The City of Morganton Parks and Recreation Department is holding a public input meeting for the new Parks and Recreation Master Plan at 6 o'clock, tonight, at Mountain View Recreation Center, 645 First Street. The Public Input Meeting is an opportunity for residents to share their ideas and let the consultants and staff know what kinds of programs and amenities they want to see in Morganton now, and in the next 15 to 20 years.

A McDowell County man was killed Wednesday morning in a tractor accident. 76-year-old Jack Merill Davis of Old Fort was pushing a downed tree in area off Pine Cove Road
when the accident occurred. A spokesperson with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office states the tree came loose from the front of the tractor, fell back into the cab and pinned Davis. He was pronounced dead at the scene. McDowell EMS and Rescue, Crooked Creek Fire Department, and the McDowell County Sheriff's Office responded to the accident scene.

Methamphetamine Traffickers were sentenced this week in Statesville. 16 defendants were handed sentences according to the U.S.Attorney's Office Western District of NC. Among the 16 sentenced:
James Edward Russell III of Hudson
Teddy Dwane McGee of Hickory
Larry Chad Roberts of Taylorsville
Davey Yang of Conover
Troy Lynn Bell of Taylorsville
Wendy Michelle Pennington of Hickory
Ritchie Allen Shook of Granite Falls
Shana Elyse Teague of Taylorsville
The defendants were reportedly involved in drug trafficking organizations that have trafficked meth worth millions of dollars.

A Marion man is taken into custody after leading authorities on a chase. Just before 8:30am Tuesday, two McDowell County Sheriff's Office detectives began a chase of a pickup truck on Joe Branch. After the chase, an arrest was made of 40-year-old Ben Lee Capps. He was charged with fleeing to elude arrest, no operators license and damage to real property, with a forthcoming charge of possession of methamphetamine.