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.