Three people wanted on outstanding warrants, were arrested Wednesday in Burke County. According to a news release from the Burke County Narcotics Task Force, on Wedmesday a Burke County Sheriff's deputy in the Rutherford College community was stopped by a concerned citizen regarding a suspicious person and vehicles located at an address on Excelsior Drive. The deputy's investigation revealed individuals inside the residence may be wanted on outstanding warrants. The deputy and Narcotics Task Force officers discovered three wanted people at the residence. All were taken into custody without further incident and housed in the Burke Catawba District Confinement Facility. Arrested were 41-year-old Aimee Jo Cook of Taylorsville, 40-year-old Harold Thomas Messer,Jr. of Valdese and 21-year-old William Austin Blankenship of Stoney Point.

McDowell County officials have issued a scam alert for area residents. Once again, scammers are targeting McDowell residents, while authorities are urging citizens to steer clear of their false claims. People have reported being contacted by workers from Publishers Clearing House - advising them they've won cars and even million of dollars. Reports say the callers tell residents they must send the company a certain amount of money in order for them to claim their prize. Other local citizens are reporting the receipt of calls from alleged IRS workers. These callers are telling their victims they owe money, and threatening legal action if they do not pay. Officials stress that the IRS does business through the mail - never by phone. And never send money or release any personal information to these callers. For ways to identify suspicious calls, visit irs.gov. on the web.