An investigation into inappropriate conduct by members of the Burke County Swift Water Rescue team while on deployment in eastern NC has been completed.

A news release states none of the allegations made in the anonymous complaint were substantiated with one exception.

The release goes on to say some members of the team, including some Burke County employees consumed beer at a restaurant ‘with or soon after their meal on one or more occasions’ between September 19^th and 21^st.

Consuming alcohol after their operational assignments had ended, team members reportedly believed they were no longer on duty or on the clock once the command center had closed for the day.

However, upon the team’s return to Burke it was determined that team members were deemed active for the duration of their deployment thereby placing them in violation of the county’s alcohol and drug free workplace policy.

Reports say appropriate disciplinary action has already been taken without further action for county employees necessary.

The Burke County team was deployed to assist in relief efforts for Craven County after Hurricane Florence.

Two Morganton men have been arrested with numerous charges following an anonymous tip to local law enforcement.

Just before 4 am Sunday, Morganton Public Safety Officers discovered two males behind Big Lots at the Fiddlers Run Shopping Center.

A news release states officers then located a broken lock on a cargo trailer that was being used for storage.

26-year-old Zachary Ross and 27-year-old Cameron Webb both of Manley Clark Road were both found in possession of some items taken from the trailer.

Reports say many items were recovered that the two had apparently hidden to be picked up later.

Both were charged with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny after breaking and entering, felony possession of stolen goods, and safe cracking.

Ross was also found to be in possession of narcotics, and therefore charged with felony possession of a schedule two substance and possession of a schedule four controlled substance.

Meanwhile Sunday evening officers responded back to the I-40 access area near Fiddler’s Run to reports of vehicles owned by construction crew members that had been broken into.

Interviews with Ross and Webb concerning the vehicle break-ins resulted in additional charges for each.

Ross was charged with two counts of felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle; while Webb was charged with two counts of felony aiding and abetting breaking and entering a motor vehicle.

Ross’ bond is set at 40-thousand-dollars, Webb’s at 33-thousand-500.

Broughton Police assisted with the investigation and arrests.

A seven-hour standoff where shots fired at officers Saturday leads to the arrest of an Alexander County man.

Alexander County deputies and Hickory Police were attempting to serve an involuntary commitment order on 67-year-old Ralph Walter Aldridge in the Bethlehem community.

Reports say the order was issued because Aldridge had threatened to shoot at Frye Regional Medical Center.

Aldridge had allegedly threatened to shoot officers before they arrived on scene.

Officers were trying to communicate with the suspect via a loudspeaker whenever he told them to approach his residence.

Aldridge then, reports say, began firing at lawmen, striking a patrol car.

Hours later, officers fired tear gas into the home, and were able to enter the residence.

Aldridge then surrendered to officers.

He is charged with seven counts each of assault on a government official with a deadly weapon, communicating threats, and attempted murder on law enforcement officers.

Aldridge is being held under a 6-million dollar secured bond.

An apparent case of road rage led to a reported shooting on Main Street in Valdese.

Published news reports say 20-year-old Joshua Max Barnes sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder and was airlifted to CMC Charlotte around 2 Thursday afternoon.

Barnes was driving and reportedly confronted the driver of another vehicle; and witnesses say the two became involved in a verbal exchange leading to the shooting.

Valdese Police closed Main Street between Laurel and Eldred Streets to investigate.

Two people have been arrested on drug charges after being stopped at an Iredell County license checkpoint.

27-year-old Kimbra Lee Hicks of Conover and 32-year-old Terry Drew Warden the Second of Lincolnton both face numerous drug charges including trafficking meth, and trafficking opium or heroin by possession.

Officers stopped Hicks who was driving, while Warden was a passenger.

Authorities detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle, and discovered meth, marijuana, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and adderall upon a search.

Deputies also located drug paraphernalia, a concealed handgun, and nearly a thousand-dollars in cash.

Hicks and Warden were taken into custody for felony drug trafficking; each under a 150-thousand-dollar secured bond.

McDowell County authorities are looking for a person of interest wanted for the theft of property from a Nebo residence.

44-year-old Royce Jeffrey Ollis of 269 Greenlee Road Marion is being sought by officers for the September larceny of a pickup truck and other items valued at 52-hundred dollars.

Ollis is described as a white male, 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighs around 285 pounds.

He has red hair, blue eyes, and tattoos on both arms.

The stolen truck is a green 2002 Chevrolet extended cab with NC tag AKP-1268.

The McDowell Sheriff’s Office has received tips saying Ollis had been spotted driving the stolen vehicle.

Anyone having information on the whereabouts of Ollis should call the McDowell Sheriff’s Office at 652-2237 or Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME.

Kentucky State Police say DNA testing has confirmed the identity of a body found in a refrigerator at a dumpsite 33 years ago.

A police statement says Espy Regina Back-Pilgrim from Spindale in Rutherford County was the woman discovered deceased in Kentucky in 1985.

Detectives determined her identity recently after one of her relatives saw a social media post about the unsolved case and called authorities.

Officers came to Spindale to take DNA samples from Black-Pilgrim’s children and the comparison was a match.

Police suspect the woman was attempting to get a ride to NC while at a truck stop the day before she was killed.

Detectives report the investigation into her death is ongoing.

Leading luxury-leather manufacturer Bradington Young has announced a 75-thousand-square foot expansion to the company’s Hickory facility on 10^th Avenue Drive.

The expansion will increase plant size to over 160-thousand square feet and will enable the company to add production capacity for its luxury motion and reclining chair business.

The project will add approximately 50-percent to its annual production capacity over the next five years- creating new jobs in Hickory and at the Cherryville facility.

The company expects to add 35 employees between the two sites over the next five years.

The expanded facility is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter in 2019.

Bradington Young marks its 40^th year of operation this year – specializing in upscale motion and stationary upholstered furniture.

A Morganton native will receive the North Carolina Award, the state's highest civilian honor.

Bill Leslie, a Morganton High graduate, will be one of six people to have the award presented November 16th at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Leslie, who recently retired as a long time reporter and anchor at WRAL-TV, will be recognized in Fine Arts. Leslie has released eight albums, celebrating North Carolina's people, natural beauty and Scots-Irish heritage. His "Grace of the Wind" CD was voted "World Radio Album of the Year" in 2013 by Zone Music Reporter. Leslie is also the recipient of more than 70 major news awards, including two Peabody Awards and seven Emmy Awards.

A man linked to at least a dozen local business break-ins in Morganton has been taken into custody.

Mark Hodsden was arrested Thursday for one count of breaking and entering.

Last week, reports say Friday Friends restaurant was broken into and the suspect was caught on surveillance and later identified as Hodsden.

A press release states Hodsden has been linked to at least 12 local business break ins from June to September of this year.

Over the past two months, Morganton Public Safety investigators have been looking into numerous reports of business break ins – several of those had the front door smashed and cash registers taken.

Officials are investigating 16 similar break-ins to see if there is a connection to Hodsden.

He is currently in the Burke Catawba Detention Facility under a 5-thousand-dollar secured bond.

A Hickory man wanted in connection with a shooting last week is now in custody.

30-year-old Adrian Jamar Wells is charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury after turning himself in Friday at Hickory Police headquarters.

Wells’ charges stem from the shooting of 28-year-old Donnie Arnell Morgan when officers discovered him on Eighth Avenue Drive Southeast with a gunshot wound to the back.

Morgan was transferred from Frye Regional to Baptist Hospital for treatment.

Wells is being held in the Catawba County confinement facility under a 100-thousand dollar bond.

A Stanley man still facing charges in Catawba County was found guilty in Lincoln County on two felony counts of taking indecent liberties with a child.

67-year-old Gilbert Donald List Junior pleaded guilty to the sexual assault charges in connection with incidents that occurred between January and December 2016.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office reports the female victim was nine years old at the time of the assault and is related to the suspect.

List was sentenced to a prison term of 15 to 27 months.

Upon release, List must also register on the state’s sex offender registry as a sex offender for 30 years.

The charges in Catawba are related to the incidents in Lincoln County.

Following last year’s flu season – called the deadliest in modern day NC history; federal and local infectious disease officials are predicting a milder climate for 2018-2019.

Flu season typically begins October 1^st and lasts through March 31^st, although in seasons past the flu and flu-related deaths have lingered for several additional weeks.

Officials at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center say they have no indications that this flu season will be more severe than normal; further stating that everyone over the age of six months should get the vaccine before the end of October if possible.

Flu vaccines are typically available in doctor’s offices, health care clinics, county health departments, and pharmacies as well as by many employers.

Shots are typically free for those with private insurance and Medicare/Medicaid recipients.

NC had 386 flu-related deaths during the 2017-18 season.

Besides the elderly, vulnerable groups include children younger than 5, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing conditions.

Added this year is the category of nursing home and long term facility residents.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control indicate that if vaccinated individuals did become ill with the flu last year, they were much less likely to be hospitalized or face serious complications compared to those who had not been vaccinated.

A body discovered in a McDowell County creek has been confirmed to be that of a camper missing since August 10^th.

A news release states an autopsy was performed on the remains Friday morning, and pathologists have positively identified him as 38-year-old Jason Smith Lewis of Hankins Road Marion.

Reports say he was last seen by his mother when she dropped him off on Northfork River Road to go camping.

She reported Lewis missing on the evening of August 18^th.

Prior to the discovery near Garden Creek, authorities had conducted multiple air, water, and land searches for Lewis, but no clues surfaced during the six-week period.

Lewis had reportedly been staying in the Garden Creek area before he disappeared.

The autopsy did not show a cause of death, but no foul play is suspected.

Law enforcement officials are investigating the shooting of a Hickory man that occurred Thursday evening.

Hickory Police were called to 8^th Avenue Drive Southeast to a reported shooting incident.

Upon their arrival, officers located the victim 28-year-old Donnie Arell Morgan suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the back.

He was transported to Frye Regional Medical Center and later transferred to Baptist Hospital.

Police have now obtained a warrant for assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury on 30-year-old Adrian Jamar Wells of Hickory in connection with the shooting.

Anyone with information about the incident or Well’s whereabouts should call Hickory Police at 328-5551.

 A Nebo man flees from McDowell County authorities.

27-year-old Marvin Donald Branch the Second of 5334 US 70 East was charged with fleeing to elude arrest, driving a vehicle with no registration, and operating a vehicle with no insurance.

Officers spotted Branch operating a motorcycle without a tag on Fairview Road.

Deputies tried to stop Branch; however, he increased his speed and led them on a chase onto Toney Road, Randolph Road, and then onto Stacy Hill Road where he hit a culvert and overturned.

Branch was then taken into custody.

A Hickory woman turned herself into authorities Tuesday morning in connection with the July shooting death of a Hickory teenager.

20-year-old Cheyenne Alexia Kenniston is now charged with second-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Katyln Michelle Wittcop.

The incident occurred this past July 28^th on 13^th Avenue Northeast when officers discovered the victim and numerous persons at the crime scene.

A news release says Kenniston is jailed at the Catawba County Confinement Facility under a 100-thousand-dollar secured bond.

Her first court appearance was held Wednesday.

A Marion woman was transported to an Asheville hospital early Tuesday after being hit by a train.

Just after 7 o’clock, a representative from Norfolk Southern reported a pedestrian had been struck on the railroad tracks near the Clay Street intersection.

An investigation by Marion Police shows 39-year-old Casey Black was hit while lying on the tracks.

She was reportedly taken to Mission Hospital for her injuries.

Marion Police and the Norfolk Southern Railroad Police are working together in the investigation.

Sheriff’s deputies in McDowell County are looking for a man who reportedly chained a woman to a bed for days to prevent her from testifying against him.

48-year-old Spencer O’Connor Elliott of Buck Creek Road in Marion is wanted for first-degree kidnapping, intimidating a state’s witness and assault on a female.

Elliott and the victim- Donna Jean Elliott were scheduled to appear in court September 19^th regarding a domestic violence order Donna had taken out against Spencer.

Reports say Donna had been chained up at Spencer’s house for days, and was able to escape last Saturday to inform officers.

A news release states the male suspect is on the run.

He is described as a white male, 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighs 217 pounds.

He has long wavy brown hair, blue eyes and tattoos on both arms.

Anyone having information about Elliott’s whereabouts should call the McDowell Sheriff’s Office at 652-2237 or Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME.

A tree from Avery County will adorn the Blue Room at the White House this Christmas Season.

Larry Smith of Newland entered the National Christmas tree contest as he had for several years, but was notified in August he had won this year.

Officials from the White House visited Smith’s tree farm Monday and picked out the tree that will be presented to the President and the First Lady in November.

The 25-year-old 19-foot tall Fraiser Fir was marked with a red ribbon and will make the trip to the White House just before Thanksgiving.

A Burke County inmate is found hanging from a bed sheet in his cell.

At 5:25 am Saturday, a detention officer observed 32-year-old Charles Bynum Hughes and another inmate on camera in what appeared to be an argument or disagreement. The detention officer removed Hughes from the multi-unit cell and placed him in a single cell for Hughes'safety, according to a press release from the Burke County Sheriff's Office.

During normal rounds pursuant to policy, a detention officer observed Hughes at 10:22 am hanging from his bed sheet in the single person cell. Hughes was taken down and provided medical assistance until EMS personnel arrived. Hughes was declared deceased by medical personnel.

The SBI was requested by the Sheriff’s Office to investigate. Any additional information will be provided at the conclusion of the SBI’s investigation.

A Florida man is jailed in Burke County on kidnapping and assault charges.

According to an arrest report filed by Morganton Public Safety, 19-year-old Phillip Elmer Groh the Fourth has been arrested and charged with first-degree kidnapping, assault by strangulation, and sexual battery.

He was issued a 500-thousand-dollar secured bond.

The report indicates Valdese Police took out the initial charges on Groh.

His first court appearance is today.

A Marion woman faces child neglect charges, after also being served with outstanding warrants.

30-year-old Michelle Lee Cox was initially served warrants for misdemeanor larceny and driving while license revoked.

McDowell County authorities had received word of possible neglect in the home because her son had reportedly gone untreated for head lice.

Cox was then charged with contributing to the delinquency or neglect of a child.

 The American Red Cross continues to seek blood and platelet donors as the organization administers help to those ravaged by Hurricane Florence.

The storm of course left catastrophic damage behind and it also took a toll on blood and platelet donations.

Nearly 200 blood drives in the Southeast were forced to cancel because of the weather, resulting in more than 52-hundred uncollected blood and platelet donations.

In NC alone, 57 blood drives were called off, causing a downfall of 21-hundred donations.

Red Cross officials say there’s a critical need for platelets to help cancer patients, and type-o blood donations for on going patient care and emergencies.

Donation appointments can be made by calling 1-800 Red Cross or going online to redcrossblood-dot-org.

Financial donations are also needed and allow red cross workers to provide immediate disaster relief.

You can text the word FLORENCE to 90999 to make a 10-dollar donation.