Morganton's new skate park might be open for the kids by Christmas. Parks and Recreation Director Rob Winkler said last week that Artisan Sake Parks has to finish up two other projects before coming to Morganton, but he thinks the company will start pouring and forming concrete mid fall, according to a news release from the City of Morganton. The new skate park will be built on the lower baseball field behind the Collett Street Recreation Center. The City already owns the property and decided to re-purpose it for the new park. The site already has parking and restrooms, as well as some lighting, and it's less than a 10-minute walk from the Historic Courthouse Square, less via skateboard.

Two McDowell County residents are charged with breaking-entering and larceny and another suspect was later arrested. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office reported Monday that 33-year-old Dustin Anthony Foust of Marion and 38-year-old Jennifer Marie Granroos of Old Fort were charged in connection with loading property into a truck at an Old Fort residence on Sunday. A third suspect, 35-year-old Andrew Mitchell Barchie, Jr. of Mooresboro was also wanted for breaking-entering and larceny and was captured Monday.

Five people face additional drug charges in Lincoln County. The charges stem from a continuation into meth sales in western and southern Lincoln County. On Friday the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit charged 27-year-old Joshua Thomas Carpenter, 46-year-old Teresa Louise Dellinger, and 36-year-old Megan Elizabeth Campos, all of Vale, along with 37-year-old Jonia Travis Cornwell.  A fifth suspect, 28-year-old Rusty Dewayne Johnson of Vale is wanted. Anyone with information on drug related activity is asked to call 704-736-8606, or Lincoln County Crime Stoppers at 704-736-8907.