A Hickory man stabbed himself last Thursday while police officers were searching his residence.

Hickory Police had reportedly executed a search warrant at the Arrowhead Drive residence of 29-year-old Vincent Paul Deritis.

Authorities say at some point Deritis gained access to a knife and stabbed himself in the chest.

He has been charged with felony second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

Deritis was transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center for his injury.

He was arrested Sunday after being discharged from the hospital.

Deritis was issued a 50-thousand dollar bond.

In anticipation of spring break and prom season, the Highway Patrol is conducting Operation Drive 

to Live, an annual campaign to reduce collisions involving teen drivers. This week, troopers are 

stepping up their enforcement in and around school zones between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m.each day. This 

year, the State Highway Patrol is focusing on distracted driving, one of the leading causes of teen-

related crashes.

District 13 has been awarded  first place in Best Overall Division Wildflower program by NCDOT.

The Wildflower Awards were given to beds that bloomed in 2018. Division 13 includes the counties of Burke, McDowell, Mitchell, Rutherford, Yancey, Buncombe and Madison.

The awards, sponsored by The Garden Club of North Carolina, recognize the efforts of NCDOT staff who carry out North Carolina's wildflower program, and enhance the overall appearance and environmental quality of the state's highways.

The District Attorney's Office has a new Web site and Facebook page.

The Web site, BurkeCaldwellCatawbaDA.com, provides information and links to resources for the community and victims.

The Facebook page, BurkeCaldwellCatawbaDA, will be regularly updated with local events and information that will help the public engage with the local law enforcement community, according to a news release from the DA's Office.