An Alexander County man and his girlfriend charged in connection with the murder of a mother and her two children were formally indicted by the grand jury Tuesday.

Reports say Areli Avilez and Heidi Wolfe of Wilkesboro were each indicted on three counts of first-degree murder.

Avilez is additionally charged with one count of statutory rape of a child 15 years old or younger, one count of violating a domestic violence order with a deadly weapon, and first-degree arson.

Investigators report the rape charge is not connected to those Avilez is accused of murdering.

Wolfe reportedly also faces an additional charge of first-degree arson.

Authorities responding to a mobile home fire late on the evening of June 15^th discovered the bodies of 11-year-old Angel Pacheco and 12-year-old America Pacheco inside the home.

Reports indicate the brother and sister had been shot before the fire.

Their mother, Maria Calderon was struck by a vehicle and killed before suspects allegedly threw her body into the Catawba River according to officials.

Her body has not yet been located.

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office is on the lookout for a Mooresville teen who reportedly ran away from a group home and may be in Morganton.

16-year-old Nathan Lee Holtsclaw was reported missing on June 10^th when he was last seen on foot; possibly have gotten a ride from someone.

He is described as white, 6-feet-tall, weighs 240 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

A news release states Holtsclaw has tattoos on the backs of both hands.

Reports say he is in the care of Burke Child Protective Services and has a history of running away from placement.

Holtsclaw has family in Morganton and officials suspect he is possibly residing with them.

The news release states he is safe, but is avoiding being located by law enforcement of child protective services.

Anyone having information about Holtsclaw’s whereabouts can call local law enforcement, the Iredell Sheriff’s Office at 704-878-3100 or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.

Red Cross officials urge donors of all blood types to give now to help prevent a summer blood shortage resulting in medical care delays.

More donors are needed to help ensure patients don’t have to wait for blood products.

During the summer, especially around holidays like Independence Day, donations often can’t keep pace with patient needs.

A couple of upcoming local opportunities to give –

Wednesday June 26^th Noon until 5 pm at Autumn Care of Drexel at 307 Oakland Avenue and next month July 15^th in Connelly Springs at the Carolina Rehab Center on Miller Bridge Road from 2 till 6pm.

All blood types are needed.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of ID are required at check-in.

You can make an appointment to donate by downloading the free Red Cross blood donor app by visiting Red Cross Blood dot org or by calling 1-800-red-cross.

In a special called Hickory City Council meeting Tuesday, the final component of the City Walk construction bid was awarded.

The one-point 7 mile contract has been awarded to Neill Grading and Construction contingent upon approval by the state DOT.

The 18-month contract with Neil Grading at just over 14-thousand-275 dollars is set to be completed before December 2020.

Officials say the City Walk project that began in December 2018 with relocating utilities and waterlines is on schedule.

Renovations to Union Square and the downtown block in preparation for the project began in April.