Freedom High School has a new head football coach.

Justin Hawn, originally from Maiden, has been named as the new Patriot Coach as announced by Principal Casey Rogers.

Hawn has been a teacher and assistant coach at Shelby High School since 2013; and varsity and junior varsity football defensive coordinator since 2016.

He has been a part of six state championships over the last seven years.

In a news release, Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Larry Putnam congratulates Freedom on finding a high caliber head football coach, further wishing Hawn success in carrying on the Freedom tradition in the classroom and on the football field.

McDowell County authorities continue to search for a suspect who stole more than 4-thousand dollars worth of items from a vehicle last month.

Reports say Brian Hughes of Spruce Pine reported on January 29^th that someone broke into his Toyota while parked at a residence on US 221 North.

The break-in occurred on the 29^th sometime between 11 am and 4:25 pm.

Three chainsaws, tools, a cell phone, a climbing saddle, and clothing items were removed from the car.

Anyone with information about the theft should call the McDowell Sheriff’s Department at 652-2237 or Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME.

An Old Fort woman was arrested for meth possession and numerous outstanding warrants for failure to appear.

Reports say 23-year-old Tana Ester Anne Ruane of Silvers Welch Road hid underneath the porch of her residence during the early morning hours of February 7^th as officers attempted to locate her.

A McDowell deputy discovered a bag containing more than a gram of meth on her as she was being taken into custody.

Hickory Police March traffic enforcement – Pay Attention in City Traffic or PACT will be located on Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard from Tate Boulevard to Highway 70 Southeast, and 7^th Avenue Southeast from Lenoir Rhyne Blvd to the entrance of Zarha Baker Park.

Daytime and nighttime enforcement will focus on red light violations, following too closely, distracted driving and speeding.

As always, citizens are encouraged to be vigilant and observe all traffic laws.

Two Charlotte men were arrested over the weekend outside the Lincoln County WalMart after trying to swipe a flat screen TV and other items.

Reports say 35-year-old Jesse Lashawn Walls and 49-year-old Antoine Lamont Isles were charged with one count each of felony larceny, possession of stolen goods, and conspiracy.

Value of the items that were attempted to be stolen was more than 12-hundred-20 dollars.

Walls and Isles were placed in custody under a 10-thousand dollar secured bond each.

A church alarm last month prompted McDowell County authorities to arrest a homeless man.

Reports say 29-year-old Zachary Allen Mills was spotted on church surveillance at Vein Mountain Baptist on 221 South.

The video showed Mills enter the church briefly before leaving. 

Mills was charged with breaking and entering.

In the meantime, deputies in McDowell continue to look for a suspect who broke into and stole items from an Old Fort woman’s storage unit.

Lynn Roberts told officers someone entered the storage building on Clover View Drive in Marion; removing 550-dollars worth of property, including a pair of boots and a set of pots and pans.

The break-in reportedly occurred sometime between January 17^th and February 17^th.

Anyone having information about the crime should contact the McDowell County Sheriffs Office at 652-2237.

Hickory officials have announced upcoming road closures for NC 127 in order to construct the iconic bridge as part of the City Walk project.

NC 127 will be closed between First Avenue Southeast and First Avenue Northeast over the next few weekends in a series of closures.

The first closing occurs Friday February 28^th beginning at 6 pm and lasting through Monday March 2^nd at 6 am.

Officials say detour routes will be established and clearly marked.

They further state to expect delays in the area.

Lincoln County narcotics officers arrested two people on drug related charges following a vehicle chase last Friday.

According to reports, officers were conducting surveillance on a known drug house whenever they observed a vehicle leave the residence.

The vehicle reportedly had an expired registration and officers tried to pull the car over when it sped away.

Authorities chased the vehicle for seven miles before it pulled into a driveway in Iron Station.

Reports say during the chase, the occupants had thrown a handgun and drug paraphernalia out of the car’s window – which officers later recovered.

34-year-old Phillip Eugene Thomas and 30-year-old Britney Morgan Lingerfelt both of Iron Station face multiple firearm and drug offenses.

During processing at the detention facility, Lingerfelt was discovered hiding meth inside a body cavity.

She was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance in a penal facility.

 

Her bond was set at 40-thousand dollars secured; Thomas’ was released after posting a 25-thousand dollar secured bond.

The investigation is continuing and additional charges are pending.

A Burke County woman is charged with first-degree murder in a 21-year-old case.

Reports say 54-year-old Deborah Riddle O’Conner has been taken into custody by Cumberland County authorities after DNA evidence led them to a family connection with the deceased.

According to reports, a baby less than 24 hours old was found beaten to death in a plastic bag along a roadway in southern Cumberland County on March 3^rd 1999.

Local officials then pleaded for help finding the parents of the baby – named ‘Baby Michael’.

No one came forward at the time; however, 21 years later DNA results prompted detectives to come to Burke County to interview O’Conner.

O’Conner has reportedly admitted to being Baby Michael’s mother.

NC health officials say 11 more people have died from flu complications last week, including a victim between the ages of 5 and 17.

Along with four additional deaths from previous weeks, the death toll for this year’s flu season has reached 90; compared to 85 deaths for the same time frame from last year.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report this year’s vaccine has been more than 50-percent effective in preventing flu illness severe enough to seek medical attention.

A Morganton man was given an active prison sentence of eight to ten

years following his conviction for multiple crimes during Burke County

Superior Court on Monday. 23-year-old Ezra Harold Patton pleaded

guilty to assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious

injury and robbery with a deadly weapon, among other charges. He was

also given two suspended sentences and 36 months of supervised

probation that will run at the conclusion of his active sentence if he

violates the probationary terms.

A Nebo woman is wanted for possession of narcotics. 50-year-old

Dawn Renee Evans of Rolands Chapel Road, faces multiple charges

but McDowell investigators have been unable to locate her. Anyone

with information on Evan’s whereabouts should contact Detective

Watson with the McDowell Sheriff’s Office at 652-2237 or

McDowell Crime Stoppers at 65-CRIME.

A Connelly Springs man, with outstanding warrants, faces new charges

after a chase Wednesday afternoon. Just after 1 o'clock, a Burke deputy

spotted 39-year-old Stacy Alan Clinton driving on Wilkes Grove Church

Road. The deputy, who knew Clinton had warrants, activated his blue

lights a and chase ensured for less than a mile, into Catawba County on Old

Shelby Road. Clinton jumped and ran on foot, and was not found before

the search ended about 5:45 p.m. Clinton was located in Lincoln County

Wednesday night where he was arrested and turned over to Burke deputies.

He is being held without bond for possessing stolen goods, and has a

court appearance scheduled for February 28^th. Additional charges are pending.

Hickory Police and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Burke

County Sheriff’s Office in the case.

Hickory firefighters responded at 1:45 p.m. Thursday to an apartment fire

at 347 4^th Street SE. One person was treated for minor burns and released.

Damages to the apartment complex were considered major. The cause of the

fire, was determined to be open flame too close to combustible materials

Hickory Police, Catawba County EMS and The Red Cross assisted the

Hickory Fire Department at the scene.

Two Burke County men are stopped in McDowell County for traffic violations that resulted in drug charges for one of them.

34-year-old Joshua Isaac Clark of Connelly Springs was stopped on US 70 East at Stacy Hill Road for multiple traffic violations reports say.

Clark was charged with driving while license revoked; while a search of his passenger 37-year-old Seneca Ashley Caldwell of Morganton turned up more than 13 grams of cocaine.

Caldwell was charged with possession of a Schedule two controlled substance, possession with intent to sell and deliver a Schedule two, and resisting a public officer.

He was also served with outstanding warrants from Burke County.

A destructive fire at the historic Balls Creek Campground in Catawba County last year has been determined as intentional.

Results from the state’s crime lab were reportedly received today confirming suspicions for officials.

The massive fire last September destroyed dozens of cabins, known as tents that were connected to each other on the grounds.

Reports state the campground on Buffalo Shoals Road has been a gathering spot for prayers and retreats since the 1850’s.

At least 16 fire departments responded to the fire scene; however, the blaze still destroyed 30-percent of the campground.

Anyone having information that would help investigators in the case should call the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office at 464-5241.

A man is in custody after a standoff in Rutherford County.

Reports say 56-year-old Kent Shehan was arrested and charged following the standoff that began Tuesday night after a dispute with his landlord.

Officers were called to the Ellenboro residence just after 9:30 after receiving reports of a subject with a weapon.

Shehan had reportedly fired the weapon at his landlord shortly before 10 pm Tuesday.

During the standoff, he fired at both neighbors and law enforcement some 12 times between 10 and midnight Tuesday.

Authorities report they deployed tear gas at one point before Shehan eventually surrendered to deputies.

He was taken into custody just after 5:30 Wednesday morning.

No one was injured.

A Jacksonville NC man reported missing by authorities was last seen in Burke County last Wednesday February 12^th.

Reports say 34-year-old Michael Anthony Francischelli was last seen walking away from the Foothills Regional Airport off NC 18 – US 64.

He is a white male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs 160 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes.

Francischelli was wearing a dark jacket, jeans, blue toboggan, and was carrying a backpack and a Bible.

He is not considered to be a danger to himself or others according to a press release from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, and he left with no known direction of travel.

Jacksonville Police wants to verify Francischelli is okay.

Should you have information that would assist officers call the Burke Sheriff’s Office at 438-5500 or Jacksonville Police at 910-938-6420.

A Lincolnton man is arrested for assaulting a female and causing her serious injuries over the weekend.

Reports from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office say 47-year-old Benny Ray Garrett Junior was drinking with the victim at his residence around 5 Sunday evening when he began punching, kicking, choking and biting her.

According to reports, she attempted to escape several times but was stopped by Garrett.

Then around 9 pm reports say she was able to flee to a public parking area to call 911.

Lincoln EMS transported her to Atrium Health Lincoln where it was determined she had a broken spine, rib fractures, along with bite marks and severe bruising.

Garrett was charged with one felony count each of 2^nd degree kidnapping, assault inflicting serious bodily injuries, and assault by strangulation.

He was placed in custody under a 75-thousand dollar secured bond.

Garrett was already on federal probation after recently being released from federal prison.

Firefighters and police were called to a Conover daycare Friday morning as an SUV accidentally rolled into the building.

Officials report the facility at Kinder Care Child Care center on Rock Barn Road Northeast sustained some damage in the incident, but there were no injuries.

Published reports indicate a mother was delivering valentines to the daycare, and she exited the vehicle without placing it in park causing it to roll into the structure.

Reports say the daycare has about 70 children, but none of them were in the classroom that was struck.

Daycare workers say the affected classroom will be off limits until needed repairs can be made.

No charges will be filed.

A Marion woman wanted by Buncombe County authorities for fleeing to elude arrest led McDowell County officers on a pursuit into Rutherford County.

56-year-old Lisa Marie Mills was spotted by a deputy near Polly Spout Road on US 221 Thursday evening driving recklessly.

Mills initially stopped for the officer, but whenever the deputy approached her vehicle she sped off again.

The chase ended in Rutherford County when reports say Mills struck an embankment forcing her vehicle to stop.

Reports further say Mills refused to give officers her correct name and date of birth; however, investigators learned she was wanted in Buncombe County.

McDowell authorities charged Mills with fleeing to elude arrest, resisting a public officer, driving left of center, speeding, reckless driving to endanger, unsafe passing on a yellow line, providing fictitious information to an officer, and unsafe movement.

Charges against her are pending in Rutherford County.

Flu cases continue to increase according to numbers released by the state health department.

Health experts say there are usually two peak times during flu season – one occurred in late December.

The number of flu cases actually dropped during the first part of January, but now are on the rise.

Officials believe we are in the middle of the rise of the flu season’s second peak.

Health workers in western NC report the second peak is already worse than the first in terms of the number of cases.

Numbers just released show 13-hundred positive flu tests in NC.

Officials further state they expect cases to continue to increase for the next week to two weeks.

Experts say if you haven’t received the flu vaccine, it’s not too late.

It can help protect you against the flu, or shorten the duration and lessen the symptoms should you catch it.

Three suspects are apprehended after fleeing from deputies in McDowell County in separate incidents.

Officers tried to stop a driver identified as 20-year-old Seth Avery McKinney of Marion after learning he was wanted on felony and misdemeanor warrants.

After a short pursuit, McKinney stopped and officers located marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside his vehicle.

 

In another case, while trying to serve a warrant, deputies went to the Marion residence of 31-year-old James Marvin McKinney.

The suspect tried to flee on foot and resisted arrest once apprehended.

McKinney was found with three suboxone strips on his body.

Additionally, officers noticed a suspicious male as he went into a Dollar General knowing he was wanted for a probation violation.

28-year-old Benjamin Franklin Cody Perkins of Nebo fled from a detective as he exited the store.

Perkins was captured a short distance away and found with drug paraphernalia and food items taken from the Dollar General.

A Marion man is charged with trafficking meth and other various charges.

McDowell detectives went to a location on Wheeler Drive in Nebo in search of stolen property.

There they found 26-year-old Kyle Aaron Hollifield who had several outstanding warrants for failure to appear.

Hollifield was searched as he was taken into custody and was found with a handgun and 174 grams of meth.

The owner of an urn containing cremated remains that was located in a wooded area north of Lincolnton has been found.

Reports with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office say on February 1^st, a man was looking at property to purchase when he happened upon the urn.

The urn along with a safe and other items were stolen in a home break-in last October.

Reports say the home is near the wooded area where the urn was found.

Lincoln officials returned the urn to the owner Thursday afternoon.

McDowell authorities need help locating a man who was caught on video surveillance stealing lottery tickets from an Old Fort store.

Reports say the suspect entered Shuford’s Convenience on US 70 West just before 3:30 Wednesday afternoon.

While the cashier was distracted, reports say the man grabbed a handful of lottery tickets and left in a passenger car.

Authorities say he has a tattoo on the left side of his neck.

Anyone having information on Wednesday’s theft should call Detective Ballew at 652-2237, or McDowell Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME.

Hickory Police responded just after 3 p.m.Tuesday, to a reported bank

robbery at First Citizens, 1862 Highway 70 SE. The man fled the bank

on foot after receiving an undisclosed amount of money. He is described

as a white male, early 40’s with scruffy facial hair. Anyone with information

is asked to contact Investigator Jesse Truesdell at 828-328-5551.

A Marion woman faces meth and stolen firearm charges. A traffic stop

was initiated Sunday by Marion Police on a Honda passenger car traveling

on West Tate Street. After the four occupants exited the car, K-9 Marsoc

was deployed for a narcotic sniff. A search of the vehicle yielded a stolen

firearm, 11.5 grams of meth and a small amount of marijuana. 24-year-old

Sarah Jean Shook was detained and upon being searched, an additional

81.8 grams of meth was located in her coat pocket. She was placed in the

McDowell County Jail under a $100,000 secured bond.

A Morganton man is charged with trafficking in methamphetamine. Officers

on January 30^th , officers initiated an investigation at 2671 Old Blue Ridge

Lane in Connelly Springs. The investigation led to Burke Sheriff’s detectives

to arrest 39-year-old Ya Por Vue. He was held at the Burke County Jail under

a $5,000 secured bond with a court appearance scheduled for February 21^st.

A wrong-way motor vehicle crash in McDowell County killed two people Thursday night on the US 221 Bypass.

Just before 9 last night, the Highway Patrol reports 73-year-old Charles Bradfield of Newland was traveling north in the southbound lane.

Reports say Bradfield struck an on-coming vehicle being driven by 40-year-old Andrew Crawford of Marion.

Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene.

According to reports, troopers do not suspect impairment to be a factor in the accident.

A Lincoln County homeowner turned the tables on an intruder Thursday morning when he confronted the suspect, tackled him, and held the man until officers arrived.

Reports say the homeowner heard his daughter scream in another room, and rushed into her room where he encountered the suspect.

He then reportedly held the suspect at gunpoint until Lincoln County deputies arrived.

43-year-old Jason Kane Tillman of Lincolnton was charged with multiple felony breaking and entering offenses, larceny, and possession of stolen property.

He was jailed under a 51-thousand dollar secured bond.

No one was injured during the incident.

An investigation continues with additional charges possible.

McDowell County deputies just recently charge a Nebo woman for drug possession after an unidentified substance was found in her vehicle last summer.

Last July, 31-year-old Danielle Leigh Turbyfill was stopped for a traffic violation and was found to have a suspended license.

Reports say the officer and a canine searched her vehicle and discovered an unknown substance.

Officers proceeded to send the substance to a state lab for testing.

Results revealed a mixture of 2-point-52 grams of meth and heroin.

A McDowell County sheriff’s deputy is being hailed as a hero after reports say he saved a family of four from a burning home Thursday morning.

Deputy Jordon Frisbee was the first to arrive at the home fully engulfed in flames around 6:30 this on Veteran’s Drive.

Reports say Frisbee broke a window and heard screaming from inside the house.

He then made entry and was able to help the occupants to safety – Scott and Betty Gouge along with their two daughters.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is still being conducted by McDowell Sheriff’s detectives with assistance from the NC SBI.

A Burke County couple has been arrested on drug charges following a welfare check by officers.

Last Friday, Morganton Public Safety officers were summoned to 304 Huffman Street to check on two subjects reported to be passed out inside a vehicle.

Reports say 26-year-old Jorden Isaiah Moore of Huffman Street was in the driver’s seat of the vehicle when officers arrived.

Officials observed a bag of suspected narcotics in Moore’s lap prompting a probable cause search.

A news release states officers then discovered approximately 8-point-5 grams of heroin and drug paraphernalia.

Moore was then arrested and charged with trafficking in opium or heroin.

He was issued a 20-thousand dollar secured bond and was scheduled to appear in court February 3^rd.

His passenger, 24-year-old Michelle Beck of Hayes Waters Road was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

She received a 1-thousand dollar secured bond with a court date set for February 24^th.

Public Safety narcotics officers are handling the investigation.

A Burke County jury needed less than half an hour to find a Granite Falls man guilty of failing to appear for a sentencing hearing related to a plea entered nine months ago.

36-year-old Christopher Gene Crawford was given an active prison term of 45 to 66 months after he was found guilty of felony failure to appear and having habitual felon status.

Crawford pleaded guilty to felony larceny of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen motor vehicle last May.

Sentencing was continuing to June but he did not appear.

Crawford was also supposed to be sentenced in Caldwell County on other felony charges after his sentence was imposed in Burke, but didn’t show their either.

His habitual felon status stems from prior felony convictions for obtaining property by false pretense, and felony breaking entering and forgery of an instrument.

Investigators believe carbon monoxide poisoning is to blame as one person was discovered dead; while two others were airlifted from a camper in Connelly Springs.

A news release from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office says officers were called to Fox Drive last Saturday afternoon just before 5.

Authorities report a 50-year-old male was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Two others – a 33-year-old female, and a 27-year-old male were flown to a regional hospital with serious injuries.

Firefighters say there was a small propane heater inside the camper; not designed for indoor use.

Names have not been released.

The investigation is continuing.

Police in the Town of Catawba in Catawba County remain on the lookout for a suspect who broke into an apartment and assaulted a woman inside.

Reports say around 6:30 Tuesday morning the attacker, described as a black male, broke in through the front door.

Investigators report finding evidence to back up the victim’s story that she was sexually assaulted by the intruder.

She was transported to a local hospital with reported non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect reportedly fled the scene on foot.

The victim told authorities she had seen the man before at the dumpsters near the apartment complex.

Should you have information on the case, contact Catawba Police at 828-241-2215.

An inmate was reported missing from his work release assignment Monday afternoon in Caldwell County – that according to the state department of public safety.

47-year-old Kevin Adams was last seen around 1:15 Monday on Cranberry Road in Lenoir.

Adams is a white male, has brown hair, blue eyes, and is about 6 feet 4 inches tall, and weighs around 200 pounds.

He has tattoos on his chest, arms, and right wrist.

Reports say Adams was in the Caldwell Correctional Center serving a nearly 4-year sentence for obtaining property under false pretense.

Adams was confined in August 2019 and was scheduled for release in March 2021.

Anyone having information regarding Adams’ whereabouts should call the Caldwell Correctional Center at 726-2509 or the Caldwell Sheriff’s Office at 754-1518.

A bicyclist was injured Sunday by a reported hit and run driver on Independence Boulevard.

Around 6:30 Sunday evening, Morganton Public Safety officers arrived to find the bicyclist lying in the roadway.

Reports say the bike was struck from behind by a vehicle traveling on Independence toward Carbon City Road.

The driver of the vehicle failed to stop at the accident scene.

Burke County EMS transported the cyclist to CHS Morganton.

The suspect truck is believed to be dark in color; as officers were able to recover pieces of the truck that were broken off during the collision.

Officials believe that one of the headlights on the truck was broken as well.

Should you have information regarding Sunday’s hit and run, call Morganton Public Safety at 437-1211.

A Marion woman faces drug charges after officers investigate a suspicious vehicle.

32-year-old Vanessa Danielle Kirby of Nix Creek Road is charged with possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Just before 2 am on Sunday January 12^th, Kirby was a passenger inside a vehicle parked inside the cemetery on Memorial Park Road.

A search of the car turned up drug paraphernalia and 3 grams of meth among Kirby’s belongings, according to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office.

Three people in Avery County have been charged with animal cruelty after authorities discover a severely malnourished dog.

42-year-old Paul Ingram, 39-year-old Hazel Ingram, and 18-year-old Deanna Ingram were all charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals.

Reports from the Avery Sheriff’s Office say the dog was deprived of food for a period of time and had lost over 50-percent of its body weight within the last few months.

The Avery County Humane Society had conducted a preliminary investigation into the case.

Officials there say initially they were afraid the dog would have to be euthanized; however, they now report it appears the dog will go to a sanctuary that works with abused animals.

During a ceremony at Morganton City Hall Friday, Tony Lowdermilk was sworn in as Interim Chief of Morganton Public Safety.

After serving Morganton for more than 25 years, Lowdermilk was promoted to Interim Chief from the rank of Major of Support Services.

Lowdermilk began his work with the Morganton department as a public safety officer in 1994.

Ronnie Rector announced his retirement as public safety chief last week.

Hickory Police have reportedly identified a woman wanted in the stabbing of her son.

Reports say 36-year-old Kamasha Lynette Jolly is wanted on a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.

The charge is in connection with the stabbing of Jolly’s son January 25^th.

Authorities are not releasing the son’s name because he is a juvenile according to reports.

Anyone having information about Jolly’s whereabouts should contact Investigator Hudson at 261-2620.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s detectives report they are continuing to search for a runaway teen and a missing man in unrelated cases.

15-year-old Alexis Pack was reported missing by her sister.

Pack was last seen January 23^rd at her home on Camelot Lane in Vale around 5 pm as she told family members she was going to check the mail.

She is a white female, 5 feet 1 inch tall, and weighs 130 pounds.

Reports say she lived in the Newton area before moving to Lincoln County.

In an unrelated case, 38-year-old Rene Garcia Gomez of Grassy Creek Road was last seen leaving for work on January 16^th around 7 am.

He is 5 feet 6 inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes, and weighs around 175 pounds.

Gomez was driving a gray 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor with NC tag DED-2036.

He has medical issues and is dependent on daily medication.

Anyone having information on his whereabouts or that of Alexis Pack should contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 704-732-9050, or Lincoln Crimestoppers at 704-736-