A search that has spanned for almost a week in Transylvania County, ends with the overnight arrest of the suspect in McDowell County. According to News 13, Phillip Michael Stroupe II was taken into custody. He had been wanted since Saturday, when he fled into the Pisgah National Forest after leading officers on a chase. Stroupe has numerous charges from multiple counties, including McDowell, Yancey, Buncombe and Madison.

A Hickory man pleaded guilty to first-degree murder during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, and will spend the remainder of his life in prison. 34-year-old Micky Lee Swink entered his guilty plea for the October 31st murder of his 66-year-old great aunt Patricia Diane Swink at her Hickory residence. A co-defendant in the case, 50-year-old Tina Louise Swink of Hildebran, Micky Swink's mother, still faces murder charges in connection with Patricia Swink's death.

The City of Morganton announces available funding for non-profit organizations for the new fiscal year. Through the Community Development Block Grant program, the City of Morganton has $21,980 available for qualifying non-profits. The non-profits must conduct activities to benefit low and moderate-income individuals within the city limits of Morganton. Non-profits that have not received funding for the past two consecutive years will be given priority for current funding. The Community Development staff wants to make these funds available to all qualified non-profits. Those interested in submitting an application for funding should contact Lisa Helton at 485-4281.

A man is wanted for questioning in McDowell County in connection with church break-ins. 26-year-old Adam Keith Rumfelt is described as a white male, 6'3", 260 pounds with short brown hair and green eyes. No charges have been filed on Rumfelt, but he is wanted for questioning. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Rumfelt is asked to call the McDowell County Sheriff's Office at 652-2237 or Crime Stoppers at 652-7463.