Three people have been charged with attempted murder after beating an Old Fort man with a sledgehammer. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office Thursday reported charges of Attempted Murder, Burglary and Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon against 33-year-old Samantha Jean Moore and 43-year-old Stacy Heatley, both of Morganton and 57-year-old Patricia Wellborn Hunley of Hickory. Henery Parker reported to the Sheriff's Office on December 8th that a male and 2 females came to his Old Fort home, where they beat him with a sledgehammer and robbed him of his money. Parker was taken to McDowell Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Heatley and Hunley are currently in Burke County on charges of beating a Marion man at a Salem area residence.

Less than a week remaining to pay Morganton city taxes. Payments should be received by next Thursday January 5th. After the deadline, any unpaid taxes will be assessed 2 percent interest. An additional three-quarters percent interest will be assessed each month thereafter. Property owners can pay in person at Morganton City Hall - 305 East Union Street, or payments can be mailed to the City of Morganton tax office at P.O.Box 3448 Morganton 28680. Residents can also make online payments at morgantonnc.gov. There is no fee if you pay with e-check; however, there is a 2.6 % fee for credit card payments. Call the Morganton tax office with questions at 438-5242.

Thieves target a McDowell County church over the Christmas weekend. Authorities are looking for suspects who entered a Marion church and stole items - possibly during a Christmas Eve candlelight service. Marion Police reports state audio/video equipment and cash were taken from the First United Methodist Church valued at nearly $3000. The church pastor suspects the theft occurred during the Christmas Eve service while the church was open since reports state there was very little damage. Marion Police continue to investigate.

A Catawba County man faces numerous charges after an arrest early this morning. Hickory Police charged 28-year-old Justin Lynn Brandon of Conover with Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin, Meth and Cocaine among the may drug charges and other offenses. Bond was set at $244,000 with a first court appearance scheduled today.

Just after 3pm Tuesday, a State Highway Patrol Trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on West Franklin Boulevard in Gastonia. Preliminary information reveals that during the traffic stop, the Trooper learned the driver was on probation and had outstanding warrants. As the Trooper attempted to arrest him, the driver assaulted the Trooper with his vehicle, causing the Trooper to fire his weapon, according to a news release from the Highway Patrol. The driver was injured, but the Trooper was not hurt. The SBI is conducting the shooting investigation. The Trooper has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation as is standard operating procedure in any Patrol involved shooting.

As many as 17 cats have been found shot or poisoned in Burke County this month. The Burke County Sheriff's Office is investigating reports that a silver Dodge Ram truck apparently loaded with animal carriers was spotted near where the cats were found along Roger Hill Road in Connelly Springs, but authorities have yet to make any arrests in the case. PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction on cruelty charges of the person or persons responsible for these crimes. Anyone with information about this case should contact the Burke County Sheriff's Office at 828-438-5500 or Crimestoppers at 828-437-3333.

A Morganton woman, struck by a vehicle Sunday night, has died. According to the Morganton News Herald, 81-year-old Betty Causby passed away early Monday morning at a Charlotte hospital. The State Highway Patrol told the News Herald that 17-year-old Lendlee McPeters of Morganton was traveling north on Highway 181, when she ran off the right side of the road and began hitting mailboxes. Causby was hit at at her paper box. Charges are pending in the case, according to the News Herald.

Two Caldwell County residents have been arrested after a 2 month investigation that resulted in the recovery of $50,000 in reportedly stolen mail and money from coin operated machines. 48-year-old Tracy Lloyd Lail and 46-year-old Michelle Lea Martin were arrested December 12th after Sheriff's Officers executed a search warrant at 4000 Miracle Place Lot in Hudson. Lail is charged with two counts of Breaking and Entering to Coin Operated Machines and was jailed under a $40,000 bond. Martin was charged with Obtaining Property by False Pretense and jailed under a $15,000 bond. Among items seized during the search warrant were pieces of mail from Alexander, Catawba, Burke and Caldwell Counties, bank information and checks amounting in the excess of $50,000. Tools were also found that can be used to break into coin operated machines. The mail that was seized is being hand delivered to the proper owners by members of the Criminal Investigation Division.

Three teenagers are responsible for setting fire to a residence in Marion. A 16-year-old was charged with Arson, according to Fire Investigator Craig Walker of McDowell County Emergency Management. Two juveniles, 13 and 15, were turned over to juvenile authorities. On October 4th, the 3 teenagers went to an unoccupied residence on Hill Road and set fire to the structure. According to the McDowell County Sheriff's Office, damage to the house was listed at $30,000.

Hickory Police continue to investigate two robberies that occurred at CVS Pharmacy, 1504 2nd Street NE, a week apart. The first robbery was on December 14th with the 2nd robbery occurring Wednesday. The suspect in both robberies is described as a white male, possibly between the ages of 17-20, slim build, weighing around 140-150 pounds. Anyone with information in reference to these cases is asked to contact Investigator Levey at 828-328-5551 or 828-261-2618 or jlevey@hickorync.gov.

Hickory City Council met Tuesday night in a regular meeting. There was a special presentation, recognizing Hickory Public Services Director Chuck Hanse, a 31-year city employee, who will retire December 30th. Hansen started work with the city as a city engineer, later becoming Public Services Director. Over the years, Hansen has been responsible for Water, Sewer, Streets, Garbage, and Cemeteries. He also assisted with the Intelligent Traffic Control implementation system. As part of a cooperative effort with the State of North Carolina, Hansen was presented with the "Order of the Long Leaf Pine", at Tuesday's meeting, the state's most prestigious civilian honor bestowed by the Governor.

A Caldwell County fire department is assisting a family in Lenoir who lost their home in a fire. According to WSOC-TV, firefighters at Valmead Fire Department have taken in donations and clothing for the family of 7, which includes 5 children from 9 months to 6 years old.

Catawba County Social Services Assistant Director Karen Harrington was named Interim Director by the Catawba County Social Services Board Tuesday. Harrington will begin serving in this role January 10th following the departure of current director John Eller. As Interim Director, Harrington will provide organizational leadership for Social Services while the board conducts a search for a new director.

A Morganton girl has earned the Girl Scouts' Highest Honor. Girl Scout Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont announced Tuesday that Kara Towery of Troop 10948 has earned her Girl Scout Gold Award. Kara worked in partnership with the First Baptist Church of Valdese, to completely renovate and refurbish the facility, known as the Parlor. The Gold Award recognizes girls in grades 9 through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects.

The identity of the person who died during an officer involved shooting early Monday morning in Southern Caldwell County was released. 52-year-old Roy Lee Minton of 1211 Dudley Shoals Road died after deputies responded to the residence just before 1:30. This was in response to a domestic call at the residence. During the event, one Caldwell County Sheriff's deputy fired his weapon and he has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation. Caldwell County Sheriff's Deputies have been called to the home multiple times over the past few years relating to domestic calls. The investigation is ongoing with the SBI.

The investigation continues into a reported armed robbery at a Morganton grocery store Sunday. Morganton Department of Public Safety officers responded to Food Lion on Burkemont Avenue with store employees and witnesses telling officers the suspect produced a small handgun - demanding access to the store's safe and other cash on hand. A press release states once the suspect obtained an undetermined amount of cash, he fled the store on foot. Officers searched the area, but were unable to locate the suspect - described as a white male, wearing khaki jeans, white shoes, and a hooded jacket. If you have any information about the suspect, please contact Morganton Public Safety officials at 432-2690 or Burke County Crimestoppers at 437-3333.

The Burke County Sheriff's Office needs the public's help in locating Stacy Heatley and Patricia Hunley. They are considered very dangerous and are wanted on numerous charges including Attempted Murder and Kidnapping. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 828-438-5500 or Burke County Crimestoppers at 828-437-3333.

One person died early this morning as the result of an officer involved shooting in southern Caldwell County. Sheriff's deputies responded just before 1:30 to an address on Dudley Shoals Road. According to a press release from the the Sheriff's Office, the identity is not being offically released pending the results of an autopsy and the notification of the next of kin. The deputy that fired his weapon is an administrative leave pending the results of the investigation. The deputy's name is not being released at this time. The SBI is continuing its investigation.

Burke County Public Schools receives a Golden LEAF grant for technology of $200,000. The purpose of the grant is to provide funding to Burke County Public Schools for implementation of a one-to-one digital learning initiative for middle school students and teachers. The funds will assist the district in purchasing devices for 6th grade students and teachers and assist in professional development through a partnership with the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation to strenghen the district's evaluation plan.

A Burke County jury needed about 40 minutes to find a convicted sex offender guilty of sex crimes against a child victim on Thursday. 45-year-old Kurt Allen Corey of Lenoir, was sentenced to life in prison without parole by the Honorable W.Robert Bell, Superior Court Judge from Mecklenburg County. Corey was also convicted of sexual offenses in Michigan in January 2000. Isaac Propst led the investigation for the Burke County Sheriff's Office with assistance from Detective Shelly Hartley of the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office and the Robin's Nest Child Advocacy Center in Lenoir. David Swanson prosecuted the case for the 25th District Attorney's Office.

A Lenoir woman reported missing earlier this week has been located. 32-year-old Carrie Elizabeth Gross was found late Wednesday and is "fine", according to a press release issued by the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office. The Caldwell Sheriff's Office thanks all citizens who shared her photo and called the department with information. The report states no further information regarding the incident will be released.

A Caldwell County man, who was awaiting trial on murder charges from November 2015, was found unresponsive in his cell at Raleigh's Central Prison just after midnight Thursday. According to a press release from the NC Department of Public Safety, 41-year-old Donnie Ward was later declared dead, the result of an apparent suicide. Ward was being held as a safekeeper, pre-trial detainee. The State Capitol Police Department is investigating.

A pedestrian struck by a train in Morganton last month has died. 56-year-old Leigh Singley of Morganton succumbed from injuries sustained after she was hit by a train November 3rd near the old Morganton Depot. Previous reports filed with Morganton Department of Public Safety state Singley suffered numerous and serious injuries after being struck by the eastbound Norfolk Southern train. Burke EMS initially transported Singley to CHS Blue Ridge Morganton, then she was air-lifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Morganton Public Safety and Norfolk Southern Police continue to investigate the incident.

A Marion man is arrested after an assault on his girlfriend and unborn child. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office reported the arrest Wednesday, of 24-year-old Jerome Michael Buchanan. Deputies were called December 14th to the Jacktown Road residence that Buchanan shares with his girlfriend, 25-year-old Breanna Childs. The report indicates that the couple got into an argument at which Buchanan assaulted her multiple times. Childs told a deputy that she is 2 months pregnant.

A Hickory man faces numerous charges and FTA offenses. Hickory Police Wednesday arrested 33-year-old Patrick Michael Robbins. Charges include, Trafficking Opium or Heroin and 3 other drug offenses, Possession of Firearm by Felon and Carrying a Concealed Gun along with 5 FTA offenses and 12 driving offenses. Bond was set $999,000 with a court appearance scheduled for today.

A Granite Falls man was charged with Indecent Liberties and Second Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor on Monday. 34-year-old Michael Lee Dula of Midas Bolick Road was arrested after confidential information was received that he had inappropriate phots and videos of underage girls on his phone. It is unclear how or if Dula knows the girls in the photos and videos. Dula was jailed in the Caldwell County Detention Center under a $150,000 secured bond. The investigation is ongoing.

The Burke County Sheriff's Office is seeking information about cats found Friday about a half mile from the Burke-Cleveland County line. Animal Control about 9-10 cats in the area. Some of the cats had been shot. Three of the cats shot were still alive, but later died. Two that were found had not been injured. Citizens with information about this case can contact the Burke County Sheriff's Office at 828-438-5500 or Burke County Crime Stoppers at 828-437-3333 anytime day or night.

A Marion woman is charged with Breaking, Entering and Larceny. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office Tuesday reported the arrest of 43-year-old Holly Dena Price. A Joes Drive Marion resident on August 26th reported the theft of over $6,400 worth of property. An investigation led to Price and a previously charged suspect, 46-year-old Joseph William Fortune of Marion.

Catawba County Social Services Director John Eller has been named County Manager for Davie County and will leave Catawba County Social Services January 9th. Eller has served as Social Services director since joining Catawba County in 2008. The Catawba County Social Services Board is expected to appoint an interim director at its meeting December 20th.

Two Burke County Public School Board members were recognized in Monday night's Board of Education regular meeting. Buddy Armour was honored with School Board member Leadership award and Superintendent Larry Putnam was named the Region 7 Superintendent of the Year. Putnam was also recognized was receiving his Doctorate on Saturday. Armour was recognized with the School Board Member Leadership award and named NC school board association member of the year. There is only one of these awards given out this year. Andrea Gladden of Icard Elementary was recognized as one of the three state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. Gladden has received numerous grants, the latest being worth $3000 which allowed her to purchase microscopes for students to use at Icard Elementary. A state finalist will be chosen to meet the President and become eligible for the national award. John Cort, President of Cort Architectural Group, gave a presentation on the architecture timeline for Mountain View Elementary. Action was taken by board members to allow architects to advertise to receive bids. If a bid is awarded by April 5th, then construction can begin by April 12th. There were 8 items on the consent agenda that were accepted unanimously.

A piece of Morganton's history has been restored known as the "Police Box." Thanks to former and current City employees, the Police Box that sat on the Historic Courthouse Square nearly 80 years ago was restored and placed at the History Museum Annex last month. The restoration was finished in July. According to a press release from the City of Morganton, the Police Box was found at the Daniel Boone Campground on NC 181, 11 miles from the Historic Courthouse Square. Credited with finding the Police Box are former City Councilman and Public Safety Major Larry Whisnant, Claude Huffman, a former City fire captain and a Daniel Boone Campground worker named Pee-Wee. Anyone interested in seeing the Police Box up close can make an appointment at the History Museum.

A Marion man is charged with possessing numerous illegal drugs. 27-year-old Brian Alan Morris faces numerous drug possession charges in addition to maintaining a vehicle to keep a controlled substance. Reports with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office state Morris pulled up to a police checkpoint driving a Chevrolet pickup. Officers at the scene smelled the odor of marijuana. A search of Morris, his truck, and a backpack turned up methamphetamine, marijuana, Xanex, and other drug paraphernalia items.

The second raid this year on a reported Caldwell County Crack House results in the arrest of two people. According to a news release from the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, deputies on Friday executed a search warrant at a residence on Charlie Ridge Place in the Dulatown Community of Lenoir. Arrested were Frederick Darius and Lakesha Leeanne Deskins. They were charged with Felony Trafficking in Cocaine and Felony Maintain a Dwelling to Keep/Store a Controlled Substance. The Sheriff's Office reports that cocaine was found at the home with a street value of $17,820 according to North Carolina Drug Guidelines.

A Hickory man will serve at least 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug charges, a breaking and entering offense and admitting his status as an habitual felon during Catawba County Superior Court on Thursday. The Honorable Timothy S. Kincaid, Superior Court Judge from Catawba County, imposed a prison sentence of 17 to 22 years on 48-year-old Carl Dennis Geter. The defendant's habitual felon enhanced his sentence. Geter had prior felony convictions for the sale of cocaine in Catawba County (May 1990, uttering a forged instrument in Cleveland County (October 2002) and sale and deliver of a Schedule II Controlled Substance in Cleveland County (November 2005), along with other convictions.

The City of Morganton Parks and Recreation Department will hold a meeting tonight to review several designs for the new City skatepark. The  meeting at 6 o'clock, will be held in the Collett Street Recreation Center. Parks and Rec Director Rob Winkler has received several proposals for the park, and he plans to let local skaters and users check out the designs and give input on which layout they prefer. Different views and descriptions of each design will be available to look over during the meeting. The City included money in the 2016-2017 budget to help build the skate park and the Morganton Recreation Foundation and the Morganton Optimist Club also committed funds to the project. The proposed location for the skatepark is the lower baseball field behind the Collett Street Recreation Center.

This is 'Winter Weather Prepardness' Week as proclaimed by Governor McCrory. Officials with the governor's office are urging North Carolinians to plan, prepare and be ready for any potentially dangerous weather this winter. Families are advised to review emergency plans, update emergency supply kits, and stay informed. For more information on how to prepare for winter storms, download the free ReadyNC app, which provides real-time information on traffic and weather conditions or visit readync-dot-org.

Two people have been arrested in connection with a shooting November 12th in Connelly Springs. Burke County Deputies Thursday morning, arrested 31-year-old Kevin Matthew Revis of Hickory and 34-year-old April Dawn Coleman of Spartanburg. Revis was charged with Felony Assault Inflicting Serious Injury and numerous Driving Offenses. Coleman was charged with Felony Accessory After the Fact. On November 12th, Burke deputies spoke with Buddy Cook at CMC Valdese. Cook told deputies that he had been shot by Matthew Revis. Bond on Revis was set at $65,000 with bond on Coleman set at $10,000. Both are scheduled in appear in court on Monday.

Five Methamphetamine Traffickers were sentenced to prison earlier this week in Western District Court in Statesville. According to U.S.Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose, the prison terms range from 106 to 135 months. Sentenced were 38-year-old Jonathan Daniel Hatfield of Lenoir, 41-year-old Daniel Verbsky Vandervelde of Conover, 31-year-old Paul William Miles of Conover, 35-year-old Jerrod Michael Benfield of Hiddenite and 30-year-old Juan Ernesto Ortiz-Rodriguez of Statesville. All of the defendants were charged as part of the Western District's ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement investigation, "Dixie Crystal."

A Hickory woman was struck and killed Wednesday morning attempting to cross the street. 72-year-old Vione Mae Miller was attempting to cross the road when she was hit in the 400 block of Hwy 70 SW. Miller sustained critical injuries due to the collision and was transported to Frye Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased. The Hickory Police Department's Traffic Safety Unit is investigating the collision and remains ongoing.

A Newton man facing a second-degree murder charge in the traffic death of a Caldwell County pastor made a first appearance, Wednesday, in Catawba County District Court. 31-year-old Zachariah Arthur Carl, was charged with second-degree murder and 4 other offenses by the State Highway Patrol, following the crash the killed 43-year-old Michael Howard Vanderburg on Tuesday on Highway 70 near Conover. Preliminary investigation by the Highway Patrol showed that Carl ran a red light and struck the minivan, killing Vanderburg. Several members of the Vanderburg family in the minivan were taken to the hospital. The investigation is continuing.

A Conover man was given an active prison sentence of at least 5 years for pleading guilty to trafficking meth on Tuesday, during Catawba County Superior Court. 31-year-old Alexis Joel Adorno Diaz was sentenced by the Honorable Timothy S. Kincaid, Superior Court Judge from Catawba County. Diaz was also assessed a mandatory $50,000 fine.

More than 600 jobs are coming to Rutherford County. A Taiwan-based maker of high-performance sports apparel - Everest Textile will establish a 610 job manufacturing facility in Forest City. Everett currently has facilities not only in Taiwan, but China and Thailand. Its Rutherford County plant will be its first outside Asia. The company will reportedly $18.5 million dollars over 5 years at their new site. A job development investment grant approved by the state's economic investment committee is helping facilitate the arrival of Everest.

A Connelly Springs man will spend the next 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual offenses with children during Burke County Superior Court on Monday. 35-year-old Richard Keith Stevens will serve 35 to 52 years after being sentenced by the Honorable Robert C. Ervin, Superior Court Judge from Burke County. The sexual offenses involved 1 boy and 2 girls, and the sexual acts began in 2005 when they were about 5 to 7 years old. The case was investigated by Isaac Propst of the Burke County Sheriff's Office with assistance from the Gingerbread House Child Advocacy Center in Morganton. Frank Webster handled prosecution for the 25th District Attorney's Office.

The combined Burke County High School bands will participate tonight in the "Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade." The band will be the 40th unit in the parade with 103 units. The parade begins at 6pm Hawaii time, 11pm Eastern. Additional information can be found online, including streaming, by going to PearlHarborParade.org. Today marks the 75th anniversary of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, an act that included President Roosevelt declaring war on Japan the next day.

Two teachers in Caldwell County have been recognized for their innovative teaching skills and distinguished honors. Scott Settlemeyer, masonary teacher at South Caldwell High, has been named the 2016 Construction Trades Teacher of the Year by the Caldwell County Home Builders Association for the second year in a row. The award is voted on by members of the Home Builders Association. The NC Science Teacher Association has named Anna Lee Potter of Happy Valley School the Outstanding Middle School Science Teacher for the Northwestern region. NCSTA recognizes educators statewide who demonstrate excellence in the creative and innovative teaching of science.

Prosecutors for the State announced during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday, that they will not pursue capital punishment in the murder case against 38-year-old Thomas Gregory Ball of Hickory. He still faces the possibility of life in prison without parole. His brother, 27-year-old Rodney Adam Ball of Cedar Bluff, Va., also faces a murder charge in the death of 78-year-old Benny Daniels of Long View. Investigation of the case continues by the Catawba County Sheriff's Office & SBI.

Randy Burns was re-elected as Chair and Sam Wilkinson was re-elected as Vice-Chair of the Burke County Board of Education in Monday night's Board of Education special meeting. The vote to reinstate both Burns and Wilkinson was unanimous and no other names were offered for either position. A presentation was given from Chartwells regarding the quarterly report on the child nutrition program. The report showed the second chance breakfast program, a grad-and-go breakfast opportunity, is doing well in the high schools, especially Freedom and Patton. The breakfast option is offered between first and second period. Child Nutrition Director Angela Hensley is working with Chartwells on an application for a dinner program that will allow Chartwells to serve dinner at Mountain Crest Elementary. If approved for the program, meals will begin after the first of the year.

Caldwell County authorities investigate a fatal shooting in Granite Falls. Caldwell deputies, responding to a welfare check - discovered 48-year-old Joseph Scott Bolick inside his residence deceased, as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. Reports state investigators were able to develop a case implicating a juvenile in the crime. The juvenile has subsequently been taken into custody and charged in connection with the incident. Caldwell officers were assisted by the SBI, NC Juvenile Justice, Burke Sheriff's Office and the Catawba Sheriff's office.

Morganton Public Safety was recognized for completing public safety risk management in Monday night's regular City Council meeting. Chief Tom Anderson, a public Safety Risk Management Consultant with the NC League of Municipalities recognized Morganton Department of Public Safety on their policies and practices in lace. Anderson said he has worked with many agencies and was impressed with Morganton's Public Safety, referring to them as "super public servants." Morganton Public Safety exceeded expectations in both the police and fire side. Anderson presented Chief Ronnie Rector with a plaque recognizing the efforts of Morganton Department of Public Safety for completing the law enforcement risk management review and proactively serving the community. With the New Year approaching, Mayor Ronnie Thompson urged residents to use caution when lighting fireworks. Although the burn ban has been lifted, conditions are still extremely dry.

As of 5pm Friday, the N.C.Forest Service lifted the open burning ban for 32 counties, Alexander, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey. in counties where the ban has been lifted, people wanting to burn debris will need to reapply for a permit.

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina has acquired a 93-acre tract in the Dysartsville Township that permanently protects important headwaters of Cane Creek and a piece of Revolutionary War history. The property, known as the Melton Tract, adjoins the NC Wildlife Resource Commission's South Mountains Game Lands to the west, and U.S.Highway 64 to the east. The property contains 3,500 linear feet of Cane Creek and tributaries within the Broad River Basin, and more than 500 linear feet of Magazine Branch in the Catawba River Basin. Both are significant river basins for recreation and drinking water in the region. The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail passes through the middle of the tract, An archeologist hired by Foothills Conservancy, has discovered that the Melton property is situated within the boundary of the Cane Creek battlefield, and will be recommending that the battlefield be nominated for the National Register of Historic Places as a significant historic battlefield related to events of the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War in general, and the Overmountain Victory Campaign specifically.

Four Caldwell County residents are charged in connection with a home invasion and armed robbery on Warlick's Church Road in Hildebran that was reported Monday night to the Burke County Sheriff's Office. 29-year-old Justin Matthew Wilson of Hudson was charged with Armed Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. Three other Hudson residents were charged with Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, 52-year-old Shirley Luann Abee, 46-year-old Eugene Edward Stafford and 31-year-old Kimberly Necole Freeman. The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office assisting the Burke deputies locating three suspects in Hudson. This investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed.

A third person is facing the death penalty due to their connection with the September double homicide in Burke County. Scott Devon Hemphill, 33, of Charlotte is charged with 2 counts of murder for the September 17th deaths of Spencer Murray and Albert Austin. Their bodies were found in the trunk of a burned vehicle. During Burke County Superior Court on Tuesday, prosecutors for the State announced they will proceed with the case against Hemphill as a capital murder. Hemphill is the third suspect tied to the double homicide facing the death penalty. Two weeks ago, the State announced it will seek the death penalty for Icey Chennell Gooden and Brian Jerome Robinson, co-defendants in the case. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Hickory Police Department is seeking the public's help in the investigation of a pedestrian that was struck during a hit and run that occurred Monday night about 8 in the 200 block of 12th Avenue NE between Viewmont Baptist Church and the Cubbard Express Exxon Convenience Store. The victim, 28-year-old Joshua Edward Holden of Hickory is in critical condition. The Hickory police Department is continuing this investigation and asks anyone with information or who may have witnessed this incident to contact Inv. J.Patterson at 828-261-2626.