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.