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.