A Connelly Springs man is charged with numerous drug offenses following a search of his home by local and state authorities.

Burke County Detectives along with the NC Probation and Parole searched the residence of 45-year-old Russell Eugene Pitts of 7302 Nolden Creek Road.

There they found approximately 6 ounces of meth.

Pitts was charged with several drug offenses including trafficking in meth, and possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver meth.

He received a 150-thousand-dollar secured bond and was confined at the Burke Catawba District Confinement Facility.

At least one person has died in a two-vehicle collision in Catawba County Wednesday afternoon.

A commercial truck and a passenger car collided on US 321 Business near Newton.

Reports state a witness claims the car appeared to veer into the truck.

The car reportedly caught fire and those inside the truck attempted to extinguish the fire.

The portion of the roadway has been closed to allow Newton Police to investigate the accident.

After decades of business, the Sears store in Marion is closing.

The store’s owner says the closing of the store at the Lady Marian Plaza is not related to the closings of other Sears stores across the nation.

Previous reports show employees at 29 Sears and 11 Kmart stores around the US were told in early November their locations would close by February 2019.

An article in the McDowell News says the owner has worked for the Sears company for 50 years and operated the Marion store for 40 years; and he’s ready for retirement.

The approximately 98-hundred- square foot space at the shopping center will be available by the first of January.