Governor Roy Cooper has signed into law, bills designed to replenish the cash-strapped Department of Transportation and the continued recovery from hurricanes Florence, Matthew, and Dorian.

Reports say Cooper signed the measures today, which were the last pieces of legislation from the General Assembly session that ended last Friday.

DOT’s cash balance had fallen due to unprecedented hurricane repairs, and legal settlements over rights of way and project overruns.

The bill reportedly directs 100-million dollars to the agency for past and natural disasters, forgives a 90-million dollar loan, and allows an extra 100-million dollars in road building bonds. 

A disaster-relief law allocates 180-million dollars in state funds to be matched with federal funds in creating a Dorian state recovery program for displaced residents.

Three charged in connection with stealing power from Duke Energy. On November 13^th, McDowell deputies responded to Johnny Banks Drive to assist probation officers. While there, information was received that the three suspects had tapped into a power line and were running power to multiple trailers. Charged with interfering with an electric, gas or water meter were 24-year-old Dakota Allen Bulluck, 49-year-old Martha Gayle Kirby and 35-year-old Brandi Lynn Robinson, all of Banks Avenue in Marion.

New officers were sworn-in Friday at the Hickory Police Department.

 Christopher Gage Davis, a Morganton native and Patton graduate was hired after previous employment by law enforcement in Burke County. He attended Basic Law Enforcement Training at WPCC.

Hannah Marie Roberts, a Burke County native and East Burke graduate was hired after also attending B.L.E.T. at WPCC.

Mitchell Edward Pittman, a native of Catawba County and St.Stephens graduate was hired after working part-time with the Claremont Police Department.

Trevor Chase Smith, a graduate of ASU was hired after working as an ASU Police Reserve Officer and

Robert Mark Phillips was hired by HDP after completing B.E.L.T. at CVCC.