A two-vehicle collision in Hickory has claimed the life of a Newton man. A 1994 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by William Kincaid Flamont II, 70, was traveling west on U.S.Highway 70 SE shortly after 8pm Tuesday. Reports say a 2011 Jeep operated by Francis Dean Fluharty, 69, of Lenoir, made a left turn into the path of the motorcycle. Flamont was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officials say speed is not suspected as a factor in the collision. Hickory Police continue to investigate.

Morganton City workers responded to a power outage that occurred Wednesday afternoon on the NW side of town. About 780 residents and businesses were affected between Green Street, Sanford Drive and Avery Avenue. Power was restored in less than a half hour. Electric service workers report that a car hit a guy wire of an electric pole in the Sun Trust Bank parking lot. The wire flew into the main electric lines causing the primary breaker on the circuit to switch off.

Governor Cooper announced last week Clean Water Management trust Fund Grants. Lake Rhodhiss in Valdese is receiving $673,247 from an Acquisition Project grant. "Provisional Awards" are made pending additional revenue that may come before June 30th. Linville E. Lake James was awarded $1,200,000, along with Rock Creek in Burke County, $291,353, and Backbone Ridge Expansion in Caldwell County, $84,185. A Restoration Project grant of $222,500 was awarded for Limekiln Creek in McDowell County.

A McDowell County pair have been charged with unlawfully living in a Florida woman's home. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, charged Dennis Shane Davis of Nebo, 44, and William Jesse Pendley,Jr. of Marion, 50, with breaking and entering. A deputy on September 7th responded to an alarm call on U.S.221 South and found a broken window and evidence of people living in the backyard. The deputy returned to the home on September 12th and found Davis and Pendley on the property.