A vehicle crashes onto the railroad tracks near the Wash House Laundromat on South Sterling Street. About 8:30am Tuesday, MDPS Officers responded with assistance from Burke EMS and Rescue and Norfolk Southern personnel. An investigation concluded that Ann Foster had suffered a medical emergency while driving south on South Sterling Street, causing her to lose control of her Buick. The vehicle side-seiped a 2006 Dodge operated by Timothy Clawson, traveled across the parking lot of the Wash House and struck the center post of a billboard, before continuing up the embankment and coming to rest on the hill on the northern-most rail of the railroad tracks. Clawson was not injured. Both Ann and James Foster were transported to CHS-Morganton with non-life threatening injuries. Norfolk Southern personnel inspected the tracks before trains were allowed to proceed through town. No charges have been filed against the driver as of  Wednesday.

A McDowell assisted-living facility was the scene of a carbon monoxide leak Tuesday night. 45 people were treated at the scene; while eight were transported to McDowell Hospital following carbon monoxide exposure at Lake James Lodge. Nunerous emergency personnel from McDowell and surrounding counties declared the leak as a mass casualty incident, after confirming carbon monoxide was present inside the facility. Fire officials report the incident was caused by a malfunctioning boiler, which was taken out and a repair crew was called in. Residents and staff were then allowed to return to the facility. Emergency Management authorities state the Lake James Lodge event was one of the largest mass casualty incidents to occur in the history of McDowell County.

The NC Forest Service in conjuction with the US Forest Service and McDowell County Emergency Management will conduct a community meeting on the Dobson Knob Fire tonight at 7. The location is Woodlawn Baptist Church 7873 US 221 North. Fire officials will review progress on suppression operations and respond to questions about the fire.

During the next several months, firefighters well implement the annual hydrant inspection and maintenance program throughout the City of Hickory service area. For the safety of all, motorists are encouraged to reduce their speed and exercise extreme caution when recognizing their path of travel will pass nearby hydrants being operated.