An alleged shoplifter at a Nebo discount store was arrested on drug possession charges.

34-year-old Renee Denise Smith of 4779 US 70 East in Nebo is charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A deputy with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office happened to be at the Dollar General on NC 126 doing a separate investigation, when the store’s clerk reported a female shopper had put something in her purse.

A subsequent search of Smith and her belongings reportedly turned up 1-point-6 grams of meth and items of drug paraphernalia.

With the cold and flu season upon us, the Burke Substance Abuse Network announces a free over-the-counter medicine giveaway.

The giveaway is Friday November 16^th 9 am till 2 pm at the Collett Street Recreation Center 300 Collett Street Morganton.

Free over the counter meds include cold, cough and flu medicine, band-aids, pain and allergy relief, vitamins, children’s meds and much more while supplies last.

You must be 18 or older to receive the meds.

You can also obtain additional information about NC Med-Assist free pharmacy program and free health screenings.

Burke Recovery will be on site dispensing free lock boxes.

City utility customers will not be able to pay their bills online or by phone Saturday, Nov. 17, beginning at 8 a.m., due to scheduled maintenance on the payment portal services.

The scheduled maintenance is expected to last up to eight hours, and online payment portal services will resume once maintenance is completed.

Other payment options are available.

Customers can visit Morganton City Hall any time between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and pay in-person at the customer service desk, or drop their payment in the designated drop boxes at Morganton City Hall.