Council approved to consider phase II of the Community House Renovation Project in Monday night's regular Morganton City Council meeting. With the help of the Pilot Club and Renew the Tradition fundraising group, phase I of the Community House renovation was completed and included renovation of the kitchen, removal of asbestos, new wiring, plumbing and roof, painting the exterior of the building and the addition of the courtyard. Council was asked to consider phase two of the Community House Renovation Project, the final phase of the project. Phase two of the project would renovate the upstairs and downstairs and one option may include the lobby, Connelly Room, flooring, bathrooms, adding a bridal suite, elevator and remodel two rooms downstairs. Financial results from the last several years of operation at the Community House show that food sales have increased 15% and food costs have decreased 29%. Labor is the largest single cost of the Community House's operation. Ultimately, operations are subsidized by nearly $150,000/year, an amount one-cent equal to the tax rate. During Monday's meeting The Renew the Tradition fundraising group committed to raising an additional $50,000 in private funding to make $150,000 available for future renovation. The project would be financed for 15 years at 3% interest.

Granite Falls Police officers responded Monday afternoon to a robbery at First Citizens Bank on Falls Avenue. The suspect, described as a white male about 6'0", 180 pounds, demanded money, then left the bank and last seen running towards Al's Diner, east on Falls Avenue. Investigators believe the suspect left the area in a vehicle. Anyone with information concerning this incident is urged to call Detective Clint Ferguson at the Granite Falls Police Department at 828-396-3358 or Caldwell County Crimestoppers at 828-758-8300.

A South Carolina man wanted on fugitive charges was located in Lenoir by local and US authorities. Lenoir Police and members of the US Marshal Service Violent Offender Task Force found 49-year-old Bryan Keith Simmons at the Red Carpet Inn on Wilkesboro Boulevard. A release states Simmons was wanted on a felony fugitive extradition from Spartanburg for the charge of possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine or cocaine. During his arrest, officers observed a large number of hypodermic needles, scales, and a firearm lying inside his room. After obtaining a search warrant, lawmen then discovered more than 800 grans of meth, having a street value of over $13,200. Five stolen firearms were also found, nearly $4000 in currency, and drug paraphernalia. Simmons was placed under a $2,500,000 secured bond.

The McDowell County 911 center has received information that residents are getting phone calls stating their numbers were obtained from the 911 center. McDowell 911 does not give out phone numbers to anyone. Citizens should ignore any requests for information from the caller.