The City of Morganton has hired Robert Winkler as the Parks and Recreation Director. Winkler is returning to Burke County after spending the last 9 years in Lenoir. According to City Manager Sally Sandy, Winkler's leadership and energy allowed recreation in Lenoir to blossom and Morganton is excited to have Winkler use his enthusiasm  to make Morganton's top-notch program even better. A Lenoir native, Winkler graduated from West Caldwell and attended N.C.State where he received a Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Managenent. He worked as Athletic Supervisor for the City of Morganton Parks and Recreation in 1996 and became the Athletic Director for Burke County in 1999. While serving as the Director of Parks and Recreation for Lenoir, Winkler supervised 19 full time and 50 part time employees. He also managed 3 recreation centers as well as various parks and facilities.

A McDowell man faces multiple charges following a search of his Nebo residence. McDowell officers have charged 37-year-old Franklin Laquinn Wilkerson with felony possession of methamphetamine and felony possession with intent to sell and deliver meth. State Probation and Parole officers, along with members of the McDowell County Sheriff's Office and Marion Police searched Wilkerson's home last week - discovering 26.4 grams of meth, drug paraphernalia, and currency. Reports state Wilkerson was also charged with a parole violation.

A month-long investigation into a meth and marijuana dealer ends with an arrest of a Caldwell County man. The ICE Unit of the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office reported the arrest Friday, of 52 year old Randall Blake Whisnant of Hudson. Agents, at his residence, recovered meth, marijuana, oxycodane and hydrocodone pills, along with Digital Scales, drug paraphernalia, and cash. Whisnant was placed in the Caldwell County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond with a District Court appearance in Lenoir scheduled for today.

A small earthquake hit early Sunday morning between Boone and Lenoir. The 2.4 magnitude quake struck about 4:50, 3 miles SW of Millers Creek, 21 miles NE or Lenoir and 21 miles ESE of Boone, according to a preliminary report from the U.S.Geological Survey.