A state bill tagged as ‘crucial’ in developing a state park in Catawba County is now law.

Governor Cooper signed the bill into law on Monday, which will add new trails to the state trail system and allow the Division of Parks and Recreation to find ways to connect Catawba County into the trail system.

Reports say NC Senator Andy Wells last year proposed the creation of a state park along the Henry Fork and Jacob Fork Rivers; that won support from Catawba, the cities of Hickory and Newton, along with the Long View township.

Other public and private landowners have expressed interest in contributing to the park project.

The Foothills Conservancy of NC – a non-profit based in Morganton- recently purchased 188 acres of land along the Jacob Fork River for the project according to their executive director.

The project will require state funding as well, which Senate representatives have went on record to say the Senate is committed to the project by placing 2 million dollars for state parks in the region in its’ budget draft.

A Catawba County news release states a Newton man has been arrested on drug charges.

21-year-old Dejuan Nybrece Robinson was charged with felony possession of a schedule-one controlled substance and marijuana possession.

Robinson was reportedly a passenger in a vehicle stopped by officers for having an expired license plate.

The release reports the vehicle was searched along with its occupants turning up 28 grams of marijuana and about eight doses of ecstasy.

A Hickory man has reportedly been arrested on statutory rape charges.

Reports say 39-year-old Roberto Martinez Del Pilar faces town felony counts of statutory rape or sex offense.

Del Pilar received a 200-thousand dollar secured bond.

The investigation continues.

A roll-over accident in McDowell County Tuesday afternoon sent an individual to the hospital.

Highway Patrol reports say Daniel Lawson of Bakersville was traveling south on NC 226 North when his pickup truck lost its brakes, causing him to cross the center line, and roll over into a ditch.

A passenger inside the truck was transported to Mission Hospital McDowell with non-life threatening injuries.

The investigating trooper reports charges are pending in the accident.