CHS Blue Ridge Change

CHS Blue Ridge Healthcare is announcing its intentions to separate from Atrium Health to facilitate a partnership with UNC Health.

The board of directors from Blue Ridge and UNC have announced the approval of a non-binding letter of intent to form the union.

The proposed partnership between Blue Ridge, with facilities in Morganton and Valdese, and UNC Health aims to enhance the quality of healthcare in the Unifour region.

If finalized, Blue Ridge would become part of NC’s leading public academic healthcare system that includes 12 other hospitals and hundreds of clinics throughout the state.

According to a news release issued by CHS Blue Ridge, officials say they hope to finalize the partnership later this year pending further board approvals and standard regulatory review.

To learn more about the proposed partnership between Blue Ridge and UNC Health, visit blueridgehealthforward.org.

Assault Charge

A Morganton man is charged with assault after his victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment. 

Morganton Public Safety officers on Wednesday morning just after 5:30 were called to Stonebridge Drive to the reported assault with a knife.

A news release says upon their arrival, they discovered the victim with a deep facial laceration.

Reports say she was transported to CHS Morganton; while the suspect had reportedly left the scene before authorities arrived.

The suspect identified as 40-year-old Erik Bradley Brittain was located and arrested a few hours later.

Brittain was charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.

He was placed in the Burke County Jail under a 50-thousand dollar secured bond.

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office and the State Department of Probation and Parole assisted Morganton Public Safety.

Morganton Fire

A Morganton home sustained extensive damage as the result of a fire on Tuesday.

Firefighters and Public Safety officers responded to 543 Rockyford Street around 4:15 p.m.

According to a news release; as units arrived, smoke and flames were coming from the residence.

Morganton firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control in around 30 minutes.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation by public safety’s criminal investigations division.

The American Red Cross assisted the home’s occupants.

Kings Mtn Shooting

A 17-year-old was reportedly shot and killed in Kings Mountain Wednesday evening.

Just after 7:15, authorities say they found the teenager with numerous gunshot wounds on Redwood Circle.

Reports say he was taken to a Gastonia hospital where he died.

20-year-old Richard Brown Junior has been arrested and charged with murder.

He is being held at the Gaston County Detention Center without bond.

The case remains under investigation.

Anyone with information should call Kings Mountain Police at 704-734-0444.

Hickory Homicide Investigation 

Hickory Police continue to investigate a shooting, where a 7-year-old

was fatally wounded. Officers responded just after 11 p.m.Wednesday

to the 1900 block of Tate Boulevard SE, where the child was struck in

a vehicle, driven by his mother. Zakylen Greylen Harris was taken by

EMS to Catawba Valley Medical where he was later pronounced

deceased. Two other children, ages 6 and 1 were in the vehicle. The

suspect vehicle was described as a small dark colored SUV, with

possible multiple occupants and a white female with blond hair in

the front passenger seat. Anyone with information is urged to contact

Hickory Police at 828-328-5551.