A Silver Alert was issued Thursday for a woman missing from Taylorsville. 75-year-old Jacqueline Rogers Rapp is described as a white female, 5'5", 150 pounds with red hair and green eyes. The Alexander County Sheriff's Office reported the location of Rapp's last known location as 8298 Church Road in Taylorsville. She is believed to be suffering from dementia or some other cognitive impairment. Her vehicle description is a 2002 Silver Toyota Camry with License Plate #XRF-6831. Anyone with information on Rapp's whereabouts should call the Alexander County Sheriff's Office at 828-632-2911.

An undercover drug operation by the Avery County Sheriff's Office results in warrants taken on 30 people. Operation Rattlesnake took place over an 8 month period. The Sheriff's Office announced earlier this week that 15 arrests had been made with law enforcement still trying to apprehend others. Agencies assisting the Avery County Sheriff's Office include the McDowell and Mitchell County Sheriff's Departments, Police Departments from Boone, Banner Elk and Beech Mountain along with the SBI.

A Marion man is charged with stealing a friend's SUV. Ernest Allen Rumfelt, 50, was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle and possession of stolen goods. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office reports that Rumfelt took a friend's 2002 Ford Escape from her driveway without her permission. A deputy spotted the suspect driving the vehicle the day after it was reported stolen. Valued at $3,000 the vehicle was recovered.

Hickory firefighters responded about 8pm Wednesday, to a reported fire at 1134 12th Street NE. Firefighters found a fire in the kitchen, with fire damages only to the kitchen and smoke through the rest of the house. The Red Cross responded to the scene to assist the occupants. The cause of the fire in cooking related.

A two-vehicle collision in Hickory has claimed the life of a Newton man. A 1994 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by William Kincaid Flamont II, 70, was traveling west on U.S.Highway 70 SE shortly after 8pm Tuesday. Reports say a 2011 Jeep operated by Francis Dean Fluharty, 69, of Lenoir, made a left turn into the path of the motorcycle. Flamont was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officials say speed is not suspected as a factor in the collision. Hickory Police continue to investigate.

Morganton City workers responded to a power outage that occurred Wednesday afternoon on the NW side of town. About 780 residents and businesses were affected between Green Street, Sanford Drive and Avery Avenue. Power was restored in less than a half hour. Electric service workers report that a car hit a guy wire of an electric pole in the Sun Trust Bank parking lot. The wire flew into the main electric lines causing the primary breaker on the circuit to switch off.

Governor Cooper announced last week Clean Water Management trust Fund Grants. Lake Rhodhiss in Valdese is receiving $673,247 from an Acquisition Project grant. "Provisional Awards" are made pending additional revenue that may come before June 30th. Linville E. Lake James was awarded $1,200,000, along with Rock Creek in Burke County, $291,353, and Backbone Ridge Expansion in Caldwell County, $84,185. A Restoration Project grant of $222,500 was awarded for Limekiln Creek in McDowell County.

A McDowell County pair have been charged with unlawfully living in a Florida woman's home. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, charged Dennis Shane Davis of Nebo, 44, and William Jesse Pendley,Jr. of Marion, 50, with breaking and entering. A deputy on September 7th responded to an alarm call on U.S.221 South and found a broken window and evidence of people living in the backyard. The deputy returned to the home on September 12th and found Davis and Pendley on the property.

Prison escapee Michael Dewayne Clark was captured Tuesday by McDowell Sheriff's Office and Marion Police investigators. About 3pm, an unrelated investigation was underway at 425 Yancey Street, when Clark was spotted at the rear of the residence. Clark initially gave investigators a fictitious name and as they attempted to take him into custody, he fled on foot and led them on a short pursuit before being apprehended. Clark, who has ties to McDowell County, escaped from a work assignment at Harnett Correctional Center on September 14th, and had been on the run since. He was a minimum-custody inmate serving a sentence at Sanford Correctional Center for breaking and entering, with a projected release date of February 2020. A search of his belongings Tuesday turned up a loaded sawed-off shotgun. Weapons-related charges are pending. The N.C.Department of Corrections took custody of Clark and transported him back to prison, according to McDowell County Emergency Management.

Getting 'stuck in the mud" led to an arrest for a Nebo man. Christopher Dylan Stevens, 27, was charged by McDowell deputies with possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Residents on Mockingbird Drive in Nebo had reported seeing a 2014 Chevrolet 1500 truck stuck in the mud while Stevens was spotted in the same area. Officers checked the vehicle to discover that it had been reported as stolen from Moose's Motors in Burke County two days earlier. The truck, valued at $10,000, was recovered. Stevens' bond was set at $10,000.

The former Treasurer of a Fraternal Order of Police Lodge in Newton has been indicted for Embezzling more than $110,000. The announcement was made Tuesday by Jill Westmoreland Rose, U.S.Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Timothy James Brewer, 63, of Newton, from 2005 to 2016 worked for the Catawba County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #26 and was elected to serve as its' Treasurer. As alleged in the indictment, Brewer fraudulently obtained just over $110,000 from the FOP and converted the funds for his personal gain without any authority from the FOP. Brewer has been released on bond.

A 183-acre property along Tim's Creek in the Icard Township is now permanently protected. According to Morganton based Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, Diane and Jacques Geitner donated a conservation easement on their property to Foothills Conservancy, ensuring that the land will never be developed or divided. The Tim's Creek property includes 153 acres of mature forest and 30 acres of open pasture land. It connects two State Significant Natural Heritage Areas: Smith Mountain to the north, and Hildebran Mountain to the south. Funding for the project came from a grant from the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund's min-grant program, and a generous contribution from the Geitners, according to a news release from Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina.

Update: Kelcy has been located safely.
The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office is seeking a missing person, Kelcy Madeline Church, 20, described as 5' 4", 115 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Church is asked to call Detective Raby at 828-759-1554 or Caldwell Crime Stoppers at 828-758-8300.

A Marion woman faces multiple drug charges. McDowell County Sheriff's deputies along with Marion Police officers conducted a search Thursday afternoon at 2234 Sugar Hill Road. Amber Micheel Reel, 30, was in a vehicle in the driveway in the residence. She faces charges of methamphetamine possession, marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Stonebridge Drive is closed today through Friday from 7am to 4pm in preparation of improvements planned for the road. Stonebridge Drive will be closed from Bethel Road to the entrance of the Stonebridge Apartments, according to the City of Morganton.

Leaders of the North Carolina General Assembly invite North Carolina high school students to apply for the 48th Annual Youth Leglislative Assembly April 6th through 8th, in Raleigh. Applications will be accepted through December 11th. The YLA teaches high school students about the laws governing North Carolina's citizens as well as the lawmaking process. For more information please email YLA Coordinator erica.gallion@ncleg.net or call 919-301-1372.

Morganton Department of Public Safety responded to a reported residential structure fire just before 9pm Sunday on Brittain Drive. The fire was contained to the kitchen and a small section of the attice. There were no injures and The American Red Cross assisted at the scene. Morganton Publi Safety credited the functioning smoke detector and quick notification for allowing fire department units to arrive quickly.

A Marion man, wanted for vending coin or currency theft, has been located. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office found David Edward Rhom, 29, on Thursday, and took him into custody. Additional arrests and charges are pending.

Hickory Police arrested a a man wanted on vehicle breakin charges and another man is wanted in connection with a crime on Lenoir-Rhyne property from September 9th. Robert Spender Keppel, 29, was arrested Thursday and additionally was served with outstanding warrants from Alexander County for various offenses. Casey Everett Pruitt, 27, of Hickory is also wanted on numerous outstanding warrants from Alexander County for Breaking and Entering Motor Vehicle. It is believed Pruitt and Keppel are known associates working together. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Casey Pruitt is urged to contact the Alexander County Sheriff's Office at 828-632-2911 or the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551.

Burke County EMS is among the more than 30 state agencies recognized for the Higgins and Langley Award for Outstanding Achievement in Swift Water Rescue for the coordinated local, state and federal response in October 2016 for Hurricane Matthew. The teams rescued over 2,300 people and brought them to safety as Matthew's floodwaters rose. Other WNC agencies recognized, in addition to Burke EMS, include Buncombe County Emergency Services, East Lincoln Fire Department, Gaston County EMS and Henderson County Rescue Squad. The state was awarded the same Higgins and Langley Award in 2005 after swift water rescue teams saved more than 1,110 people following Tropical Storms Frances and Ivan.

Caldwell County Sheriff's Office Investigators executed a search warrant Monday, at the residence of Tracy Lloyd Lail, 49, of Reid Road in Granite Falls. The search warrant was obtained pursuant to a Bank Card Theft in the Dudley Shoals area on Monday. It was discovered that the Card was stolen out of the mail after the card was used to make a purchase. Investigators followed up on the case and obtained surveillance footage that depicts Lloyd using the Stolen Bank Card to make the purchase. During the execution of the search warrant dozens of stolen credit cards and numerous additional Items of mail not belonging to Lail were recovered. The Items of mail that have been recovered are addressed to residences in Caldwell, Alexander, Burke and Catawba Counties. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected. Lail is in the Caldwell County Detention Center under a $150,000 secured bond.

Governor Cooper announced millions of dollars in grants to fight crime on Tuesday. Some WNC counties will benefit from the grant monies including:
McDowell - Teen courts to divert young people from crime.
Avery, Buncombe & Watauga - Help for victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Mitchell & Yancey - Help for child victims.

A Newton man is sentenced to prison in Catawba County Superior Court this week. Preston Woods,31, will spen up to seven years behind bars after pleading guilty to failure to register as a sex offender and admitting his status as a habitual felon. Reports say Woods could not be located at his previous Hickory residence in January 2016. Officers with the Catawba County Sheriff's Office and Catawba Probation and Parole exhausted numerous leads to locate Woods, who avoided them for five months before turning himself in to authorities in June 2016. Woods' sentence was lenghened by prior felony convictions dating back to 2007.

McDowell County Sheriff's Office Investigators are looking for a suspect in a residential break-in. Jamie Lee Russell, 34, is wanted for questioning in relation to a break-in at the Angel Wing Drive home of Terry Self, sometime between July 23rd and August 22nd. Russell is described as a white male, 6' 1', about 242 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Russell is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 652-2237 or Crime Stoppers at 652-7463.

A 20-year-old Lawndale man will spend at least 25 years in prison after pleading guilty, Wednesday in Catawba County Superior Court, to sex-related criminal acts involving a minor victim. Jacob Marcus Humphries pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree sexual offense and one count of indecent liberties with a child.

A Burke County Sheriff's Office School Resource Deputy and a school official dealt with an incident involving a juvenile at a Burke County School Tuesday morning, where a firearm was on school property. The Morganton News Herald reports that the incident occurred at Table Rock Middle involving a sixth-grader. The unloaded weapon was removed from the student. There were no injuries and the investigaton is continuing with juvenile authorities, according to the Sheriff's Office.

A Newton teenager escapes the death penalty in a Catawba County murder charge. Lennon Riley Henderson, 16, appeared in Catawba County Superior Court Tuesday, where state prosecutors announced that they will not seek capital punishment. Henderson is charged with the murder of Harry Lewis Bruner, Jr., 40. Published reports say Bruner's body was discovered in his home near Maiden after firefighters responded to a fire at the residence. A search warrant reportedly revealed Bruner was killed after being shot in the head with a shotgun. A news release states the law does not allow the state to pursue the death penalty for Henderson because of his age. His nex court apperance is in January. The Catawba County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the case.

A Marion registered sex offender is charged with possession of child pornography. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office reported Tuesday that Dakota Guy Russell was charged after a search of his residence on September 1st. Russell is also on probation.

A Winston-Salem man was given an active prison term of six to nine years during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday, following his guilty plea to breaking and entering, larceny and admission to being a habitual felon. Herbert Vernal Stanback, 61, had his prison term enhanced by prior felony convictions for larceny of a motor vehicle in Mecklenburg County (October 1985), escape from state prison in Mecklenburg (October 1990) and larceny in Union County (December 2004).

A Burke County Public School employee, who resigned Monday, has been arrested on two counts of 2nd degree Exploitation of Minors. On Friday, the Burke County Sheriff's Office was notified by the SBI regarding information including between what was believed to be a minor child and an adult. The subsequent information led law enforcement to Michael Lowman of Valdese. Probable cause was developed to seize Lowman's cellular device. A polygraph with Lowman disclosed that he had downloaded and uploaded child pornography with his cellular device. Lowman was given a secured bond of $250,000.

Investigators with the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office are looking for a missing person. Caitlin Briana Taylor, 25, was last seen August 7th in the Connelly Springs area of Caldwell County. Taylor is described as a white female, 5' 7", weighing about 120 pounds. If you have anyone information on the whereabouts of Taylor, please call Detective Minor at 759-1554 or Crime Stoppers at 758-8300.

A Conover man will serve at least 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking opium/heroin by possession during Burke County Superior Court last Wednesday. Devin Andrew Yancey, 24, was given an active prison term off 11 to 15 years and assessed a mandatory fine of $50,000.

A Morganton man was given an active prison term of 33 to 100 months following his guilty plea to felony secret peeping and second-degree exploitation of a minor during Burke County Superior Court on September 12th. Officers with the Burke County Sheriff's Office responded to a residence in reference to the defendant, James Ward Moody, 55, secretly videotaping a 12-year-old girl while she was in the shower. The victim told officers that when she got out of the shower a cell phone was set up on a shelf recording her.

A Waynesville area boy accidentally drowns in a Morganton motel pool. Public Safety responded about 10pm Saturday, after Burke 911 received a call that a child was found under water at the indoor pool of the Comfort Inn. EMS took the boy to CHS Morganton where he was pronounced dead. A Public Safety investigation showed that the child was swimming with family and friends, when he moved along the side of the pool holding the edge, when after moving into the deeper end of the pool, his hands slipped off the edge. Visibility was poor in the pool, according to a news release from Public Safety, and after about 10 minutes the family noticed he was missing. The boy was pulled from the water and nearby adults began cpr. According to the child's father, he did not know how to swim and was told to stay near the shallow end. The family was in Morganton for local baseball games and was staying at the Comfort Inn before returning home.

The website k12.niche.com ranks Burke County Public Schools 29th on its list of 2018 Best School Districts in North Carolina. The rating is based on reviews from students and parents as well as test scores, college readiness factors and teacher quality. The website gives Burke County Public Schools As and Bs for teachers, academics, health and safety, facilities, extracurricular activities and diversity.

Caldwell County Superintendent Dr.Steve Stone will retire June 30th. This June marks 12 years of service in the Caldwell County School System and 20 years as a superintendent, which ranks Stone as the 2nd highest tenured superintendent in North Carolina. The Board of Education will hold a special meeting on September 26th at 6pm at the Education center to begin discussion on hiring a new superintendent for the Caldwell County Schools.

The Hickory Police Department is seeking the public's help in locating Joshua Alan Ruch, who was involved in the attempted robbery on last Wednesday, at about 8pm in the parking lot of Walmart, 2525 Hwy 70. Ruch is wanted on multiple outstanding warrants, and is often in the company of Erin Olivia Shell, who is also wanted on a charge of felony larceny of motor vehicle. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Joshua Ruch or Erin Shell is asked to call Hickory Police at 828-328-5551.

A major player in an area drug conspiracy has been arrested in California. Dwayne Bullock, 35, of Newton was apprehended Wednesday in National City by the U.S.Marshal Service. The investigation began last summer with a probe of activity at the McDowell County residence of Jamie Leonard Tate, 36. It was determined that Tate and Bullock conspired with numerous people to traffic and distribute hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine and marijuana, as well as lesser amounts of cocaine and heroin. Bullock had been on the run since April 18th, when authorities conducted raids in McDowell, Burke and Catawba counties. 20 people have been arrested in connection with the conspiracy. Some are considered man players and some mid-level drug dealers.

A 26 mile chase from Burke into McDowell County ends with an arrest. Just before 6pm Wednesday, Morganton Department of Public Safety responded to the Morganton Heights Shopping Center in reference to a larceny at Belk. Officers spotted the suspect's vehicle on West Fleming Drive turning onto Golf Course Road and after officers attempted to stop the vehicle the suspect fled onto Hopewell Road and continued into McDowell County, before ending off of Tatertown Road. Jennifer Deanne McMahan was arrested and charged with one count of Felonious Flee to Elude. She was served with multiple outstanding warrants from surrounding counties such as McDowell and Catawba. McMahan was placed in the Burke Catawba Detention Facility under a $19,000 secured bond.

A 42-year-old Hickory man was sentenced to 4 to 6 years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday. Rodriguez Lavan entered into a guilty plea, even though the case actually went to trial. Lavan entered into his plea after all the evidence had been presented. Investigators from the Hickory Police Department reviewed video surveillance from a January 2015 incident at a Hickory convenience store that showed the defendant to be a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He was arrested at the same store about three hours later. Lavan's prison term was enhanced from his prior felony convictions for possession of a Schedule II substance in 1993, cocaine possession in 1996 and possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine in 1999. All convictions are in Catawba County.

An altercation with a police officer and a two-year-old break in lands a Lenoir man in prison. Matthew Charles Minton, 27, will be serving up to seven years in prison for assaulting a police last April, and for a 2015 break-in. Reports say Minton broke into a vehicle in October 2015 and fled into a wooded area when confronted by the car's owner. He was then apprehended by Lenoir Police following a foot chase; but then failed to appear at his trial. Then in April, Minton was pulled over for a burned-out headlight. Minto reportedly gave the officer a false name and fled the scene on foot. When the officer caught up with the suspect, Minton attempted to strangle the officer and pulled at his service weapon. The officer was forced to deploy his taser to detain Minton. Minton pleaded guilty to breaking and entering a motor vehicle, failure to appear, assault on a law enforcement officer, inflicting serious injury, and admitting his status as a habitual felon.

A Maiden man was sentenced to serve at least 11 years in prison after he was found guilty by a Catawba County Jury, Tuesday, of possession of a firearm by a felon and carrying a concealed weapon. Kenneth Wayne Ryckeley, 38, also admitted his status as a habitual felon, which enhanced the prison, which is 11 to years. Ryckeley had prior felony convictions for felony larceny in Lincoln County ( January 2006), obtaining property by false pretense in Gaston County (April 2009) and possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine in Iredell County (August 2013).

Duke Energy has restored power to 313,000 North and South Carolina residents after the remnants of Hurricane Irma moved through the Carolinas earlier this week. Duke Energy expects power to be restored to the additional 57,000 people without power, by 11pm tomorrow, if not sooner. Also, the U.S.Forest Service has reopened most recreation areas and roads on the National Forests in North Carolina.

An Asheville teenager is charged with the kidnap and rape of a 12-year-old. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office reported Tuesday the charges on Dylan Evan Smith, 18. According to the Sheriff's Office, warrants stated that Smith, "unlawfully, willfully and feloniously did kidnap the female acquaintance". The McDowell County Sheriff's Office received the case on a referral from McDowell County Department of Social Services.

Five City of Morganton Electric Services Department crew will head to Georgia this morning, to help restore power in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Bart Chapman, Houston King, Phillip Campbell, Ethan Burns, and Gary Benfield, will take two City electric trucks and join a convoy of electric workers from the cities of Gastonia, Concord, Statesville and Kings Mountain as they head to the Peach State. The workmen will help set poles, repair electric lines, and restore power in the area. City Electric Services Department Director Brooks Kirby said the crew would work in Georgia for about a week. When they return to Morganton, Kirby plans to send another crew further south to Florida.

Hickory City Firefighters were returning Monday from another incident, when they noticed a fire in the area of 261 10th Street Place NW. Firefighters discovered burning bales of cardboard inside a cardboard recycling facility. No injuries were reported and damage estimates are being compiled. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Catawba County EMS and Hickory Police assisted at the scene.

A Newton man faces a prison term after pleading guilty to second-degree murder for a motor vehicle accident that killed a Caldwell County pastor. Zachariah Arthur Carl, 32, was sentenced to serve up to 19 years in connection with the fatal accident that occurred in December 2016 near Conover. Pastor of Abundant Life Church in Hudson, Michael Vanderburg, 43, was killed in the crash while his three children were taken to a hospital. According to the State Highway Patrol, Vanderburg was attempting to make a left turn whenever Carl ran through a red light - striking his vehicle. Reports further state Carl consumed alcohol at two restaurants before the accident; while his blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit. Carl also pleaded guilty to driving while impaired, possession of an open container and driving with a revoked license.

A Marion man is charged with trafficking of opiods. The Marion Police Department reported Friday that Ricky Lee Jaynes, 54, of Sugar Hill Road was arrested, Thursday, after a search of his residence. Marion Police had received numerous citizen complaints of illegal activity at the residence. Jaynes is accused of selling and distributing prescription "pain pills", which were not prescribed to him. Bond was set at $200,000 secured. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office and SBI assisted Marion Police in the case.

Five new firefighters have been hired for the Hickory Fire Department.
* Kasi Browning has served as a firefighter for Newton and Valdese, and has volunteered at Long View for 2 years.
* Eric Keller has worked as an Engineer for Sherrill's Ford Fire & Rescue for 2 years and has volunteered with Bandy's Fire Department for 10 years, where he currently serves as a Captain.
* Logan Sauceda has been a firefighter for over 6 years - most recently with Boger City Fire Department and as a volunteer with Conover Fire Department.
* Greg Smith comes to the department with over 7 years' experience. Recently he worked with Boone Fire Department as Engineer.
* Stephen Taylor has 6 years' experience as a firefighter and has volunteered with George Hildebran Fire & Rescue, where he serves as a Lieutenant.

Burke County Fire Marshal and Emergency Manager Michael Willis says Burke Emergency Management has prepared for any threats posed by the remnants of Hurricane Irma, as it passes through the tip of WNC into the Tennessee Valley. Willis says plans were made last week and coordinated with local municipalities and State of NC. Willis says he feels Burke County is prepared and ready.

The U.S.Forest Service is closely monitoring Hurricane Irma and is temporarily closing all campgrounds and recreation areas in the Nantahala, Pisgah and Uwharrie National Forests. Here are the closings in the Grandfather Ranger District:
* Curtis Creek Road (NFSR #482)
* Table Rock Road (NFSR#99)
* Maple Sally Road(NFSR#187)
* Brown Mountain OHV Trails
* Brown Mountain Campsites
* Mortimer & Curtis Creek Campgrounds
All are expected to reopen by Thursday.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is issuing a road advisory from Milepost 217 to Milepost 469, all areas south of the NC/VA state line from this morning through Wednesday morning. Information related to the path of Hurricane Irma, from the National Weather Service, suggests preparedness for strong winds at high elevations, and isolated flash flooding over the foothills and mountains of the Southern Blue Ridge. Park visitors are encouraged to use extreme caution and be aware of the potential for falling rocks and downed trees.

The State, last week, released letter grades. In the Burke County Public Schools system, 24 schools eligible for a letter grade earned grades of C or better. In Burke County Public Schools, the cohort high school graduation rate is 86.4. Burke Middle College continues to have a 100% graduation rate. Freedom has the second highest graduation rate in the county at 92.3 and Draughn the third highest at 92%. Freedom continues to have a high percentage of students pass Advanced Placement (AP) tests. last school year, 57% of Freedom's students who took an AP test passed with a score of 3,4 or 5. Draughn led the way in WorkKeys assessment scores, which measures career readiness skills, with 76.1% of its students scoring a silver certificate or above. Countywide, students improved ACT scores by 2.2 percentage points with 61.7% of students making a 17 or higher composite score.

One of Burke County's Most Wanted has been nabbed. According to the Burke County Sheriff's Office, on Friday Rebecca Allendria McCloud, 36, of Connelly Springs was taken into custody by the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. McCloud had been on the Most Wanted list for 8 weeks for Felony Probation Violation. She was placed in the Burke Catawba District Confinement Facility under a $30,500 secured bond. A court appearance is scheduled for September 19th.

As forecasts indicate that Hurricane Irma is expected significant impacts in the Carolinas, Duke Energy is preparing for the storm and encouraging customers to do so as well: The following tips can help you and your family stay safe if severe weather strikes and the power goes out:
* Create(or update) an emergency supply kit to save valuable time later.
* Maintain a supply of water and non-perishable food.
* Review insurance policies, and include extra copies and other important documents in emergency supply kit(ideally in a waterproof container).
* Keep a portable radio or TV, or NOAA weather radio on hand.
* Charge cellphones, computers, and other electronic devices in advance of the storm.
* Maintain a plan to move family members - especially those with special needs - to a safe, alternative location in case of an extended power outage.
* Pet owners can make arrangements to stay at evacuation shelters that accept pets, friends' or family nenbers' homes, or pet-friendly hotels.
* Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging.
* Report all power line hazards by using the following phone numbers:
  o Duke Energy customers - 800.769.3766
  o Duke Energy Progress customers - 800.419.6356
For a "Hurricane Kit Checklist, important safety tips and more information on what to do before, during and after a storm, visit:
https://www.duke-energy.com/safety-and-prepardness/storm-safety.

Felicia Simmons has been named the Burke County Principal of the Year. Simmons, in her her first year at Freedom, was recognized last week before the start of the Freedom-East Burke football game. She has been principal at Walter Johnson and Table Rock middle schools before being named principal at Freedom this summer. Also last week, Jim Childers was named Assistant Principal of the Tear. Childers is the athletic director, assistant principal and assistant football coach at East Burke.

A Hickory man was found guilty of multiple sexual offenses and other charges during Burke County Superior Court this week. 32-year-old Michael Christopher Weaver was found guilty of first-degree forcible rape, first-degree sexual offense, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, communicating threats, and intimidating a witness. The offenses occurred in January 2016 at Lowman's Motel in eastern Burke County where the defendant and a female were staying. The investigation shows that Weaver became angry and attacked the victim with a wooden stick, beating her severely - sexually assaulting her as well. Weaver reportedly kept the victim in the motel room overnight before taking her to a hospital the next day. Her injuries were described as 'significant' leaving the victim hospitalized for an extensive period. Weaver later threatened the victim in November 2016 leading to the intimidation charges. The jury sentenced Weaver to a prison term of at least 44 years.

A State of Emergency is in effect for all 100 counties in North Carolina as the state prepares for almost certain impacts from Hurricane Irma next week. This will facilitate the movement of any resources that may be needed to respond to the storm. It also waives truck weight, size and hours of service restrictions so that vehicles carrying essential supplies such as food, medicine, fuel or transporting livestick and crops can get their jobs done quickly. North Carolina could experience wind and rain from Hurricane Irma as early as Monday.

Three area meth traffickers are sentenced Tuesday in federal court. Jill Westmoreland Rose, U.S.Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina announced Wednesday, lengthy prison terms for the traffickers:
Randy Lee Bivens, 35, of Hickory - 169 months in prison & 5 years supervised release.
Jerico Nathaniel Chapman, 29, of Valdese - 130 months in prison & 5 years supervised release.
Nathan Ray Bumgarner, 55, of Connelly Springs - 130 months in prison & 5 years supervised release.
The defendants were charged as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation. Two other traffickers, one from El Salvador, the other from Mexico, were sentenced as well and had leadership roles in the drug ring.

Deputies arrest a Connelly Springs man late Tuesday, wanted in connection with an earlier domestic dispute. Responding to a call of a suspicious person walking along Baptist Camp Road, deputies detained the subject identified as 55-year-old Paul Alan Hyler. He reportedly left his Deer Creek Drive residence Monday, after allegedly shooting another man who was initially listed in serious condition. The Burke County Sheriff's Office, the State Highway Patrol, and SWAT team members secured the area of the disturbance, and determined Hyler had fled from the crime scene. Hyler was described in a news release as being wet, covered in mud, and tired of running as he surrendered to officers without incident. Reports say he was wearing a 9mm pistol in a holster on his side. Hyler was jailed under a $100,000 secured bond.

Two McDowell County residents are charged with possession of methamphetamine. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office aided the State Highway Patrol on August 25th during the traffic stop, which occurred on Harmony Grove Road in Nebo. The Sheriff's Office charged Timothy Steven Clark, 46, of Marion and Robert Lee Reel, 22 of Old Fort, after allegedly finding meth on them.

A Connelly Springs man remains on-the-run from law enforcement following a Labor Day dispute that left another man seriously injured. A warrant has been issued for 55-year-old Paul Alan Hyler, after he allegedly shot 43-year-old Andrew Jackson in a domestic dispute on Deer Creek Drive just before noon on Monday. Hyler was reportedly living in a camper trailer near the crime scene; however officials secured the area, called in Burke County's SWAT, issued commands and deployed chemical agents; but Hyler was not inside the trailer when authorities made entry. During the incident, officers investigated a possible sighting of the suspect on a powerline overlooking the trailer. The sighting turned out to be a local resident armed with as assault rifle observing the scene from a distance. The Sheriff's Office reminds citizens to obey commands of law enforcement and remain outside of the areas of danger in such instances. Hyler has not yet been arrested, while his warrant calls for assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill. Anyone with information regarding Hyler's whereabouts should call the Burke Sheriff's office at 438-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 437-3333.

Two Marion residents are charged with contributing to the delinquincy of a minor. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office reported Monday that 50-year-old James Penland and 45-year-old Rebecca Tesner were charged after a 2-year-old boy tested positive for marijuana and hydrocodone. Penland and Tesner are the legal guardians and grandparents of the child. Employees with McDowell Cpunty Department of Social Services are involved in the case.

Total student enrollment has surpassed 11,000 for the first time at Western Carolina. The GPA of the entering fall class has hit an all-time high. The 2017 fall semester tally represents the fifth year out of the past six that WCU has seen enrollment increases. This year's freshman class totals 1,980, also a new record, and the high school weighted GPA of this year's class sets a high-water mark at 3.83.

The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton July unemployment rate was 4.3%, with the Asheville rate at 3.6%. Area county rates include:
Alexander - 3.7%
Avery - 4.1%
Burke - 4.3%
Caldwell - 4.5%
Catawba - 4.2%
Lincoln - 3.9%
McDowell - 4.1%
Watauga - 4.2%
Buncombe County had the state's lowest July unemployment rate at 3.4%, with Scotland County  recording the state's highest unemployment at 7.6%, according to figures released by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

Two Lenoir men have been charged in connection with a double-homicide in Hickory. With the assistance of the Burke County Sheriff's Office and the Lenoir Police Department, Hickory Police arrested and charged 20-year-old Daniel Minton and 20-year-old Maurice Brown. Minton is charged with murder in the shooting deaths of Branique McKnight of Conover and Janarion Knox of Hickory. Brown is charged with two counts of accessory after the fact to murder. Reports state Hickory officers responded to a report of shots fired Thursday afternoon at a Hickory apartment where they discovered McKnight and knox who both died at the scene. Minton turned himself in at the Lenoir Police Department sometime following the shooting. Both he and Brown are being held without bond in the Catawba County Detention facility. Hickory Police continue to investigate.

Governor Cooper last week signed a proclamation declaring September 2017, Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in North Carolina, while visiting a treatment center. Addiction is a growing problem in North Carolina and opiod drug overdoses are on the rise. In 2016 opiod-related deaths were up by 20% from 2015.

The City of Hickory is developing a master plan for the future Sandy Pines Park, which is located on a 13 acre tract in the northeast quadrant. In an effort to gather essential public input regarding the park, a drop-in workshop is being held on Thursday September 14th from 5-7pm at the Highland recreation Center (1451 8th Street Drive NE). Citizens are encouraged to come by anytime during these hours to share their desires for recreation, health, fitness opportunities, and any items of concern.