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.