Burke County will be affected by the State Senate redistricting plan if it is adopted by the State Legislature. Instead of Cleveland County, Burke County will be coupled with Caldwell and Avery to form the 46th State Senate District now represented by Senator Warren Daniel of Morganton. Caldwell and Alexander will make up the 42nd NC Senate District, and McDowell, Rutherford, Mitchell, Yancey, Madison and Polk Counties will make up the 47th NC Senate District, now represented by Ralph Hise of Spruce Pine. In the State House, parts of Burke County will remain in the proposed 86th State House District represented by Hugh Blackwell of Valdese. The rest of Burke remains with Rutherford to make up the 112th State House District. McDowell, Mitchell and Avery Counties will form the 85th State House District and Caldwell will remain in the 87th State House. The last redistricting plan, drawn up in 2011, was deemed unconstitutional by the courts, a decision that was upheld this summer. Legislators have since been redrawing the state plan. The proposed plan has not been adopted yet.

The driver wanted in a fatal Hickory hit and run still has not been located. Hickory Police continue to ask for public assistance in locating the drive reponsible for the hit and run death of Ricky James Yelton that occurred early Monday morning. Police reports state Yelton was struck by the suspect vehicle after wrecking his moped near the intersection of Startown Road and 23rd Street Drive SE. Yelton died at the scene. Authorities are looking for a red 2007 vehicle - either a Daewoo Lacetti, a Suzuki Forenza, or a Chevy Optra with damage to the front driver's side. Investigators say all of these vehicles were made as station wagons, hatchbacks, or sedans. Anyone with information about Monday's incident should call Hickory Police at 328-5551.

A Caldwell County faces cocaine charges. On Wednesday, officers from the Lenoir Police Department's Narcotics Unit served a search warrant on the residence of 506 Arlington Circle, Lenoir. According to a news release from Lenoir Police, detectives located 11.9 grams of cocaine. Due to the close proximity of Ferguson's residence to Horizons Elementary School, one of the charges is for possession with intent to manufacture sell or deliver cocaine within 1000 feet of a schools. Bond was seat at $50,000 secured with a court appearance scheduled for today. Additional charges may be forthcoming.