The man accused of making false bomb threats last summer in Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties will spend at least 11 years of active prison time after pleading guilty to charges of terrorism and making false bomb reports during Burke County Superior Court on Monday. 27-year-old Cody Matthew Startt of Matoaka, WV., entered his guilty plea to 253 counts of terrorism and 251 counts of making false bomb reports. He was given a prison sentence of 11 to 21 years by the Honorable W.Todd Pomeroy, Superior Court Judge from Lincoln County. Startt faces pending matters of the same nature in Caldwell and Catawba counties.

A Nebo man is accused of stealing a friend's tools and his Mom's car. the McDowell County Sheriff's Office Monday reported charges on 28-year-old Levi Eddie McHone. The tools reported stolen December 14th were worth an estimated $8,220. On January 2nd, McHone's mom reported that he had taken her 2010 Honda Accord without her permission. The vehicle was recovered.

A motorcycle accident in Burke County claims the life of a Statesville man. The accident about 2pm Sunday on NC 181 near Upper Creek Falls, killed 33-year-old Daniel Paul Emilio Cicco. The State Highway Patrol told the Morganton News Herald that Cicco ran off the road, struck the guard rail and was ejected from the motorcycle.

Hickory firefighters were dispatched late Saturday night to a reported fire alarm at Kenworth Hall located at 426 2nd Avenue SE. With fire damage to one apartment and water damage to two apartments, the Red Cross responded to assist the tenants. No fire injuries were reported and the fire was caused by unattended cooking, according to a news release from the City of Hickory.

A Hickory man was sentenced to six to eight years after pleading guilty to six counts of habitual larceny in Catawba County Superior Court on Friday. 53-year-old Mark Anthony Fountain also admitted his status as a habitual felon duting court. His imposed term will be served at the conclusion of his current 18-31 month sentence for a May 2016 Conviction in Catawba County. Fountain took items from two Hickory stores on six occasions between October and December 2015, accounting for his larceny charges. Fountian's habitual felon status stems from previous felony convictions for breaking and entering, abduction and robbery by force and possession of cocaine.