The SBI is conducting an investigation into an officer involved shooting in Catawba County. According to news release from the City of Hickory, at 4:20pm Monday, the Catawba County Sheriff's Office requested the assistance of the Hickory Police Department to respond to the 1100 block of 15th Street NE, following an officer involved shooting. No HPD Officers were present at the time of the incident, but Officers responded and assisted at the scene. The Catawba County Sheriff's Office requested that the SBI respond to conduct an independent investigation.

The Chestnut Knob Fire at South Mountains State Park remains 80% contained as of 7pm Monday. There is no longer a Chestnut Knob Fire information phone line. See the Chestnut Knob Fire Facebook page for the latest information.
The Clear Creek Fire in McDowell County is now 83% contained with 495 personnel assisting.
The Horton Fire in Blowing Rock is 65% contained. The incident Command Post is relocating today to the Blowing Rock Fire Department, and the Fire information line at 828-201-2885 will be active through 5pm Friday.
The Party Rock Fire at Lake Lure is 90% contained. Many of the crews are starting to be released to go home as the fire situation has improved.

Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Larry Putnam received his Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D) from Appalachian State. On November 16th, Putnam defended his dissertation "A Case Study on Self-Perceptions of Novice Assistant Principals' and Principals' Leadership Abilities Based upon the North Carolina Standards for School Executives." Putnam was recognized earlier this month as the 2017 Northwest Regional Education Service Alliance Superintendent of the Year. He has been Burke County Public Schools Superintendent since April 2012.