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.