A Hickory CVS robbery suspect was taken into custody last night in Morganton. Just before 10pm, Morganton Public Safety officers responded to a suspicious vehicle parked at 206 Willowbrook Drive. Officers made contact with a man at Apartment A, later identified as Marshall Shane Freeman, 29, of that address. According to a news release from Public Safety, Freeman made a voluntary statement that he had robbed CVS in Hickory at 1504 2nd Street NE. Hickory Police Department was contacted and responded to the scene for further investigation. Freeman also had a warrant for Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon from Gaston County. He faces numerous charges, including robbery and weapon offenses, possession of stolen property, along with drug and multiple probation violation charges. Freeman was transported to the Burke Catawba Dentention Facility under a secured bond of $115,000 and no bond for the probation and parole violations.

The Town of Valdese has acquired 302 acres along Lake Rhodhiss and McGalliard Creek to become Valdese Lakeside Park, the town's newest and largest public park. Morganton based Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina secured the purchase agreement with the seller, Caldwell Timber partners, as well as a grant of $673,247 from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund to help fund the $1.35 million project. According to a news release from Foothills Conservancy, the property purchase and fundraising were a collaborative effort by the Town of Valdese, the nonprofit Friends of the Valdese Rec, and Foothills Conservancy. Additional funding included a NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant, a donation from Kellex Seating and the Rostan Family Foundation and other public and private contributions.

Catawba County Sheriff's deputies have seized marijuana, cocaine, and over $100,000 in cash after a Wednesday morning drug sting in Newton and Claremont. Officers raided a home and garage in Newton on North Ashe Avenue, where nearly $40,000 in marijuana and cocaine were found. $146,000 in cash was found at a second home in Claremont. No one was at either location when officers arrived. The raids came after a two month long investigation. Authorities had made undercover buys at both homes previously.