City of Morganton City Council members approved a resolution considering an experimental fixed public transportation route to Burke County in Monday night's regular meeting. Working with Burke County, the Katie B. Reynolds foundation, numerous stakeholders and other public and private entities, council members endorsed a resolution for an experimental route. With the need for a fixed public transportation in Burke County, the experimental route is a circular route for the City of Morganton with connecting routes to the Town of Valdese, Rutherford College and includes a stop in the town of Drexel. The route also has a connection between Carolina Healthcare Blue Ridge Morganton and Carolinas Healthcare Blue Ridge Valdese. Stakeholders and private and public entities have agreed to a financial commitment of two years with possible discussion to extend the timeline.

The FAA is investigating a single engine plane crash in Morganton. The accident occurred about 5pm Monday, off Jamestown Road in a field. Witnesses say the plane took off from Silver Creek Airport. Two people helped the pilot, John Henry Shell, get out the plane. Shell was able to walk to an ambulance under his own power and taken by Burke EMS to CMC Morganton with minor injuries. Assisting Morganton Department of Public Safety and EMS were personnel from the Burke County Fire Marshal's Office and REACT, along with the State Highway Patrol.

A Morganton man is charged with Felony Robbery, Larceny of a MV and Possession of Stolen Goods. The Burke County Sheriff's Office Saturday, responded to Hampson Road, Morganton in reference to a robbery. Deputies spoke to the victim, who lives out of state and stated that she was robbed and during the incident sustained injuries, which required tratement at Carolinas Medical Center. 41-year-old Billy Earl Murphy was taken into custody and confined under a $105,000 secured bond. Additional charges are pending in the case.

A Hickory man will serve at least 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder for the November 2013 beating death of his wife. 40-year-old Marvin Antonio Hill was sentenced to serve 17 to 22 years in custody by the Honorable Lori Hamilton, Superior Court Judge from Davie County, during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday.