The longstanding difference between Lake James Fire & Rescue and the Town of Glen Alpine fire protection services came to a resolution and a report was given on the Burke County app updates in the Burke County Board of Commissioners Tuesday night regular meeting. The only item for decision on the agenda was the decision of fire protection services between Burke County, Lake James Fire & Rescue and the Town of Glen Alpine. A year ago the County entered into a two-year contract with the two fire departments to set the tax rates the same in both districts, but there was no resolution to the issue. Chairman Jeff Brittain proposed a resolution that the board terminates contracts with Glen Alpine Fire protection services and Lake James Fire & Rescue and offer new contracts effective October 1, 2016. The new contracts would remove Powerhouse Road and the East Shores area from the Glen Alpine Fire & Rescue dispatch district for a period of 10 years, in cluding them in the Lake James Fire & Rescue dispatch district contact for a period of 10 years. All fire tax revenue collected from the Powerhouse Road area and the East Shores area of the Glen Alpine fire tax district will be paid to Lake James Fire and Rescue Inc. during the time of the contract. All of the fire tax revenue collected from the Glen Alpine fire tax district will be paid to the town of Glen Alpine during the time of their contract. IT Director Steve Bennett and the lead app developer Mark Williams reported on the new updates for the Burke County app. These updates include being able to apply for job postings directly through the app and having GIS data available. The app includes features such as Burke County news, the Burke County YouTube page, upcoming events, public records, careers, information on the 2016 election and the option to pay taxes. The app has been downloaded 355 times as of this week.

A Lenoir man was killed Tuesday in an Officer Involved Shooting at Walmart on Blowing Rock Boulevard. Lenoie Pole Officers responded just before 8:30am in reference to suspicious activity. On scene, According to a report from Lenoir Police, Officers encountered 32-year-old Carl Marcus Nivins of Lenoir. Upon approach, Nivens fled on foot, with one Officer giving chase and another Officer staged at the entrance/exit near where Nivens was attempting to flee. As Nivens approached the exit, he retrieved a .38 caliber revolver from his waist band, turned toward the Officers while running, and fired at least one shot. the Officer giving chase was physically struggling with Nivens during this time trying to stop hims. The Officer staged at the entrance returned fire and struck Nivens, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Other than minor injuries from the physical struggle, no Officers were hurt and no other injuries were reported. Officers on the scene were equipped with Body Worn Cameras. Two other people were arrested on outstanding warrants from Burke County on unrelated charges, 32-year-old Jose Alberto Flores of Rhodhiss and 24-year-old Natasha Rae Stanley of Morganton. Further charges related to this incident are expected. At the request of Lenoir Police, the SBI is leading the investigation. District Attorney David Learner has also been involved. In accordance with LPD Policy, four Officers have been placed on administrative leave pending a critical incident stress debriefing and and a review of preliminary findings.