A Marion couple is charged with trafficking heroin. 23-year-old Natasha Leann Brooks and 27-year-old Shane Allen Parker have been charged with trafficking heroin and possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin. A search of their residence conducted by McDowell County Sheriff's deputies and state Probation and Parole officers turned up more than 5 grams of a white powdery substance. reports say investigators later identified the powder as being heroin.

Sutter Street Manufacturing, a Williams-Sonama, Inc. operation plans to create 72 new jobs with an expansion in Catawba County. The announcement was made Wednesday by Governor Roy Cooper. Sutter Street Manufacturing produces top-quality upholstered home furnishings for Williams-Sonoma through brands like Pottery Barn, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma Home. The 72 new jobs will add to current employment of 583 full time jobs in Catawba County.

Thunderstorms caused major damage from fallen trees in Southern Caldwell County Wednesday afternoon. According to Caldwell County Public Information, there were no reports of injuries. Pibbs Drive in Sawmills and Pinewood Avenue in Granite Falls were affected. The American Red Cross was on the scene to help residents and the National Weather Service was called for their evaluation.

A 42-year-old man has been charged with two counts of 1st degree murder in Asheville. Eric Robert Begley, a.k.a "Deuce," has been charged with two counts of 1st degree murder for his participation in the deaths of 75-year-old Allene and 79-year-old Cleve McMahan. The couple was killed in their home on Rockhill Place in December 1989. The murder charge is a result from the efforts of cold case investigator Detective Kevin Taylor and Detective Steve Coon who obtained information necessary to charge Begley during a recent interview. It is believed that Begley was working with one or more offenders and the case is under further investigation. Begley is currently in custody in Indiana and authorities are working to have him extradited to North Carolina.