Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina has added 26 acres along the Henry Fork River in Burke County to its Smith Cliffs/Henry Fork Preserve, bringing the preserve's size to 116 acres. The new addition to the preserve will allow for better management from the conservancy, as the tract is positioned between the Smith Cliffs/Henry Fork River Preserve and conservancy's South Mountains Headwaters Preserve. The land added brings a closer connection between the conservancy preserves: The Smith Cliffs/Henry Fork River Preserve and the South Mountains Headwaters Preserve. The purchase was made by a generous contribution of $100,000 from conservationist Tim Sweeny. Funds were also used from the Land Acquisition Fund to cover transaction costs. According to a press release, the property is mainly forested and also contains a 2.5-acre meadow, 650 feet of Henry Fork River frontage, and a tributary stream of the Henry Fork that empties into the river at the parcel's northern boundary. The tract is located in the Catawba River Basin, which more than two million Carolinians from Marion to Charlotte and downstream to Columbia, rely for their drinking water.

The Burke County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance in locating 14-year-old Madison Gilliland, a voluntary runaway. She is described as 5' 3" tall, 115 pounds with green eyes and brown hair. Madison is believed to be in the area of McDowell and Buncombe County. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Burke County Sheriff's Office at 828-438-5500.

The McDowell County Sheriff's Office is needing the public's help in finding a man wanted on numerous drugs and weapons charges. 44-year-old Vandon Ray Heath is described as a white male, 5'5" tall, about 160 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes and tatoos over his body. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 828-652-2235, or McDowell County CrimeStoppers at 652-7463. With CrimeStoppers your identity remains anonymous and you could receive a cash reward.