Two have been arrested on drug charges at a Hickory motel over the weekend. During a routine property check at the Red Roof Inn, reports say Hickory Police detected a scent of marijuana - leading them to a room occupied by two individuals. Officers seized 4.3 grams of meth and a marijuana cigarette. 24 year old Kasey Marie West of Vale was charged with one felony count of possession of a controlled substance; while the other subject was reportedly cited for simple possession. Reports state officers searched a second room registered under the same name and discovered 1.5 grams of meth and a dose of Vicodin. The room's occupant, 33 year old Tony Lee of Hickory was charged with one felony count of possession of a schedule two controlled substance, one misdemeanor count of possession of a schedule two controlled substance, and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Lee was issued a $5000 secured bond; while West received a $3000 secured bond.

A public hearing was held to consider adopting the 2016-2017 fiscal year budget for the City of Morganton and a resolution was made in support of the Fonta Flora State Trail in Monday night's regular Morganton City Council meeting. The budget for the 2016-2017 year is estimated at $71 million. The general fund, which gained large revenue from sales tax, had a budget of $22 million dollars, which is $1.6 million less than the revised budget for 2015-2016. Sales tax is the second largest revenue in the general fund. Capital improvements are included in the general fund. Some of these operations and expenditures include brick and mortar repair and sound improvements at COMMA as well as patrol car, fire truck & gear replacement and facility improvements for public safety. Also in the budget is $180,000 for a skate park, $400,000 for MLK,Jr Park renovation and
$80,000 in other park renovations. Council adopted a resolution in support of the Fonta Flora State Trail. Burke County Community Development has been working on the Fonta Flora State Trail Master Plan -  Lake James Section and the concept of the trail has expanded from Morganton to Asheville. The N.C.Division of Parks and Recreation supports the expansion and Council adopted the resolution unanimously. Prior to the open session, council had a closed session to discuss an economic development project.

Two area residents are charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine. Lenoir Police Sunday reported the arrests of 30 year old Garry Dean Sanders Jr of Lenoir and 29 year old Josiah Phillip Denman of Longview at an address on Blowing Rock Boulevard. They were placed in the Caldwell County Detention Center under a bond of $100,000 each.

A section of Alphabet Lane near the Morganton Aquatics Center is currently closed for paving. Visitors can still access the Aquatics Center or the Mountain View Recreation Center via Bouchelle Street and First Avenue. Contractors are paving a section of Alphabet lane and the new parking lots at the recreation center. Alphabet lane should be reopened Wednesday morning, barring unforeseen problems.