Burke County Emergency Medical Services has received an award recognizing the agency’s treatment of patients who have had severe heart attacks.

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Award acknowledges Burke EMS for implementing quality improvement measures for those suffering from heart attack.

A news release states more than 250-thousand people yearly suffer an ST elevation myocardial infarction or STEMI – the deadliest form of heart attack caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment.

Mission: Lifeline’s EMS recognition program recognizes EMS personnel for their efforts in improving systems of care to rapidly identify suspected heart attack patients, promptly notify the medical facility, and trigger an early response from awaiting hospital staff.

A month-long investigation in Caldwell County results in the arrest of three Lenoir residents on numerous drug charges.

On Wednesday, the Lenoir Police narcotic’s unit served a search warrant at 118 Carolina Drive Lenoir.

35-year-old Mario Lee Garcia, 32-year-old Alysia Annette Taylor, and 54-year-old Carl Gabriel Coffey, Junior - all three of the same Carolina Drive residence, were arrested at the scene.

While conducting a search of the home, reports say officers found and seized 2-point-7 grams of meth, 0-point-1 grams of heroin, and various articles of drug paraphernalia.

A news release states the discovered drugs were valued at 430-thousand dollars according to state guidelines.

Garcia, Taylor, and Coffey each face multiple felony drug offenses.

Each received a 100-thousand dollar secured bond with an initial court date set for Thursday.

Officials say more charges may be forthcoming.

Flash flooding and heavy rains Tuesday evening caused another sewer spill in the City of Morganton.

The spill started  just before 11:30 at a sewer junction box on Vine Arden Road near the wastewater treatment plant.

The overflow stopped just before 3 Wednesday morning, after 10-thousand-350 gallons spilled into Hunting Creek.

Water resources officials say the overflow was mostly rainwater that infiltrated the sewer system during the storm.

For concerns you may call the city’s water resources department at 438-5276.

Alexander County crews continue to search an area of the Catawba River for the body of a woman whose children were found dead in a burned mobile home last weekend.

Authorities have identified the missing woman as 38-year-old Maria Calderon, the mother of 11-year-old Angel Pacheco and 12-year-old America Pacheco.

The two children were located late Saturday night in a mobile home fire that investigators say was set on purpose.

Reports from the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office say Calderon is presumed dead, and they further suspect she and the children died before the fire was set.

According to earlier reports, Calderon’s ex-husband 30-year-old Areli Avilez along with a 16-year-old girl has been arrested.

Each is charged with three counts of first-degree murder.