A motion was passed to retain an architect for services at EMS base 6 and Burke County was awarded a $2 million grant to extend the County's water system in the Burke County Board of Commissioners regular Tuesday night meeting. Architectural services needed for EMS base 6 will include taking bids for the board to choose, then oversee the project. The max amount of money allotted for the project is $29,500 from the general fund. The grant for water services awarded to Burke County was NC Department of Environmental Quality Community Development Block Grant. The award amount is $2 million and the funds will be used to extend the water system to 12 homes and businesses along Hwy 18 South and Rhoney Road. the grant will also allow the County to interconnect several of its water systems and will provide multiple water supply sources to help minimize service interruptions. The project will bring about 7.5 miles of water line in the area; 4 miles from Shoupe's Way heading south for four miles and from the Gene Huffman Memorial Convenience Center heading south along Rhoney Road to Old NC 18 for 3.5 miles. Funds are expected to be released and available to the County later this year. The construction of the project will begin in 2018.

A suspect was arrested in connection with the armed robbery at a Cubbard Express in Hickory on January 12th. Jovan Tyrese Little was arrested in connection with the armed robbery of the Cubbard Express at 1130 2nd Street Street NE earlier this month. Little was served with a warrant for one count of Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon while in custody on unrelated charges. Bond was set at $75,000. The Hickory Police Department has an outstanding warrant for Jacquez Burrell in reference to the same incident. This warrant is also for one count of Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551.

A Morganton woman is charged with taking mail. On Wednesday, Burke County Sheriff's deputies responded to the area of US Highway West and Denton's Chapel Church Road in reference to a suspicious person. Witnesses told deputies that there was a female walking down the road removing mail from mailboxes. Deputies located 39-year-old Tonya Loretta Biggerstaff a short time later, reportedly with a backpack containing miscellaneous pieces of mail. Bond was set at $25,000 secured with a court appearance scheduled for today. The Sheriff's Office is wanting to make the residents aware in that area and request they file a report if they have missing mail. The investigation is continuing.