The Burke County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help to locate 16-year-old Larry "William" Powell. William is not believed to be in any danger at this time, but the your help is needed to locate him. Anyone with information regarding his location, please contact the Burke County Sheriff's Office at 438-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 437-3333.

Seven teachers and media coordinators from Burke County Public Schools are Girls Excelling in Math and Science club coaches. Elsie Hembree, from WA Young; Karen Breedlove from Forest Hill; Emma Watson from Salem; Karen Goins and Amanda Garrison from Drexel; April Robinson from Oak Hill and Lisa Nichols from Valdese were among the 27 educators from across the region who spent the week of August 7th at the NC Center of Engineering Technologies training to start GEMS clubs at their schools. These school clubs focus on girls in science, technology, engineering and math(STEM) careers through inquiry-based activities.

A McDowell County mother is charged with abusing her 3-year old son. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office reported on Monday that 22-year-old Amber Nicole Prater of Marion was charged with child abuse and contributing to the delinquincy of a minor. The case was received by the Sheriff's Office on a referral by the McDowell County Department of Social Services.

A Hudson man was imprisoned after being found guilty or multiple property crimes by a Caldwell County jury. 46-year-old Thomas Victor Rinehart Jr. was sentenced to a prison term of seven to nine years following a two-day trial. His sentenced was enhanced by his status as a habitual felon for numerous felony convictions between 1989 and 2008 including breaking and entering and drug charges. Reports state Rinehart and co-defendant Jason Setser broke into a rental home on Mount Herman Road owned by a Burke County couple. The men removed several items from the home including antique furniture, electronics, light fixtures, and plumbing pipes - causing extensive damage to the home during the theft. With the aid of witnesses, Caldwell County detectives were able to discover some of the stolen goods hidden in a wooded area. The recovered items were returned to the owners. Setser has pleaded guilty to his involvement in the crimes and currently is in custody.

A Hickory man was sentenced to an active prison term of five to seven years after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter for the May 2016 death of his wife. 62-year-old Ronald Carl Lane was sentenced Monday during Burke County Superior Court. An investigation showed that Lane shot his wife of 42 years with a .22-caliber revolver. Further investigation by Long View Police showed no prior domestic violence between Lane and his wife. Lane appeared to have some mental issues when interviewed by SBI agents several hours after the shooting.