Investigators have determined a fire to be ‘suspicious’ that ripped through a historic campground in Catawba County Sunday evening.

The blaze broke out at the Balls Creek campground destroying 30-percent of the site according to fire officials.

Reports say 40 tents were destroyed while 9 others sustained damage.

Because of the historic and religious significance of the campground, the investigation into the cause of the fire is being handled jointly by authorities from the SBI, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, along with Catawba County investigators.

Anyone with information about the case should call the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office at 464-5241.

The US Forest Service has requested additional resources to WNC to help combat potential wildfires.

Because of recent weather trends, firefighting resources are being sent from Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

In the month of September, reports say state forest officials responded to 330 fires throughout the state, with 71-percent of those happening in the last two weeks.

The Catawba Valley region is not under a burning ban currently; however officials are urging citizens to refrain from burning until there is significant rainfall.

Work has begun on a new residential and commercial development project in downtown Hickory.

Officials report the project entails a 19-million dollar mixed-use development that will include 95 apartments and 84-hundred square feet of retail space along Main Avenue Northwest.

The City of Hickory last month agreed to help One North Center- the company undertaking the project, by spending 3-point-5 million dollars on structural improvements to the site.

The project should be complete by late 2020 or early 2021.

 Checking out reported drug activity, McDowell County officers locate a couple in possession of a stolen vehicle and drugs.

42-year-old Jacob Edward Finley of Marion was spotted driving a 2005 Cadillac on Still Forest Drive with 40-year-old Taniece Eleanor Wallace of Burnsville in the passenger seat.

A check of the vehicle’s tag showed that the car was reported stolen from Buncombe County.

During a search, officers also located a small amount of marijuana.

Both Finley and Wallace were charged with possessing a stolen motor vehicle and drugs.