A Triple Community Firefighter was struck by a vehicle about midnight. About 11:53pm Sunday, Triple Community Fire Department was dispatched to a call for service for a tree blocking the East bound and part of the West bound side of  Hwy 70 East near the Drexel intersection. Firedfighters were in the process of clearing debris from the roadway when a vehicle traveling East bound on Hwy 70, struck one of the Firefighters. About 12:01 this morning, Jason Keith Hensley, 40, was killed instantly upon impact. An investigation into the accident is being conducted by the State Highway Patrol, according to a press release from Triple Community Fire Department.

A Morganton man is charged with murder. On Friday, the Burke County Sheriff's Office, along with Burke County EMS and First Responders from Brendletown and West End Fire Departments,  responded to 4459 Bill Epley Avenue. They found the victim, Jimmy Ray Causby, deceased at the residence. Arrested and charged with murder was Gerald Dean Buff, 61, of 4441 Bill Epley Avenue. Buff is being held without bond and has a court appearance scheduled for today.

A tornado that starter just after 5pm Sunday, roared north into Burke and Caldwell Counties, with Caldwell reporting the most damage. Caldwell County Public Information reports that 30 homes were damaged on Mt.Herman Road in the Hudson area, with homes also damaged on Hillhaven Drive and Hefner Place. Numerous homes were damaged in the Cedar Rock Community off Hwy 18. The Caldwell County Sheriff's office requests that unless they are a resident, all members of the public should stay out of the storm damaged areas due to the danger of power lines down and other hazards. In Burke County, there were reports of downed trees on Cub Creek Drive in Connelly Springs.

Hickory Police are looking for a bank robbery suspect. Carter Band and Trust at 821 4th Street Drive SW was robbed about 1:30pm Friday. Warrants have been obtained for the suspect, Ronald Maurice Jones, 46, a black male, about 5'10'' with a thin build. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jones is asked to contact Hickory Police at 828-328-5551.