A Burke County pair faces felony drug charges after leading authorities on a chase in Granite Falls last week. An undercover operation between the Caldwell Sheriff's Office and Granite Falls Police resulted in the arrest of 29-year-old destiny Miller and 27-year-old Nou Yang after they allegedly sold 7.2 grams of meth from their vehicle. A news release states that once officers moved in following the sale, Yang attempted to speed away from officers, slammed into an occupied parked car, and continued to elude police. Several hours after the incident, the NC Highway Patrol stopped a vehicle on Rhodhiss Road in Burke County and determined the occupants were Miller and Yang. They were taken into custody by Burke deputies and placed under a $250,000 secured bond with numerous drug charges. Yang was also charged with an additional $100,000 secured bond for eluding arrest, and felony hit and run with injury.
The White Creek Fire burning near Shortoff Mountain in the Linville Gorge is an estimated 585 acres with 10 percent containment. According to a Sunday afternoon news release, 140 firefighters were on the scene, including personnel from the U.S.and Forest Service, Burke, McDowell and N.C.Emergency Management and the N.C.Wildlife Resources Commission. No structures are currently at risk and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Hickory Police are investigating three potentially connected investigations of breaking and entering occurring this month. In two cases, one reported March 8th occurring at the Rosales Qwik Stop located at 2614 N.Center Street; and another March 11th occurring at the Cubbard Express #2 located at 1922 16th Street NE, the suspect gained entry to the stores by throwing a brick through a glass door. The third incident, which was reported on March 9th, occured at the Cubbard Express #7 located at 954 16th Street NE. The suspect attempted to gain entry, but was unsuccessful. Anyone with information may call 828-261-2015.
Monday, March 20, 2017
Friday, March 17, 2017
Preliminary autopsy results have been released in the case in which a toddler was found deceased at a Hopewell Road residence Wednesday. A release from the Burke County Sheriff's Office states an autopsy was performed on the three-year-old; showing no signs of trauma. The release further states toxicology and other tests will not be available for about two weeks. The child was found on the front porch after a motorist notified authorities by calling 911. The investigation is continuing.
A Burke County man escapes serious injury when his home was destroyed by fire. According to WSOC-TV, three fire departments responded Thursday morning to a residence south of Morganton on Misti Brooke Lane. Investigators told WSOC that a blanket caught fire from a portable heater.
A standoff with authorities Thursday afternoon in Morganton, results in a man being taken into custody. The Morganton News Herald reports that Public Safety learned of a man with a gun near two businesses, which caused both lanes of East Parker Road to be blocked. The man drove out of a parking lot and was stopped on East Parker Road. There were no injuries and no shots were fired. The man was taken to the hospital for evaluation. The State Highway Patrol, Burke County EMS & Emergency Management and REACT assisted at the scene.
Crews respond Thursday to a wildfire in the Linville Gorge area. U.S.Forest Service firefighters battled a wildfire near Shortoff Mountain. The Forest Service issued an emergency closure of the Shortoff Trail (Trail #235) and the Mountains to Sea Trail (Trail #440) from Old Highway 105 at Pinnacles to the Table Rock Picnic Area.
A Burke County man escapes serious injury when his home was destroyed by fire. According to WSOC-TV, three fire departments responded Thursday morning to a residence south of Morganton on Misti Brooke Lane. Investigators told WSOC that a blanket caught fire from a portable heater.
A standoff with authorities Thursday afternoon in Morganton, results in a man being taken into custody. The Morganton News Herald reports that Public Safety learned of a man with a gun near two businesses, which caused both lanes of East Parker Road to be blocked. The man drove out of a parking lot and was stopped on East Parker Road. There were no injuries and no shots were fired. The man was taken to the hospital for evaluation. The State Highway Patrol, Burke County EMS & Emergency Management and REACT assisted at the scene.
Crews respond Thursday to a wildfire in the Linville Gorge area. U.S.Forest Service firefighters battled a wildfire near Shortoff Mountain. The Forest Service issued an emergency closure of the Shortoff Trail (Trail #235) and the Mountains to Sea Trail (Trail #440) from Old Highway 105 at Pinnacles to the Table Rock Picnic Area.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Burke County deputies discover a tragic scene Wednesday on Hopewell Road. Just before 8am Burke County 911 received a call from a motorist advising they may have witnessed a child lying on the front porch at 1259 Hopewell Road. Upon their arrival, officers discovered a 3 year old child that was deceased. Unofficial reports say deputies found an adult inside the residence asleep. The Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division is continuing the investigation with an autopsy scheduled on the child today. Additional information will be provided today, according to a press release from the Burke County Sheriff's Office.
A Virginia fugitive is sought by Alexander County authorities. The Sheriff's Office requests assistance in locating Harley Daniel Justice, who is wanted on a Governors Warrant from the State of Virginia for Probation Violation. Justice is described as a white male, 34 years of age. He is 5'11" 150 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Justice can contact Alexander Crime Stoppers at 828-632-8555.
A Statesville jury convicts an Iredell County man for trafficking methamphetamine. The three-day last week Western District Court ended with the conviction of 34-year Carlos Antonio Flores. According to filed court documents and evidence presented at trial, Flores was involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy that operated mainly in Iredell, Alexander, Caldwell, Catawba, and Ashe Counties. At sentencing, Flores faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum term of life in prison. The case was investigated by HSI in Charlotte, The SBI and Sheriff's Offices in Alexander, Caldwell and Iredell Counties.
A Virginia fugitive is sought by Alexander County authorities. The Sheriff's Office requests assistance in locating Harley Daniel Justice, who is wanted on a Governors Warrant from the State of Virginia for Probation Violation. Justice is described as a white male, 34 years of age. He is 5'11" 150 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Justice can contact Alexander Crime Stoppers at 828-632-8555.
A Statesville jury convicts an Iredell County man for trafficking methamphetamine. The three-day last week Western District Court ended with the conviction of 34-year Carlos Antonio Flores. According to filed court documents and evidence presented at trial, Flores was involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy that operated mainly in Iredell, Alexander, Caldwell, Catawba, and Ashe Counties. At sentencing, Flores faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum term of life in prison. The case was investigated by HSI in Charlotte, The SBI and Sheriff's Offices in Alexander, Caldwell and Iredell Counties.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
A Lenoir man was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon at the Shop and Save #3 on NC Hwy 18/US 64. Burke County Sheriff's deputies responded to a call regarding an armed robbery at the Shop and save on Friday March 3rd. Criminal Investigation Divison detectives interviewed witnesses and followed up on tips from Morganton that led to warrants being issued on 20-year-old Jason Shawn Miller,Jr. He was taken into custody Monday by the Lenoir Police and placed in the Caldwell County Jail under a $5,000 secured bond. The case is still under investigation and charges are pending.
A reported assault leads to a felony charge on a Nebo man. McDowell County deputies charged 39-year-old Curtis O'Neil Logan with assault inflicting serious injury after a domestic dispute. reports state Logan accused an acquaintance with stealing some dirt bikes that the subject denied taking. During the encounter, Logan struck the man repeatedly in the face, breaking his jaw.
A ruling was rendered in Superior Court Monday, that denied a motion to dismiss by owners of Lowman's Motor Court in Burke County and denied a preliminary injuction sought by the District Attorney's Office to keep the business closed. A civil hearing was set for March 27th, when the State will seek an injuction to permanently close the business. Lowman's Motor Court, on U.S.Highway 70 East, was served a temporary restraining order on February 24th, and deputies padlocked the doors. The DA's Office filed a civil complaint against the business and is seeking to have it declared a public nuisance. law enforcement, fire and rescued agencies in Burke County have responded to more than 700 calls at the business on the last 11 years for various reasons.
Hickory firefighters responded Tuesday night to a reported fire at 2805 8th Avenue SE. One occupant had escaped the fire and was treated for non-life threatening injuries and later transported to a local hospital by Catawba County EMS. Damages to the mobile home were considered heavy. The Catawba County Fire Marshal's Office is working to determine the cause of the fire.
A reported assault leads to a felony charge on a Nebo man. McDowell County deputies charged 39-year-old Curtis O'Neil Logan with assault inflicting serious injury after a domestic dispute. reports state Logan accused an acquaintance with stealing some dirt bikes that the subject denied taking. During the encounter, Logan struck the man repeatedly in the face, breaking his jaw.
A ruling was rendered in Superior Court Monday, that denied a motion to dismiss by owners of Lowman's Motor Court in Burke County and denied a preliminary injuction sought by the District Attorney's Office to keep the business closed. A civil hearing was set for March 27th, when the State will seek an injuction to permanently close the business. Lowman's Motor Court, on U.S.Highway 70 East, was served a temporary restraining order on February 24th, and deputies padlocked the doors. The DA's Office filed a civil complaint against the business and is seeking to have it declared a public nuisance. law enforcement, fire and rescued agencies in Burke County have responded to more than 700 calls at the business on the last 11 years for various reasons.
Hickory firefighters responded Tuesday night to a reported fire at 2805 8th Avenue SE. One occupant had escaped the fire and was treated for non-life threatening injuries and later transported to a local hospital by Catawba County EMS. Damages to the mobile home were considered heavy. The Catawba County Fire Marshal's Office is working to determine the cause of the fire.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Fire destroys a Morganton home. Public safety responded about 1am monday to a reported structure fire at 105 Summit Street. A neighbor notified the occupants that their house was on fire. All occupants were able to make it out unharmed. The structure was badly damaged and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The American Red Cross was dispatched to the scene and offered assistance to the victims of the fire.
A convicted Old Fort sex offender faces more sex abuse crimes. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office reported Monday that 44-year-old Christopher Scott McEntire was charged with 6 counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. He was previously convicted of 5 counts of 2nd degree sex offense in 2004 in McDowell County. The Sheriff's Office received the case on a referral from McDowell County DSS.
Republican Scott Reilly has announced his candidacy for District Attorney of the 25th Judicial District, comprising Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties. The election will be held in 2018. Reilly served as an Assistant District Attorney in the 25th District in the early 1990's and since then has been in private practice in Newton.
A Hickory man will serve 7-10 years in prison following his guilty plea to two counts of larceny from the person and his admission to habitual felon status during Catawba County Superior Court last week. 57-year-old Ronnie Darnell Smith's prison sentence was enhanced by prior felony convictions for larceny after breaking and entering in Mecklenburg County (August 2004), attempted felonious larceny in Nash County (September 2008) and attempted felonious larceny in Durham County (April 2012).
A convicted Old Fort sex offender faces more sex abuse crimes. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office reported Monday that 44-year-old Christopher Scott McEntire was charged with 6 counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. He was previously convicted of 5 counts of 2nd degree sex offense in 2004 in McDowell County. The Sheriff's Office received the case on a referral from McDowell County DSS.
Republican Scott Reilly has announced his candidacy for District Attorney of the 25th Judicial District, comprising Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties. The election will be held in 2018. Reilly served as an Assistant District Attorney in the 25th District in the early 1990's and since then has been in private practice in Newton.
A Hickory man will serve 7-10 years in prison following his guilty plea to two counts of larceny from the person and his admission to habitual felon status during Catawba County Superior Court last week. 57-year-old Ronnie Darnell Smith's prison sentence was enhanced by prior felony convictions for larceny after breaking and entering in Mecklenburg County (August 2004), attempted felonious larceny in Nash County (September 2008) and attempted felonious larceny in Durham County (April 2012).
Monday, March 13, 2017
Improper ethical allegations lead to changes in the 25th Judicial District. In a news release issued Friday, District Attorney David Learner states that Assistant District Attorneys Frank Webster and Chris Back are no longer employed by the 25th Judicial District. Webster and Back are currently the subjects of an SBI investigation involving their roles as ministers at a Rutherford County church. Learner states quote 'I along with my staff have worked very hard in the past two years to rebuild the reputation of the DA's office, and I cannot allow the integrity of the office to be called into question.' Learner goes onto to say his administration is dedicated to the fair and impartial administration of criminal justice for the citizens of Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba counties. Assistant District Attorney Lance Sigmon will be the Chief ADA in Burke County, and Kyle Smith will be the Chief ADA in Catawba.
Less than four weeks after being sentenced to serve at least 11 years of incarceration for making false bomb threats in Burke County, a West Virginia man was sentenced for similar crimes in Catawba and Caldwell counties. Cody Matthew Startt, 27, pleaded guilty to 71 counts of making false bomb reports, one false bomb report to a public building and 72 counts of terrorism in Catawba County Superior Court Friday morning, and he entered guilty pleas to 58 counts of making false bomb reports, three counts of a false bomb report to a public building and 61 counts of terrorism in Caldwell County Superior Court Friday afternoon.
A man who was the primary suspect in a Caldwell County fire early Thursday morning, turned himself into Burke County law enforcement officers Friday afternoon. Warrants had been issued against 33-year-old Timothy Allan Harmon for First Degree Arson and First Degree Kidnapping. The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, along with Fire and Rescue Personnel from multiple agencies responded about 6am to a reported structure fire at an apartment complex on Oak Tree Lane in the Sawmills Community. Once the fire was contained, Fire Investigators were able to determine that the fire was a result of Arson.
Less than four weeks after being sentenced to serve at least 11 years of incarceration for making false bomb threats in Burke County, a West Virginia man was sentenced for similar crimes in Catawba and Caldwell counties. Cody Matthew Startt, 27, pleaded guilty to 71 counts of making false bomb reports, one false bomb report to a public building and 72 counts of terrorism in Catawba County Superior Court Friday morning, and he entered guilty pleas to 58 counts of making false bomb reports, three counts of a false bomb report to a public building and 61 counts of terrorism in Caldwell County Superior Court Friday afternoon.
A man who was the primary suspect in a Caldwell County fire early Thursday morning, turned himself into Burke County law enforcement officers Friday afternoon. Warrants had been issued against 33-year-old Timothy Allan Harmon for First Degree Arson and First Degree Kidnapping. The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, along with Fire and Rescue Personnel from multiple agencies responded about 6am to a reported structure fire at an apartment complex on Oak Tree Lane in the Sawmills Community. Once the fire was contained, Fire Investigators were able to determine that the fire was a result of Arson.
Friday, March 10, 2017
A woman found dead on the grounds of the Old Burke County Courthouse Wednesday afternoon has been identified. Morganton Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division is handling the investigation into the cause of death of 36-year-old Joy Lynett LaValley of Morganton. results from a preliminary autopsy are pending.
A Granite Falls man receives an active prison sentence following his guilty plea to drug charges and admission as a habitual felon. 39-year-old Timothy Shawn Byrd was sentenced up to 8 years during Caldwell County Superior Court Tuesday. He pleaded guilty to maintaining a dwelling to sell meth and possession with intent to sell and deliver meth. Byrd's sentence was enhanced by prior felony convictions for breaking and entering in Caldwell County (November 1997), and obtaining property by false pretense in Caldwell County (October 2007 and July 2012).
A 40-year-old man pleaded guilty to felony possession of meth and felony flee to elude arrest, and admitted his habitual felon status on Tuesday, during Caldwell County Superior Court. Joshua Duerr Pate was sentenced to serve 6-9 years in prison. His habitual felon status enhanced his sentence. Pate previously was convicted in Watauga County of larceny (July 1996), second-degree burglary (March 2009), and common law robbery (July 2012).
Clocks will spring forward one hour Sunday morning. This is a good time to make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working. Although a large percent of American homes have smoke alarms, many do not work because of dead or missing batteries. For more information about smoke alarms, call the Hickory Fire Department at (828) 323-7521.
A Granite Falls man receives an active prison sentence following his guilty plea to drug charges and admission as a habitual felon. 39-year-old Timothy Shawn Byrd was sentenced up to 8 years during Caldwell County Superior Court Tuesday. He pleaded guilty to maintaining a dwelling to sell meth and possession with intent to sell and deliver meth. Byrd's sentence was enhanced by prior felony convictions for breaking and entering in Caldwell County (November 1997), and obtaining property by false pretense in Caldwell County (October 2007 and July 2012).
A 40-year-old man pleaded guilty to felony possession of meth and felony flee to elude arrest, and admitted his habitual felon status on Tuesday, during Caldwell County Superior Court. Joshua Duerr Pate was sentenced to serve 6-9 years in prison. His habitual felon status enhanced his sentence. Pate previously was convicted in Watauga County of larceny (July 1996), second-degree burglary (March 2009), and common law robbery (July 2012).
Clocks will spring forward one hour Sunday morning. This is a good time to make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working. Although a large percent of American homes have smoke alarms, many do not work because of dead or missing batteries. For more information about smoke alarms, call the Hickory Fire Department at (828) 323-7521.
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