A drug conviction and his admission as a habitual felon results in a prison sentence for a Hickory man.

41-year-old Angelo Lamar Jackson will serve six to eight years following a conviction for possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine – his sentence handed down in Catawba County Superior Court Wednesday.

A report shows uncover officers with Hickory Police made a purchase of cocaine from Jackson at a local motel.

After obtaining a search warrant, officers discovered cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and currency in the motel room.

Jackson had prior drug convictions in Catawba County in 2005, 2008, and 2017 which added to the length of his sentence.

A Conover man will be behind bars for up to nine years following a conviction for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.

Catawba County deputies were called to a residence last March, where they found a female lying on the floor – beaten and bruised.

46-year-old Shannon O’Neal Hamlett told lawmen someone else had assaulted the female subject; who required being air-lifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Reports say when she began to recover from the head trauma she had suffered, she identified Hamlett as her assailant.

He later admitted to investigators that he struck her repeatedly with his hands and kicked her which led to the severity of her injuries.

A man driving a vehicle with a fictitious plate led McDowell officers on a chase Wednesday.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle on Burma Road East in Marion when the driver reportedly sped up; taking lawmen on several roadways before pulling over.

50-year-old Michael David Brown of Cascade Drive Marion was taken into custody and charged with fleeing to elude arrest, speeding, and driving while license revoked.

Brown was also served with 13 outstanding warrants on charges of breaking and entering, larceny, driving while impaired and traffic violations – as well as multiple probation violations.

Marion Police assisted in the arrest.

Flu activity is rising in NC with six flu-associated deaths reported during the week ending February 2^nd.

That brings the total number of flu-related deaths this season to 35; although this may not represent all flu associated deaths in the state in that many go undiagnosed or unreported.

Health officials say it’s not too late to get vaccinated to protect yourself and others; although vaccination early in the season is preferred.

And if you suspect you have the flu, contact your doctor right away to see if you should need treatment with a prescription antiviral drug.

Early treatment can help prevent flu infections from becoming more serious.