The body discovered Wednesday in Morganton is believed to be that of a missing man. Morganton Department of Public Safety Investigators conducted a search in the area between Eastview Street and East Fleming Drive, in a follow up to the missing person case. The man found is thought to be 50-year-old Quinton Kenan, who lived on Eastview Street. The last reported contact with Kenan was on December 26th. An autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death. The Burke County Search/Rescue team, Fire Marshal's Office and Medical Examiners Office assisted Morganton Department of Public Safety at the scene.

A Newton man accepts a plea deal in the 2014 murder of a Catawba County teacher. During the sentencing phase in Catawba County Superior Court Thursday, 34-year-old Sharman odom accepted the DA's plea deal. Odom was found guilty of raping and murdering 31-year-old Maggie Daniels of Newton. As part of the deal, Odom will not receive the death penalty, but will face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Odom was convicted on 3 felony counts - murder, first degree sexual assault, and first-degree kidnapping.

The Souperintendent's Souperbowl Canned-Food Drive hosted by Burke County Public Schools begins Monday and continue through February 6th. Collection barrels are located at all 28 Burke County Public Schools campuses as well as at the Central Office, the Olive Hill Resource Center, Auxiliary Services/Bus Garage and College Street offices. The beneficiaries of the annual drive are four local charities: Burke United Christian Ministries, East Burke Christian Ministries, Abernethy Memorial United Church in Rutherford College and the East Burke High School food pantry. The Souperintendent's Souperbowl Canned-Food Drive began in 2014 to combat the issue of hunger in the community. Schools decorate their collection barrels and staff, students and community members are urged to fill them with non-perishable food items. The annual food drive has collected nearly 20,000 pounds of food to date.