A warrant standoff leads to a standoff with the Burke County Sheriff's Office. Last Thursday deputies responded to the Connelly Springs residence of 42-year-old Willam Charles Church, in order to serve him a with a warrant. Reports state Church refused to cooperate with officers and left the residence. The Burke County SWAT Team was called into assist and later discovered Church hiding in the basement. Officers reportedly located several unsecured firearms in the home and issured warrants for possession of a firearm by a felon.The initial warrants included charges for assault on a female, resist, delay or obstruck and violation of unsupervised probation. Church was jailed under a $36,000 secured bond.

An Upper Cleveland County couple has died after a truck crashed into their home Sunday night. Police tell WSOC-TV that a truck struck a home on East Stagecoach Trail in Fallston about 10pm and hit propane tanks, causing an explosion. The husband and wife, reportedly in their 70's, were taken to a hospital with critical injuries, but died this morning. Crews told WSOC that the explosion caused nearby homes to catch on fire.

Icard Elementary teacher Andrea Gladden was chosen in January for the Engineering is Elementary scholarship through the Museum of Science, Boston. Gladden's lessons on civil engineering and environmental engineering were videotaped and analyzed for two years. She said that study concluded engineering helps students, including exceptional children, learn science. Now as one of 100 elementary school teachers from 24 states to earn the EiE scholarship, Gladden will receive a complete classroom set of EiE curriculum materials plus tuition and travel to a two-day, hands-on workshop at the Museum in Boston this summer.

The Collett Street Recreation Center and Mountain View Recreation Center gyms are getting new LED lights that are quieter, more efficient, and should brighten those spaces. City of Morganton Electrical Services workmen completed the install of the lights in the Collett Street gym on Thursday. The lights in the Mountain View gym will be changed in a couple of weeks.

A Morganton woman was struck by a vehicle and killed Wednesday night in Burke County. The News Herald reports today that 44 year old Tammy Ann Reese was fatally injured walking along Conley Road about 6:30pm, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. No charges have been filed against the driver of the car, Assisting the Highway Patrol were personnel from Burke County EMS, the Burke County Sheriff's Office and Brendletown Fire and Rescue, according to the News Herald.

Two McDowell County men face numerous charges following a chase and four-hour manhunt. Shortly after Noon Wednesday, McDowell County deputies responded to a call of shots being fired into a residence on Vein Mountain Road in Nebo. Reports state the suspect vehicle left the scene, then was spotted by officers who engaged in pursuit - chasing the vehicle until it came upon a dead end. The driver, later identified as 29-year-old Roger Dale Franklin II of Nebo, ran into the woods prompting a lengthy manhunt before being arrested walking along a nearby roadway. Deputies discovered Franklin in possession of a handgun, methamphetamine, and a large sum of cash. 31 year-old Joshua Eric Kelley of Marion was a passenger in the vehicle and was charged with felony possession of a firearm, fleeing to elude arrest, and damage to property.

A Burke County man is served six orders for arrest after a traffic stop. Early Thursday morning, Morganton Department of Public Safety Officers conducted a traffic stop on East Avenue. A passenger, 21 year old Vance Edward Hinson, Jr was served with six orders for arrest for probation violation and failure to appear. Bond was set at $34,000 secured with a District Court appearance scheduled for March 8th.

Due to safety concerns because of the buildings instability, investigators were unable to conduct an in depth interior investigation into the cause of the fire on South Center Street in Hildebran Monday,  A press release from Burke County Office of Emergency Services states that the case is not closed and still is under investigation. Icard Fire and Rescue, with help from 21 other departments from Burke and surrounding counties fought the fire for several hours before the fire was brought under control. Adjacent buildings and a cell phone tower were saved. The SBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Burke County Sheriff's Office were requested to assist the Burke County Fire Marshal's Office with the investigation. Any information about the fire can be directed to the Burke County Fire Marshal's Office or Burke County Sheriff's Office.

Rotary Club of Morganton has named Barbara Norvell as its' Distinguished Person of the Year. The announcement made Wednesday by Rotary President Ron George at the Club's weekly meeting. Norvell, a Morganton native, was one of the founders of both the Morganton Service League and the Historic Burke Foundation. Her interest in historic preservation led to her appointment to the North Carolina Board of Historic Preservation. She was also involved in obtaining the Main Street designation for Morganton. Norvell attended the Rotary meeting on Wednesday accompanied by her husband Jerry, who was Rotary's Man of the Year for 2011. The Club changed the award this year from Man of the Year to Distinguished Person of the Year, making women eligible for the award for the first time. The banquet honoring the Distinguished Person of the Year will be held on Friday March 18th at 7pm at the Morganton Community House.

A Marion man currently in jail on multiple felony charges and under a multi-million dollar bond has now been charged with attempting to escape. 50-year-old Kevin Earnest Dalton is currently in jail on multiple charges of violation of a domestic violence protection order against his parents and his habitual felon status. Staff at the McDowell County jail found evidence of someone in Dalton's cell chipping away at the wall with obvious damage to a window. A search of the cell revealed two pieces of metal in Dalton's belongings. There were two other inmates in the cell with Dalton and an investigation will decide if they had any role in the case. Charges are still pending. Dalton is currently housed in the McDowell County jail under a $3,920,000 bond.

On Tuesday, Caldwell County Animal Control was notified by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health that a raccoon submitted for testing was infected with the rabies virus. On Monday a resident of Caldwell County contacted Animal Control and reported their dog killed a raccoon on Sunday. Animal Control found that the dog in question was not current on rabies vaccinations. Reports from the State Laboratory of Public Health stated the raccoon tested positive for the rabies virus. At this time the owners of the infected dog have surrendered the dog to Animal Control.

Governor McCrory announced Wednesday Downtown revitalization grants across the state. In Lincolnton, the grant will help spur downtown development by investing in several economic development programs, including substantial building rehabilitation and the downtown development fund. Other cities awarded grants for downtown revitalization include Morganton, Shelby and Rutherfordton. Contracts for these municipalities are pending.

Burke County Public Schools recently received three Blue Ribbon Awards for two publications and a marketing campaign from The North Carolina School Public Relations Association. Board of Education member Edna Weller, Superintendent Larry Putnam and Public Relations Officer Cheryl Shuffler accepted the awards on behalf of the school system during a January ceremony in Greensboro. In the publications category, "The Burke County Public Schools Report to the Community" received a gold award. The school system released the 16-page publication at the start of the 2015-2016 school year. Burke County Public Schools also received a silver award in marketing for the logo and tagline launch, while the the inaugural edition of the "Burke County School & Family Magazine" won a silver award in the publications category. The first Family & School Magazine was released in October and has news throughout the district featuring student and staff accomplishments, district programs and more.

Elementary and middle school students, as well as Burke County Public School employees, were recognized at the Burke County Board of Education Monday night regular meeting.
The Middle School Speech Contest was held in December at the Old Rock School.
First Place Winners:
Duo - Ellie Fite & Jessica Brittain of East Burke
Original Oratory - Brody Wright of Heritage
Poetry - Clara Hawn of Walter Johnson
Prose - Luke Elliot of East Burke
Recited Oratory - Dorian Gregory of Liberty
The Elementary Speech Contest was also held in December at the Old Rock School.
First Place Winners:
Original Composition - Courtney Buchanan of W.A.Young
Notable Speeches - Sara Byrd Succop of Rutherford College
Prose - Joseph Franklin of Salem
Poetry - Sarah Mull of Rutherford College
The Elementary Science Fair was held February 2nd with Wayne Bevins of Rutherford College placing first.
Eight Burke County Public School bus drivers with over 20 years experience were recognized. In action items, the board voted to adopt a resolution regarding employee termination. The resolution passed 5-2 with 2 abstaining.

A Lenoir man will spend at least five years in prison after pleading guilty to drug and weapon charges. 28-year-old Travis Xavier Thomas pleaded guilty to possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, and possession of a firearm by a felon. A probation officer discovered cocaine at the residence of Thomas in 2012, while a subsequent search by lenoir Police revealed drug paraphenalia and a high-powered rifle.Thomas was sentenced to serve five to eight yearsin custody, while additional charges are pending against him - including two counts of attempted first degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle, fleeing to elude arrest and additional drug charges releated to a traffic stop. The pending charges will be heard in Caldwell's April trial session.

Morganton Department of Public Safety responded Friday to a report of an explosion near Mountain Crest Elementary School. Personnel checked the area around the bulk refuse dumpsters across from the school where the explosion was thought to have originated. An older model TV set lying in front of the dumpster had been blown apart. Public Safety personnel determined that a capacitor inside the TV had exploded when it was either dropped or kicked over by some passing children, who then fled the area on foot. There were no explosive devices or remnants found to indicate that any sort of malicious activity had occurred, according to Public Safety.

Narcotics were located Saturday after a traffic stop. According to Morganton Department of Public Safety, a Honda Civic was stopped on Sanford Drive for failure to maintain lane control and suspicion of driving while impaired. K9 Shrek alerted during an exterior sniff of the car. A search was conducted with Public Safety reporting that 11.5 grams of "crack" cocaine were located, with marijuana and Xanex and Currency on Terrence Andrade. Xanex was found on Roderick Caldwell. The Burke County Narcotics Task Force was called to the scene. Andrade received a bond of $25,000 with a court appearance scheduled for today. Caldwell's bond was set at $1000 with a court date of April 4th. The investigation is continuing.

WMNC News will sponsor two Meet the Candidates Forums, today and tomorrow at 10:05 on AM 1430 WMNC, with a taped replay Sunday at 7pm on The Big Dawg 92.1. Today Democratic candidates for Burke County Board of Commissioners have been invited to appear in our studio with Republican candidates scheduled for Tuesday morning.

An ongoing drug investigation leads to felony charges for a Marion woman. 60-year-old Sandra Capps has been charged with one felony count each of possession with intent to sell and delive methamphetamine, and maintaining a place to keep a controlled substance. McDowell County deputies attempted to stop a moped leaving the Capps residence on Tuesday. Reports say Capps arrived to pick up the moped driver after he fled from officers. She was then discovered driving a vehicle displaying a fictitious tag. Capps was searched and found to be concealing 10.7 grams of meth. The moped driver, 50-year-old Steve Allen Buchanan of Marion was charged with felony fleeing to elude arrest and misdemeanor resisting a public officer. He was also served with outstanding warrants for identity theft and failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge.

A Burke County man is charged with felony common law robbery. Morganton Department of Public Safety on Thursday served Warrants for Arrest on 24-year-old Jacob Joseph Mueller of Morganton. Mueller faces misdemeanor charges of larceny by trick, possession of stolen goods, larceny all other, and failure to appear. He was placed in the Burke Catawba Jail under a secured bond of $9000 with a District Court appearance scheduled for today.

A 35-year-old Claremont man, already serving time for property crimes in Burke County, pled guilty to additional charges in Catawba County and has time added from 9-12 years. Benjamin Lagunas pleaded guilty as charged to two counts of breaking and entering and larceny, obtaining property by false pretence and felony failure to appear, during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday. He also admitted to habitual felon status, enhancing his status. According to reports, Lagunas stole a weed trimmer, hand-held blower and leaf blower from two locations in July 2013 and pawned them at local pawn shops. Lagunas is currently serving for similar offences in Burke County, which he pleaded guilty to in May.

A Marin man is charged with disposing of a gun used in a January shooting in McDowell County. 29 year old Paul Reid Crawley was charged by the McDowell County Sheriff's Office with felony accessory after the fact. Last week, investigators charged four Marion residents, 18 year old Matthew Justin Blackwell, 28 year old Michael Bennett Bryant, 18 year old Erin Rebekah McElveen and 20 year old Kayla Penland, for shooting into a Sugar Hill Road residence on January 30th. One of the occupants of the house, 26 year old Kasey Lanning, was struck in the leg by a bullet.

Commissioners urged citizens to register to vote if not already registered before the primary in Tuesday night's Burke County Board of Commissioner's regular meeting. Burke County Board of Elections Director ,Debbie Mace, presented on voter registration reminding citizens that voter registration cutoff is 5pm Friday, 25 calendar days before the election. Mace said if citizens miss the cutoff date they could register and vote at early voting with the proper forms of identification. Mace claimed to be a big supporter of absentee voting by mail because it helps the elderly and college kids. Anyone who is registered to vote may vote absentee by mail. 17 year olds who will be 18 by the November election may vote in the primary. The bond is the only item on the ballot they cannot vote for. This is because if voters are under 18, they cannot vote on anything that becomes final. They will vote on candidates only for this election. Early voting begins Thursday March 3rd and runs through Saturday March 12th. For more voter information visit burkenc.org.

A new facility coming to Caldwell County will create 82 new jobs. Governor McCrory's announced Wednesday that Krystal Engineering will open a Lenoir-based production facility-ramping up an 82 person workforce during the next five years. The company is a leading global processor of materials for electronics components. Krystal plans to invest $29 million in the new facility due in part to a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund. Hiring for varied positions will begin in late summer.

At the Lenoir City Council meeting on Tuesday, two public hearings regarding amendments to the City's Charter Code of Ordinances Traffic Section were discussed. As a product of these discussions Lenoir's City Council unanimously agreed to allow on-street parking for the 200 block of Church Street between West and Ashe Avenues and agreed in-turn, to remove the 300 block of Church Street in order to eliminate the current "one-way street " designation. Also on Tuesday, City Council approved a request from the Avery Dennison Corporation allowing the company to install four groundwater monitoring wells on City property. The wells will be a part of a voluntary groundwater study conducted by the Avery Dennison Corporation in cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

Morganton Department of Public Safety Officers Wednesday, responded to a North Street address in reference to a domestic assault. While enroute to the scene, dispatch advised that the offender, Curtis Elliot was actively assaulting the victim. When officers arrived, Elliot ceased his assault. Elliot was detained, with officers interviewing both Elliot and a witness. Elliot was arrested and charged with assault by strangulation and felony probation violation. Elliot was transported to the Burke Catawba Confinement Facility under no bond.

A domestic dispute which led to a Hickory shooting has left a woman in critical condition. Hickory Police received a report of a shooting Monday morning at 1265 11th Street NW. James William Thacker was located from a description and direction of travel tip and detained by officers. At the scene, officers located Tammy Cloninger suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. She was transported to Frye Regionsl Medical Center where she was listed in critical condition. Thacker was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious bodily injury. The investigation is ongoing.

Caldwell County Commissioners Monday approved and authorized the use of $300,000 match-free Homeland Security Grant provided for the region's "Disaster Preparedness Program". According to Caldwell County Emergency Management Coordinator Kenneth Teague, the funds will be used to purchase portable A.D.A.ramps and a trailer. Also, Caldwell County Finance Manager Tony Helton presented the board with the County's January 2016 key indicators report. In his report, Helton noted that the County continues to do well financially.

Governor Pat McCrory will be in Caldwell County today for an announcement. The meeting will take place at 11:30 for the Economic Development Announcement and Industry Leaders Luncheon at the J.E.Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir.

**Closings Cancellations and Delays are posted on our Facebook Page which also appears on our website home page**

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Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina has added 32 acres along a half-mile of the Henry Fork River in Burke County to its Smith Cliff/Henry Fork Preserve.

The property is mainly forest and also contains a 2.5 acre field, a few small rocky outcrops and a half-mile segment of the Henry Fork River.

Andrew Kota, Foothills Conservancy Director says the acquisition of this property is an important piece of the puzzle connecting two conservancy preserves: the Smith Cliff/Henry Fork River Preserve and South Mountains Headwaters Preserve”.

Foothills Conservancy is committed to protecting lands that benefit the health of the region’s waters and creating land corridors that benefit wildlife.

For More Information visit www.foothillsconservancy.org

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Lenoir City Council is scheduled to meet this evening:

Items on the agenda include:

-an amendment to the Charter Code of Ordinances to remove the 300 block of Church Street from Kirkwood Street to Ashe Avenue which eliminates the current on-way street designation. Also, to indicate on-street parking be allowed on Church Street

A number of consent agenda items will be considered

The meeting will start at 6pm in the council chambers at 905 West Avenue, Lenoir

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The Burke County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a FORMER Connelly Springs Alderman

Charles Philip Mann, 49 of Connelly Springs was arrested on Friday and charged with:

1.                 Solicitation of a Child by Computer or Electronic Device to Commit   Unlawful Sex Act

2.                 Attempted 2^nd Degree forcible Sex Offense

3.                 Indecent Liberties with a Child

Court date is set for today however, will be re-scheduled pending weather.

On January 15^th, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office received a report

alleging that someone was chatting with their minor daughter in an

inappropriate manner.  An online undercover investigation was conducted. 

During the investigation, the identity of the suspect was discovered to be

Charles Philip Mann.  Man traveled to a predetermined location for the

purpose of meeting with a child he had engaged in inappropriate chats with. 

When he arrived, Mann was taken into custody by investigators without

Incident.

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Special Olympics Polar Plunge

Frigid temperatures are perfect conditions for The Polar Plunge!

The Special Olympics Polar Plunge is scheduled for Saturday, February 20^th. 

Registration begins at 10am and 11am, participants will be jumping in the

outdoor pool at the Granite Falls Recreation Center.  All proceeds go to

Special Olympics.  For more information, contact Kelly Eldreth at 850-0226

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The City of Morganton has become aware of allegations concerning possible misconduct by one or more City employees. City management has so far received no evidence to substantiate the allegations. Morganton Department of Public Safety has requested the State Bureau of Investigation to conduct an inquiry into the allegations. All City employees and elected officials will fully cooperate with the SBI on this matter. No further comments will be made pending the results of the SBI inquiry, according to a release from Morganton Public Safety.

Less than 24 hours after a Caldwell County murder case was declared a mistrial, the
double homicide case will go to trial a second time. The 25th District Attorney's Office announced Thursday, that William Eugene Murphy rejected a plea offer from the DA's Office during a hearing in Caldwell County Superior Court. Judge Nathaniel J.Poovey was reluctant to set a new date for trial, pointing out that he needed more information from the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts regarding availability of judges, court reporters and courthouse space. Murphy is accused of committing the November 1990 murders of Mark Randall Secreast and wife Jeanie Barlow Secreast inside their Caldwell County home.

A neighbor spots a man stealing from a McDowell County residence. McDowell County deputies have charged 22-year-old Brandon Lee Ost of Marion with felony breaking and entering, and felony larceny-stemming from a November home invasion. He reportedly stole more than $2200 worth of items. Ost had remained on the lam since the theft; however, he was observed walking along a local roadway by a resident who called Crimestoppers. Officers apprehended him shortly thereafter.

North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Patsy Keever will speak in Morganton night. She is scheduled to deliver state party news and reports of the State Executive Committee. The program begins at 6 o'clock at the Burke County party headquarters, 310 South Sterling Street. Keever grew up in Charlotte and now lives in Black Mountain.

A Hildebran man faces assault charges following a domestic disturbance Tuesday. 27-year-old Jony Lee was charged with two counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon inflicting injury-the incident sending his two younger brothers to area hospitals. The Burke County Sheriff's Office reports that Lee had been in a verbal argument with his father at an apartment complex on Clarence Towery Circle. Lee reportedly stabbed both of his brothers after they became involved in the argument. Lee's 18-year-old brother was taken to Mission Hospital, treated and released, while his 17-year-old brother remains at Wake Forest Baptist Center in critical condition. Lee was placed in jail under $200,000 secured bond. the State Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Burke County Sheriff's Office in an ongoing investigation.

The jury in the double homicide trial of William Eugene Murphy could not reach a unanimous verdict, leading to a mistrial. After determining that the jury was hopelessly deadlocked at 6-6 and that further deliberation would be useless, the Honorable Nathaniel J.Poovey, Superior Court Judge from Catawba County, declared a mistrial shortly after 5pm Wednesday, at the Caldwell County Courthouse in Lenoir. Murphy is accused of committing the 1990 murders of Mark Randall Secreast and his wife Jeanie Barlow Secreast inside their Caldwell County home. The case was investigated at the time, but not solved. New evidence surfaced implicating Murphy, and he was arrested and charged with their murders in April 2010. Murphy has been incarcerated in the Caldwell County Detention Center almost six years.

The Caldwell County Spelling Bee title has been won by Natalie Brewer, a Hudson Middle 8th grader. That qualified her as a speller in the 76th Annual Winston-Salem Journal Regional Spelling Bee March 20. Second place finisher was Spencer Sigmon of Granite Falls Middle and placing third was Emma Haas of Gamewell Middle. The Spelling Bee was sponsored by the Educational Foundation Inc. of Caldwell County.

A Morganton man has been charged with assaulting a Marion man. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office Tuesday, charged 31 year old Harrell Bruce Powell, Jr., with felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. Powell is charged with assaulting 25 year old Christopher Dwayne Lawing, who was found about 2:20am February 5th in the middle of Randolph Road, slumped over the steering wheel and bleeding from his head. He remains in the intensive care unit at Mission Hospital. Deputies with the Burke County Sheriff's Office located Powell Monday morning. The motive is unknown at this time. The N.C.State Bureau of Investigation assisted in the case.

A Marion man has been jailed under a $3.9 million bond after violating a domestic violence protection order multiple times. 50 year old Kevin Ernest Dalton is charged with four counts of being an habitual felon. Dalton has an active domestic violence protection order against him prohibiting Dalton from being on property at 193 Circle Drive in Marion, which is the home of his parents. The DVO was issued in 2015 and expires February 20th. During that time, Dalton has gone on the property multiple times to commit crimes. He has been charged five times with violating that order. A grand jury indicted Dalton on habitual felon charges and is jail on a $3.9 million bond.

The Caldwell County Board of Education has announced snow makeup days. At this weeks Board of Education meeting , Superintendent Dr.Steve Stone announced that February 19 and March 24 are makeup days for student days missed in January due to snow and ice. Both days were originally scheduled on the school calendar as Optional Planning days. The March 24th student day will be used as an Early Release day for staff development.

Morganton Public Safety Fire Fighters save a home from an attic fire. Crews responded just after 10pm Friday to a residential fire on Hilltop Street. Light smoke was observed from the attic area. Firefighters vented the roof and extinguished the fire from inside the residence. No one was injured. The Burke County Rescue Squad, The Red Cross and Burke County EMS assisted Public Safety at the scene and no one was injured.

Multiple felony charges are filed on a Nebo man. The Burke County Sheriff's Office Monday, charged 23 year old Jacob Ballard Hensley with Forced Breaking & Entering, Larceny After Breaking & Entering, and Possession of Stolen Goods. He was placed in the Burke Catawba District Confinement Facility under $10,000 secured bond with a Superior Court appearance March 14th.

Multiple methamphetamine charges are filed in Catawba County on a Burke County resident. The Catawba County Sheriff's Office Monday, charged 43 year old Jeffrey Harmon Ray of Morganton with Manufacture Methamphetamine, Possession/Distribute Meth Precusor and Conspire to Manufacture Methamphetamine. Ray has a Catawba County court appearance scheduled for tomorrow.

An Old Fort sex offender has been charged with violating a state registry rule. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office Monday, charged 31 year old Joshua Kyle Martin with one felony count of failure to register as a sex offender. He was also charged with a felony parole violation. Martin was apprehended February 4 by probation officers with the N,C.Department of Public Safety.

A Marion man was attacked and left with serious injuries; now the McDowell County Sheriff;s office investigators need information. 25-year-old Christopher Dwayne Lawing of Rockhouse Road in Marion was found bleeding and slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle by Deputy Mike Fox early Friday morning. Deputy Fox found Lawing's vehicle sitting in the middle of the highway near the intersection of Toney Road. Authorities believe he was beaten. Lawing was taken to Mission Hospital and underwent emergency surgery for severe head injuries. He remains a patient in the Intensive Care Unit. Anyone with information concerning the assault is asked to contact the McDowell County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Branch at 652-2237.

A Maiden woman will be spending the next five years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple drug charges in Catawba County Superior Court last week. 33 year old Pamela Jean Propst was sentenced to serve 5 to 7 years in custody following her guilty plea to trafficking opiates, conspiring to traffic opiates, selling Schedule III and IV controlled substances and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance. Matt Farra of Maiden Police Department was the lead investigator, with assistance from Newton Police Department and the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. Wes Hawn prosecuted the case for the 25th District Attorney's Office.

Governor Pat McCrory was involved in a minor traffic accident, following last night's Super Bowl in Santa Clara. While the Governor had minor pain from the accident, he was able to continue to his destination in another vehicle.

A man faces numerous charges in reference to a January domestic incident. Morganton Department of Public Safety on Thursday, reported the arrest of Hunter Riles. He was charged from a domestic report January 24th, when his ex-girlfriend reported an assault from the night before, which sent her to the hospital with multiple injuries. Riles was charged with Assault by Strangulation, Assault Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury, Assault on a Female, Kidnapping, Second Degree Sex Offense and First Degree Trespassing. Riles was placed in the Burke Catawba Detention Facility with a Burke County District Court date of February 17.

A standoff Tuesday night on Alexander Avenue ends without incident. Morganton Public Safety Officers responded to the residence and were able to evacuate the home with the exception of the person reported to be suicidal. Public Safety negotiators were able to get the man to leave the residence and was taken into to the hospital mental evaluation and treatment. There were no injuries during the incident.

The Caldwell County Fire Marshal's Office has determined that a Thursday morning fire that destroyed a home on Clarks Chapel Road in Lenoir was accidental and started in a chimney. According to Caldwell Fire Marshal Kevin Brown, the call in around 9:20. The owners were home and able to escape without injury.The American Red Cross is assisting the family. Assisting the Fire Marshal's office were North Catawba Fire-Rescue and Gamewell, Hudson and Lenoir Fire Departments.

Burke County Health Department is raising awareness among local women that heart disease is their #1 health threat and is asking Burke County residents to wear red tomorrow-National Wear Red Day-to support and inspire women to take action to stop this killer. Heart disease is largely preventable, but kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. For more information visit online hearttruth.gov, or contact Burke County Health Department at 764-9150.

The City of Morganton Human Relations Commission is accepting nominations for the Citizens of the Year awards. The awards recognizes adult and youth citizens for outstanding volunteer service to the community, school, or neighborhood. Nominees must be a current resident of Burke County. Nominations must be submitted to the Human Resources Department or to an HRC member by 5PM Friday, March 18, 2016.

Catawba County budget office wins its' 27th consecutive national award. The 2015 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award - recognizing Catawba County's Fiscal Year 15-16 bidget, was recently presented by the Government Finance Officer's Association. Catawba County reportedly was one of the first in North Carolina to apply for and receive this award 27 years ago. Catawba Commissioners formally recognized the budget office at its' board meeting Monday.

A former Catawba County sheriff has been reappointed to a statewide commission. The Office of Governor Pat McCrory Wednesday, announced the appointment of David Huffman to the North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission. Huffman is the Director of the Governor's Crime Commission and has over 42 years of law enforcement experience.

11th District Congressman Mark Meadows introduced the Educational Freedom Accounts Act (H.R.4426) on Tuesday, which creates a school choice program in Washington, D.C. This legislation was originally introduced by Senator Ted Cruz in the Senate. The Educational Freedom Accounts Act would create an innovative school choice program built around establishing Education Savings Accounts for students in the District of Columbia.

The three-month-old listed in critical condition Monday, died Tuesday. Nicholas Brandon Clark and Brittany Nicole Hefner were charged with 1 count of felony child abuse after Burke County Sheriff's Deputies conducted an investigation, responding to a report that the infant was not breathing. It was discovered the infant had a twin brother and both children were transported to Brenner Children's Hospital in Winston Salem. As of Monday, the infant who was reportedly not breathing, was listed in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries Tuesday. The other twin is still listed in stable condition. The investigation against Clark and Hefner is ongoing and the Sheriff's office is working with the District Attorney and further charges are pending.

A Conover man has been charged with felony first-degree forcible rape after a sexual assault investigation. Investigators with the Catawba County Sheriff's office established evidence to suspect that the sexual assault occurred in Burke County and Burke County Sheriff's deputies helped locate 30-year-old Michael Christopher Weaver, whom was considered a suspect. Burke and Catawba investigators questioned Weaver and determined the sexual assault occurred at Lowman's Motel in Hildebran. After searching the motel room, several key items of evidence were located. Weaver was arrested Monday and placed in the Burke Catawba District Confinement Facility under a secured bond of $250,000.

The Burke County Grand Jury returned a true bill of indictment against 19-year-old Justin Sullivan Monday, in connection with the December 2014 death of 74-year-old John Bailey Clark. Burke County Sheriff 's Officers located Clark's body in a shallow grave near his home on Rose Carswell Road in Morganton December 18, 2014 during a welfare check. His apparent cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds to the head from a small-caliber firearm. Continued investigation of the case led to Sullivan, who also lived on Rose Carswell Road with his parents. Sullivan, a self-proclaimed Islamic convert, also faces federal charges. Those charges allege that he attempted to provide material aid to ISIL. He was arrested on those charges in June 2015. Sullivan is held at the Buncombe County Detention Center on the federal charges without bond. The Burke County Sheriff's Office and SBI are investigating the murder case with assistance from the FBI.

The District 4 seat in Morganton City Council will remain vacant after another tie vote after Monday night's regular meeting. The fourth vote for filling the District 4 council vacancy was suspended after another standstill, which led Councilman Forest Flemming to suggest having a special election. Sydney Simmons seconded this suggestion saying the vote should be left to the community. With a special election requiring a 45 day notice, there is no way a special election can be held before the March 15th vote. Council passed a resolution in support of the Connect NC bond, which will invest $2 billion in projects across the state. In Burke County, the bond will fund a new western campus for the NC School of Science and Math, repurpose the Western Youth Institute into a National Guard "readiness center, " projects at Western Piedmont Community College and improvements for Lake James State Park and South Mountain State Park, Council urged everyone to remember to vote in favor of the bond on March 15th.

Caldwell Commissioners Monday, adopted a resolution in support of the finalized Western Piedmont Regional Bicycle Plan. The Plan, which covers Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties was created in order to assist regional planners and DOT in the development of new and improved bicycle routes, pavement markins, and signage. Commissioners also authorized the county's Tax Administrator Monty Woods to advertise tax liens on delinquent accounts. The advertised tax liens will only apply towards real property within Caldwell County that currently has unpaid taxes for the 2015 fiscal year.

A Marion man faces multiple child sex offenses. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office Monday, charged 35 year old Edward Almond Buchanan. It is alleged that Buchanan sexually molested a female acquaintance for eight years, from the ages of 8 to 16. Buchanan's family members notified the Sheriff's Office of the incidents.

Meridian Specialty Yarn Group will expand its' Valdese facility, creating up to 25 new jobs and investing $8 million. Burke Development Inc, in partnership with the Town of Valdese and Burke County, made the announcement Friday. The expansion begins early this year and will allow the company to complete site renovations and construct a new building on their existing property. Meridian manufactures and dyes yarn for various sectors including home furnishings and upholstery, hosiery, apparel, carpets and rugs, sewing thread, craft and industrial textiles. The project is supported by grants from the Town of Valdese and Burke County. The grants total $900,00 and will be spread over five years. The N.C. Department of Commerce has awarded the Town of Valdese two grants totaling about $1.9 million to upgrade the Town's water and wastewater facilities. The expansion will provide increased dye house capacity allowing for greater flexibility and competitiveness in the marketplace. The company currently employs approximately 140 people.

After 25 years of service, Senior Firefighter Tony Crisp has retired from the Hickory Fire Department. Before working for the City, Crisp served as a volunteer firefighter with the West End Fire Department and a reserve firefighter with Morganton Public Safety. He resides in Burke County with his family.