Improper ethical allegations lead to changes in the 25th Judicial District. In a news release issued Friday, District Attorney David Learner states that Assistant District Attorneys Frank Webster and Chris Back are no longer employed by the 25th Judicial District. Webster and Back are currently the subjects of an SBI investigation involving their roles as ministers at a Rutherford County church. Learner states quote 'I along with my staff have worked very hard in the past two years to rebuild the reputation of the DA's office, and I cannot allow the integrity of the office to be called into question.' Learner goes onto to say his administration is dedicated to the fair and impartial administration of criminal justice for the citizens of Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba counties. Assistant District Attorney Lance Sigmon will be the Chief ADA in Burke County, and Kyle Smith will be the Chief ADA in Catawba.

Less than four weeks after being sentenced to serve at least 11 years of incarceration for making false bomb threats in Burke County, a West Virginia man was sentenced for similar crimes in Catawba and Caldwell counties. Cody Matthew Startt, 27, pleaded guilty to 71 counts of making false bomb reports, one false bomb report to a public building and 72 counts of terrorism in Catawba County Superior Court Friday morning, and he entered guilty pleas to 58 counts of making false bomb reports, three counts of a false bomb report to a public building and 61 counts of terrorism in Caldwell County Superior Court Friday afternoon.

A man who was the primary suspect in a Caldwell County fire early Thursday morning, turned himself into Burke County law enforcement officers Friday afternoon. Warrants had been issued against 33-year-old Timothy Allan Harmon for First Degree Arson and First Degree Kidnapping. The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, along with Fire and Rescue Personnel from multiple agencies responded about 6am to a reported structure fire at an apartment complex on Oak Tree Lane in the Sawmills Community. Once the fire was contained, Fire Investigators were able to determine that the fire was a result of Arson.