McDowell County Commissioners this week declare support for gun owners’ rights.

The board unanimously approved a measure Tuesday declaring McDowell a sanctuary county for the Second Amendment.

Board members report county residents requested the vote in light of similar action taken in nearby counties.

McDowell Commissioners say the move is symbolic, but it also affirms their support of the Second Amendment.

McDowell is one of three NC counties that have established similar resolutions in the last week.

The City of Morganton has cancelled the Red, White and Blue Festival. The City will

hold its annual free July 4th celebration featuring music, food, activities for kids, and

a fireworks show at Catawba Meadows Park. The City of Morganton decided to

cancel the Red, White and Blue festival after several years of declining attendance

and revenue.

Three recent Western Piedmont Community College graduates were awarded

scholarships given by the State Employees Credit Union. Yanira Cristobel and

Edward Nathan Robinson were graduates of the Nurse Aide I program and

Robert Lucas "Luke" Howard, a graduate of the EMT Training Program earned

SECU Bridge to Career Workforce Develpment Scholarships.

WPCC is also seeking nominations from the community for the 2019 Outstanding

Alumnus Award to be presented in the spring. For an online nomination form, visit

Wpcc.edu/foundation, or for a hard copy form, call 448-3122. Nomination forms should

be submitted by March 16^th. 

A Marion man wanted for a December 13th pepper spray attack and subsequent robbery is now behind bars, but not before leading deputies on a foot chase Wednesday.

20-year-old Brandon Lee Kimbrell was arrested near his home on Jacktown Road after officers received information on his whereabouts.

Kimbrell fled on foot into a wooded area in an attempt to elude officers; however, he was apprehended a short time later.

Kimbrell was charged with two counts of assault and battery and one count each of assault on a female, common law robbery, larceny of a firearm and resisting a public officer.

Reports say Kimbrell and an accomplice previously jailed, went to a Nebo residence, pepper sprayed the three occupants there, and made off with a firearm.

Hope you enjoyed this weeks mild weather.

Much colder air has arrived and will stick around into next week.

Today’s highs will top out in the 40’s with clouds returning.

Most of the area will get chilly rain Saturday, while a mix of rain and snow in the higher elevations is possible early Saturday morning.

And expect a drastic cool down for next week – Rays Weather-dot-com predicting Monday’s high in the 30’s, with a low in the teens.