Officials in Iredell County are looking for a suspect involved in a deadly hit-and-run accident in Statesville on Thanksgiving.

30-year-old Matthew Franklin Redden was riding a bicycle east on US 64 near Barry Oak Road, when reports say he was struck behind by a pickup truck, knocked into on-coming traffic and was then struck by an SUV.

Reports say Redden was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Highway Patrol is searching for the pickup, described as a dark-colored 1994 to 2002 Dodge Ram with a loud exhaust and a lift.

The truck may have damage to the front side and headlight area.

Anyone with information regarding the accident is urged to call 911 or the Highway Patrol at 466-5500.

The Governor has declared this as Winter Weather Preparedness Week and is encouraging North Carolinians to plan and prepare now.

Cooper urges residents to monitor changing weather conditions by listening to local media and paying close attention to winter weather advisories.

To help ensure you are ready for winter weather, state emergency management officials urge you to always keep at least a three day supply of non perishable food on hand, keep fresh batteries for radios and flashlights, and dress warmly in layers.

Remember to properly vent kerosene heaters and keep electric generators outside.

And bring your pets inside when temperatures drop below freezing.

For more information on how to prepare for winter weather, visit ready-nc-dot org online.

McDowell County Sheriff’s deputies are looking for a missing Old Fort man. 40-year-old Joseph Mark Loftis, most recently of Lavender Road, was reported missing on Thanksgiving Day. He is a white male, 6 feet 5 inches tall with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Loftis is asked to call Detective Robert Watson  at 652-2237.

The October unemployment rate for the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metro area was 3.5 %, with Asheville’s rate at 2.8%, which was the lowest metro rate in the state. Area county rates include Alexander 3.2%, Avery 3.3%, Burke 3.5%, Caldwell 3.8%, Catawba 3.4%, and McDowell 4.3%. Buncombe County had the lowest unemployment rate for October in the state at 2.7% while Hyde County had the highest at 8.8%, according to figures released last week by the N.C.Department of Commerce.

Maintenance will take place this week at a railroad crossing for Texas Fish Camp Road, Berea Church Road, Connelly Church Street and Coldwater Street. According to a news release, the road will only be closed at the Railroad Crossing. Despite the closure, the Road will be open up to the crossing in both directions so that motorists will have access. Norfolk Southern Railway will be performing maintenance on the crossing and the work is scheduled through Sunday