Friday, September 8, 2017

As forecasts indicate that Hurricane Irma is expected significant impacts in the Carolinas, Duke Energy is preparing for the storm and encouraging customers to do so as well: The following tips can help you and your family stay safe if severe weather strikes and the power goes out:
* Create(or update) an emergency supply kit to save valuable time later.
* Maintain a supply of water and non-perishable food.
* Review insurance policies, and include extra copies and other important documents in emergency supply kit(ideally in a waterproof container).
* Keep a portable radio or TV, or NOAA weather radio on hand.
* Charge cellphones, computers, and other electronic devices in advance of the storm.
* Maintain a plan to move family members - especially those with special needs - to a safe, alternative location in case of an extended power outage.
* Pet owners can make arrangements to stay at evacuation shelters that accept pets, friends' or family nenbers' homes, or pet-friendly hotels.
* Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging.
* Report all power line hazards by using the following phone numbers:
  o Duke Energy customers - 800.769.3766
  o Duke Energy Progress customers - 800.419.6356
For a "Hurricane Kit Checklist, important safety tips and more information on what to do before, during and after a storm, visit:
https://www.duke-energy.com/safety-and-prepardness/storm-safety.

Felicia Simmons has been named the Burke County Principal of the Year. Simmons, in her her first year at Freedom, was recognized last week before the start of the Freedom-East Burke football game. She has been principal at Walter Johnson and Table Rock middle schools before being named principal at Freedom this summer. Also last week, Jim Childers was named Assistant Principal of the Tear. Childers is the athletic director, assistant principal and assistant football coach at East Burke.

A Hickory man was found guilty of multiple sexual offenses and other charges during Burke County Superior Court this week. 32-year-old Michael Christopher Weaver was found guilty of first-degree forcible rape, first-degree sexual offense, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, communicating threats, and intimidating a witness. The offenses occurred in January 2016 at Lowman's Motel in eastern Burke County where the defendant and a female were staying. The investigation shows that Weaver became angry and attacked the victim with a wooden stick, beating her severely - sexually assaulting her as well. Weaver reportedly kept the victim in the motel room overnight before taking her to a hospital the next day. Her injuries were described as 'significant' leaving the victim hospitalized for an extensive period. Weaver later threatened the victim in November 2016 leading to the intimidation charges. The jury sentenced Weaver to a prison term of at least 44 years.

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