In his budget proposal, Governor Cooper proposed giving teachers a direct annual stipend of $150 to offset out-of-pocket expenses for classroom supplies. Statewide, teachers would receive almost $13 million for classroom supplies, according to new district-by-district analysis released Thursday.
Estimated stipend in area school districts:
Alexander County - $44,741
Avery County - $23,125
Burke County - $108,198
Caldwell County - $110,747
Catawba County - $133,380
Cleveland County - $138,380
Hickory City - $37,413
Lincoln County - $117,791
McDowell County - $57,086
Mitchell County - $17,865
Newton-Conover - $25,898
Watauga County - $38,847

Foothills Conservancy of NC, based in Morganton, has added 259 acres in the Catawba River's headwaters near Old Fort. The property, known as the Sank Gap tract, adjoins Foothills Catawba Headwaters Preserve on two sides and conservancy-held conservation easement lands in the Creston Community on another. Foothills Conservancy plans to add the tract to its 1,592-acre Catawba Headwaters Preserve.

An Old Fort woman used stolen identities to set up utility service at a residence. 38-year-old Tomoka Shenee Young has been charged with three counts of identity theft after gaining access to personal records at a closed business in Rutherford County. McDowell officers say Young used the stolen identities to establish power at two separate residences; and telephone service at one of the homes.

Asheville Police continue to investigate an armed robbery at a Patton Avenue jewelry store. Three suspects Wednesday afternoon entered Spicer Greene Jewelers and displayed handguns. Reports say the suspects were in the store for less than 60 seconds, but mad off with $1 million in diamonds. The suspects, wearing full face motorcycle helmets, fled the scene on one white and two red off-road style motorcycles. Anyone with information is asked to contact Asheville Police at 828-252-1110 or Crime Stoppers at 828-255-5050.