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Deputy Jason Cook has been named the McDowell Officer of the Year for 2016. Cook is the school resource officer at McDowell High. Cook has served in a number of positions including in the jail, and night shift patrol, in addition to school resource officer. Sheriff Dudley presented Cook with the award at the departmental Christmas dinner December 15th.

A Nebo couple is charged with stealing items from their family members. Reports with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office state the victim alleged his son and daughter-in-law Jason and Katie Hayes stole his 2006 Yukon SUV. The vehicle worth $6000 was recovered in Myrtle Beach. A the same time, the two reportedly stole more than $1300 worth of jewelry belonging to Jason's sister. An investigation indicates Katie Hayes pawned the items in Hickory. Some of the jewelry has been recovered. She was charged with larceny, larceny of a motor vehicle, and obtaining property by false pretense, while Jason Hayes was charged with larceny, larceny of a motor vehicle, and probation violation.

Flu is on the rise in North Carolina as the peak of the 2016-2017 flu season nears. Influenza is now widespread throughout most of North Carolina. State health officials encourage all residents to protect all residents to protect themselves and others against the flue. The number of flu-associated deaths reported in North Carolina since 2009 has varied from 9 during the 2011-2012 season to 218 in the 2014-2015 season. Precautions against the spread of flu and other viruses, include:

* Wash hands frequently, preferably with soap and water or an approved hand sanitizer.

* Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then discard the tissue promptly.

* If you are sick with the flu, stay home until you have been fever free for at least 24 hours.

For more information on flu and where you can get a vaccine, visit www.flu.nc.gov.