City of Morganton Electric crew members are helping restore power in South Carolina. Three Electric Services Department workers left Saturday morning to work in the Grand Strand area to help restore power to several thousand residents after Hurricane Matthew passed through the area. Randy Chester, Underground Supervisor, Alan Clark, Senior Lineman 3, and Matthew Ledford, Junior Lineman 1 volunteered for the job after ElectriCities and the American Public Power Association asked the City of Morganton and other public power providers in the Carolinas to provide assistance to Santee Cooper, an electric and water utility company owned by the state of South Carolina that provides power to more than 2 million SC customers. The 3 man crew is expected to be gone 5-7 days and if additional help is needed in South Carolina or Eastern North Carolina, the city plans to send other crews.

A 911 hang-up call leads to a Marion woman charged with assault and drug possession. McDowell County Sheriff 's officers responded at 2:45am September 27th to a Nebo residence, where they charged 24-year-old Brett Kaitlin Raines with assault inflicting serious injury, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officers arrived at the scene to find Raines exiting the vehicle, while the victim, 30-year-old Ashley McPeters of Marion was sitting in the driver's seat. Reports say the two had been involved in an altercation, whenever Raines allegedly cut McPeters on the leg. McPeters was transported to McDowell Hospital for treatment. Deputies also discovered a cloth bag containing syringes and .10 grams of meth lying on the ground beside the passenger side of the vehicle.

This morning at 10:05 AM WMNC AM 1430 will host a "Meet the Candidates Forum", for candidates in the Burke County Commissioner race. Candidates will be allowed a 3 minute opening statement and a closing statement of 2 minutes. Questions will originate from WMNC News and from the public by phone at 437-0521 or e-mail www.wmnc@bellsout.net. The forum will be replayed Sunday night about 6:40 on The Big Dawg 92.1 and on the internet from our website www.bigdawg92fm.com at the same time.

A man is hospitalized after a shooting in McDowell County. Just before 6:30am Friday, McDowell deputies responded to a Cannon Road residence in reference to a shooting. A resident, 54-year-old Eric Marlowe was found to have a gunshot wound. About the same time, Marion police officers were called to McDonald's on U.S.70 West. Officers reported that 53-year-old Beverly Ruth McPherson, of the same Cannon Road residence, had a gun in her possession. The Sheriff's Office report states that the couple got into a dispute and McPherson shot Marlowe, who was taken to Mission Hospital. Charges against McPherson, who was treated at McDowell Hospital, are pending. The investigation is continuing.

The National Fire Protection Association has designated this week as Fire Prevention Week - This year's theme "Don't Wait, check the date! Replace smoke alarms every 10 years." A recent survey reveals that only a small percentage of people know how old their smoke alarms are, or how often they need to be replaced. Fire officials are making a concerted effort to educate residents about the overall inportance of smoke alarms, and that they do have a life limit. The National Fire Alarm Code requires that smoke alarms be replaced at least every 10 years, but because the public is generally unaware of this requirement, many homes have smoke alarms past their expiration date - thereby putting people at increased risk. To find out how old your smoke alarm is and its expiration date, simply look on the back of the alarm where the manufacture date is marked. The smoke alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date; while fire officials say they should be tested monthly and batteries replaced once a year or whenever they begin to chirp. For more information on smoke alarms, visit firepreventionweek-dot-org.

The Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve will now officially be known as the Broyhill Equestrian Preserve. The Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show Foundation Board of Directors approved renaming the Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve to honor the Broyhill family's 1934 gift of the land, which the annual Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show has been held for 82 consecutive years. According to the Foundation's Chair, Burr Collier, honoring the Broyhill family in such a way was "an appropriate and timely decision." Information on the Broyhill Equestrian Preserve, the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show and the Blowing Rock Horse Show Foundation can be found at www.blowingrockhorses.com.

A 22-year-old Lincolnton man will spend the next 8 years in prison after pleading guilty on Thursday, to traffic-related offenses that led to the death of a Caldwell County man. Steffan Aleksander Robinson pleaded guilty to felony death by vehicle, driving while impaired, driving left of center and felony serious injury by vehicle in connection with the August 3, 2015, death of 29-year-old Tyler Finley Sims of Granite Falls. Robinson also pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine precursors from a separate charge. The Honorable Gregory R. Hayes, Superior Court Judge from Catawba County, sentenced Robinson to serve 8 to 12 years. In addition, Robinson will be required to pay $7,150 in restitution to the Sims family. Amanda Efird and Richard Helderman investigated the case for the Hickory Police Department. Melanie Earles handled prosecution for the 25th District Attorney's Office.

The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in locating a missing Hudson man. 51-year-old Joel Whitener Hart is described as 5'8' 220 pounds and last seen Friday September 30th around 9:30am at his home on Deal Lane. He was supposed to visit a friend in the Rhodhiss area, then go to an appointment in Morganton by 11am. He was last seen on a silver and blue moped and has not been seen or heard from since. If you the whereabouts of Joel Whitener Hart, call the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office at 828-758-2324 or Crimestoppers at 828-758-8300.

Hickory's Oktoberfest begins its 31st year today, with food vendors opening at Noon and the official hours from 5-11pm Saturday's schedule is 10am till 11pm and Sunday Noon-5pm. Three days of fun, food, games, crafts, and entertainment. Four stages will offer a diverse lineup of local and regional entertainment. For more information visit http://www.hickoryoktoberfest.com

The old Mountain View Elementary School building will be open to the public next week. From 3:30-5:30pm on Monday, former students, school employees and community members are welcome to walk through the halls of the old building before demolition starts for the new elementary school later this month. Burke County Public Schools is building a brand new elementary school at the same location. Bricks from the old Mountain View building will be incorporated into a cornerstone of the new building and old school materials will be used in a display in the new school's lobby. the new school will be a 103,000 square foot facility with 39 classrooms, a full gym, auditorium and ball fields. The expected opening date us fall 2018.

Four people face charges after the Caldwell County Criminal Investigations Division conducted two search warrants in response to multiple Breaking and Entering cases in the Sawmill/Dudley Shoals area. Arrested were 25-year-old Amber Ruby Jean Snipes of Granite Falls, who was charged with Breaking and Entering, Identity Theft, Larceny After Breaking and Entering, and Possession of a Firearm, 28-year-old Joshua Lee Williams of Granite Falls, charged with Breaking and Entering, Identity Fraud, Obtaining Property False Pretense, and Possession of Stolen Property, 45-year-old Angela Hice Michael of Dudley Shoals Road, charged with Maintaining Vehicle/Place for Controlled Substance, Possession of Stolen Goods or Property, and Trafficking Opium or Heroin and 45-year-old Thomas Walter Cogdell of Dudley Shoals Road, who was charged with Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling or Place for Controlled Substance.

A Caldwell County student is recognized by a statewide organization for her artwork. Hayley Hartley, 6th grader at Hudson Middle, is one of 6 winners in the 2016 Young Artists Competition sponsored by Professional Educators of North Carolina. Hayley was in the 5th grade at Sawmills Elementary, when she created the winning artwork. At the awards ceremony September 24h in Raleigh, Hayley was awarded a certificate of achievement and a cash prize of $50. Her work will also be featured in upcoming PENC publications.

Hickory City Council met Tuesday, with a presentation of the Catawba County Strategic Plan . A member of Catawba County government outlined growth and projections for the future, as people move into Catawba County as well as needed infrastructure resulting from growth and change in Catawba County and cities and towns including Hickory, the largest city in Catawba County.

A Catawba County resident and Caldwell County resident face charges of Trafficking in Methamphetamine. Hickory Police Tuesday, arrested 51-year-old Kenneth Otto Jones of Hickory and 56-year-old Michael Ray Klaus of Hudson. Bond was set $300,000 on Jones and $150,000 on Klaus.

A Marion man has been sentenced to at least 12 years in prison after shooting and killing his neighbor in 2014. 25-year-old Roger Tully Keith Frady was found guilty of second-degree murder last week in McDowell Superior Court. Reports state in August 2014, McDowell officers were called to Frady;s residence in regard to a gunshot wound. There they found 41-year-old Ronnie Eugene Lewis suffering from a single wound from a 40-caliber handgun. Lewis was pronounced dead at McDowell Hospital. Frady was also found guilty of two counts of felony child abuse after two children were reportedly found to have drugs in their system.

Caldwell County Emergency Services has announced that the Mill Pond Bridge on Falls Avenue in Granite Falls is closed until further notice. Engineers with DOT are evaluating the structure of the bridge. Travelers are advised to find alternate routes around the bridge until further notice.

Council approved to consider phase II of the Community House Renovation Project in Monday night's regular Morganton City Council meeting. With the help of the Pilot Club and Renew the Tradition fundraising group, phase I of the Community House renovation was completed and included renovation of the kitchen, removal of asbestos, new wiring, plumbing and roof, painting the exterior of the building and the addition of the courtyard. Council was asked to consider phase two of the Community House Renovation Project, the final phase of the project. Phase two of the project would renovate the upstairs and downstairs and one option may include the lobby, Connelly Room, flooring, bathrooms, adding a bridal suite, elevator and remodel two rooms downstairs. Financial results from the last several years of operation at the Community House show that food sales have increased 15% and food costs have decreased 29%. Labor is the largest single cost of the Community House's operation. Ultimately, operations are subsidized by nearly $150,000/year, an amount one-cent equal to the tax rate. During Monday's meeting The Renew the Tradition fundraising group committed to raising an additional $50,000 in private funding to make $150,000 available for future renovation. The project would be financed for 15 years at 3% interest.

Granite Falls Police officers responded Monday afternoon to a robbery at First Citizens Bank on Falls Avenue. The suspect, described as a white male about 6'0", 180 pounds, demanded money, then left the bank and last seen running towards Al's Diner, east on Falls Avenue. Investigators believe the suspect left the area in a vehicle. Anyone with information concerning this incident is urged to call Detective Clint Ferguson at the Granite Falls Police Department at 828-396-3358 or Caldwell County Crimestoppers at 828-758-8300.

A South Carolina man wanted on fugitive charges was located in Lenoir by local and US authorities. Lenoir Police and members of the US Marshal Service Violent Offender Task Force found 49-year-old Bryan Keith Simmons at the Red Carpet Inn on Wilkesboro Boulevard. A release states Simmons was wanted on a felony fugitive extradition from Spartanburg for the charge of possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine or cocaine. During his arrest, officers observed a large number of hypodermic needles, scales, and a firearm lying inside his room. After obtaining a search warrant, lawmen then discovered more than 800 grans of meth, having a street value of over $13,200. Five stolen firearms were also found, nearly $4000 in currency, and drug paraphernalia. Simmons was placed under a $2,500,000 secured bond.

The McDowell County 911 center has received information that residents are getting phone calls stating their numbers were obtained from the 911 center. McDowell 911 does not give out phone numbers to anyone. Citizens should ignore any requests for information from the caller.

A Marion couple has been arrested in connection with a fire that destroyed a home in Nebo. 42-year-old Denny Lynn Dover and 42-year-old Darlinda Adkins Robinson have both been charged with second-degree arson, breaking and entering, and larceny after breaking and entering. On Thursday morning, a fire broke out at the US 70 East home of Kenneth Burleson; meanwhile Highway Patrol officers stopped a vehicle for erratic driving on US 221 North. The vehicle was reportedly occupied by Dover and Robinson and was found to contain medication bottles with Burleson's name on them, as well as currency, sheets, and jewelry reported stolen from the burned residence. Officers also discovered .10 grams of methamphetamine in Dover's possession; prompting drug possession charges against the suspect. Fire investigators state the pair broke into the house and set it on fire after committing the larceny. The exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

A man was killed, Saturday, after his single engine plane crashed in Long View. According to WSOC-TV, 81-year-old George Baxter Harris from the Hickory area, died just after 1pm when his vintage aircraft went down into a BB&T bank. He was the only person on the place, which took off from Hickory Regional Airport. The FAA is investigating.