A Caldwell County man has been charged with the murder of a Hudson woman and the attempted murder of a Hickory man. Hickory Police, about 6pm Wednesday, responded to McDonalds on Highway 321 NW to a report of a domestic disturbance. Officers discovered 22 year old Richelle Scott Lail with apparent gunshot wounds, who died at the scene. A second victim, 28 year old Cody William Watts of Hickory, was taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds and is listed in critical condition. Hickory Police have charged 22 year old Eric Terril Yount of Granite Falls with 1st Degree Murder and Attempted Murder. He is scheduled to make a first court appearance today. Police say the incident appears to be domestic and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Hickory Police at 328-5551.

A Granite Falls woman will serve at least five years in prison after pleading as charged to larceny by employee and admitting her habitual felon status during Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday. 42-year-old Stacia Greene Harvey was sentenced to an active prison term of 5 to 7 years. Harvey was also ordered to pay $28,421.36 in restitution to her former employer, Discount Cars, Inc., of Hickory. She took more than $53,000 from the business between January and July 2014. The owners discovered the money had been taken and provided video surveillance to Hickory Police showing Harvey taking the cash. Discount Cars was reimbursed $25,000 from insurance and the judge ordered that Harvey repay the remainder.

Lenoir Police announced Tuesday that its' Officers are now carrying the opiate antagonist, Naloxone, at all times when on-duty. All Officers have been trained in the administration of this opoid-overdose-reversal drug. According to Lenoir Police Chief Scott Brown, "In 2015, forty drug overdoses were reported to Lenoir Police and six of those incidents resulted in death". Naloxone is a very safe drug with an almost immediate, although temporary, reversing effect of opiate-based narcotics. Using the rescue kits, Officers will have the opportunity to stabilize overdoze victims until emergency medical responders arrive.

Burke County Public Schools will host two information sessions with the community concerning student population overcrowding at Mountain Crest Elementary. The first meeting will be held at 6pm Monday, March 7 at Mountain Crest Elementary. The second will take place at 6pm Tuesday March 8 at Walter Johnson Middle.