Three people face charges after a traffic stop Wednesday night in Morganton. About 9 o'clock, Morganton Public Safety Officer Davis and his backup, Officer Christian conducted the vehicle stop near The Plaza intersection. During the stop, the officers suspected criminal activity and asked the four occupants to exit the car. After one passenger, Shannon Lee Hodge, reportedly told officers that he stole an Apple TV tuner inside the car, he ran from the scene through the parking lot, jumping a guardrail and fell 20-30 feet into a ravine. Hodge crawled out and was transported to CHS Morganton where he was treated and released. PSO Davis also fell into the ravine and was treated at the hospital and released. Hodge of Lenoir, faces two charges in addition to warrants for common law robbery, larceny, and assault inflicting serious injury, with additional larceny charges pending. His bond was set at $27,000 with a first court day scheduled for Monday. The driver, Catina Johnson, was charged with driving while license revoked, and another passenger, Nichole Leanne Hilton Hodge of Lenoir was charged with resist, obstruct and delay and warrants for common law robbery and larceny.

The City of Morganton plans to start flow testing more than 200 fire hydrants in the eastern part of the city Sunday. The Public Safety Department and Water Resources Department will begin flow testing hydrants Sunday evening. Testing will occur from 8pm till 4am nightly, and should be completed by May 29th, barring any weather issues. Customers may experience discolored water during flow tests, however, only run cold water until it clears, if you experience discoloration. About 240 hydrants will be tested, the remaining 880 hydrants will be flushed and serviced at a later time.

Annual bike events on Monday in McDowell County. The Assaults on Mount Mitchell and Marion occur with hundreds of bikers expected. Riders are expected mid morning through mid afternoon. Expect some delays and backups during this time. The Mount Mitchell ride will continue up Highway 80 to the Blue Ridge Parkway and finish on Mount Mitchell.

An Asheville man has been charged in connection with the murder of a mother and the attempted murder of her son. Early this morning,Asheville Police reported the arrest of 24-year-old Nathaniel Elijah Dixon. He was charged with the First Degree Murder of Candace Elaine Pickens, and the Attempted First Degree and Child Abuse resulting in Serious Bodily Injury of Zachaeus Latese Waters. He was found by Columbus, Ohio Police and is awaiting extradition to North Carolina. Pickens was found dead early Thursday morning by a jogger in an elementary school park and her son was taken to Mission Hospital, where he was listed Thursday in stable condition.