A Connelly Springs man remains on-the-run from law enforcement following a Labor Day dispute that left another man seriously injured. A warrant has been issued for 55-year-old Paul Alan Hyler, after he allegedly shot 43-year-old Andrew Jackson in a domestic dispute on Deer Creek Drive just before noon on Monday. Hyler was reportedly living in a camper trailer near the crime scene; however officials secured the area, called in Burke County's SWAT, issued commands and deployed chemical agents; but Hyler was not inside the trailer when authorities made entry. During the incident, officers investigated a possible sighting of the suspect on a powerline overlooking the trailer. The sighting turned out to be a local resident armed with as assault rifle observing the scene from a distance. The Sheriff's Office reminds citizens to obey commands of law enforcement and remain outside of the areas of danger in such instances. Hyler has not yet been arrested, while his warrant calls for assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill. Anyone with information regarding Hyler's whereabouts should call the Burke Sheriff's office at 438-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 437-3333.

Two Marion residents are charged with contributing to the delinquincy of a minor. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office reported Monday that 50-year-old James Penland and 45-year-old Rebecca Tesner were charged after a 2-year-old boy tested positive for marijuana and hydrocodone. Penland and Tesner are the legal guardians and grandparents of the child. Employees with McDowell Cpunty Department of Social Services are involved in the case.

Total student enrollment has surpassed 11,000 for the first time at Western Carolina. The GPA of the entering fall class has hit an all-time high. The 2017 fall semester tally represents the fifth year out of the past six that WCU has seen enrollment increases. This year's freshman class totals 1,980, also a new record, and the high school weighted GPA of this year's class sets a high-water mark at 3.83.