A woman is found dead after firefighters respond to a structure fire in Morganton. Burke EOC dispatched Triple Community Fire Department Wednesday afternoon to an outside fire with structures threatened on Windy Hill Drive. Firefighters located a white female in her mid 60's deceased behind a garage, which was on fire. The victim is believed to be the homeowner, however an autopsy will be conducted for positive identification. Firefighters from seven Burke County Fire Departments responded, along with EMS, REACT and the NC Forest Service. According to a news release from EMS, the Burke County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the fire with the Sheriff's Office, SBI and Forest Service assisting. The fire is believed to be accidental, but the exact cause is under investigation.

Burke Development, Inc. held a kickoff event Monday at the Morganton Community House for its Thrive'22 Campaign. The five-year, private sector campaign will support BDI's program of work and goal to grow the economy and create a bright economic future in Burke County, according to a news release from BDI. Thirty-seven companies and individuals have contributed to the campaign for a total of $782,500, about 80% of the campaign goal of $1 million dollars. The increase in BDI's budget, which is primarily funded by public sector, will support the creation of over 1,520 direct and indirect jobs and over $90 million in new capital investment.

A Hickory woman will spend at least 14 years in prison after being found guilty of drug offenses Tuesday, during Catawba County Superior Court. Marijo Rudisill, 49, was found guilty of selling methamphetamine and possession with intent to sell and deliver meth. After the jury returned the guilty verdict, Rudisill then pleaded guilty to another set of the same charges.

Three suspects in a stolen car lead Burke deputies on a chase Monday morning. Officers attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle leaving a vacant Connelly Springs house when the driver reportedly fled the scene topping speeds of 100 mph. Reports say the car crashed near Highway 70 at Berry Road. James Cody Peters, 23, and Brandy Leigh McDaniel, 20, of Morganton were passengers in the vehicle - determined to be stolen from McDowell County. Both Peters and McDaniel were charged with felonious possession of a stolen motor vehicle. The driver reportedly jumped from the vehicle and ran. Deputies gave chase, but were unable to apprehend the suspect. The State Department of Public Safety's K-9's were called in to assist, while a citizen notified authorities of a man fitting the suspect's description in the area off Berry Road. Officers spotted the man and chased him to a nearby residence where he was detained. The man identified as Austin Michael Neece, 21, of Connelly Springs was charged with felonious possession of a stolen vehicle and fleeing and eluding arrest with a motor vehicle. The Highway Patrol additionally charged Neece with hit and run and leaving the scene with property damage, reckless driving, and driving while license revoked. Neece's secured bond was set at $13,500.

The U.S.Forest Service plans to conduct a 197-acre prescribed burn this morning at Boyd Gap off Globe Road, 5 miles south of Blowing Rock in northern Caldwell County. Thunderhole Road(FSRD 4071) will be temporarily closed during fire operations. The public is asked to heed signs posted at gates and to stay away from burn areas and closed roads. Some smoke may be visible around Blowing Rock. The Blowing Rock Fire Department, North Carolina Forest Service, and The Nature Conservancy will be assisting with burn operations.

A Swannanoa man died Sunday in a police pursuit. According to WLOS TV, Marion Police were attempting to locate a stolen van from Iglesia Bautista Monte Sinai Church, when the van was spotted on Sugar Hill Road. The pursuit ended when officers found the van crashed on Greenlee Road. Timothy Milligan died in the crash, according to WLOS. The SBI is assisting Marion Police in the investigation.

Rare WWII memorabilia is reported stolen in McDowell County. Russell Neighbors of Marion told the McDowell County Sheriff's Office last week that firearms, daggers, knives and German helmets were taken from 28 North Main Street. Anyone with information concerning the theft, suspect, or whereabouts of the memorabilia, is asked to contact Sgt. Rick Gutierrez of the Marion Police Department at 652-5205 or McDowell County Crime Stoppers at 652-7463.

A reported methamphetamine dealer has been taken into custody in Caldwell County. The Sheriff's Office Ice Unit made the arrest last week of Timothy Joseph "TJ" McCall, 29, of Lenoir, after a month long drug investigation. Narcotics agents seized methamphetamine and oxycodone pills with a listed street value of $17,000. Bond was set at $1,000,000.

The State Highway Patrol encourages motorists to drive safely this Thanksgiving week. With one of the busiest travel times of the year on the state's roadways this week, troopers encourage motorists to focus on safety. Triple-A reports nearly 51 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more away from home, with 89% traveling in vehicles. In partner ship with other states, the NC Highway Patrol will again participate in the I-40 Thanksgiving Challenge - pushing for a zero-fatality rate along the more than 2500 miles of the interstate. Last year, NC experienced no fatalities on I-40 during the two-day campaign. The safety initiative involves stationing troopers every 20 miles along the interstate during the most heavily traveled times during the Thanksgiving holiday. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, check for traffic updates prior to beginning a trip, limit distractions, wear seatbelts, and obey speed limits. Travelers can assist authorities by reporting dangerous drivers by dialing *HP.

The Catawba County Sheriff's Office is offering training sessions for church representatives in Catawba county interested in learning about church security. Scheduled training sessions include:
* Tuesday, November 28 - 6:30 to 8pm at the Maiden High School Auditorum, 600 West Main St.
* Thursday,December 21 - 6:30 to 8pm at Christ Church, Mt.View Campus Sanctuary, 2416 Zion Church Road, Hickory
* Tuesday, January 9 - 6:30 to 8pm at Mt.Pleasant UMC Community Center, 4136 Mt.Pleasant Road, Sherrill's Ford.
* Thursday, January 25 - 6:30 to 8pm at Tri City Baptist Church, 1409 NC Highway 16 North, Conover
It is suggested that church security teams, greeters, ushers, or any other church leadership should attend the session. Those with additional questions may call Lt.John Helton at 828-465-8336. 

At the November 14th Lenoir City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Gibbons declared Tuesday November 28th to be Giving Tuesday in the City of Lenoir. Giving Tuesday is a day for people to come together to give back to causes across the city and county.

A stolen vehicle report leads to the arrest of two men last week. Burke deputies located a vehicle reported stolen on Highway 70 in Connelly Springs. After conducting a traffic stop, Richard Kory Barton, 25, of Lenoir and Jason Woodrow Schinke, 17, of Mount Holly were arrested at the scene without incident for felonious possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Deputies reportedly located a white powdery substance inside the vehicle that tested positive for methamphetamine. Both were additionally charged with felonious possession of meth, and confined at the Burke Catawba District Confinement Facility, under $9,000 secured bond each.

A Hickory man was sentenced Tuesday in Burke County Superior Court, following his guilty plea to possession of a stolen firearm and admission of habitual felon status. David Lorenza Young II, 28, was given an active prison term of six to eight years and the sentence was enhanced by Young's prior felony convictions for possession of stolen goods in Burke County (September 2006), possession of heroin in Catawba County (October 2013) and larceny in Alexander County (November 2014).

The City of Morganton plans to start resurfacing several streets beginning today. The City has hired Maymead to pave sections of Stonebridge Drive and Bethel Road, Brick Street, Alwran Street, and North Anderson Street. The roads will be closed during paving. The exact date and time cannot be determined as weather and scheduling will determine the best paving time.

A Marion man faces numerous break-in, theft, firearm and drug charges. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office Wednesday, reported the charges on John Wesley Harding, 33, of Old N.C.226 South. On October 17th, Harding entered the occupied South Creek Road home of Jeffrey and Pamela Mast with a gun. There is no indication that Harding knew the couple. The Masts were able to flee the residence. Deputies arrived on the scene and apprehended Harding, who was then in one of the Masts' vehicles. Harding arrived at the Mast home in a van, along with a handgun and utility trailer, that been reported stolen from David Parkins, of Ned McGimsey Road in Nebo earlier that day. Also found on Harding was meth and marijuana. Harding is a felon, having been convicted of breaking and entering in McDowell County in October 2003, according to the Sheriff's Office.

On October 23rd, Watauga County, suffered severe damages as the result of flooding and heavy winds. Initial reports from a November 2nd assessment indicate that Watauga County had at least 25 homes and businesses with major damage. Under the provisions of the U.S.Small Business Administration, Governor Roy Cooper on Wednesday, requested that the SBA make a disaster declaration for Watauga County, and the contiguous counties of Ashe, Avery, Caldwell and Wilkes. This disaster declaration will provide low interest loans to the citizens and businesses affected by the October 23rd event.

A Hickory man is found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of a Longview toddler. A Catawba County jury returned a guilty verdict against William Howard Lail III, 30, in the 2013 death of Jaydon Sandlin. A press release says Lail was a caregiver for the victim and his sister. Lail's testimony alleged he left the children unattended in a bath tub where they suffered first, second, and third degree burns from scalding water; although medical experts contend the burns could not have occurred as the defendant claimed. Lail also testified that the child died from drowning in the bathtub while left unattended. Reports show Sandlin had more than 130 injuries. The children's mother Whitney Weathers, 26, is serving a prison term of up to eight years after pleading guilty to child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury. Weathers admitted that she and Lail secured the children in car seats and placed them in closets often leaving them home alone when they went out. Lail will serve up to 22 years in prison, with an additional 300 days for non-felonious child abuse.

Catawba County has confirmed the sixth case of rabies this year. On Friday Animal Services received a call from a citizen in Maiden who observed a skunk exhibiting abnormal behavior. The skunk came into close contact with her two dogs and two additional dogs in the area. The skunk was sent to the State Public Health Lab in Raleigh, which notified Catawba County Tuesday that the skunk tested positive for rabies. The four dogs were up-to-date on their vaccinations, but Animal Services officers advised the dog owners to provide a rabies booster for the dogs and to keep them under observation for 45 days.

The Crawdads and Texas Rangers announced Tuesday plans for a series of improvements to LP Frans Stadium for the 2018 season. Improvements include a new stadium video board in right center field, an entirely new playing season, new protective netting behind home plate, a totally rebuilt outfield wall and renovated first and third base dugouts. The Rangers will provide the initial funding of about $1 million dollars for the 2018 stadium improvements with the City of Hickory reimbursing the club that amount over the next 2 years. The Rangers also announced that the team plans to make future improvements to LP Frans Stadium in areas such as food service and maintenance equipment that will be fully funded by the Rangers.

Morganton Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division continues to look for two suspects wanted in an armed robbery at Kay Jewelers. Officers responded to the store in the Morganton Heights Shopping Center. Two male suspects entered the store, one brandishing a handgun while the other suspect smashed display cases with a hammer. The pair left the business with an undetermined amount of jewelty. Their getaway vehicle was found a short time and distance away on Henredon Road.

An initial investigation by the State Highway Patrol indicates that a vehicle crossed the center line and struck a school bus Monday afternoon in Eastern Burke County. The News Herald reports that the wreck occurred about 4:30 on Miller Bridge Road. A car, driven by Wendy Michelle Clarke, struck a bus with eight Icard Elementary students. One student and the bus driver, Brenda Robbins, were evaluated at a hospital. The Highway Patrol told the News Herald that the bus's camera footage will be used to determine charges. Icard Township Fire Rescue and Burke EMS assisted at the scene.

Authorities are looking for a missing McDowell County teenager. McDowell officials need the public's help in locating 17-year-old Makayla Nicole Cline. Reports say she was last seen on Hidden Lake Parkway in Nebo around 10pm Thursday. Cline is described as a white female, 5'2", and weighing about 145 pounds. She has short straight brown hair, brown eyes, has braces on her teeth, and a tatoo on her upper right arm. Anyone having information concerning Cline's whereabouts should call the McDowell County Sheriff's Office at 652-2235.

An America's "Most Wanted" Fugitive is arrested in Burke County. A Montana fugitive on the run for more than eight years, and featured on America's Most-Wanted, was placed in the McDowell County Jail following his arrest Thursday in Connelly Springs. Clarence Edward Henderson was arrested by members of the Burke County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the U.S.Marshal's Service Violent Offender Task Force from Asheville. Henderson was convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon and was scheduled to appear for sentencing in May 2009 in Montana. Henderson reportedly failed to appear in court and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Considered armed and dangerous, Henderson was featured on John Walsh's national TV show in 2011, but was able to elude authorities. Through evidence gathered, officials determined that Henderson was living under the name of Chris Danjou in Connelly Springs. Authorities witnessed Henderson leave his Laurelwood Street residence as a passenger in a vehicle. The vehicle was stopped and Henderson was identified and arrested. Henderson was transported to the McDowell County Jail where he was detained pending his court proceedings.

Morganton Department of Public Safety responded  to a reported residential fire just before 8:30pm Wednesday. The fire began in the basement, under a work bench, quickly spreading to the ceiling area of the basement with fire extension in an upstairs bedroom. The cause of the fire could not be determined due to the extent of the fire in the basement area. There were no injuries. The American Red Cross responded to assist the family with temporary living arrangements. Quick notification by neighbors was essential to enabling the fire department to arrive in a timely manner preventing catastrophic damage. Burke County Emergency Service assisted at the scene as well.

A reported break-in turns into a homicide in the Dysartsville community. A news release Wednesday, states the Burke County Sheriff's Office received a breaking and entering in progress just past 7:30am yesterday on the Goldmine Road.  Deputies arrived at the residence to discover a white male dead from a gunshot wound. Officers obtained a search warrant, and called in the SBI to assist. the Morganton News Herald is reporting that an arrest has been made in the case. Steven Adam Taylor, 38, of Goldmine Road, has been charged with the murder of Kevin Lewis McSheffrey, Jr.

Marion Police continue to look for a robbery suspect. Just before midnight on October 23rd, what appeared to be a black male brandishing a knife entered the old M & M Supermarket on the Five Lane and demanded money from the safe and register. When the clerk was unable to open the safe or register, the suspect fled. Anyone with information on the incident or suspect is asked to contact Detective Morgan with the Marion Police Department at 652-5205 or McDowell County Crime Stoppers at 652-7463.

To view 2017 Election Results view the Facebook Page, The BigDawg92.1FM.

A Granite Falls man dies from an apparent gunshot wound Monday night. Hickory Police responded to 929 Main Avenue SW to a report of a possible shooting. Upon arrival, officers located the victim, Michael Bryan Gardner, 27, deceased from a gunshot wound. Reports sat Gardner had been involved in an altercation with a known subject; however, no charges have been filed yet. The investigation is continuing. Anyone having information regarding the incident should contact Hickory Police at 828-328-5551.

The fifth case of rabies this year has been confirmed this year in Catawba County. On Friday, Catawba County Animal Services received a call from a citizen in Catawba whose dogs interacted with a recently deceased skunk. The skunk was sent to the State Public Health Lab in Raleigh, which notified Catawba County Tuesday that the skunk tested positive for rabies, according to Catawba County Public Information.

Today is Election Day. Polls will be open from 6:30am till 7:30. Voters must go to their assigned precinct. WMNC News will provide results after the polls close.

A Catawba man has been charged with murder in a weekend incident that left another man dead. Tony Brittain II, 45, of Claremont has been charged in the shooting death of Kevin Ray Heafner,28, also of Claremont. Reports with the Catawba County Sheriff's Office indicate Brittain went to Hefner's home Saturday night to collect a drug debt. Published reports say at some point during the visit, Hefner was shot once in the chest. Catawba Sheriff's officers continue to investigate while detectives are still conducting interviews and gathering information. Meanwhile, some of Brittains's family contend the shooting was in self-defense. His probable cause hearing is set for November 27th.

Several sentencing cases were heard last Thursday in Burke and Caldwell Superior Court.
In Burke County Superior Court, Jason Miller, 21, of Lenoir was given an active prison term of four to six years following his plea to robbery with a dangerous weapon and second-degree kidnapping.
In Caldwell County Superior Court, Michael Brandon Beane, 32, will spend the next six years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple criminal charges and admitting to being a habitual felon. Richard Allen Clemmons, 48, of Newton, was sentenced to a prison term of three to five years after pleading guilty to felony B/E a motor vehicle, obtaining property by false pretense and admitting his habitual felon status and Shawn Henry McLean, 39, of Lenoir, was given an active prison sentence of two to four years after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine and admission of habitual felon status.

Two Connelly Springs men were sentenced this week in Burke County Superior Court. On Monday, Dean Allen Yancey, 63, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and two counts of discharging a weapon into occupied premises. Yancey was sentenced to spend seven to 11 years in prison, and was given an additional suspended sentence of 29-47 months with 36 months of probation. On Wednesday, Frankie Lee Hollar, 51, pleaded guilty to six counts of second-degree exploitation of a minor. Hollar was given an active prison term of six to 10 years and an additional suspended sentence of six to 10 years with 60 months of probation.

An inmate, who escaped during a medical appointment Wednesday afternoon in Asheville has been apprehended. Michael Lee Calloway, 42, was taken into custody by Asheville Police Thursday in Biltmore Park. He was placed in the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $300,000 bond.
Numerous agencies assisted Asheville Police, including Biltmore Forest and Biltmore estate Police, Buncombe and Henderson County Sheriff's Departments. State Highway Patrol, National Park Service, Broad River Voluntter Fire Department and Rescue along with the Asheville Fire Department.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Thursday, announced the state's first flu-related deaths of the 2017-18 season. Two adults, one from the Piedmont and the other in Eastern North Carolina, died of complications from influenza infection from mid-to-late October. The CDC recommends yearly vaccination against the flu for everyone 6 months and older. For the second year in a row, the CDC is recommending the injectable vaccine instead of the nasal spray because of concerns about the nasal spray's effectiveness.

The fall time change officially takes place at 2am Sunday. As you set your clocks back 1 hour, Hickory Firefighters want to remind you to make another change that could save your life - changing the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Changing smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries at least once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce tragic deaths and injuries, according to the Hickory Fire Department. 

McDowell authorities nab a Marion man on drug charges. James Boyd Woodard, Jr., 22 was charged with numerous drug possession offenses and resisting a public officer by McDowell deputies. Officers were reportedly searching for a different subject when Woodard spotted officials and fled on foot, leading lawmen on a short chase before being apprehended.Upon being searched, 53.4 grams of marijuana, 2.1 grams of meth and drug paraphernalia was discovered in Woodard's possession.

September unemployment figures have been released and the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metro rate was 3.8%., with Asheville having the lowest metro rate in the state at 3.3%. Area county rates include Alexander at 3.3%, Avery 3.7, Burke 3.8, Caldwell 4%, Catawba 3.7, Lincoln 3.5, McDowell 3.6 and Watauga 3.4%. Scotland County had the highest September unemployment rate in the state at 6.9% while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.1%, according to figures released Wednesday, by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

The Linville Gorge Information Cabin is closing out the 2017 season with a celebration Saturday. From Noon until 3pm, recreation specialists from the Forest Service and partner organizations, will be on hand to talk about the proposal to improve the sustainability of the trail system in Linville Gorge. The Information Cabin, located at the north end of Old Hwy 105 (Kistler Memorial Highway), provides visitors with area information as well as maps and camping gear for sale.

Both of the Beanstalk Adventure playgrounds at Catawba Meadows Park in Morganton will be closed for maintenance starting Sunday. The City is staining all the wood at both playgrounds. The playgrounds will be closed for at least a week to allow the stain to dry thoroughly.

A Nebo man has been charged with murder in a shooting incident from January in McDowell County. Deputies discovered John Christopher Hubbard, 28, of Nebo dead from a gunshot wound to the chest in the early morning hours of January 18th. Hubbard was found at the home of Justin Ryan Fowler, 27, who told authorities that morning, that Hubbard shot himself. After conducting numerous interviews and examining evidence, officials determined the wound was not self-inflicted. Investigators say evidence indicated the two men argued over a missing electronic tablet. Reports say the argument progressed when Fowler allegedly hit Hubbard in the head, and then shot him in the head with a small caliber handgun.

!83 people cast ballots Tuesday, according to the Burke County Board of Elections Office. Early voting continues today, Thursday and Friday from 8am-5pm at the five Burke County locations. The final early voting day on Saturday is from 8am-1pm. No early voting on Monday and Election Day is Tuesday with voting at your regular precinct.