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.