A suspect was arrested earlier Thursday following a standoff in Rutherford County Wednesday night.

27-year-old Benjamin Donald Kennedy was wanted on several outstanding warrants as Rutherford deputies encountered him at a residence waving a gun around.

Reports say officers used tear gas in attempts to get Kennedy to surrender; however, he exited the rear of the home and escaped into a wooded area.

The NC Highway Patrol utilized a helicopter to search for Kennedy but he remained at large through Wednesday night.

Shortly after Noon Thursday, Kennedy was taken into custody during a traffic stop and taken to the local detention facility.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Forest City Police, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, and the NC Department of Public Safety.

Trees for Troops – a national program that provides free farm-grown Christmas trees to armed forces members and their families is gearing up for the season with plans to deliver more than 17-thousand trees to more than 75 military bases in the US and overseas.

Celebrating its thirteenth year, Trees for Troops is a program of the Christmas Spirit foundation, in conjunction with FedEx and American Christmas tree farmers and retailers.

Since 2005, the organization has delivered more than 208-thousand real Christmas trees to the military.

NC has donated more than 16-thousand-550 trees since the program began.

This year, NC has pledged to donate over 700 trees.

To learn more about Trees for Troops visit trees-for-troops-dot-org.

A Hickory man is arrested and charged in connection with a rash of early morning vehicle break-ins in Lincoln County.

25-year-old Antonio Shaquille Williams is charged with 11 felony counts of breaking and entering a vehicle, and one misdemeanor count each of larceny, possession of a controlled substance and resist, delay, and obstruct a public officer.

Lincoln deputies were called to the parking lot of an apartment complex where they encountered a suspect who ran from the scene, but was later apprehended by officers and identified as Williams.

He was jailed under a 60-thousand dollar secured bond.

Two 17-year-old McDowell High School students are charged with having drugs on campus.

Reports with the McDowell Sheriff’s Office say one of the females was charged with possession of marijuana while the other was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

School administrators contacted the sheriff’s office after receiving information that the pair had marijuana in their possession.

A registered sex offender living in Lincoln County is charged with child sexual assault.

24-year-old Andre Keith Bracey is charged with one felony count of statutory rape of a 13,14, or 15-year-old victim by a defendant at least six years older.

A news release states the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office had received a report of a statutory rape that had occurred at the suspect’s residence.

The victim is reportedly a 15-year-old female who is related to Bracey.

He was jailed under a 500-thousand dollar secured bond.

Bracey had been released from the state’s prison system last October after serving a 4-year sentence for taking indecent liberties with a minor in 2014.

As the Thanksgiving holiday weekend concluded Sunday, the state highway patrol reports a healthy outcome to the I-40 challenge.

As a result of the campaign, zero fatalities were reported across the state with a total of 31 collisions among the seven states that participated.

During the challenge, troopers were positioned every 20 miles along interstate-40 to enforce traffic violations that often lead to severe collisions.

Triple-A auto club reports Thanksgiving is one of the busiest holidays for travel throughout the country.

A tractor trailer driver from Miami faces charges in a motor vehicle crash in McDowell County Saturday that killed a Marion woman.

Marion Police report the collision occurred at the intersection of 221 and 226 South around 10 am involving a passenger car driven by Elizabeth Gunter and a tractor trailer driven by Ivan Portal.

Gunter was killed in the mishap, while four of her passengers were transported to Mission Hospital in Asheville with non-life threatening injuries.

Upon investigation, Marion Police discovered Portal to be in possession of misdemeanor amounts of prescription medications.

He was then charged with one count each of possession of a schedule 4 controlled substance; along with one count of misdemeanor death by vehicle.

Portal was issued a 5-thousand dollar secured bond and was confined to the McDowell County Detention Facility.

A FedEx tractor trailer caught fire on I-40 Monday morning, igniting a nearby wooded area on Old Fort mountain.

Just before 11, firefighters responded to interstate 40 westbound at the 68 mile marker where the double-trailer had caught fire on the roadway.

Fire officials say the fire began when the engine compartment began smoking and later burst into flames.

The fire reportedly spread causing at least 2 to 3 acres of woodland to burn.

Westbound traffic was rerouted for about 2 hours to the slow travel lanes.

The tractor trailer was being operated by Raymond Brown of Saugerties New York.

There were no injuries.

An Alexander County inmate is now charged with sending a letter containing threats to blow up three Alexander County Schools earlier this month.

24-year-old Sadarius Trumane Douglas is charged with three counts of threat of mass violence on educational property and one count of making a threat of a destructive device – that according to a news release from the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office.

The letter reportedly threatened to blow up the prison in addition to the schools the release states.

Reports say the letter was sent to the state’s prison legal services in Raleigh November 15^th and they further notified the Alexander Sheriff’s Office.

A DNA test performed on the envelope at the state’s crime lab was a match for Douglas.

Local and state authorities increased security at the schools as a precaution after becoming aware of the threat.

The investigation continues along with the SBI and the NC Department of Public Safety assisting.

Douglas was issued a 150-thousand dollar secured bond.

 Lincoln County officers arrest a Maiden man on drug charges during a traffic stop.

A search of the vehicle driven by 28-year-old Aaron Douglas Goodson turned up marijuana, 24-hundred dollars in US currency, and 392 grams of meth with an estimated street value of 40-thousand dollars.

Goodson was also armed with a stolen firearm.

He was charged with felony trafficking in meth, felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver a Schedule-two controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance, and possession of a stolen firearm.

Goodson was also charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

He was jailed under a 75-thousand dollar secured bond.

A father is charged with murder in the shooting death of his son.

Morganton Public Safety Officers responded just after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to a 911 call from 105 A Ross Street. Officers found 27-year-old Emanuel Forrest Odum shot in the chest. Odum was taken to CHS Morganton where he was pronounced deceased.

Charged with one count of murder was Odum's father, 49-year-old Tony Jerome Odum,Sr.

He is being held with no bond and a Burke County District Court appearance is scheduled for today.

The SBI assisted Morganton Public Safety with the investigation.

The quick actions of a seventh-grader at East Burke Middle School last Friday helped to save the life of a teacher having a heart attack.

According to a news release, Johnny Childers went unresponsive in a classroom when Dalton Frazier discovered he was having problems.

Frazier reportedly screamed and ran for help to alert school staff members of Childers’ condition.

Once someone was with the victim, he then obtained additional help from staff who secured an automated defibrillator to revive Childers.

Childers is recovering after having two stents placed in his heart, with an additional surgery scheduled next week.

School officials say the entire incident happened in less than 30 minutes – Dalton, the staff, first responders, and the AED saved Mr. Childers’ life.

This Thanksgiving will hold special meaning for these two families this year –

North Carolina’s largest dirt track is for sale.

Antioch Speedway will host its annual Thanksgiving Thunder stock car race this coming weekend, and then the track will go on the sale block.

Thanksgiving Thunder continues to be one of the biggest stock car races in the state with over one-hundred stock cars and racers coming to the annual event.

More than 78 acres along with all equipment and buildings will accompany the sale of the speedway.

Morganton father and son Danny and Jim Smith have owned the speedway for the past 20 years.

The Avery County-grown Frasier fir completed its long journey to Washington, DC Monday as it was officially presented to the President and First Lady.

The 19 and one-half foot tall tree was cut from a farm owned by Larry Smith of Newland.

Smith won the National Christmas Tree Association’s annual contest.

White House officials picked the fir during a September trip to Smith’s farm.

The annual tree delivery traditionally has been an event for White House staff or the first lady making yesterday’s appearance by the president unusual.

The tree will go on display in the Blue Room to mark the beginning of the holiday season at the executive mansion.

The small town of the year award 2018 goes to Marion for its growth and vitality…an award presented this morning in Raleigh by the state Rural Center.

The award recognizes a town or small city that embraces citizen engagement, values diversity, and fosters strong partnerships.

Each nominee must demonstrate how they have overcome economic barriers and challenges as well as being creative, diligent, and resourceful in building an economic future for all of its residents.

A formal presentation of the award will be made at Tuesday’s Marion City Council meeting.

Authorities in two western NC counties are searching for thieves that made off with tools and equipment.

McDowell deputies are looking for 27-year-old Jacob Daniel Robinson of Nebo.

An employee at Sutttles Trucking and Grading in Nebo told officers someone stole a 500-dollar pole saw from a worksite.

An investigation into the theft led to Robinson, but authorities haven’t been able to locate him.

Anyone having information about Robinson’s whereabouts should call the McDowell Sheriff’s Office at 652-2237.

Meanwhile, Lincoln County detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect believed to be responsible for stealing a pressure washer from the garage of a Denver resident.

The suspect was caught on home surveillance and is described as a white male wearing a black ball cap, black jacket and tan shorts.

He made away with a Troy Bilt pressure washer.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Lincoln Sheriff’s Office at 704-732-9050

An armed robbery and assault Thursday at a Hickory restaurant.

Just before 10:30 yesterday morning, reports with Hickory Police say the incident occurred at Zaxby’s on Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast.

A suspect approached an employee of the store who was leaving with a bank deposit.

Reports say the employee was assaulted by the suspect who then obtained an undisclosed amount of money and fled the scene in a Toyota passenger car.

The suspect is described as being 5 feet 7 inches tall, approximately weighing 180 to 200 pounds, and was wearing a mask and brown hoodie.

Anyone having information about the robbery should call Hickory Police at 328-5551.

An Iredell County school teacher who went missing two weeks ago while on a trip to Mexico was killed there – that according to a Facebook posting by family members.

The message stated officials continue to search for the body of 34-year-old Patrick Braxton-Andrew.

Mexican officers say Braxton-Andrew died on October 28^th at the hands of a criminal organization that operates in the area.

He went missing October 24^th and was supposed to meet his brother in Mexico City on October 30^th.

An alleged shoplifter at a Nebo discount store was arrested on drug possession charges.

34-year-old Renee Denise Smith of 4779 US 70 East in Nebo is charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A deputy with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office happened to be at the Dollar General on NC 126 doing a separate investigation, when the store’s clerk reported a female shopper had put something in her purse.

A subsequent search of Smith and her belongings reportedly turned up 1-point-6 grams of meth and items of drug paraphernalia.

With the cold and flu season upon us, the Burke Substance Abuse Network announces a free over-the-counter medicine giveaway.

The giveaway is Friday November 16^th 9 am till 2 pm at the Collett Street Recreation Center 300 Collett Street Morganton.

Free over the counter meds include cold, cough and flu medicine, band-aids, pain and allergy relief, vitamins, children’s meds and much more while supplies last.

You must be 18 or older to receive the meds.

You can also obtain additional information about NC Med-Assist free pharmacy program and free health screenings.

Burke Recovery will be on site dispensing free lock boxes.

City utility customers will not be able to pay their bills online or by phone Saturday, Nov. 17, beginning at 8 a.m., due to scheduled maintenance on the payment portal services.

The scheduled maintenance is expected to last up to eight hours, and online payment portal services will resume once maintenance is completed.

Other payment options are available.

Customers can visit Morganton City Hall any time between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and pay in-person at the customer service desk, or drop their payment in the designated drop boxes at Morganton City Hall.

A Marion man is nabbed for drugs and probation violation.

55-year-old Garry Lee Swafford of 5260 Nix Creek Road is charged with possession of cocaine, maintaining a dwelling to keep a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

McDowell Sheriff’s officers along with state probation and parole officers conducted a search of his residence and uncovered point-40 grams of cocaine and items of drug paraphernalia.

Swafford was also charged with violating his probation.

A Connelly Springs man is sentenced to prison following a conviction for possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

41-year-old Thomas Blake Seagle will serve up to seven years as issued during Catawba County Superior Court Wednesday.

Seagle was also convicted of misdemeanor larceny, and failure to appear on a felony.

Reports say Seagle took a truck from the parking lot of a business in 2015 – an act that was captured on video surveillance.

When he later returned the truck to pick up his moped, law enforcement officers were waiting on him.

Seagle’s sentence was enhanced by prior felony convictions for obtaining false property by false pretense in Burke County in 2000, breaking and entering in Catawba County in 2002, and possession of stolen goods again in Burke in 2009.

Lake James State Park is among several western NC parks slated for upgrades –

project funding coming from the Connect NC Bond passed by voters in 2016.

Officials say a new visitor’s center will be constructed at the park costing 3-million dollars.

The construction is expected to be complete by spring 2020.

Additional renovations funded by the bond are on tap for the state parks at Chimney Rock and Mount Mitchell.

One man hospitalized, while another is charged following a reported stabbing in Taylorsville.

Reports say the incident occurred Thursday on Old Wilkesboro Road in which a 38-year-old man had been stabbed several times in the chest.

The unnamed victim was transported to wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, and is reported to be in stable condition.

A news release from the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office says 53-year-old Jackie White has been arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill.

White may be from Florida according to the release.

He was given a 150-thousand-dollar bond.

The City of Hickory Office of Business Development presented its Hickory Trail Report at Tuesday’s Hickory City Council meeting.

The report outlines economic goals for city projects – namely a 5-point-2 mile pathway that will connect amenities and destinations throughout the city from Lenoir-Rhyne University through downtown to Lake Hickory.

City staff with the Business development Office report the trail will lead to job and population growth.

The report lists goals to complete by 2035 – 8-thousand new jobs, an increase in population by 35-hundred, 17-hundred-50 new housing units, and 500-million dollars in private investment.

To read the entire report, visit hickory nc-dot-gov.

Advice to drivers during the fall months – Buckle Up, Slow Down, and Look Out for Deer!

Motor vehicle crashes involving deer typically peak during the fall months in NC, and the state’s most recent crash data indicates that trend continued in 2017.

Last year, almost half of all deer-related crashes in the state occurred in October, November, and December, with a fourth of that number in November alone.

Data shows the number of NC deer-related crashes in 2017 increased to more than 16-thousand-500; one of which included a fatality.

Officials say almost four out of five deer crashes occur between 6 pm and 8 am in the fall, and usually when light conditions were dark with no streetlights.

Some tips for motorists – always wear a seatbelt.

Slow down near wooded of farmland areas.

Watch for eyes reflecting from headlights.

Remember that deer travel in herds- where there’s one, there may be more.

Avoid relying on deer whistles or other devices placed on your vehicle.

Attempt to maintain control of your vehicle.

Officials say its safer to hit the deer than to swerve to void it, causing a crash with another vehicle.

If you should collide with a deer though, the Highway Patrol says to pull over to a safe location off the roadway and call 911 or star-HP for assistance.

With Thanksgiving Day only two weeks away, our thoughts turn to turkey, pumpkin pie, and football.

The City of Lenoir has several events planned to make your holiday special!

On November 17^th from Noon to 2, the Lenoir Caldwell County Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance is providing a free Thanksgiving dinner at the Martin Luther King Center at 313 Greenhaven Drive Southeast.

And you do not need to register or sign up.

Lenoir City Council members Crissy Thomas and Reverend Ike Perkins will be on hand to celebrate the 5^th Annual Cross Community Turkey Tuesday on November 20^th at the Martin Luther King Center.

Starting at 6 pm, volunteers will hand out free turkeys until they’re gone.

Fifty turkeys will be set aside for the first 50 senior citizens or persons with disabilities.

And of course a wonderful way to give back to the community, you can help support your neighbors by donating a frozen turkey to a family in need.

Drop off a turkey donation at the Martin Luther King Center 8 am till 5 pm Tuesday November 20^th.

Or you can donate money to help purchase turkeys for the needy.

Make checks payable to New Covenant UMC.

A change to NC’s constitution approved Tuesday adds the state to the handful in the US that strictly requires showing a photo ID when voting.

Some of the other states allow exceptions to the law if people have religious objections to being photographed, are poor, or are granted special confidentiality as domestic abuse or stalking victims.

NC lawmakers aren’t required to make any exceptions.

Legislators haven’t specified how voters can obtain a photo ID needed to vote, or how much it will cost the state.

NC voters also approved constitutional amendments that locks-in recent state income tax cuts, expand crime victims’ rights and affirm traditional methods of hunting and fishing.

One amendment that was approved Tuesday caps the maximum state income tax at 7-percent down from 10-percent.

Critics say this could mean a recession could lead legislators to raise sales or property taxes, or possibly impose cutbacks on education, safety, and other government services.

The constitutional change that expands guarantees for crime victims was approved in exchange for a predicted cost of about 11-million dollars a year.

State voters approved enshrining traditional methods of hunting and fishing, but also limited those wildlife rights to those adopted by the General Assembly.

Voters on Tuesday rejected an amendment that would have permanently given state lawmakers more power over the makeup of a state board that decides election and ethics disputes.

Another that would have given legislators more power in picking judges for vacant seats was also rejected.

A suspicious phone call made to a Lincoln County daycare is under investigation by authorities there.

The call came in to the Mini Academy Day Care on Unity Church Road Tuesday afternoon around 3:30.

The daycare director told officers the call was from a male instructing her to go to her office because he had information about one of her employees.

The male reportedly told the director that the action she took would determine whether the employee and the employee’s daughter would be hurt over the next couple of days.

The director told Lincoln officers she attempted to stand to get the attention of a co-worker to call 911, but the caller told her to sit down- indicating he was watching her.

The daycare was placed on a temporary lockdown to ensure all employees and students were accounted for.

Investigators are working to determine the identity and location of the caller.

Meanwhile the daycare is operating on a normal schedule.

An Asheville man breaks into a vehicle at a Marion residence and falls asleep before making his getaway.

29-year-old Timothy Matthew Howell has been charged with two counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle and one count each of larceny of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon.

McDowell County deputies were called to Lytle Mountain Road where a property owner had discovered Howell asleep in his Toyota SUV.

An investigation showed Howell had rummaged through the vehicle, as well as a Chevrolet truck also parked at the residence.

Reports say the suspect stole a gun from inside the truck.

A holiday reminder for next week –

Morganton City Hall and City facilities will be closed Monday November 12^th in observance of Veteran’s Day.

Garbage collection though is not affected, and is on a regular schedule next week.

Morganton utility customers are urged to be cautious as residents are reporting that scammers are again targeting homes and businesses.

The scammers are threatening to disconnect electric service while demanding immediate payment over the phone as they claim to be representing a utility service provider.

A press release states the City of Morganton does not call any utility customer by phone demanding immediate payment.

City customers who are late with payments will be notified on their regular utility bill, and staff will work with customers to establish payment plans if possible.

Morganton officials warn customers to avoid listening to a scammer’s instructions, hang up immediately and contact the City’s electric department at 438-5277.

Do not share any personal information with a scammer and do not return any phone calls.

Public Safety Chief Ronnie Rector says residents can report scam calls by calling 437-1211.

Election officials are looking for a big turnout today, as early voting in Burke County saw more than 16-thousand – 800 voters cast their ballots.

The last day of early voting was Saturday with a total of 854 voters according to Board of Election results.

364 Republican

277 Democrat

212 Unaffiliated and

1 Libertarian

A Marion man is jailed for stealing a gun and a motorcycle.

23-year-old Nicolas Cage Cordell of 292 Memorial Park Road is being charged with possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon.

He was also served with an outstanding warrant for possession of a stolen vehicle.

McDowell officers were able to stop a car that was attempting to flee, in which Cordell was a passenger.

A search of the vehicle turned up a handgun reported stolen from Buncombe County.

Cordell was also charged in the theft of a 2001 motorcycle from a Mudcut Road resident.

The motorcycle was located after Cordell was in a pursuit with Burke County Sheriff’s deputies.

McDowell County authorities are searching for a woman accused of stealing from her mother.

28-year-old Chanda Marie McFalls whose last known address was 65 Styles Drive Marion is wanted on charges of breaking and entering, and larceny.

McFall’s mother, Rhonda Heath of Melody Haven Drive in Marion reported that her daughter had stolen hand and power tools, four leather coats, six motorcycle helmets and leather motorcycle chaps valued at more than 22-hundred dollars.

Reports say the items were taken from a storage building.

Anyone having knowledge of McFall’s whereabouts is urged to contact the McDowell Sheriff’s Office at 652-2237 or Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME.

A Hickory man who was present during the April shooting near the Vault Bar and Lounge is facing criminal charges not connected to the incident.

Police reports say 27-year-old Patral Marquis White is charged with one felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon and one misdemeanor count of marijuana possession up to point-5 ounces.

White reportedly fired shots into an occupied property on 20^th Street Northeast Wednesday causing property damage.

Hickory Police identified White as the suspect and arrested him during a vehicle stop.

He was issued a 50-thousand dollar secured bond.

Video surveillance from the shooting incident in April revealed White was present at the scene, however; he was not charged.

Six people have been charged in regard to the incident; although no one has been charged with the fatal exchange that claimed the life of Antonio Watts that night.

In recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, a group comprised of local organizations called ‘Burke Cares’ is establishing the annual I-Care tour for November 14^th.

The event will take place in the Resource Room of the Burke Mission Station at 305 West Union Street in Morganton from 8:30 am until 1:30 pm.

Participants will have the opportunity to see first-hand some of the services provided to Burke County residents through local non-profit agencies.

Attendees will get information on various agencies including Burke Recovery, Burke United Christian Ministries, The Meeting Place Mission, and others.

For event information, you can call 433-0681.

Burke Cares is comprised of local organizations who work together to identify and eliminate barriers to permanent housing for Burke residents.

A man charged with child sex crimes died while in custody at the Alexander County Detention Center last Sunday.

Reports say 30-year-old Tony Wayne Smith of Hickory was found by officials unresponsive with a bed sheet around his neck.

Attempts to revive Smith were unsuccessful.

Response teams from the Alexander Sheriff’s Office, Alexander EMS and Rescue, Taylorsville Fire and First Responders, and jail staff were present during rescue attempts.

Smith was in jail under a one-million dollar bond.

A motorist was killed Wednesday morning in a two-vehicle crash on NC 18 South near Laurel Haven Avenue.

Reports with the Highway Patrol say a Dodge pickup was traveling north around 7:30 when the driver crossed the center lane and struck a Chevrolet pickup.

The person who was driving the Chevrolet reportedly died at the scene.

Officials say speed is thought to have been a factor in the accident.

Burke EMS, George Hildebran Fire and Rescue, and Burke REACT also responded.

The Hickory Police Department has implemented the ‘Blue Courage’ program this week – the first department in the state to institute the program.

The new initiative comes after receiving more than 15-thousand dollars from the Justice Assistance Grant program and is aimed at officer wellness.

During the course, officers are equipped with tools to develop the right heart-set, mindset, and skillset enabling them to meet the challenging demands of modern policing.

20 officers have already received the Blue Courage training, and 4 of those trained are currently undergoing further training to become program instructors to facilitate classes for others in the department.

A Hickory restaurant is hit by armed robbers Wednesday morning.

Around 12:30, a suspect had employees re-enter Arby’s on Highway 70 Southeast after closing, and obtained an undisclosed amount of money.

Reports say the suspect then fled on foot.

He is described as a white male, 5 feet 11 inches tall and was wearing a dark sweatshirt and dark pants.

Anyone having information regarding the incident is encouraged to call Hickory Police at 328-5551.

A three-year-old was struck and killed in Cleveland County after wandering into the roadway early Wednesday morning.

The child was reportedly being watched by a grandparent while his parents were working third shift.

The child wandered from the home around 6 am and was walking along the side of the road when a driver spotted him and stopped to attempt to rescue him.

Reports say the toddler however was struck by two vehicles before the person could get to him.

Highway Patrol reports say the two drivers will likely not face charges; although an investigation continues as to how the child was able to wander away from his caregiver.