five miles of mountain streams along the property. In doing so, the water quality in the Armstrong Creek watershed in the Catawba River's headwaters will be permanently protected. Conserving The Wildacres property also protects streams found that are designated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality as High Quality Waters and Trout Waters indicating good conditions for trout with high water quality.

With the 2016-17 academic year underway at Lenoir-Rhyne, a record 560 new undergraduate students have been welcomed to the Hickory campus. Undergraduates are comprised of 460 first-year students and 100 transfer students, with 49 international students representing 20 countries. Over 800 graduate students are enrolled in programs on the Hickory, Asheville, and Columbia campuses. 465 of those grad students are participating in programs on the main campus in Hickory.

A special called meeting of the Hickory City Council will take place this afternoon at 4:00, in Council Chambers of the Whitener Municipal Building on North Center Street. The purpose of this Special Meeting: Review and Discussion of Citywalk and 321 Gateway Design Contracts, Review and Discussion of Downtown Revitalization Grant from NC Department of Commerce, Review and Discussion of Proposed Settlement Agreement, Review and Discussion of Associated Budget Amendments, and Pursuant to NC General Statue 143.318.11(a)(4)(6) Council will discuss, in Closed Session, Economic Development Projects and a Personnel Matter.

Burke County Public Schools is mapping out a strategic plan for the future and seeking community input is part of the process. The school system invites business leaders, elected officials, parents, students, teachers and school staff to get involved in the Burke County Public Schools District Strategic Plan 2022 - A Roadmap for Our Schools and Community. The school district will hold town hall meetings and conduct surveys to help evaluate goals and objectives and assess strengths and opportunities. The results will direct the district's strategic plan for 2017 through 2022. The focus of this fact-finding quest includes aligning district priorities with community expectations, making great community relationships even better, and exploring stakeholder ideas on how to best prepare students for the future. Burke County Public Schools will take the next six months to map out the new strategic plan. The times and locations of the town hall meetings and details on the survey process will be announced soon.

Foothills Conservancy of NC hosts a clean-up project later this week on John's River. A river loat and clean-up outing called 'Erase the Waste' will be held Friday. The public is invited to join the annual event to help clean the river while strolling down a five-mile stretch of its waters in Burke and Caldwell Counties; near where the John's River and Wilson Creek meet. The outing begins at 8:30am and runs until 4pm: however, an RSVP is required by tomorrow. For additional details, call Foothills Conservancy at 828-437-9930. The Morganton based land-trust serves Burke, McDowell, Rutherford, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Alexander, and Lincoln Counties.

The Catawba County Board of Commissioners was named winner of one of this year's County Government Partnership Awards from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. The award is one of five given regionally across North Carolina each year. According to George Place, Director of the Cooperative Extension-Catawba Center, "collaboration with the Catawba County government has resulted in numerous successes toward the Cooperative Extension Service's goal of educating the public, developing youth, preserving farmland, and bolstering a local food system." The award was presented August 11th at the annual North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Conference in Winston-Salem.

Seat belt equipped buses will be one change in the 2016-2017 school year. Burke County Public Schools Transportation Department has approved that seven buses will be equipped with lap/shoulder belts. Over the past decade, seat belt technology on school buses has developed and the use of lap/shoulder belts is increasing in school districts across the country. Since lap/shoulder belts are the safest form of transportation for students, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration endorses the use of seat belts on school buses. Lap/shoulder belts have been required in new school buses in California since 2005. The seven buses with seat belts in BCPS, bus 283 Glen Alpine Elementary, 284 Liberty Middle, 285 East Burke High, 286 Table Rock Middle, 287 East Burke High, 288 Draughn High, and 298 Forest High Elementary. Students assigned to buses with seat belts will receive training on how to use them properly. The seat belts will offer flexible seating and accommodate three small students or two large students. Parents with questions can call the Burke County Public Schools Transportation Department at 828-437-4770.

25th District Attorney David Learner, after reviewing multiple video accounts of the officer-involved shooting that occurred at Wal Mart in Lenoir on Tuesday, has determined that the officers acted properly and the the use of deadly force was justified. According to a news release from the DA's Office, Learner met Friday with Lenoir Police Chief Scott Brown, Master Patrol Officer Brandon Thomas and Sgt. Brett Ingram , confirming to the officers and the department that the shooting of Carl Marcus Nivens 32, was justified. The officers initially were placed on administrative leave but returned to active duty effective Friday.

A Morganton man is facing multiple federal charges for defrauding the VA by receiving veterans benefits based on fraudulent service-connected disabilities. U.S.Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose announced Friday that Roy Lee Ross, Jr., a.k.a. Daniel Alfred Sullivan 64, allegedly lied about being wounded in combat and receiving Distinguished Service Medals and Honors. The federal criminal indictment charges Ross with one count of executing a scheme to defraud the VA, two counts of making false statements in connection with the delivery of health care benefits by the VA, two counts of stealing from the VA, and one count of making a false claim for travel benefits from the VA. The charges have the potential of up to 25 years in prison and $1 million dollars in fines.

The Hickory Police Department is seeking two 16-year-old girls that were reported as runaways Tuesday by their families. Tiffany Elizabeth Mckee is a white female with long dark hair with blue tips, 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs about 110 pounds. Seiara Nichole Matthews is a black female with short black hair, 5 feet 5 inches tall weighs approximately 145 pounds. Mckee and Matthews are friends and are believed to be together. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551.

The Burke County Sheriff's Office would like to thank citizens who assisted in their "Summer Campaign to Serve Warrants". Between June 20th and August 10th, the Sheriff's Office served 477 warrants with 640 charges on 269 individuals. These warrants were in addition to, and does not include, the normal warrants served by patrol deputies and investigators while answering calls for service and investigating crimes.

Governor Pat McCrory announced Thursday that the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority approved 19 grant and loan requests totaling $5,153,475. Among the 19 in WNC:

Vacant Building Category

Caldwell County - A $500,000 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building that will house an expansion by Exela in Lenoir. The pharmaceutical manufacturer will create 40 new jobs.

Catawba County - A $253,750 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building by Temprano Techvestors in Newton. The start-up company, which provides marketing and technology services, will create 21 jobs.

Caldwell County - A $125,000 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building by 80 Acres Investments in Granite Falls. The company will create 8 jobs.

McDowell County - A $25,000 grant for reuse of a vacant building that will house Fat Boy's Burritos in Marion. The start-up eatery will create 5 jobs.

Existing Business Building Category

Alexander County: A $300,000 grant to support the renovation of a vacant building in Taylorsville that will facilitate a 30-job expansion at Craftmaster Furniture. 

Mitchell County: A $46,850 grant to support the reuse of a building in Spruce Pine to support New Buck Corporation's 5 job expansion.

A Marion man has been charged with stealing from his nephew. McDowell County Sheriff's deputies charged 37-year-old Joel William Robinette, Jr. with breaking and entering after allegedly forcing his way into his nephew's residence. Reports say Robinette stole a shadow box containing military service medals and other military-related items. The victim was at home at the time of the break-in and immediately notified authorities. Marion police located the suspect shortly thereafter, and Robinette was taken into custody. He was also served with an outstanding warrant for possession of a weapon by a prisoner in which detention officers found a piece of sharpened metal in Robinette's cell during a previous confinement.

Hickory City Council met Tuesday night in regular session and passed several routine items including a 17-item consent agenda. Mayor Wright spoke about a recent trip he and other Alderman and city staff had traveling to Washington, DC to lobby for a "Tiger" Grant last night. While Hickory officials were successful in getting a Tiger Grant for Hickory, Mayor Wright talked about other North Carolina cities that had received Tiger Grants, including Charlotte and Wilson. A departmental report detailed the City of Hickory receiving a Brownfields Area-wide Planning Grant to allow for development in the area of US 70 between US 321 and South Center Street. The planning staff will hold workshops on August 23rd thru 25th with the local community to plan sites in these areas and surrounding neighborhoods.

Lenoir Police updated the investigation Wednesday, into the Officer Involved Shooting that killed 32-year-old Carl Marcus Nivins of Lenoir Tuesday morning at WalMart on Blowing Rock Boulevard. Investigation into this incident has determined that the firearm used by Nivins, a .38 caliber Taurus revolver, was reported stolen from Burke County August 13th. According to Lenoir Police, Officers involved in this incident remain on paid administrative leave, per department policy. A Critical Incident Stress Debriefing for all involved personnel has been scheduled for this week. It is anticipated that all employees will return to unrestricted duty soon thereafter. Two other people at the scene Tuesday were arrested on unrelated charges, 24-year-old Natasha Rae Stanley of Morganton and 32-year-old Jose Alberto Flores of Rhodhiss. No additional charges have been filed against Stanley or Flores, although more are expected in the coming days.

A Newton man was sentenced to serve at least 5 years in prison after pleading no contest to drug trafficking charges during Burke County Superior Court. 36-year-old Shane Eddie Greer was given an active prison sentence of 5 to 7 years after entering a plea of no contest. Greer's charges include trafficking in opiates by possession and by transportation. Reports with long View Police say the department received a tip in the spring of last year that Greer would be selling illegal drugs at an Eastern Burke County business. A traffic stop of Greer's vehicle near the business revealed Hydrocodone that Greer repoeredly admitted were his and that he planned to sell them. Officers also discovered text messages on his phone related to drug sales. In addition, Greer was issued a mandatory $50,000 fine.

Catawba County Public Health has been recognized by the N.C.Department of Labor as a Public Sector Site for the second time in a row. Catawba County Public Health is the third health in the state to be recognized as a Public Sector Star site. To date, there are four Star sites in Catawba County and 151 across North Carolina. State Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry attended a ceremony on August 15th to present employees of Catawba County Public Health with a certificate of recognition for being awarded the safety recognition. Catawba County Public Health promotes and protects the health of all Catawba County residents through preventative services, innovative partnerships, and community health improvement initiaitives. For more information visit www.catawbacountync.gov/phealth.

The longstanding difference between Lake James Fire & Rescue and the Town of Glen Alpine fire protection services came to a resolution and a report was given on the Burke County app updates in the Burke County Board of Commissioners Tuesday night regular meeting. The only item for decision on the agenda was the decision of fire protection services between Burke County, Lake James Fire & Rescue and the Town of Glen Alpine. A year ago the County entered into a two-year contract with the two fire departments to set the tax rates the same in both districts, but there was no resolution to the issue. Chairman Jeff Brittain proposed a resolution that the board terminates contracts with Glen Alpine Fire protection services and Lake James Fire & Rescue and offer new contracts effective October 1, 2016. The new contracts would remove Powerhouse Road and the East Shores area from the Glen Alpine Fire & Rescue dispatch district for a period of 10 years, in cluding them in the Lake James Fire & Rescue dispatch district contact for a period of 10 years. All fire tax revenue collected from the Powerhouse Road area and the East Shores area of the Glen Alpine fire tax district will be paid to Lake James Fire and Rescue Inc. during the time of the contract. All of the fire tax revenue collected from the Glen Alpine fire tax district will be paid to the town of Glen Alpine during the time of their contract. IT Director Steve Bennett and the lead app developer Mark Williams reported on the new updates for the Burke County app. These updates include being able to apply for job postings directly through the app and having GIS data available. The app includes features such as Burke County news, the Burke County YouTube page, upcoming events, public records, careers, information on the 2016 election and the option to pay taxes. The app has been downloaded 355 times as of this week.

A Lenoir man was killed Tuesday in an Officer Involved Shooting at Walmart on Blowing Rock Boulevard. Lenoie Pole Officers responded just before 8:30am in reference to suspicious activity. On scene, According to a report from Lenoir Police, Officers encountered 32-year-old Carl Marcus Nivins of Lenoir. Upon approach, Nivens fled on foot, with one Officer giving chase and another Officer staged at the entrance/exit near where Nivens was attempting to flee. As Nivens approached the exit, he retrieved a .38 caliber revolver from his waist band, turned toward the Officers while running, and fired at least one shot. the Officer giving chase was physically struggling with Nivens during this time trying to stop hims. The Officer staged at the entrance returned fire and struck Nivens, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Other than minor injuries from the physical struggle, no Officers were hurt and no other injuries were reported. Officers on the scene were equipped with Body Worn Cameras. Two other people were arrested on outstanding warrants from Burke County on unrelated charges, 32-year-old Jose Alberto Flores of Rhodhiss and 24-year-old Natasha Rae Stanley of Morganton. Further charges related to this incident are expected. At the request of Lenoir Police, the SBI is leading the investigation. District Attorney David Learner has also been involved. In accordance with LPD Policy, four Officers have been placed on administrative leave pending a critical incident stress debriefing and and a review of preliminary findings.

A 36-year-old man from Catawba County accused of a 2012 murder and subsequent burning of the victim's body pleaded guilty and was sentenced to at least 20 years in prison during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday. Jermaine Wilkes pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, concealing/failing to report a death and burning personal property on the day that his murder trial was to begin for the June 2012 murder of 22-year-old Brianne Ginty. On the evening of June 7th 2012, firefighters from Sherills Ford Fire and Rescue responded to a vehicle fire on Hopewell Church Road in Catawba and found a vehicle registered to Ginty severely burned with skeletal remains inside the vehicle. DNA samples had to be taken to identify the bondy as Ginty's. Wilkes was sentenced to serve 20 to 26 years in the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections following his guilty plea. He has been incarcerated in the Catawba County Detention Center since his arrest in June 2012.

McDowell investigators are looking for equipment stolen from a construction site. McDowell County deputies need the public's help in locating two stolen generators and the suspect who took them. MC-3, a Charlotte construction company reported last week that someone removed a Troybilt 7000 watt generator and a PowerBoss 3500 watt generator from a construction site on Airport Road in Marion. Total value of the stolen equipment is estimated at $1200. Anyone having information about the theft or suspect is urged to call the McDowell County Sheriff's Office at 652-2237.

Contractors are doing some manhole refurbishing this week in the northern part of Morganton. Contractors will be fixing manholes on Williams Street, Holly Place, Laurel Hills Drive, Wedgewood Drive and Wedgewood Court. The work is part of a larger capital improvement program started in July to address infiltration and inflow in to the City's sewer system. For more information, call the Water Resources Department at 828-438-5276.

With the exception of football, the North Carolina State Board of Education is giving LEA's the choice to allow sixth graders to participate in middle school sports. As of August 4th, the board revised the Interscholastic Athletics Policy (HRS-D001) which changes the grade level students may participate in interscholastic competition from grades 7-12 to grades 6-12. Middle school sports affected by the change include volleyball, soccer, wrestling, softball, baseball, track and basketball. Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Larry Putnam believes that the change is a positive one for both the middle schools and students. Putnam said the advantages of allowing sixth graders to play middle school sports include helping smaller schools find enough players to fill team rosters, providing additional opportunities for students to be engaged in the school experience, providing students with access to quality instruction, skill development and positive role models at an earlier age, and the benefit of organized physical activity. Putnam also said the Burke County Board of Education is in favor of this change because they believe in providing students with as many opportunities as possible for them to become involved in leadership roles and extracurricular activities. According to Putnam, participation in sports can lead to better grades as well as better student behaviors and overall student health. Middle schools will have one team level, not junior varsity and varsity levels. Students who wish to participate are reminded to have a physical.

Some Morganton and Burke County residents on the City of Morganton water system may have found a stake in their yard Friday morning with information about water testing. City staff wants residents to know that the test is not from the City. The water is safe, according to a news release from the City of Morganton. The test is from a local company that sells water filtration systems. The City already offers free water tests year-round. Residents can read the City's latest water quality report online athttp://www.morgantonnc.gov/index.php/government/water-resources/water-division or call the Water Resources Department at 828-438-5276.

Two men face drug charges after a traffic stop Thursday night in Morganton. The stop occurred just before midnight on South Sterling Street near East Fleming Drive. According to a news release from Morganton Department of Public Safety, officers, with the help of K-9 Shrek, locate in the vehicle 10 grams of crack cocaine and 9 hydrocodone 5mg. The Burke County Narcotics Task Force was contacted for further investigation. Charged were Kenneth Eugene Hamilton and James Brandon Tate. They were placed in the Burke Catawba Detention Facility under a $10,000 secured bond each with a court appearance scheduled for today.

Fifteen Methamphetamine Traffickers were sentenced this week in U.S.District in Statesville. Among those sentenced by U.S.District Court Richard L.Voorhees, were 36-year-old William Mitchell Lee Pope of Connelly Springs, sentenced to 146 months, 25-year-old Codey Wayne Michaels of Valdese, sentenced to 120 months, 33-year-old Ryan Lewis Craig of Conover, sentenced to 83 months and 22-year-old Lindsey Jordan Price of Taylorsville, sentenced to 63 months. These prosecutions stem from an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation led by ICE's Homeland Security Investigations and U.S.Bureau of ATF, with the assistance of the SBI and numerous WNC police and sheriff departments.

A Morganton man has been charged with Obstruction of Justice. Detectives with the Burke County Criminal Investigations Division intercepted an active attempt by 45-year-old Marty Baird Peters to influence material witnesses in an ongoing 1st Degree Sexual Offense investigation being conducted by the Burke County Sheriff's Office. According to a new release from the Sheriff's Office, investigators discovered that Peters was attempting to make contact with state witnesses in order to influence their testimony in regards to the allegations made against him. An additional $25,000 bond was added to his existing $100,000. A court appearance is scheduled for tomorrow.

A Lake Lure woman has been arrested for drug possession and avoiding warrants by identity theft. Marion Police have charged 33-year-old Jessica Boone with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of meth, and identity theft, following a traffic stop. Boone reportedly gave the officer a false ID, then dropped a bag from the car containing a glass pipe and a container holding a gram of methamphetamine. Officers also discovered two needles and two spoons. Reports say upon arrest, police learned Boone has been using her sister's identity to avoid an outstanding warrant for arrest in Mitchell County. Boone is being held under an $11,000 bond.

The 41st Annual Waldensian Festival begins tomorrow night in Downtown Valdese. The Main Stage tomorrow night will feature Americas Got Talent Season 10 Finalist and Valdese native Benton Blount. Amusement rides will be available for the children, just off the main street area across from the Valdese Fire Department. Saturday morning events begin at 9:00 with over 170 craft and food vendors lining Main Street. The Main Stage will feature a variety of acts, with other activities during the day including a Church Service at 11:00 and traditional Waldensian Meal at the Waldensian Presbyterian Church. The outdoor drama :From This Day Forward" will present the final performance of the season and the evening will conclude with the band Too Much Sylvia.

The Southern Economic Development Council gave an award of Excellence to Burke Development, Inc for the organization's Welcome to Burke County video. Awards were announced and displayed last week at the SEDC Annual Conference in Kansas City. The video, completed by BCI in 2015, highlights the local business climate and explains why Burke County is a great place to do business. Several growing manufacturers are featured in the video including Catawba Valley Brewery, Valdese Weavers, Geiger Furniture, and Toner Machining Technologies. Other community organizations, such as Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge, Burke County Public Schools and Western Piedmont Community College are also highlighted in the video, which is featured on the BDI website.

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, based in Morganton, completed transfer July 20th, of the Buck Creek Gap tract in McDowell County to the U.S.Forest Service. The Forest Service received $330,000 in Recreational Priority Access funds from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund program in order to purchase the key inholding property from the conservancy. The 73-acre tract is located along N.C.Highway 80 near its junction with the Blue Ridge Parkway. Its protection buffers parkway views, including outstanding vistas from Forest Service lands the nearby Mountains-to-Sea Trail, according to a news release from Foothills Conservancy. Acquiring the tract helps the Forest Service better manage Pisgah National Forest and protects the headwaters of Buck Creek, which is a significant creek flowing into the Catawba River near Marion.

Lenoir-Rhyne has named a new Director of Alumni Engagement. Cheryl Abee began her new duties Monday. Abee has spent over 20 years employed with the Catawba County United Way in a variety of capacities. Most recently she served as Volunteer Center Director and was responsible for recruiting and coordinating local volunteers to work directly with Catawba County United Way and non-profits across the county.

A driver's license checking station nets a large drug seizure for Morganton Department of Public Safety. 24-year-old justin Dean Ray was issued a citation for driving while license revoked; while officers discovered a passenger in possession of a large quantity of illegal drugs. An officer search of 30-year-old Gary Dean Sanders turned up 3 small bags of meth, and a needle that he voluntarily removed from his pocket for authorities. A K-9 search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of an additional 300 baggies of meth contained in a book bag - amounting to 861 grams; one of the largest seizures of methamphetamine in the city of Morganton. Reports state scales and a moisture gauge were also seized by officers. Sanders was charged with trafficking meth and was transported to the Burke Catawba Confinement Facility under a $125,000 secured bond. This is reportedly Sanders third trafficking charge in the past 3 months.

A standing-room-only crowd turned out at Abele's Family Restaurant Friday morning to meet and greet "Women for Trump" headed by Laura Trump, daughter-in-law of Donald Trump. The "Trump Train" made a whistle stop in Morganton and was given a warm welcome. While the greater portion of time was for meeting, greeting, photo sessions and signing Trump posters and campaign materials, brief remarks were made by Laura Trump and members of her team. Laura Trump, a Wimington native, opened her remarks with the statement that "our country is at a turning point" and noted that Donald Trump is the one to spearhead the necessary changes. Burke County Republican Party Chairman Richard Epley said it is amazing that that the Trump team members mad a stop in Morganton, but they did it because they wanted to come to North Carolina. Other notable figures in attendance Friday morning included Burke County Commissioner Wayne Abele, State Senator Warren Daniel and Mrs.Daniel, and a number of other GOP and campaign participants.

The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office is seeking assistance in locating a white female, 40-year-old Lisa Robert Lemmons, last seen July 26th in a 2008 gold Kia Sorrento NC License Tag ECL-1420.
If you have any info on her whereabouts please call the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office at 759-1546 or Caldwell County Crimestoppers at 758-8300.

Monday News

Event To Raise Funds for Foster Animals

The 3rd Annual Sit, Stay, Drink charity event wi8ll be held at Silver Fork

Winery in Morganton on Friday from 5-8pm. The event offers food, wine

and fun while raising money for foster animals searching for homes.  

Attendees are welcome to bring their dogs on a leash and volunteers will

be present with adoptable dogs according to the event organizer.  Along

with food and wine, there will also be a photo booth for owners and their

pets to take photos, along with a pet portrait artist.  The goal of the

fundraiser is to raise $5,000.00 or more.  Tickets can be purchased at the

event and are $30 for adults..this covers a plate of food, a glass of wine

and dessert and $15 for children.  For more information on this event visit

www.a better life animal rescue .com


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Meth Bust

Morganton Public Safety Officers make one of the largest Meth Busts in the

City of Morganton over the weekend

Early Saturday Morning, Morganton Public Safety Officers

conducted a license checking station at the intersection of Sanford Drive

and Tate Street where officers encountered 24 year old Justin Dean Ray

who was operating a Honda passenger car.  Ray told officers his license

was revoked and further investigation led Officer SJ Huffman and her K-9

Partner Shrek to conduct a K-9 sniff of the vehicle in which Shrek alerted to

the presence of narcotics.  According to officers, the back seat passengers,

42 year old Shelly Lynn Ray and 30 year old Garry Dean Sanders began

acting nervous and Sanders told officers he had a syringe in his pocket.  18

year old Emily Christian McCall handed officers a marijuana smoking pipe

and additional investigation led to officers discovering over 300 small clear

baggies containing almost 2 pounds a substance which field tested positive

for methamphetamine.  

Sanders was arrested and charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine and

placed in jail under a $125,000.00 secured bond, he is scheduled to be in

court today.  This makes the 3rd time Sanders has been charged with

trafficking meth within 3 months.  On June 9th, Sanders was charged with

in Caldwell County and once again on July 11th in Burke according to a

news release from Public Safety.  The news release also stated this is one

of the largest seizures of methamphetamine in the City of Morganton.

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Trails Closed and Traffic Alert

The Pisgah Ranger District has temporarily closed some trails and roads in

the South Mills River area on the Pisgah National Forest due to

maintenance activities involving the use of heavy equipment.  Intersections

along the The Bradley Creek Trail and Riverside Trail will reopen once

operations have been completed.  The public is urged to use caution while

traveling on Yellow Gap Road due to the possible interaction with trucks

hauling gravel in the area.  For more information, call the Pisgah Ranger

District Office.

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Valdese Town Council Meeting

At a recent Council Meeting, The Town of Valdese approved funding for a

new park to be located across the street from the town’s recreation center.  

The park will include a splash pad, playground equipment, fencing, a picnic

shelter and a 3,000 square foot building.  The cost of the park is projected

to be be a little over a million dollars with the town borrowing 469,000 from

the U.S. Department of Agriculture over 40 years at 2.75 percent according

to Town Manager Seth Eckard.  Also, the town plans to use funds

previously contributed to the Narcotics Task Force.  In

addition to town funding, Valdese has received a quarter million in

donations and over $408,000 in grants.  Valdese also approved the

purchase of a new Fire Department Ladder Truck.
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Women for Trump Event

The “Trump Train” made a whistle stop in Morganton and was given a

warm welcome. While the greater portion of time was for meeting, greeting,

photo sessions and signing Trump posters and campaign materials, brief

remarks were made by Lara Trump and members of her team. She

introduced herself as daughter-in-law of Donald J. Trump. She is wife of

Trump’s Son Eric. She told the group that she is a fellow North Carolinian, a

native of Wilmington. She opened her remarks with the statement that “our

country is at a turning point” and noted that Donald Trump is the one to

spearhead the necessary changes. She thanked her fellow North Carolinians

for all they are doing for the Donald Trump campaign. … Burke County

Republican Chairman Richard Epley said it is amazing that the Trump team

members made a stop in Morganton but they did it because they WANTED

to come to North Carolina. Epley said he has seen more enthusiasm for the

Trump Campaign than he has seen in his 25 years in the political arena.

Other notable figures in attendance Friday morning

included Burke County Commissioner Wayne Abele, NC Senator Warren

Daniel and Mrs. Daniel, and a number of other GOP and campaign

participants.

The June unemployment rate for the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton area was up slightly from May, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The 5% rate was up .4 of 1 % from May's rate of 4.6%. Area county rates include Burke at 5.1%, Caldwell 5.4, Catawba 4.9, McDowell 4.8, Alexander 4.5, Avery 5.2 and Lincoln County at 4.7%. Buncombe County had the state's lowest unemployment rate at 3.9% with Scotland County recording the highest at 9.2%.

The Western Piedmont Foundation has awarded Jonathan Crumpler the 2016 Excellence in Teaching Award. Crumpler was recognized during WPCC's spring commencement excercises in May. As an instructor and coordinator for the Digital Effects and Animation Technology and Simulation and Game Development Programs at WPCC. Crumpler has been the driving force behind these innovative programs, his students have won numerous awards in the 48 Hour Film Festival, he has mentored numerous high school students working on senoir projects, and he also established partnership in the community with NCSD and Burke County Public Schools.

A Haywood County grandmother wins big in the state lottery. Brenda McCannon of Canton can now create lasting memories with her 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. McCannon tried her luck Monday in a new lottery game, Lucky For Life, and won the second prize - $25,000 A Year For Life. She claimed her prize Tuesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. McCannon bought the $2 Quick Pick ticket at Lankfords Grocery on North Main Street in Canton. She matched all five white balls, beating the odds of one to 1.8 million to win the game's second prize. Ticket sales from games like Lucky For Life made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $600 million for the state last year.

Road sign thieves are costing McDowell County taxpayers thousands. A cash reward is being offered for anyone who has information about the crimes or culprits. McDowell County Emergency Management reported that 59 signs were stolen in July, and 32 more were taken on other occasions. The thefts have been countywide, with the Sugar Hill and Nebo areas taking the biggest hits. Linville Road, Toms Creek Road off Highway 80 and Blackhawk Drive off of Old-Fort-Sugar Hill Road have been victimized on multiple occasions. The 91 signs stolen have cost almsot $10,000 to replace. Anyone with information about the sign thefts or suspects is asked to call the McDowell County Sheriff's Office Investigations Branch at 652-2237 or Crimestoppers at 652-7463.

Hickory City Council authorized the taking of the "sink hole" property on Highway 70 Tuesday night at its' regular meeting. Repairs will cost an estimated $2.2 million dollars. Council decided to appropriate, as an economic development, $550,000 of the $2.2 million to make repairs to the property. This is the former site of Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, where in 2002, a brand new Chevrolet Corvette was consumed by the first sink hole, and some time later a second sink hole opened on the property in which the restaurant was closed due to an unstable foundation. According to Mayor Wright, these "repairs' beginning with the start of the process today, should improve driving conditions along Highway 70 in Hickory when completed. Council also voted to designate the former Lyerly Full Fashioned Mill as a Historic Landmark in Hickory. The "mill" was constructed in 1930 and operated until 1957.

The City of Morganton was awarded the 2015 North Carolina Area Wide Optimization Program award for the 7th consecutive year and a neighborhood-wide speed limit was placed in Monday night's regular Morganton City Council meeting. The Optimization Program Award was created by the EPA in 2002 and is awarded to water treatment facilities that are able to consistently achieve water clarity. Presenting the award for the 7th year in a row was Randy Hintz from the Asheville Regional Office of the NC Department of Energy and Natural Resources Division of Water Resources and Public Water Supply Section. Superintendent of the Morganton Water Treatment Plant, Jason Green, accepted the award. Council unanimously approved a neighborhood wide speed limit of 25 mph in the residential area that includes Riverside Drive, Riverside Court, Steeple Heights Lane, Montrose Drive, Linden Street, Woodbine Terrace, Kinwood Street, Lurawood Drive, Hillside Lane, Woodland Place and Woodland Drive.

After a four and a half hour standoff, McDowell County Sheriff's deputies arrest two people. Multiple law enforcement assisted at the scene in Nebo, where 27-year-old Lacey Deanna Riddle and 25-year-old William Kyle Lytle face numerous charges. The pair went to the residence asking the homeowner to spend Saturday night. According to reports, the homeowner asked the two the leave the residence about midnight. They refused and proceeded to threaten the resident, who locked himself in the bathroom. The homeowner called 911 about 5am. Reports state that when officers arrived, they attempted to get Lytle to open the door. Lytle was reportedly armed with a gun and refused deputies request. Along with the McDowell Sheriff's Office, Marion Police and the SWAT team, were able to gain access through a door to secure the suspects around 9:45am Sunday. McDowell Emergency Management and EMS, along with Nebo Fire assisted at the scene. The investigation continues.

A Hickory father and son have partnered to preserve the pride and spirit of Hickory's historic fire department. Senior Firefighter David Mills, a current member of the Hickory Fire Department, and his father, George Mills, former Chief of Bay Leaf Volunteer Fire Department, have purchased three fire trucks from the City of Hickory; a 1919 American LaFrance Type 75 triple, a 1924 American LaFrance Type 75 triple, and a 1924 American LaFrance Type 14-6 combination service ladder. The two plan to restore the antique engines and drive them in local parades and shows and allow the community to enjoy this unique part of Hickory's history.

The first of two trail bridges on the Catawba Falls Trail near Old Fort is complete. In partnership with McDowell County, North Carolina State Parks, and a federal Recreational Trails Program grant, the Pisgah National Forest has rerouted the Catawba Falls trail and installed a trail bridge crossing the Catawba River. The Forest Service will be rerouting the trail and installing a similar bridge across Chestnut Branch as well as surveying and designing a safer route to the upper falls. The relatively easy 1.5 mile hike to the lower falls is a little easier now. Catawba Falls is one of the easiest areas to access and provides a unique opportunity to connect a diverse public to their National Forests.

The Burke County Sheriff's Office Summer Campaign to serve warrants has resulted in the arrests of 213 individuals on 381 warrants. 26 people were arrested last week on various charges, according to a press release from the Burke County Sheriff's Office.

Two men face charges in connection with an early morning larceny. Morganton Department of Public Safety responded just after midnight to Walmart in reference to a larceny in progress. Arrested were 22-year-old Daniel Caleb Ross of Greensboro and 21-year-old Marque Cameron Stimpson of High Point. Ross faces numerous charges including 3 felonies. Bond was set at $27,500 with a District Court appearance in Morganton scheduled for tomorrow. Stimpson faces 4 charges including 2 felonies.

A Hickory man faces charges of Robbery with a Deadly Weapon and Second Degree Kidnapping. The Catawba County Sheriff's Office Saturday, arrested 40-year-old David James Hamby. Bond was set at $40,000 with a court appearance scheduled for today.