Lost Cove Wildfire  

The U.S.Forest Service issued an emergency closure

for some trails in the Pisgah National Forest due to

the Lost Cove Fire in the Wilson Creek area. The fire

is located near Bee Mountain, 10 miles southeast of

Linville. The fire, reported Friday afternoon, was

estimated in a Sunday news releases at 350 acres and

10% contained. Trail closures include, Huntfish Falls,

Darkside Cliffs, Lost Cove Loop, and Timber Ridge,

including portions of the Mountain to Sea Trail between

Roseboro and Pineola Roads. The public is asked to

avoid the Lost Cove Wilderness Study Area until the

fire is contained. U.S.and North Carolina Forest Service

firefighters are responding with support from Linville

and Collettsville. The cause of the fire is under

investigation, but is suspected to be human caused.

Hickory Man Charged with Probation Violation  

A Hickory man is charged with multiple Felony

Probation Violation offenses and Failing to Appear

charges. 43-year-old David Lee Brendle was charged 

Sunday by the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office with

3 counts of Felony Probation Violation and 7 counts

of Failing to Appear in court on various charges.

Bond was set at $85,000 with a first court appearance

scheduled for Thursday.

Asheville Pedestrian Fatalities  

Asheville Police continue to investigate two recent

pedestrian fatalities. The first on December 14^th at

6:27 p.m.,involved a car driven by Brenda Pace traveling

west on Long Shoals Road, which struck Charles Call, who

was attempting to cross the road. Call was wearing dark

clothing and was not walking in a marked crosswalk.

The second pedestrian fatality occurred on December 20^th

at 10:39 p.m., when a truck operated by Jeremiah

Shiver, was traveling west on Tunnel Road near Riceville

Road, hit Stephen Funk, who wearing dark clothing and

walking across the intersection. Traffic Safety Unit

officers encourage drivers to be mindful of intersections

and roadways where pedestrian traffic is heavy.

Iredell Bridge Replacement  

NCDOT has closed a road in Iredell County until next

summer. Jennings Road is closed in both directions

between Gethsemane and Mount Vernon Church roads

while crews replace the bridge over Olin Creek. The

work is expected to be complete by late July. Traffic

is detoured to Mount Vernon Church, Friendship

and Gethsemane Roads.