State law enforcement officials announce an initiative aimed at saving the lives of young drivers. In anticipation of spring break and the beginning of prom season, the State Highway Patrol will conduct Operation 'Drive to Live' next week. From 6am till 5pm daily, the operation is a Highway patrol initiative to reduce the number of teenage related traffic collisions and deaths. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration says young drivers are significantly over represented in fatal crashes; with one area of particular concern being distracted driving. Reports show 10-percent of all distracted driving involves drivers under 20. Troopers will be enforcing all traffic laws around the state's schools, and conducting traffic safety education at the high schools before the school year ends.

Once again, con artists claiming to be tax collectors are targeting McDowell County residents, and authorities are urging citizens to steer clear of their false claims. Local folks are receiving calls from people saying they are from the IRS, telling residents they owe money, giving them instructions on how to pay and threatening that if they don't pay, a warrant will be issued for their arrest. The IRS does business through the mail, never over the phone. If you have questions or concerns call the McDowell County Sheriff's Office at 828-652-2235.

Area governments are among those last week who were awarded grants to fund parks and recreation projects designed for children and veterans with disabilities. Governments receiving grants include:

* Granite Falls, $80,000 for the Shuford Recreation Accessibility Enhancement Project:
* Marion, $159,622 for the Marion Community Park Project:
* Shelby, $240,000 for the All Aboard Park: Unlimited Play for Everyone:

The grants are part of the $2 billion Connect NC Infrastructure Bond Program approved by voters in 2016.

A Lincoln County man is sentenced to prison following his guilty plea to sexual offenses with a minor. 41-year-old Clayton Houston Hoyle pled guilty to stautory rape, statutory sex offense, and indecent liberties with a child - landing him a prison term of at least 13 years. Reports say the offense occurred in 2014 when the 15-year-old victim was assaulted at a family member's residence. Following the incident, DNA samples were taken and resulted in a match to the defendant. Hoyle will also have to register as a sex offender and enroll in satellite-based monitoring for the remainder of his life.

A missing Alexander County teenager has been located. 19-year-old Ailyah Cline was found Wednesday in Yadkin County and is reported to be safe, according to the Alexander County Sheriff's Office.

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, based in Morganton, is growing its staff to provide additional communications, financial and administrative support. The conservancy is seeking a full-time communications and outreach associate, a part-time staff accountant and a part-time office administrator. Descriptions and details for each position are available at foothillsconservancy.org/jobs. All will remain open until filled.

The White Creek Fire is now fully contained. Weekend rains brought much-needed relief to firefighters on the fire, which is now 100-percent contained at more than 5500 acres. The area 'closure in place' for Linville Gorge has been lifted; although visitors to the region should still use caution. Wildfires can create hazards including holes created by burnt tree stumps, along with damaged trees, and unstable rocks. The road to the Table Rock picnic area is scheduled to re-open Friday. Firefighters will continue to monitor the area and maintain fire lines. The White Creek Fire began March 16th near Shortoff Mountain.

The Alexander County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in locating 19-year-old Aailyah Danielle Cline of Bethlehem. She was last seen on Sunday about 4:30pm in the Heritage Farm Road area. Cline is described as a white female, 5'4" 170 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Cline is asked the call the ACSO at 828-632-2911.

A Morganton man is charged with felony hit and run. Just before 2:30am on March18th, MDPS officers responded to a hit and run collision involving a pedistrian in the PVA of the Downtown Sports Bar at 216 East Union Street. Officers found the victim, Felipe Alonza, injured in the parking lot. He was taken by Burke County EMS to CHS Morganton with serious but non-life threatening injuries. Officers arrested Julio Ricardo Mendoza-Ortiz and charged him with felony hit and run, misdemeanor hit and run(property damage), reckless driving to endanger, failure to report an accident, and safe movement violation. Bond was set at $25,000.

The intersection at Highway 127 and 1st Avenue NE in Hickory is currently closed and traffic is being rerouted. Last night an infrastructure failed resulting in a sinkhole, which opened on Highway 127, just north of the Earl G. Moser Fire Station. No injuries were sustained and no private property was damaged, according to a news release from the City of Hickory. The City will offer updates on the situation as additional information arises.

Firefighters completed burnout operations on the west side of the White Creek Fire Friday, increasing containment to 90%. The fire was estimated at 5,538 acres with no additional growth expected. The fire began March 16th near Shortoff Mountain in the Linville Gorge.

The South Caldwell High School ProStart Culinary team placed 1st at the NC ProStart Invitational held recently in Morrisville. The ProStart Invitational is a two-day secondary school competition focused on restaurant management and culinary arts. South Caldwell culinary team members included Ben Byerly, Aaron Lambert, Kailee Spake, Landon Powell, and Brandon Milam. Each student was awarded about $20,000 in scholarships and a Mercer chef's knife. As state winners, the team will move to the national level of competition next month in Charleston.

The National Recreation and Park Association is collaborating with The Walt Disney Company to revitalize parks across the U.S. for a third year. From April 1st through April 30th, Hickory residents will have the opportunity to nominate the city to receive $20,000 in grant funding to make improvements at a city park. By visiting NRPA.org/BeInspired, park supporters can nominate Hickory. At the end of April, the city with the most nominations will receive the grant funding. New this year, everyone who nominates a city will be entered into a drawing for a tablet outfitted for the outdoors.

The Asheville Police Department is seeking the public's help in finding 29-year-old Jackie Diana King of Whittier, a person of interest who is linked to several mail/package thefts and subsequent check frauds in the Skyland/Arden area. King is described as a white female 5' 8" and 115 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. King currently has one open warrant in Buncombe County for Forgery and uttering with more charges pending. Anyone who may information is urged to call Crimestoppers at 828-255-5050 or Det.Hogan at 259-5930.

The remains of a McDowell County woman who was murdered and had been missing for over a year have been recovered in East Tennessee. According to WLOS-TV, authorities interviewed Cecil Scott Byrd after he was convicted of murdering two McDowell women earlier this month. He told investigators of the location of remains of Sara "Denise" Riddle. Mitchell County deputies and SBI agents located a container consistent with Byrd's confession on Iron Mountain, according to WLOS.

A Valdese man is charged with felony being a registered sex offender on the premises of a school. On Sunday, the Burke County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division received an anonymous tip that a registered sex offender was on the property of Salem Elementary. Investigators responded to the school gym and located 31-year-old Davie Wade Shuping, who was taken into custody without incident. Bond was set at $15,000 secured with a court appearance scheduled for today.

Felony charges of solitication of child by computer to commit unlawful sex act and indecent liberties with a child are filed on a Hickory man. On Friday, the Burke County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division arrested 39-year-old Michael Shaun Worley after conducting an undercover online investigation. Worley exchanged online messages of sexual content with an individual whom he thought was a minor. Worley requested to meet the minor at Hildebran Community Park, and upon his arrival, was met by Detectives and taken into custody without incident. Bond was set at $100,000 secured with a court appearance set for today.

Foothills Conservancy of NC nd Camp Grier in Old Fort have collaborated to permanently preserve 203 acres in the Jarrett Creek watershed portion of the non-profit camp's property. Camp Grier's watershed lands are home to educational activities, trails, rustic camping and places to wade in Jarrett Creek. U.S.Forest Service lands, which adjoin two sides of the property, already protect nearly all of the creek's watershed lands upstream to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Chesterfield community members were able to voice their opinions and ask questions about how the construction of the new elementary school at Mt.View will affect them, during a community meeting on Thursday. Superintendent Dr. Larry Putnam presented on the history of Chesterfield, sharing that the building was built in 1935 and has had many changes since. According to a capital needs assessment, it was determined that Chesterfield Elementary would cost over a million dollars over the next four years in order to be operational. Chesterfield is currently operating under 47% of the building's capacity with only 187 students. Issues surrounding the older building include security, handicap accessibility, and newest parts of the building were considered only "fair." Putnam also shared some of the amenities that the new Mt.View Elementary School would have. These include a state of the art building, practice fields for sports, an ec0-friendly water reservoir for the sprinkler system as well as a theatre. Issues that were a concern for parents of kids currently enrolled at Chesterfield included the new school's location, district lines, cost in transportation and use of the building if closed.

The Burke County Republican Party will welcome Lt. Governor Dan Forest to the area Saturday evening as they hold their Annual Lincoln Dinner. The Lt. Governor will be the keynote speaker for the evening. In addition, NC Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will be present. the dinner will be held at the Collett Street Recreation Center in Morganton beginning at 6pm. Tickets are still available and are $10 each. Call 828-430-3099 to reserv a ticket. Please leave a message if you reach the voicemail.

Firefighters completed burnout operations on the White Creek Fire burning near Shortoff Mountain in the Linville Gorge. Containment has increased to 80% with the fire estimated at 4,355 acres. Smoke may continue to impact local communities through the weekend.

A Morganton man receives a prison sentence from his involvement in a December assault and robbery. Following a guilty plea in Burke Superior Court, 44-year-old Stacy Heatley will serve up to 31 years in prison in connection with an assault and robbery at a residence on Pete Brittain Road. Heatley ple guilty to attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and robbery with a dangerous weapon. Investigators say Heatley admitted to hitting his victim with a hammer and striking him in the head with a glass object after he had been bound. Heatley was allegedly assisted by a female co-defendant. Reports state the victim was robbed of $6,500 in cash and his pickup truck. The two were later arrested at a Winston-Salem hotel after numerous reports of their whereabouts. The victim was hospitalized with life threatening injuries for more than two weeks. The co-defendant has a July court date.

Burnout operations continued Wednesday on the White Creek Fire near Shortoff Mountain at the south end of the Linville Gorge. The fire is estimated at 2,750 acres with 50% containment. Atmospheric conditions Wednesday afternoon caused smoke to lift upward before dispersing which made the smoke much more visible. Passing storms Tuesday evening provided no measurable rainfall on the fire.

Hickory City Council met Tuesday night in a regular meeting and heard a presentation of a Main Street Rehabilitation Award for the renovation of the former Lyerly Mill, now being used for different purposes and providing jobs. Council saw a short video detailing the 10 million dollar investment. City Council saw proposals for a "Leaf" display at the entrance to Hickory, with displayed designed to draw attention to motorists as they enter Hickory. A proposal to add "Hickory,NC" to the leaf display was voted on and passed by a 6-1 vote of city council.

The District Attorney's Office concludes the officer acted 'lawfully" in an officer-involved shooting in Catawba County last November. 41-year-old Irecas Rayshion Valentine was killed in Hickory by a Catawba County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Investigator during a drug investigation. District Attorney David Learner states in a release issued Tuesday that the SBI had spent considerable time looking into the officer-involved shooting - interviewing witnesses, photographing the scene, collecting items of physical evidence, and reviewing body camera footage. The SBI presented findings to the DA's team; made up of experienced prosecutors, a retired US Marshal, legal assistants, and a retired captain from the Burke County Sheriff's Office with 26 years of law enforcement experience. The release noted several apparent facts following review of the evidence - noting that Valentine was operating a deadly weapon, he directly looked at officers and could hear their commands, and that he refused to comply with those commands thereby putting an investigator's life at risk. Learner states NC law recognizes the principle of self-defense, which is the inherent right to use deadly force to protect one's self or others from death or great bodily harm.

Additional funds were taken out of the general fund balance in order to cover out-of-county jail housing costs in Tuesday night's regular Burke County Board of Commissioners meeting. Sheriff Steve Whisnant asked for an additional $215,000 from the general fund balance in order to cover the costs due to the increased number of inmates Burke Catawba Jail has had to house this year. The jail is at full capacity and the funds ave been exhausted from having to pay for inmates from Burke County being housed in additional counties. Additional funds were needed to pay for housing from January 1st to June 30th. The Sheriff's Office expects to house between 20-30 inmates out of county per month for the remainder of the fiscal year. It costs $40 a day to house an inmate in a different county. Commissioners approved unanimously to allocate the extra funds from the general fund balance. The Board also approved to fund $15,000 from the general fund balance to supply office furniture for the District Attorney's Office and the Honorable Judge Kuehnert. When two DA's were fired recently, they took their personal furniture from the office forcing the County Manager to use furniture from the finance office to replace what had been taken. Although the majority of commissioners agreed this is something that should be in the budget for next year, it was approved in a 4-1 vote.

The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton unemployment rate for January was 5.2%. Area county rates include Alexander at 4.5%, Avery 5.9, Burke 5.2, Caldwell 5.6, Catawba 5.1 and McDowell 5.2%. Hyde County had the state's highest unemployment rate in January at 13.3%, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 4.3%, according to the N.C.Department of Commerce.

Firefighters conducted burnout operations Monday afternoon on the White Creek Fire near Shortoff Mountain in the Linville Gorge. The fire is now 1,365 acres and 20% contained. Travelers along Highways 181 and 126 should use caution, as smoke may settle in low-lying areas this morning. 160 firefighters are on the scene.

The Burke County Sheriff's Office is continuing the investigation into the death of a 3-year-old found on the front porch of his Hopewell Road residence. Some additional interviews need to be conducted and the Sheriff's Office is awaiting toxicology reports. They hope to have those reports within the next two weeks. Subsequent to receiving those reports, the findings will be presented to the District Attorney's Office so the DA can determine if any charges should be issued. No determination of cause of death has been provided as of Monday, according to a press release from the Burke County Sheriff's Office.

A Marion father is arrested for abusing his 3-year-old son. 26-year-old Jacob James Laycock was charged by the McDowell County Sheriff's Office with child abuse and assault on a child under 12. An investigation showed the suspect had hit the child with a belt, leaving numerous bruises on his legs. McDowell DSS had reported to law enforcement earlier this month the possibility of child abuse in the Laycock home.

A Burke County pair faces felony drug charges after leading authorities on a chase in Granite Falls last week. An undercover operation between the Caldwell Sheriff's Office and Granite Falls Police resulted in the arrest of 29-year-old destiny Miller and 27-year-old Nou Yang after they allegedly sold 7.2 grams of meth from their vehicle. A news release states that once officers moved in following the sale, Yang attempted to speed away from officers, slammed into an occupied parked car, and continued to elude police. Several hours after the incident, the NC Highway Patrol stopped a vehicle on Rhodhiss Road in Burke County and determined the occupants were Miller and Yang. They were taken into custody by Burke deputies and placed under a $250,000 secured bond with numerous drug charges. Yang was also charged with an additional $100,000 secured bond for eluding arrest, and felony hit and run with injury.

The White Creek Fire burning near Shortoff Mountain in the Linville Gorge is an estimated 585 acres with 10 percent containment. According to a Sunday afternoon news release, 140 firefighters were on the scene, including personnel from the U.S.and Forest Service, Burke, McDowell and N.C.Emergency Management and the N.C.Wildlife Resources Commission. No structures are currently at risk and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Hickory Police are investigating three potentially connected investigations of breaking and entering occurring this month. In two cases, one reported March 8th occurring at the Rosales Qwik Stop located at 2614 N.Center Street; and another March 11th occurring at the Cubbard Express #2 located at 1922 16th Street NE, the suspect gained entry to the stores by throwing a brick through a glass door. The third incident, which was reported on March 9th, occured at the Cubbard Express #7 located at 954 16th Street NE. The suspect attempted to gain entry, but was unsuccessful. Anyone with information may call 828-261-2015.

Preliminary autopsy results have been released in the case in which a toddler was found deceased at a Hopewell Road residence Wednesday. A release from the Burke County Sheriff's Office states an autopsy was performed on the three-year-old; showing no signs of trauma. The release further states toxicology and other tests will not be available for about two weeks. The child was found on the front porch after a motorist notified authorities by calling 911. The investigation is continuing.

A Burke County man escapes serious injury when his home was destroyed by fire. According to WSOC-TV, three fire departments responded Thursday morning to a residence south of Morganton on Misti Brooke Lane. Investigators told WSOC that a blanket caught fire from a portable heater.

A standoff with authorities Thursday afternoon in Morganton, results in a man being taken into custody. The Morganton News Herald reports that Public Safety learned of a man with a gun near two businesses, which caused both lanes of East Parker Road to be blocked. The man drove out of a parking lot and was stopped on East Parker Road. There were no injuries and no shots were fired. The man was taken to the hospital for evaluation. The State Highway Patrol, Burke County EMS & Emergency Management and REACT assisted at the scene.

Crews respond Thursday to a wildfire in the Linville Gorge area. U.S.Forest Service firefighters battled a wildfire near Shortoff Mountain. The Forest Service issued an emergency closure of the Shortoff Trail (Trail #235) and the Mountains to Sea Trail (Trail #440) from Old Highway 105 at Pinnacles to the Table Rock Picnic Area.

Burke County deputies discover a tragic scene Wednesday on Hopewell Road. Just before 8am Burke County 911 received a call from a motorist advising they may have witnessed a child lying on the front porch at 1259 Hopewell Road. Upon their arrival, officers discovered a 3 year old child that was deceased. Unofficial reports say deputies found an adult inside the residence asleep. The Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division is continuing the investigation with an autopsy scheduled on the child today. Additional information will be provided today, according to a press release from the Burke County Sheriff's Office.

A Virginia fugitive is sought by Alexander County authorities. The Sheriff's Office requests assistance in locating Harley Daniel Justice, who is wanted on a Governors Warrant from the State of Virginia for Probation Violation. Justice is described as a white male, 34 years of age. He is 5'11" 150 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Justice can contact Alexander Crime Stoppers at 828-632-8555.

A Statesville jury convicts an Iredell County man for trafficking methamphetamine. The three-day last week Western District Court ended with the conviction of 34-year Carlos Antonio Flores. According to filed court documents and evidence presented at trial, Flores was involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy that operated mainly in Iredell, Alexander, Caldwell, Catawba, and Ashe Counties. At sentencing, Flores faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum term of life in prison. The case was investigated by HSI in Charlotte, The SBI and Sheriff's Offices in Alexander, Caldwell and Iredell Counties.

A Lenoir man was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon at the Shop and Save #3 on NC Hwy 18/US 64. Burke County Sheriff's deputies responded to a call regarding an armed robbery at the Shop and save on Friday March 3rd. Criminal Investigation Divison detectives interviewed witnesses and followed up on tips from Morganton that led to warrants being issued on 20-year-old Jason Shawn Miller,Jr. He was taken into custody Monday by the Lenoir Police and placed in the Caldwell County Jail under a $5,000 secured bond. The case is still under investigation and charges are pending.

A reported assault leads to a felony charge on a Nebo man. McDowell County deputies charged 39-year-old Curtis O'Neil Logan with assault inflicting serious injury after a domestic dispute. reports state Logan accused an acquaintance with stealing some dirt bikes that the subject denied taking. During the encounter, Logan struck the man repeatedly in the face, breaking his jaw.

A ruling was rendered in Superior Court Monday, that denied a motion to dismiss by owners of Lowman's Motor Court in Burke County and denied a preliminary injuction sought by the District Attorney's Office to keep the business closed. A civil hearing was set for March 27th, when the State will seek an injuction to permanently close the business. Lowman's Motor Court, on U.S.Highway 70 East, was served a temporary restraining order on February 24th, and deputies padlocked the doors. The DA's Office filed a civil complaint against the business and is seeking to have it declared a public nuisance. law enforcement, fire and rescued agencies in Burke County have responded to more than 700 calls at the business on the last 11 years for various reasons.

Hickory firefighters responded Tuesday night to a reported fire at 2805 8th Avenue SE. One occupant had escaped the fire and was treated for non-life threatening injuries and later transported to a local hospital by Catawba County EMS. Damages to the mobile home were considered heavy. The Catawba County Fire Marshal's Office is working to determine the cause of the fire.

Fire destroys a Morganton home. Public safety responded about 1am monday to a reported structure fire at 105 Summit Street. A neighbor notified the occupants that their house was on fire. All occupants were able to make it out unharmed. The structure was badly damaged and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The American Red Cross was dispatched to the scene and offered assistance to the victims of the fire.

A convicted Old Fort sex offender faces more sex abuse crimes. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office reported Monday that 44-year-old Christopher Scott McEntire was charged with 6 counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. He was previously convicted of 5 counts of 2nd degree sex offense in 2004 in McDowell County. The Sheriff's Office received the case on a referral from McDowell County DSS.

Republican Scott Reilly has announced his candidacy for District Attorney of the 25th Judicial District, comprising Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties. The election will be held in 2018. Reilly served as an Assistant District Attorney in the 25th District in the early 1990's and since then has been in private practice in Newton.

A Hickory man will serve 7-10 years in prison following his guilty plea to two counts of larceny from the person and his admission to habitual felon status during Catawba County Superior Court last week. 57-year-old Ronnie Darnell Smith's prison sentence was enhanced by prior felony convictions for larceny after breaking and entering in Mecklenburg County (August 2004), attempted felonious larceny in Nash County (September 2008) and attempted felonious larceny in Durham County (April 2012).

Improper ethical allegations lead to changes in the 25th Judicial District. In a news release issued Friday, District Attorney David Learner states that Assistant District Attorneys Frank Webster and Chris Back are no longer employed by the 25th Judicial District. Webster and Back are currently the subjects of an SBI investigation involving their roles as ministers at a Rutherford County church. Learner states quote 'I along with my staff have worked very hard in the past two years to rebuild the reputation of the DA's office, and I cannot allow the integrity of the office to be called into question.' Learner goes onto to say his administration is dedicated to the fair and impartial administration of criminal justice for the citizens of Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba counties. Assistant District Attorney Lance Sigmon will be the Chief ADA in Burke County, and Kyle Smith will be the Chief ADA in Catawba.

Less than four weeks after being sentenced to serve at least 11 years of incarceration for making false bomb threats in Burke County, a West Virginia man was sentenced for similar crimes in Catawba and Caldwell counties. Cody Matthew Startt, 27, pleaded guilty to 71 counts of making false bomb reports, one false bomb report to a public building and 72 counts of terrorism in Catawba County Superior Court Friday morning, and he entered guilty pleas to 58 counts of making false bomb reports, three counts of a false bomb report to a public building and 61 counts of terrorism in Caldwell County Superior Court Friday afternoon.

A man who was the primary suspect in a Caldwell County fire early Thursday morning, turned himself into Burke County law enforcement officers Friday afternoon. Warrants had been issued against 33-year-old Timothy Allan Harmon for First Degree Arson and First Degree Kidnapping. The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, along with Fire and Rescue Personnel from multiple agencies responded about 6am to a reported structure fire at an apartment complex on Oak Tree Lane in the Sawmills Community. Once the fire was contained, Fire Investigators were able to determine that the fire was a result of Arson.

A woman found dead on the grounds of the Old Burke County Courthouse Wednesday afternoon has been identified. Morganton Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division is handling the investigation into the cause of death of 36-year-old Joy Lynett LaValley of Morganton. results from a preliminary autopsy are pending.

A Granite Falls man receives an active prison sentence following his guilty plea to drug charges and admission as a habitual felon. 39-year-old Timothy Shawn Byrd was sentenced up to 8 years during Caldwell County Superior Court Tuesday. He pleaded guilty to maintaining a dwelling to sell meth and possession with intent to sell and deliver meth. Byrd's sentence was enhanced by prior felony convictions for breaking and entering in Caldwell County (November 1997), and obtaining property by false pretense in Caldwell County (October 2007 and July 2012).

A 40-year-old man pleaded guilty to felony possession of meth and felony flee to elude arrest, and admitted his habitual felon status on Tuesday, during Caldwell County Superior Court. Joshua Duerr Pate was sentenced to serve 6-9 years in prison. His habitual felon status enhanced his sentence. Pate previously was convicted in Watauga County of larceny (July 1996), second-degree burglary (March 2009), and common law robbery (July 2012).

Clocks will spring forward one hour Sunday morning. This is a good time to make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working. Although a large percent of American homes have smoke alarms, many do not work because of dead or missing batteries. For more information about smoke alarms, call the Hickory Fire Department at (828) 323-7521.

Preliminary autopsy results could be released today in the case of a woman found dead Wednesday afternoon at the old Burke County Courthouse. According to the Morganton News Herald, the woman appeared to be in her mid-30's. Morganton Department of Public Safety told the News Herald that it appeared the woman laid down to take a nap and never woke up. She is believed to be from the area. Burke County EMS assisted at the scene and confirmed the death.

Two Caldwell County residents are charged with trafficking methamphetamine. The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office ICE Unit on Tuesday, charged 43-year-old Shea David Byrd and 39-year-old Jackie Eugenia Byrd. The pair had been under investigation with trafficking large amounts of meth. A search of their Lenoir home reportedly led to crystal meth found with a street value of over $120,000.
Bond was set at $100,000 secured each with court appearances scheduled for today.

A 23-year-old man from Lenoir pleads guilty to trafficking heroin in Caldwell County Superior Court. Stephen William Hubner was sentenced to serve nearly six years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of trafficking heroin by possession. Information was provided to Caldwell Sheriff's officers from a confidential source that Hubner would sell heroin to them. A meeting was arranged between Hubner and officers for a heroin purchase on two occasions. An additional quanity of heroin was seized from Hubner upon his arrest. Additional charges against other people are pending. Hubner was also given a $50,000 fine.

25th District Attorney David Learner issued the following press release on Wednesday:
"On Monday, March 6, The Associated Press released a story containing allegations against two Assistant District Attorneys employed by me in the 25th Judicial District.

"On Tuesday, March 7, I requested that the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation(SBI) conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the Associated Press allegations."

A woman is dead and a man injured from a shooting in Catawba County. According to WSOC-TV, the Catawba County sheriff believes this was a domestic shooting involving a girlfriend and boyfriend. The man shot was taken to a hospital. More information is expected this morning about the incident, which occured near Maiden.

Hickory City Council met Tuesday night. One public hearing was heard in which there was a Consideration to close a portion of 1st Street NE, near Belle Hollow Shopping Center, no one in attendance spoke against the closure. A Bond Commission Update was heard in which a local Gateway Update involving Highway321/70, and a City Walk Update was also heard and discussed. An 18-item Consent Agenda was also passed.

A Maiden man was sentenced Monday, to more than 6 years of firearms offenses. U.S.Attorney for the Western District, Jill Westmoreland Rose, made the announcement of the sentence on 21-year-old James Holland Helms. According to filed court documents and Monday's sentencing hearing, on October 12th, 2015, Maiden Police officers responded to a residential address in reference to a report of shots being fired at the residence. Court records indicate that Helms fired multiple shots at the residence as he drove past the house in his vehicle. In October 2016 Helms pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The FBI and Maiden Police handled the investigation.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is closed from Craggy Gardens Picnic Area, MM 367.5, to Mt Mitchell State Park, MM 355.5, due to a rock slide. That also includes cyclists and hikers.

A new independently owned bike shop plans to open in downtown Morganton and the City approved a contract for the design and construction of the skate park in Monday night's regular Morganton City Council meeting. Overmountain Cycles is planning to open in downtown Morganton beside the Fonta Flora Brewery. Owner Michael Lowther requested a CBDG small business loan in the amount of $15,000 to assist in purchasing inventory for the new store. Besides selling bicycles, apparel and accessories, the shop will offer bicycle mechanic service. Council approved the small business loan unanimously. Council also approved a contract for the design and construction of the much anticipated skate park. Adira Construction was awarded the contract and the park will be located in the lower field at Gene Turner Park, behind the Collett Street Rec and outdoor pool. The City of Morganton, Morganton Parks and Recreation Foundation, the Optimist Club and the Morganton Service League are funding the project. The contract amount is $192,000. Council also approved a budget amendment in the amount of $12,000 to appropriate funds from the Morganton Service League for the skate park.

The Burke County Board of Education was awarded a Golden Leaf Grant in Monday night's regular Burke County Board of Education meeting. The Senior Vice President of Golden Leaf, Mark Sorrells, presented the Board of Education with a $200,000 check for the Golden Leaf Grant to be used to fund the implementation of a one-to-one digital learning initiative for middle school students and teachers. It will have a strong focus on building teacher leaders and will assist the district in purchasing devices for 6th grade students and teachers. The grant will also assist in professional development through a partnership with the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation to strengthen the district's evaluation plan. Superintendent Larry Putnam announced the opening of a position on the Western Piedmont Community College's Board of Trustees for June. Trustees are appointed by the Burke County Board of Education and the board voted to post the vacancy soon.

A McDowell County mother of four is charged with abuse. 56-year-old Pamela Corpening of Marion faces charges of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, attempted assault by strangulation, and communicating threats. A release states McDowell County Social Services received a report of alleged abuse in the home. Further investigation revealed there was some physical abuse, but mainly mental abuse toward the children. McDowell officers report Corpening has four children; ranging from ages ten to eighteen.

An early morning armed robbery at a Chesterfield convenience store Friday has law enforcement on the lookout for a suspect. The Stop and Shop on NC 18-US 64 at Pax Hill Road was robbed around 6:30. The suspect is described as being a white male, about 5-feet 10 inches tall, wearing a mask, and a hooded brown or tan jacket. The press release states he was carrying a long gun during the robbery. Anyone having information should call the Burke County Sheriff's Office at 438-5500.

A Sunday morning blaze awakens residents. According to a news release from Morganton Department of Public Safety, firefighters responded to 315 Center Street. Blanca Carderas stated that she was awakened by two loud noises that sounded like explosions. The noises were later determined to be exploding aerosol cans that were on the porch and exposed to the fire. The fire has been deemed accidental, though no definite cause was found. All occupants made it safely out of the house. Four companies of firefighters brought the fire under control. The house sustained over $36,000 damage.

1st Degree Statutory Sex Offense charges are filed on a Conover resident. The Catawba County Sheriff's Office Friday, reported a Bill of Indictment, on 17 year old Luis Manuel Rivera-Montes. Bond was set at $425,000 with a court appearance scheduled for today.

A Maiden resident is charged with 4 counts of Identity Theft and two other offenses. 26-year-old Brittany Danielle Triplette was charged Sunday by the Catawba County Sheriff's Office with the Identity Theft counts and Felony Obtain Property by False Pretense and Financial Card Fraud. Bond was set at $113,000 with a court appearance set for today.

The Burke County Sheriff's Office conducted a one day roundup on Wednesday. 21 warrants were served on 16 individuals. 14 people were Morganton residents, 3 each from Connelly Springs and Hickory, with 1 person from Catawba County. Bond amounts ranged from $500 to $27,000.

A McDowell County checkpoint turns up 27 grams of pot and one suspect. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office reported Thursday, that 28-year-old Quatravis Martel Martin of Marion was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and maintaining a vehicle to keep a controlled substance. State Troopers conducted a license checkpoint February 21st at Ashworth Road and I-40, where 27.4 grams of pot was found in his car.

Foothills Conservancy protects 81 acres along the Broad River in Rutherford County. Siblings Nancy Koone Montgomery and Max Koone donated a conservation easement on the family land to Foothills Conservancy. The Koone family property falls within Foothills Conservancy's protection focus area for the Broad River corridor in Rutherford and Cleveland counties. In addition, its river bottomlands - about 22 acres of the property - have prime and statewide significant farmland soils. The conservation easement allows agricultural, forestry, and family residential uses to occur. The property is about 5 miles downstream from 306 acres protected by Foothills Conservancy, including its 234-acre conservancy-owned River Bend Preserve.

Flu on the rise in NC, 16 additional deaths reported during the week ending February 25th. The total number of influenza-associated deaths this season, which started October 2nd, is now 63. That's four more than died during all of last year's flu season. Although vaccination early in the season is recommended, it is never too late to get vaccinated. For more information on flu and to find out where you can get a flu vaccination, visit www.flu.nc.gov.

Two Marion residents are charged after breaking into a house and stealing property. 41-year-old Sandra Evans and 24-year-old William Moore have been charged with breaking and entering, possession of stolen goods, and obtaining property by false pretense. A resident of Veteran's Drive in Marion reported someone broke into her home, stealing more than $10,000 worth of items including stereo equipment, firearms, a computer, jewelry, and power tools. Witnesses observed Evans and Moore taking the property. McDowell officers report the pair attempted to sell some of the stolen goods.

A Morganton man faces weapon and drug charges after a traffic stop. Morganton Department of Public Safety reported the arrest of 40-year-old Andra Devon Smith, after the vehicle stop last night on West Union Street. Felony charges include Weapon Possession by Felon and Possession of a Stolen Firearm and Possession of Schedule II CS. Reportedly found in the car were 2 grams of crack cocaine and 5 grams of marijuana. Smith was placed in the Burke Catawba Detention Confinement Facility under a $24,000 secured bond, with a District Court appearance scheduled for today.

Hickory firefighters responded Wednesday afternoon to an apartment fire on 12th Street NE. Upon arrival, firefighters found a fire in the kitchen. No fire injuries were reported and fire damages were confined to the apartment and did not spread to additional units. The Red Cross responded to the scene and will be helping the occupants. The cause of the fire was cooking related.

Caldwell students win at the State Beta Convention in Greensboro last month. Winners included:
Lexi Bell - South Caldwell:  1st Biology
Meredith Ingram - SC
Aubrey Miller - SC
Amanda Winebarder - SC
Cameron Connor - SC: These 4 students won 2nd in Advertising Design
Danila Berry - SC: 2nd Spotlight on Service 'Soles on Hope Project'
Caitlin Finley - Caldwell Early College High:  1st Junior Agriculture
Deanna Kilby - CECH:  2nd Poetry
Mason Smith - Hibriten:  3rd Division I Social Studies

A Morganton man has been arrested for drugs, again. According to a report from Morganton Department of Public Safety, on Monday night, Officers responded to a reported impaired driver in the area of North Green Street near Highway 126. The vehicle was located in a convenience store parking lot and the driver was found to be 31-year-old Raydene Little,Jr. K9Shrek alerted to the possibility of controlled substance in the car. An investigation revealed methamphetamine, powder cocaine, and marijuana. After a brief Little was taken into custody and placed in the Burke Catawba Confinement Center under a secured bond of $127,000. The Burke County Narcotics Task Force assisted in the investigation.

An anonymous tip leads McDowell deputies to a fugitive. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday arrested 44-year-old Vandon Ray Heath, at a residence on Lewis Drive off Fairview Road. Heath was wanted on numerous drug and other charges.

A McDowell County officer stops a suspicious vehicle, and discovers a 'wanted' man and drugs. 37-year-old Sheldon Scott Wagner of Marion was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, once detained by a McDowell deputy. Wagner was found to be driving without a license and officials learned there was an outstanding out-of-county warrant for his arrest. Drug paraphernalia and a syringe containing meth were observed inside Wagner's vehicle. He was taken into custody on the warrant charges.