A Maiden man is arrested again after an indictment by the Lincoln County Grand jury on additional charges related to sex offenses last April.

53-yeat-old Daniel Ray Harris turned himself in to Lincoln authorities on charges of felony first degree kidnapping, felony sexual activity by a substitute parent and felony child abuse involving a sex act.

He was placed under a 150-thousand dollar unsecured bond, finger printed, and released.

Harris was originally charged last April by Lincoln detectives with statutory rape and indecent liberties with a minor.

Then Randolph County also charged him with felony statutory rape for a related case.

Harris was arrested again on Tuesday following the most recent indictment.

His next court appearance is February 3^rd.

Hickory Police is requesting the public’s help in identifying a second suspect connected to the murder of Andres Moscotte last Thursday.

The surveillance photos released today show a black male wearing a jean jacket, with a dark hood and dark toboggan and wearing khaki pants inside a store.

  

Officials haven’t stated how he may be connected to the case.

Jalen Witherspoon turned himself into authorities Sunday and is being held without bond under first-degree murder charges.

Moscotte was found outside his Hickory residence last week deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.

A domestic dispute in Lincoln County last week left a man injured and facing charges.

Reports say the dispute involved a physical altercation between a woman and her brother at a residence on Finger Merrick Trail.

During the argument, the woman reportedly used a knife in self-defense against her brother who had pushed her down and was trying to strangle her.

36-year-old Stephen Dwayne Gavin was transported by EMS to an area hospital where reports say he underwent surgery for a stab wound.

Gavin was released yesterday and taken into custody by the Lincoln Sheriff’s Office.

He was charged with felony assault by strangulation, assault on a female, and communicating threats.

Gavin was jailed under a 17-thousand-500 dollar secured bond.

Health experts from the state department of health and human services are working with the CDC and local health departments in closely monitoring the corona-virus that originated in China.

The first case in the US was reported January 21^st in Washington state, and to date there are five confirmed cases in the country.

So far, there are no confirmed cases in NC.

The risk to the general public in NC is currently considered low reports say.

The state department of health and human services continues to provide guidance to state and local health agencies, health care providers, and the general public.

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office is looking for Mary Ann Lane, who  

has several active warrants for stolen warrants. Lane may be in the company

of Kenneth Pearcy who also has active warrants for arrest. Anyone with

information is asked to call the Burke County Sheriff’s Office at

438-5500 or Morganton/Burke Crime Stoppers at 437-3333.

Lincoln County Sheriff's detectives are seeking the public's help in locating a

Denver man, missing since January 16th. 38-year-old Rene Garcia Gomez, of

Grassy Creek Road, was last seen about 7 a.m. leaving to go to work. He is

described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 175 pounds, with brown eyes and hair

and did not take his medication with him. Gomez drives a 2004 Mitsubishi

Endeavor,gray in color with NC license tag DED-2036. He is known to frequent

big box stores in Hickory and Mooresville. Anyone with information on the

whereabouts of Gomez is asked to call the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office at

704-732-9050.

A Morganton woman authorities reported was on the run after not showing up for sentencing last week is now in custody.

35-year-old Brandy Nicole Davis was to have had a court appearance Wednesday for her suspected involvement in a 2016 double murder.

Davis along with three others was charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of two men found dead inside a burned-out vehicle on Canoe Creek Way in Morganton.

A news release states Davis is now charged with two counts of felony accessory after the fact and failure to appear.

No details about Davis’ most recent arrest have been released.

Test results are negative for a possible coronavirus case in North Carolina.

The State Division of Public Health is reporting that negative results were

received Saturday night about a patient being tested for the virus.

Coronavirus infections initially were diagnosed in a city in China, and have since

been reported in travelers to other locations in China and other countries including

the U.S. No cases have been identified in North Carolina.

A man turned himself to Hickory Police Sunday in connection with a fatal

shooting Thursday night. Police responded about 8:15 to 22^nd Street Northeast

where they discovered 23-year-old Andres Moscotte lying in the yard deceased

from an apparent shotgun wound. Jalen Jakee Witherspoon surrendered

yesterday and was served with a warrant for first degree murder. He was placed

in the Catawba County Jail under no bond.

Caldwell County Schools is one of four Western North Carolina school systems

awarded grant monies from the North Carolina General Assembly. Caldwell

County Schools received grant funds in the amount of $46,040. The grant program

is under the Coding and Mobile App Development Grant Program launched in

2017. Other WNC grant awards include, Asheville-Buncombe-Madison

Consortium, $80,000. Cherokee County Schools, about $42,000 and Rutherford

County Schools just under $34,000.

Drug trafficking charges imposed on a pair in McDowell County after being stopped for having a fictitious license plate.

28-year-old Joseph Devon Miller of Nebo and 29-year-old Megan Michelle Moseley of Bakersville were both charged with two counts of trafficking in meth and several additional possession charges.

Miller was also served with outstanding warrants for probation violations, and Moseley was also charged with identity theft and outstanding warrants for failure to appear.

As detectives searched their vehicle, meth, heroin and prescription pills were found.

An investigation that reportedly began last October, leads to the arrest of a man in Lenoir.

Reports from the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office say 55-year-old Martin Van Driver is charged with two counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

The State Bureau of Investigation’s Computer-Crimes Unit assisted local officials in the 3-month long investigation.

Driver was arrested and taken to the Caldwell Detention Center and placed under a 500-thousand dollar bond.

 Burke County authorities are on the lookout for a felony suspect previously arrested for her involvement in a 2016 double-murder.

A news release from the Burke Sheriff’s Office says 35-year-old Brandy Nicole Davis of Jamestown Road Morganton had been scheduled to appear in Burke County Superior Court Wednesday for sentencing; but failed to show.

Davis along with Scott Hemphill, Brian Robinson, and Icey Gooden were arrested as suspects in the murders that were reported on September 18^th 2016.

Davis is described as a black female, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs 230 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes.

According to the release, she has multiple tattoos on both hands and forearms.

In addition to previous charges – two felony counts of accessory after the fact, Davis now faces a charge of failure to appear.

The Burke Sheriff’s Office emphasizes for the public to never attempt to apprehend a fugitive yourself – should you have information on Davis’ whereabouts call the Burke Sheriff’s Office at 438-5500 or Morganton/Burke Crimestoppers at 437-3333.

All Crimestoppers tips are anonymous, and information leading to an arrest may result in a cash reward.

A former Alexander County school teacher has been charged after officials say she assaulted a student with a disability.

45-year-old Dottie Lynn Bailey is charged with misdemeanor assault on a handicapped person.

Reports say Bailey is accused of assaulting and striking a student with a disability by forcefully grabbing her arm and spanking her on December 13^th.

Bailey was reportedly a teacher at Hiddenite Elementary School until she resigned in December following the incident.

She was formally charged January 16^th and given a 5-thousand dollar bond.

A Hudson man was sentenced Friday in Caldwell County Superior Court for felony

trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

26-year-old Jakime Raheime Whiteside will serve a prison sentence of six to eight

years following his guilty plea to the charges against him. Whiteside previously had

been convicted of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance in McDowell

County from 2017.

A Terrell man faces sex charges from the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. Early 

Tuesday morning, the Sheriff’s Office reported charges on 31-year-old Zackary 

Allen Blackenship of four counts of indecent liberties with a child, three counts  

of first degree sexual offense and one count of first degree rape of a child. 

A Vale man is charged with numerous offenses by Hickory Police. The arrest 

Sunday of 34-year-old Michael James Notheisen included charges of possession 

of a firearm by a felon, carrying a concealed gun, various drug charges and  

three FTA offenses. Bond was set at $248,000.

Lenoir-Rhyne basketball is hosting its inaugural Teddy Bear toss this Saturday at 

halftime of the men’s basketball game. The women’s game will tip off at 2 pm,  

followed by the men’s game at 4. Fans are asked to bring new, plush teddy bears for 

complimentary admission to the games. Bears collected will be donated to local 

organizations, including social services, police and fire departments among others. 

A homeless man was burned in an accidental fire Monday morning near a Morganton restaurant.

A news release from Morganton Public Safety says the man identified as Bennett Deaton was transported by Burke EMS to an area hospital shortly before 5 o’clock.

Reports say he was treated for burns to his arm, hand, and side of his face.

While sleeping underneath a bridge near McDonald’s on West Union Street, reports say Deaton kicked over a kerosene heater he was using to keep warm.

The heater reportedly ignited the area under the bridge that was extinguished by fire personnel from public safety.

The release states Deaton’s dog, a brown and white pit bull mix that answers to the name ‘DJ’ ran from the scene and has not yet been located.

Officials say if you should locate the dog, do not try to approach it but call Morganton Public Safety at 437-1211.

The incident remains under investigation.

Winter is notoriously a difficult time to collect enough blood and platelet donations to meet patient needs.

American Red Cross officials report this year is no exception.

Right now, the Red Cross has a critical type-O blood shortage and urgently needs donors of all blood types – especially types O negative and O positive.

Officials say influenza has escalated across the country preventing some donors from giving; while winter weather continues to cancel some blood drives.

Currently the Red Cross reports it has less than a 3-day supply of type O blood available for patient emergencies and medical treatments.

While just 7-percent of the US population has type O negative blood, it can be transfused to patients with any blood type and is what hospital staff typically reach for in emergencies when there isn’t time to determine a patient’s blood type.

Upcoming donation opportunities this week include –

Today  -  10 am until 2:30 pm at McDowell Tech in Marion

Friday  -   Noon to 5 pm at Deer Park Health and Rehab in Nebo

And Saturday  -   Noon to 4:30 pm at the Walmart in Marion on Sugar Hill Road.

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

Authorities in two nearby counties are asking for the public’s help in locating missing teenagers.

In Lincoln County a 16-year-old girl went missing from her home Friday.

Kylie Felice Almstead was last seen at her home on Asbury Church Road.

She is a white female with brown hair and green eyes, stands 4 feet 11 and weighs about 125 pounds, and has several ear and nose piercings.

Kylie may be wearing gray sweatpants, a hoodie and black and white shoes.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts should call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 704-732-9050.

And in another case –

Forest City Police report 14-year-old David Siemon was last seen Friday at his home on Arlington Street.

Reports say Siemon is a diabetic and is dependent on insulin.

He is described as a white male, 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighs 130 pounds, has short straight brown hair and hazel eyes.

He may be wearing a black hoodie and black jeans.

Siemon’s mother reports he may have a firearm.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to call the Rutherford County Communications Center at 828-286-2911.

Contractors will be working in several areas around the city Tuesday and Wednesday to install i-tracker smart wastewater sensors for Morganton’s wastewater system.

Crews will be working in the areas of Curtis Street, Vinearden Road, Butler Street, Powe Street, Linville Street, and Center Street.

No interruption to water service is expected.

The new sensors will monitor in-flow and infiltration in the wastewater system.

State health officials continue to emphasize the importance of getting a flu vaccination.

The NC Department of Health and Human Services announced earlier this month the season’s first child flu death – the same week that eleven people died statewide after suffering from flu symptoms.

Health experts report this year’s flu season is shaping up to be more severe than last year’s.

They also state this year’s vaccine isn’t any match for the virus, but getting the shot still creates a shield from the many circulating strands.

The CDC reports mostly Influenza B viruses are circulating, that can more commonly cause severe illness in children.

A Marion woman is found to possess drugs during a recent vehicle stop.

23-year-old Savannah Breeze Kevorkian of Gilbert Street was a passenger inside a car stopped by McDowell officers for having an expired tag.

A search turned up 2-point27 grams of meth on Kevorkian.

She was in turn, charged with possession of meth.

A multi-agency training exercise took place at a Catawba County charter bus company last week.

The Hickory Police SWAT team, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s SWAT team, York County, a SC SWAT team, along with officers from the Department of Homeland Security TSA Inspectors took part in the large-scale training at Christian Tours in Newton.

Officers were trained in incidents involving hostage takeover in public and private transportation.

The teams used a number of different scenarios on immobilizing a large 52-passenger charter bus down to a 12-passenger van.

McDowell County Commissioners this week declare support for gun owners’ rights.

The board unanimously approved a measure Tuesday declaring McDowell a sanctuary county for the Second Amendment.

Board members report county residents requested the vote in light of similar action taken in nearby counties.

McDowell Commissioners say the move is symbolic, but it also affirms their support of the Second Amendment.

McDowell is one of three NC counties that have established similar resolutions in the last week.

The City of Morganton has cancelled the Red, White and Blue Festival. The City will

hold its annual free July 4th celebration featuring music, food, activities for kids, and

a fireworks show at Catawba Meadows Park. The City of Morganton decided to

cancel the Red, White and Blue festival after several years of declining attendance

and revenue.

Three recent Western Piedmont Community College graduates were awarded

scholarships given by the State Employees Credit Union. Yanira Cristobel and

Edward Nathan Robinson were graduates of the Nurse Aide I program and

Robert Lucas "Luke" Howard, a graduate of the EMT Training Program earned

SECU Bridge to Career Workforce Develpment Scholarships.

WPCC is also seeking nominations from the community for the 2019 Outstanding

Alumnus Award to be presented in the spring. For an online nomination form, visit

Wpcc.edu/foundation, or for a hard copy form, call 448-3122. Nomination forms should

be submitted by March 16^th. 

A Marion man wanted for a December 13th pepper spray attack and subsequent robbery is now behind bars, but not before leading deputies on a foot chase Wednesday.

20-year-old Brandon Lee Kimbrell was arrested near his home on Jacktown Road after officers received information on his whereabouts.

Kimbrell fled on foot into a wooded area in an attempt to elude officers; however, he was apprehended a short time later.

Kimbrell was charged with two counts of assault and battery and one count each of assault on a female, common law robbery, larceny of a firearm and resisting a public officer.

Reports say Kimbrell and an accomplice previously jailed, went to a Nebo residence, pepper sprayed the three occupants there, and made off with a firearm.

Hope you enjoyed this weeks mild weather.

Much colder air has arrived and will stick around into next week.

Today’s highs will top out in the 40’s with clouds returning.

Most of the area will get chilly rain Saturday, while a mix of rain and snow in the higher elevations is possible early Saturday morning.

And expect a drastic cool down for next week – Rays Weather-dot-com predicting Monday’s high in the 30’s, with a low in the teens.

A driver who reports say left a hit-and-run incident in Burke County Wednesday

morning led state troopers on a lengthy chase.

28-year-old Roger Desmond Burns the third of Fort Mill,reportedly traveled I-40 East into Catawba County.

Published reports say troopers were able to maneuver Burns’ vehicle into the median twice before it crashed between exits 123 and 125.

According to reports, Burns jumped the interstate railing and fled on foot after the crash.

Officers gave chase and arrested him on Highway 70 in Hickory.

Reports state charges are pending.

The Lenoir Police Department is launching a voluntary alarm registration program in efforts to help reduce the number of false alarm calls in the city.

Police officials report sending officers to false alarms takes up time that could be spent patrolling the city or answering other legitimate calls.

Officers say a few common causes for false alarms are pets, defective alarms, and problems with motion sensors.

Lenoir Police is asking residents and business owners with alarms in the city limits to register their alarms.

If a property has three false alarms within six months, an officer will contact the owner to discuss the issue.

Officials also recommend that property owners maintain their alarm systems and keep pets confined when away from the home.

For more information on how to register your alarm, go to the Lenoir Police website or contact Danielle Gainey at 757-2130.

McDowell County authorities are on the lookout for a convicted felon who allegedly stole a gun.

28-year-old Landon Dale Foster of Sherwood Forest Drive in Nebo is wanted for larceny of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon.

On December 18^th, Marvin Branch of US 70 East in Nebo reported that Foster came to his house and stole a firearm.

Branch told deputies he was acquainted with Foster.

Sheriff’s detectives have not been able to locate Foster to serve him with outstanding warrants.

Anyone having information about his whereabouts should contact Detective Robert Watson at 652-2237.

Duke Energy Carolinas is asking state regulators to approve its request to raise rates for NC customers that would significantly increase users’ bills beginning July 2020.

The state’s public utilities commission is holding the second of a series of public hearings regarding Duke’s application to raise electric rates.

The hearing will be held at the Burke County Courthouse 201 South Green Street Morganton Thursday January 16^th at 7 pm.

For residential customers; if approved, the increase will amount to no less than 6-point-7 percent.

Officials say Thursday’s hearing will be the best opportunity for the public to weigh in on the company’s request.

A Caldwell County firefighter was injured while battling a house fire Sunday morning.

Reports say the fire occurred on Sheriffs Road just before 8 am.

The firefighter was hurt as a set of steps gave way as he was working to put out the flames.

He was reportedly transported to an area hospital, treated and released.

Investigators say no one was at home when the fire took place.

 McDowell Sheriff's investigators need the public's help in solving three break-ins and

thefts. On November 18th, someone took about $4,600 worth of tools and wiring from

a construction site on Lackeytown Road in Old Fort. Cameron Proctor of Ridge Road

in Marion, reported on November 28th, that coins, a rifle, various knives and two

cameras worth $925, were taken from his residence and on December 1st, Michael

Ray of Beaver Creek Road, Marion, reported that someone stole two handguns,

valued at over $1,100. Anyone with information concerning the crimes or suspects

is asked to call Detective Robert Watson at 652-2237.

Lieutenant Greg Stevenson has been named the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office

Employee of the Year for 2019. He was promoted last year to lieutenant of support services

which oversees, courts, transports, schools, K-9’s, animal control, lake patrol, and

environmental services. Stevenson started with the Sheriff’s Office in 1999. 

Burke County hospitals have implemented a flu policy that began Wednesday..

Atrium Health is restricting hospital access for visitors 12 years old and younger at all of its’ greater-Charlotte area in patient hospitals.

The restrictions are a result of the growing prevalence of flu cases in the region according to a release from Atrium.

Carolina’s Health Care System Blue Ridge Morganton and Valdese hospitals are included in the restrictions.

Atrium officials also urge those having flu-like symptoms to help control the spread of illness by not visiting patients in the hospital while symptoms persist.

A traffic stop nets a meth possession arrest for McDowell County officers.

42-year-old Sonia Renee Strickland of Gable Drive in Marion was a passenger in a vehicle stopped for traffic violations.

Reports say Strickland was found with 1-point-85 grams of meth.

Meanwhile, McDowell investigators need the public’s help in identifying a man believed to have passed a fraudulent check at a Marion store on New Year’s Day.

Reports indicate the suspect entered Shuford’s Convenience on US 70 West, bought cigarettes, a drink, and snacks and gave the cashier a check for 322-dollars and 78 cents.

Officials say it was obvious the check had been altered.

Anyone having information about the incident or identity of the suspect should contact McDowell detective Ballew at 652-2237.

Two people were airlifted Monday morning from a head-on collision near the John’s River bridge on NC18-US 64.

Highway Patrol reports say 26-year-old Zackary Netherton of Jay Clark Road was traveling north when he fell asleep and crossed the center line further striking an on-coming minivan.

The driver of the minivan, 56-year-old Angela Grayson of Pax Hill Road was airlifted to a Charlotte hospital with reported serious injuries.

A passenger in Netherton’s vehicle, 2-year-old Brittany Brigman was also airlifted to Charlotte with leg fractures.

Reports state the toddler was buckled up, but was not restrained properly.

Netherton was reportedly charged with careless driving and a child restraint violation.

Burke County EMS, Chesterfield Fire and Rescue, and Burke REACT assisted at the scene.

A Statesville man faces numerous charges after leading Hickory officers on a high-speed chase Sunday morning.

Reports say Hickory Police attempted a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 127 and South Center Street suspecting the vehicle in question may have been stolen.

28-year-old Sean Thomas Lewis fled from authorities with the chase reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour according to reports.

Lewis eventually lost control of the auto crashing into an embankment at an estimated 90-miles-per-hour upon impact.

Lewis reportedly ran on foot from the accident to a building behind a residence on 15^th Avenue Circle Southeast where he was located and arrested an hour after the crash.

Officials say Lewis sustained injuries in the accident.

The arrest report states he was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, breaking and entering, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting a public officer, speeding to elude arrest, and other driving offenses.

Lewis’ bond was set at 27-thousand-500 dollars.

A pilot and three children were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries following a small plane crash in Rutherford County Sunday night.

Emergency officials say the plane crashed into a wooded area near the Rutherford County and Polk County line around 5 pm.

Reports say the plane had left the Hendersonville Airport on a demonstration flight.

Three of the plane’s occupants were taken to Mission Hospital while one was taken to St. Luke’s in Columbus.

Firefighters on the scene say the plane never caught fire, but a small fuel leak had to be contained.

The FAA began their investigation into the crash Monday morning.

Fire ravaged through a well-known Morganton body shop lot on Tuesday night destroying some 50 cars.

About 12 minutes before the new year was ushered in, fire crews from four departments were called to Morrison’s Body Shop at 723 East Meeting Street.

Reports say the burned cars were scheduled to go to a salvage yard.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation; however, business owners suspect the blaze started as area homeless people were trying to keep warm.

Firefighters from Morganton Public Safety with assistance from Salem, Triple Community, and Lake James fire departments remained on the fire scene for more than eight hours.

There were no injuries.

A Pete Brittain Road resident reported being shot in the ankle while inside his home as the new year came in.

A news release from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office states the individual was shot as he lay in his bed around midnight Tuesday.

Reports say the trajectory indicated the bullet entered a wall at the residence.

Several neighbors reported hearing the shot, but the shooter hasn’t been identified.

The initial investigation reveals no motivation for the shot to have been intentional.

The release states the victim did not sustain life-threatening injuries.

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office encourages firearm safety – anyone shooting a firearm should act responsibly and safely, and to be certain of where the bullet will be traveling.

Anyone having information about the incident should call the Burke Sheriff’s Office at 438-5500.

A Marion man is found with a trafficking amount of pain pills.

56-year-old Perry Todd Conner of Greasy Creek Road is charged by McDowell officers with trafficking in opium or heroin.

Reports say on December 13^th, authorities with the McDowell Sheriff’s Office, Marion Police, and the NC SBI along with assistance in the case by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office searched Conner’s home after receiving information he was distributing pills.

The search turned up 44 Roxicodone pills, other pain meds, and 18 firearms.