A Burke County Grand Jury Indictment was issued March 5th on Peggy Hayden Belcher in connection with a December 14th fatal vehicle accident.

Belcher was served with the charge March 8th by the Lenoir Police Department.

According to Morganton Department of Public Safety, Belcher has a Burke Court Superior Court appearance scheduled for April 8th.

A Marion mother and son are charged in a drug conspiracy. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office reported two charges on 62-year-old Doris Ann Cochran and one charge on 34-year-old Kevin Christopher Lail.

Lail, who was in the McDowell County Jail on February 14th, received a card in the mail with strips that are used in the treatment of opiod dependence, but are considered an illegal controlled substance.

Cochran was reportedly buying the drugs and furnishing them to Lail, who was selling them to inmates.

At Tuesday night's Hickory City Council meeting, Charlotte Williams officially took her oath of office and was sworn in as the new Ward 2 Alderwoman.

Williams fills the Ward 2 seat that became vacant with the passing of Councilman Vernon Tarlton in January.

Williams now serves as the inaugural Associate Dean of Engaged and Global Learning at Lenoir-Rhyne and is also the Program Coordinator for the Human and Community Service major.