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.