Walter Johnson Middle School Principal Dr.Brett Wilson has been named the 2016-2017 Principal of the Year. Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Larry Putnam announced Wilson as the Principal of the Year at the school on Tuesday. Putnam treated Wilson to lunch and the two returned to WJMS to find the entire student body outside in the front lawn waiting to congratulate Wilson wit the announcement. Having come from Hildebran Elementary late last year, Wilson is in his first year at Walter Johnson Middle. He is a former math teacher and has been in education since 2003. Wilson came to Burke County Public Schools in 2008 as a teacher before becoming an assistant principal. He earned an undergraduate degree in psychology from N.C.State as well as a master's of school administration and a doctorate in educational leadership from WCU. Wilson resides in Valdese with his wife and three children.

Working through the City of Morganton, the Historic Burke Foundation has been awarded a federal Historic Preservation Fund grant of $11,100 to repair the cedar shingle roof on the McDowell House at Quaker Meadows Plantation. The house was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and is a designated local landmark. The Historic Burke Foundation, Inc. will provide $3,514 in matching funds for the project.

A Caldwell County man is charged with Misdemeanor Larceny Political Sign Violation. According to a news release from the Burke County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to Rutherford College Town Wednesday, in reference to a larceny of a political sign. Witnessess told the Sheriff's office that saw a male subject take and drive away with a Donald Trump for President Election political sign from the roadway at the Rutherford College Early Election Poll Site. After an investigation, a deputy was able to obtain a warrant for arrest for 21-year-old Caleb Thomas Eanes of Lenoir, who was taken into custody Saturday, without incident.

A high-speed chase Wednesday let to the arrest of a Morganton man. Morganton Public Safety officers charged 41-year-old Ronald Ray Billinga of Propst Road with numerous charges including resisting, delaying, or obstructing, DWI, and with having an open container after consuming alcohol. Reports say officers began pursuing his vehicle after Billings reportedly ran a red light at the intersection of Sanford Drive and Independence Boulevard. Billings stopped briefly in the parking lot of K-Mart, but became aggravated at the officer's commands to turn off his vehicle. Reports state Billings fled from the parking lot onto Bost Road - with speeds up to 83 MPH. Authorities were able to detain Billings on Warrior Fork Trail where he backed his vehicle into a ditch. Billings received a $40,000 secured bond, and was transported to the Burke Catawba Confinement Facility. Other charges Billings faces - driving left of center, speeding to elude arrest, reckless driving, failure to heed light or siren, driving during revocation, speeding in excess of 45 MPH, and a traffic control device violation.

Firefighters have fully contained the Paddy's Creek wildfire neat Linville Gorge, north of Lake James in Burke County. Old NC 105 will reopen at 4 this afternoon. Crews are working to put out remaining hot-spots and will continue to monitor the 10-acre fire this weekend. The wildfire is located in an area that underwent prescribed burns 3 and 6 years ago to reduce fuels and restore wildlife habitat. This reduction in fuels helped slow the spread of the fire. The US Forest Service is leading fire response efforts, with assistance from Burke County REACT, North Cove VFD and the NC Forest Service.

1762 people cast ballots Thursday as early voting continued in Burke County. The total since October 20th is 12,901 that have voted at the 5 Burke County voting locations. 4725 Democratic ballots have been cast with 4993 Republicans, 3152 Unaffiliated and 31 Libertarians. Early voting continues through Saturday November 4th.

A former State Trooper pleaded guilty to simple assault Monday, during Caldwell County District Court. 45-year-old Christopher Todd Hughes of Lenoir, entered the guilty plea and was given a 30-day suspended sentence with 12 months of unsupervised probation by District Court Judge Sherri Elliott. Hodges, who resigned his position following an internal investigation by the NCSHP shortly after the June 4th incident, was involved in an off-duty incident in which he used excessive force on a DWI suspect who was in custody of another State Trooper. The DA's Office requested a full investigation by the SBI prior to charges being filed. As a result pf former Trooper Hodges' actions, all charges issued by Hodges that were pending as of the date of the June 4th incident were dismissed.

A 26-year-old Hickory man was sentenced to at least 5 years after pleading guilty to robbery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon. Dustin Queen pleaded guilty to the charges on October 3rd and was sentenced Monday in Catawba County Superior Court. In June 2015 the defendant went into Fast Express No.2 on Fairgrove Church Road, displayed a handgun to the clerk and took cash from the register, before fleeing the scene. He was arrested and charged with the crime in October 2015 after investigators obtained video surveillance that identified Queen as a suspect. Queen's possession of firearm by felon charge is a result of a February 2012 felony larceny conviction in Iredell County. His prison term is 5-8 years.

The State Board of Elections reassures voters that the touch-screen voting machines are accurate. In a press release, the Board of Elections states it wants to ensure voters that safeguards are in place to for touch-screen machines to accurately record voter's selections. Voters in several counties have contacted advocacy groups or elections officials with concerns about voting machines. The release states the machines are tested thoroughly before each election, and they are recalibrated daily before voting begins, to test and ensure accuracy. Voters who notice an issue with a machine are urged to notify an election official immediately. If necessary, the machine will be taken out of service and the voter moved to a different machine. Election officials also urge voters to carefully review their selections before casting their ballots, and to promptly report any questions or concerns.

Early voting Tuesday in Burke County saw 1855 ballots cast. The total since Thursday at the five Burke County early voting sites is 11,135. Democrats have cast 4160 ballots, Republicans 4291, Unaffiliated 2657 and Libertarians 27. Early voting continues through Satuday November 4th with the Election Day Tuesday November 8th.

Firefighters continue to battle a wildfire along Old NC 105 near Linville Gorge, north of Lake James in Burke County. The Paddy's Creek Fire was reported Monday afternoon in the Pisgah National Forest. The fire, near the south end of the Gorge, was estimated Tuesday afternoon at 10 acres. Firefighters worked to construct containment lines and hold the fire during strong winds. No structures are currently threatened. In order to protect public safety, DOT has closed Old NC 105 north of Paddy's Creek Road to the intersection with Forest Service Road 106. Currently FSRD 106 is open, and can be accessed from the north end of Old NC 105. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but is suspected to be human caused. The US Forest Service is leading response efforts, with assistance from Burke County REACT, North Cove VFD, and NC Forest Service.The public is encouraged to use extreme caution with outdoor fires as WNC is currently in a severe drought.

One of Burke County's Most Wanted has been apprehended. On Monday, Investigators with the Burke County Narcotics Task Force received an anonymous tip that 44-year-old Eric Sherad Jones was staying at a location in Hickory. Jones, who had been on the Burke County Most Wanted List for 116 weeks, was taken into custody with the assistance of the US Marshals Office and Hickory Police.

A McDowell County man is missing. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in locating 37-year-old Thomas Brandon Jones of Marion. Jones was last heard from on Wednesday October 19th. He is described as a white male, 5'9", 130 pounds with short brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call 652-2235 or 652-4000.

A Morganton man is charged with stealing from a McDowell County construction site. 29-year-old Randall Kyle Ballard of Roy MacGalliard Avenue was charged with larceny and buying or receiving stolen goods. A 14-foot trailer and an assortment of hand and power tools - all valued at more than $16,000 were reported stolen from a Nebo construction site in January. Reports say the investigation led to Ballard, who has just recently been located. The trailer and some of the tools have been recovered.

Three Catawba County residents face methamphetamine charges. The Catawba County Sheriff's Office, Monday, charged 24-year-old Marcus Allen Helms of Claremont, 21-year-old Grady Franklin Williams of Maiden and 48-year-old Homer Lee Honaker of Newton with Posession/Distribute Meth Precursor, Manufacture Meth, Conspire to Manufacture Meth and Trafficking in Meth. Bond on Helms and Williams was set at $100,000 with all three men scheduled to appear today in court.

The Board of Trustees at Lenoir-Rhyne has announced that Dr.Fred Whitt, has been named the 12th president at LRU. Whitt was introduced Monday morning as faculty, staff, students, board members, constituents and other friends filled Grace Chapel for the announcement. He is currently the Founding Dean of the Beaver College of Health Sciences at Appalachian State, and has served in this capacity since 2010 when was named to lead the first new college developed at ASU in over 40 years. Whitt will assume the position as LRU President on February 1st.

During the 31st Oktoberfest celebration in Hickory, judges selected three outstanding artists among the Juried Craft vendors participating in the festival. The winners were selected for the appearance of their vendor space and the quality of their handcrafted product.
* First Place:      Clearly Unique Glass Studio,  Nancy Hyman - Charlotte
*Second Place :  Peaceful Path Pottery, Richard Paul - Rutherford College
*Third Place :     Jen Callahan Artwork, North Point, Florida

One of Burke County's Most Wanted was apprehended. On Thursday, Investigators with the Burke County Narcotics Task Force were tipped off regarding a wanted suspect at 3870 Hide Away Hills. Investigators watched two male subjects pull into the driveway of the location and recognized one of the subjects to be Anthony Sherrill, who was listed on the Burke County Most Wanted List for 58 weeks. Sherrill was taken into custody without incident and placed in the Burke Catawba Confinement Facility under a $10,000 secured bond.

Lenoir Police have released further details into the deaths of an elderly pair of roommates. A press release from Lenoir officials indicates the deaths of two 74-year-old men were the result of a murder suicide. Reports list the victims as Johnny Ben Church and Gwyn Lee Kirby - cousins whi lived together on Clearfield Place, where their bodies were discovered on Wednesday. According to the release, there is no indication the deaths were due to a random act, nor was a third party involved. the state medical examiner's office and SBI are assisting Lenoir Police with the ongoing investigation.

After the first two days of early voting in Burke County, over 4700 people have cast ballots. According to the Burke County Board of Elections Office, 2212 people voted Thursday to do with the over 2400 that voted on the first day of early voting on Thursday. The five Burke County voting sites saw 1835 Democratic ballots cast, 1760 Republican, 1110 Unaffiliated, and 6 Libertarian.

The Catawba Falls trail and parking lot in McDowell County will be temporarily closed beginning today and is expected to reopen Saturday. A contractor will be delivering and placing a new trail bridge across Chestnut Branch, which is the last creek crossing before lower falls.

Almost 2400 people voted Thursday, in the first day of early voting at the five Burke County sites, according to the Board of Elections. Acoss the state, about 140,000 people voted, with some people waiting around an hour to cast ballots.

A second double homicide trial came to an end after 11 weeks with a verdict of not guilty on Thursday, in Caldwell County Superior. 57-year-old William Eugene Murphy was found innocent of committing the November 1990 murders of Mark Randall Seacrest and his wife Jeanie Barlow Seacrest inside their Caldwell County home. The case was investigated at that time, but was not solved. Murphy was arrested and charged with the murders in April 2010. The first trial ended in a mistrial on February 10th. The 12-member jury deliberated for 3 days before delivering the verdict, which found Murphy not guilty.

Two men discovered dead in Lenoir. Investigators found the pair Wednesday, inside their home on Clearfield Place. According to a news release from Lenoir Police, 74-year-old Gwyn Lee Kirby and 74-year-old Johnny Ben Church were inside the residence where they both lived. The release states that the victims appear to have died from unnatural causes. Both have been sent to undergo autopsies. Anyone with information on the case can call Lenoir Police at 757-2100 or Crimestoppers at 758-8300. The investigation continues.

There will be a scheduled power outage for Town of Drexel residents Sunday at 12:01am for about one hour, due to substation upgrades.

Early voting begins today and continues thru November 5th. Voting times for early voting - 8am - 5pm, weekdays thru Friday November 4th and Saturday November 5th from 8am-1pm. Early voting sites in Burke County include:

* Burke County Board of Elections Office - 2128 South Sterling Street, Morganton
* Morganton-Burke Senior Center - 501 North Green Street
* Glen Alpine Town Hall - 103 Pitts Street
* Rutherford College Town Hall - 980 Malcolm Boulevard
* Hildebran United Methodist Church - 110 South Center Street

Election Day is Tuesday November 8th. Polls will be open from 6:30am till 7:30pm with all precincts open.

A Lenoir man faces break in and theft charges after an acquaintance reports items missing from his vehicle. McDowell officers have charged 23-year-old Billy Lee Campbell with 2 counts each of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, and larceny of a firearm. Timothy Washburn of Marion reported that Campbell had stolen 2 handguns from his vehicle on separate occasions. Reports say Washburn is acquainted with Campbell and had allowed him access to his car. The pistols were valued at $2200.

A Marion fugitive, on the run for almost a week, was taken into custody Wednesday morning. 46-year-old Jerry Keith Davis, wanted by the McDowell County Sheriff's Office on drug charges, was apprehended about 10am, after a Dysartsville woman reported that a man was attempting to break into her house. Crews from the Sheriff's Office found Davis in the woods. Further charges are pending.

The County considered suing mobile home park owners in nuisance for ordinance violation to force a clean-up of abandoned mobile homes in two mobile home parks in Tuesday night's regular Burke county Board of Commissioners meeting. Angie Huss and her husband are in the process of purchasing Riverbend Mobile Home Park in a foreclosure and shared with commissioners that in just a week and a half they already had security cameras installed, water turned back on, identified and fixed leaks, and will continue to clean up the property with mowing and working to get trash pick up. The bigger issue with the property is the back taxes that have not been paid from the previous owner . Huss and her husband are prepared to pay the taxes and any fines with the county. Huss asked that the board consider giving them more time to fix the property before taking any action in order to provide quality housing for the community that the County could be proud of. The other mobile home park in question, located on Charlie Crawley Road, was not represented. In a 3-1 vote, Commissioners opted to give the mobile home parks 30 days to further clean up and they will reevaluate the situation at the next regular meeting. Tuesday night's meeting was the first Burke County Board of Commissioners meeting that was broadcast on Facebook Live.

Hickory City Council met Tuesday in a regular meeting. A 20 item consent agenda was passed with multiple votes due to two items being removed and discussed separately, concerning the Park 1764 business park project and financing that comes from grant funds from a Catawba County and City of Hickory partnership. There was a unanimous vote to accept a Grant-In-Kind Allocation from the General Assembly in the amount of $250,000 to use along with other monies earmarked to repair the sinkhole and failed 96-inch storm drainage pipe along Highway 70 allowing water to flood for many years in Hickory. The City will pay up to $1.9 million along with this allocation to complete needed repairs.

Escaped inmate Dennis Carver was captured about 8:20 Tuesday night in Kings Mountain. He had escaped early Tuesday afternoon from Gaston Correctional Center, a minimum-security prison in Dallas. Carter was serving a 5-year old sentence for vehicle theft. He will be charged with felony escape from prison. His daughter, Tonya Carver, is also being charged, with aiding in his escape, according to a news release from the NC Department of Public Safety.

Six people face charges in connection with several Breaking and Entering and Larceny cases which occurred near Lake James over the past few weeks. The Burke County Sheriff's Office Monday, reported that Officers had received information in reference to stolen goods taken at an address in McDowell County. Officers last week arrested four suspects at a George Drive Nebo residence. Charged were 42-year-old Travis Alvalon Scott, 38-year-old Johnnie Denise Hickman, 34-year-old Terry Joseph Brown and 34-year-old Heather Renee Brown. A 5th suspect, 33-year-old Anthony Random Mull of Glen Alpine of Glen Alpine  was arrested Thursday and on Friday 31-year-old Brandon Kelly Fox of Morganton was arrested. The investigation is ongoing. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office and McDowell County DSS assisted the Burke County Sheriff's Office in the case.

A Morganton pair arrested after a traffic stop. Morganton Public Safety Officers charged 26-year-old Phillip Dean South with a misdemeanor count of possession of a schedule 6 substance during a traffic stop. After learning South's registration plate had been revoked, a search of the vehicle reportedly turned up a zip lock bag containing more than 2 grams of marijuana. South admitted to officers that the marijuana was his. A passenger in South's vehicle, 29-year-old Margaret Hefner of Morganton was found to have outstanding warrants for failing to appear. Hefner was condined at the Burke Catawba Confinement Facility under a $3000 secured bond.

In support of Operation Stop Arm week the State Highway Patrol is aggressively enforcing stop arm violations and other traffic violations in and around school zones. The operation is being conducted through Friday. The Patrol expects Operation Stop Arm will decrease violations and reduce school bus incidents involving children.

Western Piedmont Community College broke ground Friday, for the new Mechatronics Building on the main campus of WPCC. The single story-story 7,000 square-foot building, is located near Breeden and Rostan Halls and includes two labs, two related classrooms, a support room and conference room. The new Mechatronics Building will house both a modernized, Industrial Systems Technology program and the new Mechatronics Engineering Technology program at WPCC. Both programs feature a mixture of different areas of study, focusing on robotics, authomation and programmable logic controllers which are used in a variety of industrial settings. The building is scheduled to open in the fall of 2017.

About 10:45 Saturday night, Hickory firefighters were dispatched to a reported fire located at 713 Old Lenoir Road. Firefighters reported heavy amounts of smoke coming from eaves of the building. No injuries were reported and the building sustained heavy fire damage to the upper level and water damage to the basement section. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A Burke County man is charged with felony armed robbery. The Burke County Sheriff's Office Friday night, arrested 31-year-old Brandon Kelly Fox of Morganton. He was placed in the Burke Catawba District Confinement Facility under a secured bond of $200,000. A District Court appearance is scheduled for today.

The Caldwell County Veterans Service Office will be closed today through Friday, while the staff attends a training conference. Anyone needing assistance regarding claims during this time may contact the VA Regional Office at 1-800-827-1000. More general information can be found at the VA website at www.va.gov.

The Burke County Health Department has informed officials with Burke County Public Schools of a confirmed case of Shigella at Glen Alpine Elementary. Health department and school officials are working together to inform and educate students and parents about the infection, according to a news release from Burke County Schools. Health officials say Shigella is the result of bacteria passing from improperly washed hands of one person to the mouth of another person, often through handling contaminated objects or food.

Western Piedmont Community College recently received a donation of a ladder truck truck from Bakersville Volunteer Fire Department for use at WPCC's Emergency Services Training Center. Bakersville VFD was awarded a grant in 2015(the Assistance to Firefighters Grant) that funded a new ladder truck for their department. They use the ESTC to their members, and the department believed donating the truck to WPCC was the greatest use of the equipment. ESTC opened in 2010, and has since trained thousands of emergency personnel in WNC, according to a news release from WPCC.

Michael Willis has been appointed the Burke County Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Director. Most recently, Willis worked as the Director of Emergency Service Programs for Western Piedmont Community College where he served on the NC Community Colleges Advisory Committees for both Fire/Rescue and Emergency Management programs. Willis will begin working at Burke County on November 14th.

Food Lion stores in the Charlotte and surrounding areas were given a "face-lift" with a fresh new look and added over 2000 new items. the Food Lion in Fiddler's Run in Morganton celebrated with a ribbon cutting Wednesday morning. Over an 8 month period, 142 Food Lion stores were given a new look, adding over 2000 items including organics and gluten free products. Stores now group items to make the shopping experience easier and hassle free. Every Food Lion store in Burke County was included in the marketing feat.

Two brothers have been charged in the death of a Long View man. According to WSOC-TV, 78-year-old Benny Daniels was last seen seen his home. His body was discovered in a shallow grave on his property on Wednesday. Charged with murder were Rodney and Thomas. A motive has not been established.

A Hickory man is arrested on fugitive charges. Burke County deputies detained 52-year-old Barry Wayne Brown on a charge of being a fugitive from justice.Reports indicate officers responded to Decker Road in Connelly Springs to a report of a suspicious subject walking along the roadway possible armed with a firearm. At that time, Brown was checked for warrants and found to be wanted out-of-state in Virginia and Florida. Brown has been confined at the Burke Catawba Confinement Facility without bond, awaiting extradition to Virginia.

AM 1430 WMNC continues its "Meet the Candidates Forum" this morning at 10:05. 86th State House candidates have been invited to the studio to answer questions from WMNC News and the public. Candidates will be allowed a 3 minute opening statement and a 2 minute closing statement. The program will be replayed on the Big Dawg 92.1 Sunday night about 7:45 and will also air on the internet from our website www.bigdawg92fm.com at the same time.

City of Morganton Electric crew members are helping restore power in South Carolina. Three Electric Services Department workers left Saturday morning to work in the Grand Strand area to help restore power to several thousand residents after Hurricane Matthew passed through the area. Randy Chester, Underground Supervisor, Alan Clark, Senior Lineman 3, and Matthew Ledford, Junior Lineman 1 volunteered for the job after ElectriCities and the American Public Power Association asked the City of Morganton and other public power providers in the Carolinas to provide assistance to Santee Cooper, an electric and water utility company owned by the state of South Carolina that provides power to more than 2 million SC customers. The 3 man crew is expected to be gone 5-7 days and if additional help is needed in South Carolina or Eastern North Carolina, the city plans to send other crews.

A 911 hang-up call leads to a Marion woman charged with assault and drug possession. McDowell County Sheriff 's officers responded at 2:45am September 27th to a Nebo residence, where they charged 24-year-old Brett Kaitlin Raines with assault inflicting serious injury, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officers arrived at the scene to find Raines exiting the vehicle, while the victim, 30-year-old Ashley McPeters of Marion was sitting in the driver's seat. Reports say the two had been involved in an altercation, whenever Raines allegedly cut McPeters on the leg. McPeters was transported to McDowell Hospital for treatment. Deputies also discovered a cloth bag containing syringes and .10 grams of meth lying on the ground beside the passenger side of the vehicle.

This morning at 10:05 AM WMNC AM 1430 will host a "Meet the Candidates Forum", for candidates in the Burke County Commissioner race. Candidates will be allowed a 3 minute opening statement and a closing statement of 2 minutes. Questions will originate from WMNC News and from the public by phone at 437-0521 or e-mail www.wmnc@bellsout.net. The forum will be replayed Sunday night about 6:40 on The Big Dawg 92.1 and on the internet from our website www.bigdawg92fm.com at the same time.

A man is hospitalized after a shooting in McDowell County. Just before 6:30am Friday, McDowell deputies responded to a Cannon Road residence in reference to a shooting. A resident, 54-year-old Eric Marlowe was found to have a gunshot wound. About the same time, Marion police officers were called to McDonald's on U.S.70 West. Officers reported that 53-year-old Beverly Ruth McPherson, of the same Cannon Road residence, had a gun in her possession. The Sheriff's Office report states that the couple got into a dispute and McPherson shot Marlowe, who was taken to Mission Hospital. Charges against McPherson, who was treated at McDowell Hospital, are pending. The investigation is continuing.

The National Fire Protection Association has designated this week as Fire Prevention Week - This year's theme "Don't Wait, check the date! Replace smoke alarms every 10 years." A recent survey reveals that only a small percentage of people know how old their smoke alarms are, or how often they need to be replaced. Fire officials are making a concerted effort to educate residents about the overall inportance of smoke alarms, and that they do have a life limit. The National Fire Alarm Code requires that smoke alarms be replaced at least every 10 years, but because the public is generally unaware of this requirement, many homes have smoke alarms past their expiration date - thereby putting people at increased risk. To find out how old your smoke alarm is and its expiration date, simply look on the back of the alarm where the manufacture date is marked. The smoke alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date; while fire officials say they should be tested monthly and batteries replaced once a year or whenever they begin to chirp. For more information on smoke alarms, visit firepreventionweek-dot-org.

The Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve will now officially be known as the Broyhill Equestrian Preserve. The Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show Foundation Board of Directors approved renaming the Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve to honor the Broyhill family's 1934 gift of the land, which the annual Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show has been held for 82 consecutive years. According to the Foundation's Chair, Burr Collier, honoring the Broyhill family in such a way was "an appropriate and timely decision." Information on the Broyhill Equestrian Preserve, the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show and the Blowing Rock Horse Show Foundation can be found at www.blowingrockhorses.com.

A 22-year-old Lincolnton man will spend the next 8 years in prison after pleading guilty on Thursday, to traffic-related offenses that led to the death of a Caldwell County man. Steffan Aleksander Robinson pleaded guilty to felony death by vehicle, driving while impaired, driving left of center and felony serious injury by vehicle in connection with the August 3, 2015, death of 29-year-old Tyler Finley Sims of Granite Falls. Robinson also pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine precursors from a separate charge. The Honorable Gregory R. Hayes, Superior Court Judge from Catawba County, sentenced Robinson to serve 8 to 12 years. In addition, Robinson will be required to pay $7,150 in restitution to the Sims family. Amanda Efird and Richard Helderman investigated the case for the Hickory Police Department. Melanie Earles handled prosecution for the 25th District Attorney's Office.

The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in locating a missing Hudson man. 51-year-old Joel Whitener Hart is described as 5'8' 220 pounds and last seen Friday September 30th around 9:30am at his home on Deal Lane. He was supposed to visit a friend in the Rhodhiss area, then go to an appointment in Morganton by 11am. He was last seen on a silver and blue moped and has not been seen or heard from since. If you the whereabouts of Joel Whitener Hart, call the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office at 828-758-2324 or Crimestoppers at 828-758-8300.

Hickory's Oktoberfest begins its 31st year today, with food vendors opening at Noon and the official hours from 5-11pm Saturday's schedule is 10am till 11pm and Sunday Noon-5pm. Three days of fun, food, games, crafts, and entertainment. Four stages will offer a diverse lineup of local and regional entertainment. For more information visit http://www.hickoryoktoberfest.com

The old Mountain View Elementary School building will be open to the public next week. From 3:30-5:30pm on Monday, former students, school employees and community members are welcome to walk through the halls of the old building before demolition starts for the new elementary school later this month. Burke County Public Schools is building a brand new elementary school at the same location. Bricks from the old Mountain View building will be incorporated into a cornerstone of the new building and old school materials will be used in a display in the new school's lobby. the new school will be a 103,000 square foot facility with 39 classrooms, a full gym, auditorium and ball fields. The expected opening date us fall 2018.

Four people face charges after the Caldwell County Criminal Investigations Division conducted two search warrants in response to multiple Breaking and Entering cases in the Sawmill/Dudley Shoals area. Arrested were 25-year-old Amber Ruby Jean Snipes of Granite Falls, who was charged with Breaking and Entering, Identity Theft, Larceny After Breaking and Entering, and Possession of a Firearm, 28-year-old Joshua Lee Williams of Granite Falls, charged with Breaking and Entering, Identity Fraud, Obtaining Property False Pretense, and Possession of Stolen Property, 45-year-old Angela Hice Michael of Dudley Shoals Road, charged with Maintaining Vehicle/Place for Controlled Substance, Possession of Stolen Goods or Property, and Trafficking Opium or Heroin and 45-year-old Thomas Walter Cogdell of Dudley Shoals Road, who was charged with Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling or Place for Controlled Substance.

A Caldwell County student is recognized by a statewide organization for her artwork. Hayley Hartley, 6th grader at Hudson Middle, is one of 6 winners in the 2016 Young Artists Competition sponsored by Professional Educators of North Carolina. Hayley was in the 5th grade at Sawmills Elementary, when she created the winning artwork. At the awards ceremony September 24h in Raleigh, Hayley was awarded a certificate of achievement and a cash prize of $50. Her work will also be featured in upcoming PENC publications.

Hickory City Council met Tuesday, with a presentation of the Catawba County Strategic Plan . A member of Catawba County government outlined growth and projections for the future, as people move into Catawba County as well as needed infrastructure resulting from growth and change in Catawba County and cities and towns including Hickory, the largest city in Catawba County.

A Catawba County resident and Caldwell County resident face charges of Trafficking in Methamphetamine. Hickory Police Tuesday, arrested 51-year-old Kenneth Otto Jones of Hickory and 56-year-old Michael Ray Klaus of Hudson. Bond was set $300,000 on Jones and $150,000 on Klaus.

A Marion man has been sentenced to at least 12 years in prison after shooting and killing his neighbor in 2014. 25-year-old Roger Tully Keith Frady was found guilty of second-degree murder last week in McDowell Superior Court. Reports state in August 2014, McDowell officers were called to Frady;s residence in regard to a gunshot wound. There they found 41-year-old Ronnie Eugene Lewis suffering from a single wound from a 40-caliber handgun. Lewis was pronounced dead at McDowell Hospital. Frady was also found guilty of two counts of felony child abuse after two children were reportedly found to have drugs in their system.

Caldwell County Emergency Services has announced that the Mill Pond Bridge on Falls Avenue in Granite Falls is closed until further notice. Engineers with DOT are evaluating the structure of the bridge. Travelers are advised to find alternate routes around the bridge until further notice.

Council approved to consider phase II of the Community House Renovation Project in Monday night's regular Morganton City Council meeting. With the help of the Pilot Club and Renew the Tradition fundraising group, phase I of the Community House renovation was completed and included renovation of the kitchen, removal of asbestos, new wiring, plumbing and roof, painting the exterior of the building and the addition of the courtyard. Council was asked to consider phase two of the Community House Renovation Project, the final phase of the project. Phase two of the project would renovate the upstairs and downstairs and one option may include the lobby, Connelly Room, flooring, bathrooms, adding a bridal suite, elevator and remodel two rooms downstairs. Financial results from the last several years of operation at the Community House show that food sales have increased 15% and food costs have decreased 29%. Labor is the largest single cost of the Community House's operation. Ultimately, operations are subsidized by nearly $150,000/year, an amount one-cent equal to the tax rate. During Monday's meeting The Renew the Tradition fundraising group committed to raising an additional $50,000 in private funding to make $150,000 available for future renovation. The project would be financed for 15 years at 3% interest.

Granite Falls Police officers responded Monday afternoon to a robbery at First Citizens Bank on Falls Avenue. The suspect, described as a white male about 6'0", 180 pounds, demanded money, then left the bank and last seen running towards Al's Diner, east on Falls Avenue. Investigators believe the suspect left the area in a vehicle. Anyone with information concerning this incident is urged to call Detective Clint Ferguson at the Granite Falls Police Department at 828-396-3358 or Caldwell County Crimestoppers at 828-758-8300.

A South Carolina man wanted on fugitive charges was located in Lenoir by local and US authorities. Lenoir Police and members of the US Marshal Service Violent Offender Task Force found 49-year-old Bryan Keith Simmons at the Red Carpet Inn on Wilkesboro Boulevard. A release states Simmons was wanted on a felony fugitive extradition from Spartanburg for the charge of possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine or cocaine. During his arrest, officers observed a large number of hypodermic needles, scales, and a firearm lying inside his room. After obtaining a search warrant, lawmen then discovered more than 800 grans of meth, having a street value of over $13,200. Five stolen firearms were also found, nearly $4000 in currency, and drug paraphernalia. Simmons was placed under a $2,500,000 secured bond.

The McDowell County 911 center has received information that residents are getting phone calls stating their numbers were obtained from the 911 center. McDowell 911 does not give out phone numbers to anyone. Citizens should ignore any requests for information from the caller.

A Marion couple has been arrested in connection with a fire that destroyed a home in Nebo. 42-year-old Denny Lynn Dover and 42-year-old Darlinda Adkins Robinson have both been charged with second-degree arson, breaking and entering, and larceny after breaking and entering. On Thursday morning, a fire broke out at the US 70 East home of Kenneth Burleson; meanwhile Highway Patrol officers stopped a vehicle for erratic driving on US 221 North. The vehicle was reportedly occupied by Dover and Robinson and was found to contain medication bottles with Burleson's name on them, as well as currency, sheets, and jewelry reported stolen from the burned residence. Officers also discovered .10 grams of methamphetamine in Dover's possession; prompting drug possession charges against the suspect. Fire investigators state the pair broke into the house and set it on fire after committing the larceny. The exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

A man was killed, Saturday, after his single engine plane crashed in Long View. According to WSOC-TV, 81-year-old George Baxter Harris from the Hickory area, died just after 1pm when his vintage aircraft went down into a BB&T bank. He was the only person on the place, which took off from Hickory Regional Airport. The FAA is investigating.