Two suspects attempt to rid themselves of drugs at a Catawba County motel. Hickory Police arrested two men after discovering drugs inside a room at the Quality Suites on 13th Avenue Drive SE. Charged were 58 year old Dennis James McElrath of Hickory and 23 year old Ty'Shon Lamonte Chisholm of Conover. Police reports state officers noticed a smell of marijuana coming from the room while on foot patrol. Officers observed a toilet flushing as they entered the room; but were able to retrieve a plastic bag containing 1.9 grams of cocaine.

A McDowell County man, found in his vehicle slumped over the wheel, is charged in connection with four breakins. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office Thursday, charged 33 year old Gary Justin Morganton of Marion with multiple breakin counts. On May 8th, Morgan went a residential break-in spree, entering four houses and stealing property and attempting to enter another. Marion Police Officers and Highway Patrol Troopers on May 9th in reference to a man slumped over a wheel of his vehicle at the Exxon station next to Love's Truck Stop. They found Morgan as well as some stolen property. In the attempted entry to a home, one of the victim's neighbors confronted Morgan and took photos of him and his vehicle. The majority of stolen property has been recovered.

Burke County citizens are reminded that parking is not allowed along the stretch of North Powerhouse Road. Many people violate these no parking zones weekly, if not daily, to partake in suumer heat relief in Lake james, according to the Burke County Sheriff's Office. The stretch of North Powerhouse Road runs about two miles from Benfield's Landing Road to Laurel Ridge Court and is clearly marked with "No Parking Anytime" fixed signs on both sides of the roadway. Vehicles have been found by patrol officers to be impeding the flow of traffic and in fact in the roadway in these blind dangerous curves. These violations can lead to traffic accidents and possible injuries. These no parking zones will be enforced. If the owner/operator of the vehicle is not located for removal of the vehicle in a timely manner, it will be towed at the registered owners's expense.

The Catawba County Public Health Farmers Market is returning for its fourth year, but the market will begin an hour earlier than last year. With weather permitting, the public farmers maket will run on Thursdays from 10am-1pm, from June 2nd to the end of September. The goal of the market is to increase individual and community health by increasing access to healthy, fresh fruits and vegatables. In partnership with the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, WIC clients receive Farmers Market Nutritional Program vouchers when available to supplement their WIC food benefits with fresh, local produce during the summer months. The market is open to the public. Cash and debit cards are accepted as well as EBT, WIC, and senior farmers market vouchers.