The City of Morganton was awarded the Marvin Collins Planning Award and council adopted an ordinance restricting through traffic on Stonebridge Drive in Monday night's regular Morganton City Council meeting. Morganton was chosen to receive the Marvin Collins Planning Award for the zoning ordinance that was adopted a year and a half ago. The planning commission worked on the ordinance for over two years. The City will accept the award in Asheville on Thursday during the Planning Association State meeting. Council adopted and passed an ordinance that would restrict through truck traffic on Stonebridge Drive. Citizens had requested to prohibit large trucks from traveling on Bethel Road and since Bethel Road is a road controlled by the NCDOT, the DOT made it clear they would impose a truck restriction on Bethel Road if the City of Morganton would prohibit trucks from traveling on Stonebridge Drive, which is considered a city street. In other news, Council celebrated the 60th anniversary of Constitution Week by proclaiming the week of September 17-23 as Constitution Week and Council also proclaimed September as alcohol and drug addition recovery month.

Caldwell County Commissioners approved a request to re-zone over 1000 acres of property owned by Carolina Timber Partners, at Monday's Commissioners meeting. The re-zoned land, situated in southern Caldwell County and north of Lake Rhodhiss, is expected to be utilized for low-density residential development. Commissioners also heard from U.S.Forest Ranger Nick Larson regarding an evaluation of the Caldwell County portion of the Pisgah National Forest. According to Ranger Larson, the evaluation concentrated mainly on the Harper Creek region which is currently designated as a wilderness study area pending congressional review.

A Shelby Police Officer has died after being shot over the weekend. A 12-year-old veteran of the Shelby Police Department and former officer of the year, Tim Brackeen succumbed Monday morning at Carolina's Medical Center in Charlotte. Reports indicate Officer Brackeen was attempting to serve a warrant for 23-year-old Irving Lucien Fenner, Jr. of Grover. Fenner allegedly shot the officer early Saturday, fled the scene and remains on the run. The charge against Fenner has been upgraded to first degree murder from attempted murder. Fenner had outstanding warrants for armed robbery and kidnapping. In a press release issued by Governor McCrory's office, the state is offering a reward of up to $10,000 leading to the arrest and conviction of the gunman. The SBI is assisting Shelby Police in the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call Shelby Police at 704-484-6845.