Burke County Public Schools announces graduation schedules

The district’s high schools schedule is between May 21^st and May 29^th. 

The plans are conditional and contingent on the state of COVID-19 in

Burke County over the next three weeks. To participate, graduates and

their family members who attend will be required to wear masks.

The ceremonies will take place indoors and include seniors in their

caps and gowns walking across a stage to Pomp and Circumstance

with family members present to witness graduates accepting their

diplomas. Here is breakdown of each school’s date, time and location:

Burke Middle College-Thursday,May 21^st from 4-8:30 p.m. in the

Leviton Auditorium on the WPCC campus

Hallyburton Academy-Friday May 22^nd at 3 p.m.in the auditorium of

Heritage Middle School

Both Draughn High and Patton High graduations will take place on

Tuesday May 26th, from 4-9 p.m. in each school’s auditoriums

North Liberty-Wednesday May 27^th, at 12:30 p.m. in the school gym

East Burke High-Thursday May 28^th, from 1-7 p.m.in the school gym

Freedom High-Friday May 29^th, 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. in the school gym

Graduates’ specific times will be broken down based on alphabetical

order and will be released by the schools.


Hickory Homicide Investigation

Hickory Police are investigating a double homicide that occurred around 10:40

p.m. Sunday evening.  Police say two males were shot while they were in the

backseat of a silver 2008 Chevrolet Malibu as it was parked outside the Save

More Convenience Store at 1665 1^st Avenue Southwest in Hickory.  Catawba EMS

pronounced 16 year old Damarion Isaiah Sharpe dead on the scene and

transported 20 year old Xzavion Rashawn Watts to Frye Regional Medical Center,

where he later died as a result of the wounds.  Police say the suspect was

apparently familiar with the victims and targeted them.  The suspect is an African

American male last seen heading away from the scene with a handgun.  Any

information on the shooting should be directed to the Hickory Police Department.


Catawba County Budget Recommendation

Catawba County Manager Mick Berry has recommended a budget of 2 hundred

42 million dollars for Fiscal Year 2021, which maintains the current property tax

rate of .57 and a half cents per one hundred dollars of valuation.  The

recommendation represents a 4.1 percent decrease in the total budget and 3.3

million dollars less revenue than anticipated.  Due to the impact of COVID-19 on

revenues from sales tax, property tax and building services, revenue projections

have been downsized but still reflect modest growth.


Facebook Grant to McDowell County Schools

McDowell County Schools recently received fifty thousand dollars from Facebook

that will help feed the needs of students.  The tech company reached out to area

school systems early on during the COVID-19 pandemic and asked how they could

help.  A short while after the school system’s request the monies were received. 

The money will be used for the school system’s Backpack Program, which provide

weekend food that goes home in backpacks for students every Friday.  Funding

will also help the school system partner with other local organizations and make

bulk purchases for chicken or other food products that will help both entities feed

families in need.

Missing McDowell County teenager

The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office is looking for 17-year-old

Alexus Sierra Whitson, a runaway,last seen about midnight Monday at

her residence on Major Conley Road in Marion. She is described as a

white female, 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighs 115 pounds and has long

straight sandy hair, hazel eyes and a hoop nose ring. Anyone with

information concerning Whitson’s whereabouts  is asked to call the

McDowell County Sheriff’s Office at 652-2235 or the McDowell 911

Communications Center at 652-4000.


COVID-19 News Updates

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

reports this morning that 15,346 people in the state have tested

positive for COVID-19, with 475 current hospitalizations and there

have 577 deaths.

To help families access food during the COVID-19 pandemic, the

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is

Temporarily increasing benefits for May 2020 to current Food and

Nutrition Services recipients in the state. All families that receive

FNS will receive the maximum amount for this month for their

Household size. About 360,000 households will begin receiving

The temporary increased benefit on EBT card on May 22^nd.

FEMA has granted North Carolina’s request to extend its

Non-congregate sheltering program for COVID-19 through June 6^th.

The program provides housing alternatives, such as hotels, motels,

And dormitories, for North Carolinians with unstable housing who

May need to quarantine in response to or are at high-risk for

Severe illness from COVID-19. Si

Catawba County Public Health reported the second Covid-19 associated death

over the weekend.  The individual had been hospitalized and died Sunday from

complications associated with the virus.  The patient was in their early 70s and

had underlying medical conditions.  The person did not reside at a senior living

facility.  Over the weekend Catawba County was also notified of additional COVID-

19 cases.  The total now stands at 82.   Meanwhile, Burke County’s total COVID-19

cases remained at 138 on Sunday.  The Burke County Health Department said the

cases were the result of traveling, congregate living and community spread.  In

Caldwell County, 60 people have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus, and in

McDowell County, there are 30 positive cases.

ReOpen NC/Burke held a second rally Saturday, May 9^th at the Old Burke County

Courthouse in downtown Morganton.  The group said they were holding the rally

even though some of the restrictions on business had been lifted last Friday by

Governor Roy Cooper.  The group says that they will continue their movement

until all business; daycares, gyms, theatres, restaurants, bowling alleys, skating

rinks, churches, schools, hairdressers, salons and more are open at full capacity. 

They said their rallies are more than just commentary on a virus; it is about

government overreach.

The Valley Hills Mall in Hickory is planning to reopen for business tomorrow.  The

Mall, which closed down due to the Governor’s Stay at Home restrictions in late

March, says they are doing everything they can to offer shoppers a clean and safe

environment when businesses open Tuesday morning. The retail property, owned

by Brookfield Properties Retail Group, is a two-story regional shopping mall with

80 tenants.  No word on whether all the stores plan to re-open on Tuesday .

The Catawba County Library is now open to the public for the first time since

March 17^th.  The Main Library is Newton is open 10 to 7 Monday thru Thursday

and 9 to 6 Friday and Saturday.  Some restrictions are in place for the safety of all

at the Library.  The staff is implementing limited occupancy as well as social

distancing and any other safety protocols that support public health needs.  The

Sherrills Ford, Southwest and St. Stevens branches of the library will operate their

pre-COVID hours.  The Claremont, Conover and Maiden branches will reopen at a

later date.

Starting today the McDowell Public Library will offer curbside service to patrons. 

Those who wish to place holds on books, DVDs or magazines, should make the

request online at www dot mcdowell public library dot org, or call 652-3858 for

Marion and 668-7111 for Old Fort.  They will be notified when their requests are

available for pickup.

A Newton woman and Maiden man were arrested in Lincoln County on drug

charges.  30 year old Courtney Michelle Crowder, the driver of a car stopped after

Lincoln Officers observed an equipment violation, and 39 year old Joshua Jacob

Earl Cole were each charged with two felony counts of trafficking

methamphetamine, one felony count of possession with intent to sell and deliver

methamphetamine, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Crowder was also charged with felony maintaining a vehicle for a controlled

substance.  She was placed in the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a two

hundred thousand dollar secured bond.  Cole was jailed under a one hundred 75

thousand dollar secured bond.  Their first court appearance is set for today.

A Morganton pair faces break-in charges in connection with an incident on US 64 last week.

A news release from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office says officers responded to a reported break-in at 6443 US 64 on April 30^th around 9 pm.

Reports say the suspects fled the scene before deputies and the homeowner arrived; however, the next morning around 6:30 officers again were called to the same location.

The homeowner arrived and discovered 41-year-old Jennifer Brooke Laws of 4670 Crystal Creek Road exiting the basement.

Further investigation revealed Laws was the same suspect from the prior evening’s break in, and that she was accompanied by 37-year-old Thomas Ray Laws of 1301 Jamestown Road.

Jennifer Laws was arrested and issued a 50-thousand dollar secured bond and first appeared in court this past Wednesday.

Just a week prior to this break-in, Jennifer Laws was arrested by Burke lawmen and charged with multiple felony charges involving two stolen vehicles of furniture recovered at her home.

Thomas Laws was arrested at a later date reports say and issued a 5-thousand dollar secured bond.

Both were charged with felony breaking and/or entering.

He also appeared in court May 6^th.

An ongoing narcotics investigation in Lincoln County leads officers to a suspected drug house and the arrest of three men.

A search warrant obtained for a residence on AC Sherrill Road in Denver, also allowed deputies to search an outbuilding on the property, and occupant 37-year-old Keymandy Williamson.

Multiple items related to the sale and distribution of illegal narcotics was located as a result of the search.

Williamson faces numerous drug and weapon charges and was jailed under a 50-thousand dollar secured bond.

24-year-old William Nixon of Iron Station and 24-year-old Darius Cunningham of Lincolnton also each face drug possession and conspiracy charges.

Their bond was set at 10-thousand dollars secured for each.

North Carolina is set to transition to Phase One of the Governor’s plan to reopen

the State.  Restrictions will be eased at 5 p.m. today, and will allow many non-

essential retail businesses to operate at 50 percent capacity.  Personal care

businesses, entertainment venues and gyms are to remain closed.  Governor Roy

Cooper said this was a careful and deliberate first step guided by the data and

North Carolinians still must use caution while this virus is circulating.  Residents

are encouraged to wear a face covering if they go out; be sure to wash hands and

wait six feet apart.

The North Carolina Division of employment Security has added 1 thousand call

center agents to the private call center it contracts with to assist with

unemployment claims.  They will then have about 26 hundred people working to

process claims.  Many people, furloughed from work when Governor Roy

Cooper’s Stay at Home orders took effect the last of March, still have not been

able to file for unemployment.  North Carolina had the 6^th highest increase in

unemployment claims of all states the last week of April.  As of yesterday, over 1

and a quarter million people have filed for unemployment benefits in North

Carolina.

A Newton man has been charged with attempting to obtain credit cards in his ex-

wife’s name.  On February 3^rd, Rebecca Robinson reported possible identity theft

to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department.  She told officers someone had

applied for two credit cards in her name from August to December of 2019.  After

an investigation, officers arrested 30 year old Jason Bart Powell of Loblolly Lane in

Newton and charged him with two felony counts of identity theft and obtaining

property by false pretense.  He was arrested by the Catawba County Sheriff’s

Department and given a 4 thousand dollar secure bond.

A Silver Alert has been issued for a twenty-four year old man missing from the

Hickory area.  Jacob Nathaniel McCray was last seen on North Center Street in

Hickory headed west towards Burke County.  McCray is five feet – eight inches tall

and about 160 pounds.  He has long brown hair and brown eyes.  He was last seen

wearing a black cap, gray hoodie, blue jeans and red and black tennis shoes.  He is

believed to be suffering from dementia or some other cognitive impairment. 

Anyone who has any information as to his whereabouts should call 328-5557.

The City of Hickory Fire Department will begin their annual hydrant inspection

and maintenance program throughout the City.  This program will last several

months.  Motorists are encouraged to be on the lookout for crews working close to the streets.  Please reduce your speed and exercise extreme caution.  Crews

will work from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, but some after work and weekend

work is a possibility. 

 The Friends for Animals will be coordinating a free pet food giveaway on May 17^th

from 9 a.m. till one p.m. at the Friends for Animals Adoption Center.  This event is

for those people affected by Covid-19.  Supplies are first come/first serve.  Pet

owners should come to the Adoption Center at 417 Kirksey Drive.

McDowell County Emergency Services was recently awarded an

Immediate Opportunities and Needs grant from the Dogwood

Health Trust to support their response to the opiod overdose

epidemic. The $22,700 in grant money helped to purchase

17 automated external defibrillators as well as additional

supplies of Naloxone, a life-saving drug to reverse the effects

of opiod overdoses. Both AEDs and Naloxone are critical tools

in the fight against the opiod epidemic.

A Morganton man faces theft-related charges following a traffic stop Tuesday.

38-year-old Jason Burdette Hughes of 2309 US 70 West was stopped by a Burke County Sheriff’s detective.

A news release says an investigation during the stop turned up stolen items hidden inside of Hughes pants legs that had been secured by zip ties.

Hughes admitted the recovered items had been stolen from a local business.

The Burke Sheriff’s department along with Morganton Public Safety notified the business, who in turn verified Hughes was inside the store just prior to the traffic stop.

Hughes was charge with larceny and possession of stolen goods.

His bond was set at 500-dollars with a July 31^st court date.

Burke County health officials report there are currently 126 positive cases of COVID-19 in Burke, adding 7 to the total number since Wednesday.

A news release Thursday afternoon says the cases consist of traveling, congregate living, and community spread; with all patients isolated.

Catawba County is reporting 68 positive cases, Caldwell County 54 and McDowell County 30.

Throughout NC, there are 13-thousand-397 positive cases reported, with 507 deaths.

#

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has lifted some of the stay at home orders

placed on the state’s businesses and residents in March.  At 5 p.m. Friday, May

8^th, North Carolina will move into Phase One of the Coronavirus reopening which

means state parks can reopen, churches can hold outside services, individuals can

meet outside in groups of 10 or less, and retail businesses can reopen provided

they follow CDC restrictions, and not exceed 50% of their legal capacity. 

Restrictions are still in place on bars, restaurants, nail salons, tattoo and massage

parlors and beauty shops, movie theaters, bowling alleys, skating rinks and indoor

exercise studios.  Restaurants can continue to serve take out only. The Governor

says the quickest they will look at Phase Two reopening will be May 22^nd.

Burke County recorded an additional case of Covid 19 yesterday bringing the

County’s total to 114 cases.  Of that number 63 have recovered to date, and there

have been ten deaths.  Catawba County has recorded 65 cases with 38 recovered. 

4 individuals are currently hospitalized with Covid 19 in Catawba County and

there has been one death.  In Caldwell County there have been 45 cases of Covid

– 19 with 25 recovered to date. McDowell County has recorded 29 cases with

one death.

Burke County Commission Chairman Johnny Carswell has proclaimed May 7^th as

the National Day of Prayer in Burke County.  The National Day of Prayer is an

annual day of observance held on the first Thursday in May designated by the U.S.

Congress.  The President is required to sign a proclamation each year encouraging

all Americans to pray.  President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming the National

Day of Prayer into law in 1952.  President Ronald Reagan amended  the law in

1988 designating the date as the first Thursday in May each year. 

 The City of Lenoir is distributing new roll-out garbage carts this week.  The

Sanitation Division plans to start automated garbage collection on the Monday

route next week.  The remaining routes will be phased in during the next two

months.  Customers can go ahead and start using the new carts, Residents with a

Monday route should use the new carts for next week’s garbage collection. 

Under the new sanitation ordinance, residents will get one 95-gallon roll out cart

at no extra cost.  Businesses will get two.

A convicted North Carolina sex offender has been charged with failing to register

with two North Carolina Sheriff’s Offices.  26 year old Davidson Bailey Scheu has

been living in Lincoln County, but moved back to Wayne County.  He neither

notified Lincoln County of his address change or Wayne County.  Sheu was placed

on the N.C. Sex Offender Registry on January 2^th of 2019 after being convicted in

Wayne County on a charge of sexual battery.

Governor Cooper has proclaimed this week as Correctional Officers and

Correctional Employees Week in North Carolina, to recognize the important

public service provided by employees in the state’s prison system. More than

16,000 correctional officers and employees in the state prison system supervise

almost 35,000 offenders in more than 50 facilities.

Burke Public Health is reporting the 10^th Covid-19 associated death in Burke

County.  The individual was in their 80’s and not hospitalized, but died from

complications associated with their underlying medical conditions.  113 people in

Burke County have tested positive for the virus.  Burke County Health reports that

the new cases are from travel, congregate living and community spread.  

Catawba County recorded 65 coronavirus cases on Monday while McDowell

County added one Monday for a total of 29.   Avery County, meanwhile, remains

the only county in the State without a single positive case.  85 people have been

tested there and 82 have been returned negative.  3 cases are pending in Avery. 

On Thursday, May 7^th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  the Avery County Health Department

will conduct drive thru testing for Covid-19.   Anyone can be tested regardless of

symptoms and a doctor’s order is not needed.  Nurses will perform nasal swabs in

cars and insurance will be taken.  There is no charge for uninsured individuals. 

The results will take several days.  This is not antibody testing, but testing for the

Covid-19 virus.

The economic impact of the coronavirus has resulted in the need for food for

many families that are facing unemployment.  Foothills Food Hub, McDowell

Access to Care and Health and McDowell County volunteers will host a drive thru

food pantry event this Thursday at Montford Cove Baptist Church, 4920 Cove

Road from 3:30-5:30 p.m.  Check the Foothills Food Hub  facebook page for more

information.  

Two people were killed in a head on crash in Catawba County around 3:30 p.m.

Monday.  The accident happened on Old Shelby Road between Henry River Road

and Mountain Grove Road south of Hickory.  A third person was believed to be in

critical condition.  No names have been released and the cause of the accident

remains under investigation.  The accident closed the two-lane highway to traffic

until late Monday afternoon.

Governor Cooper signed two COVID-19 relief bills into law Monday to provide assistance to families, schools, hospitals, and small businesses.

Passed unanimously in the state house, the relief package includes nearly 1-point-6 billion dollars in relief measures for critical expenditures related to public health and safety, educational needs, small business assistance, and continuity of state government operations.

The package also contains provisions to help North Carolinians such as –

An extension of driver’s license and registration expiration deadlines, waived interest on tax payments that were normally due in April, modifies end-of-grade testing requirements for public schools, adjusts the 2020/2021 school calendar, and allows pharmacists to administer a COVID-19 vaccine once developed.

An officer-involved shooting over the weekend in Caldwell County leaves one person dead.

A news release states deputies with the Caldwell Sheriff’s Office responded Sunday to a reported armed robbery on Brookshire Road in Lenoir.

The victim of the robbery told officers that a subject had taken a red Honda Civic from them at gunpoint. 

A short time later, the release says a deputy spotted the stolen vehicle on Deerbrook Road in Lenoir.

The vehicle fled as the officer attempted a vehicle stop, leading officers on a pursuit through Collettsville and into Avery County near Roseboro where the car ran off the roadway.

The release says officers approached the car, and the driver of the stolen vehicle failed to obey the deputies’ verbal commands.

A shooting between the subject and officers then took place.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 44-year-old Kortney Shawn Price.

Price was pronounced deceased at the scene; none of the deputies were injured.

A firearm was located inside the car; while body-cam footage has been turned over to the state SBI for investigation.

Officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave pending review by the DA’s office.

Assisting Caldwell County and the SBI, were the Avery County Sheriff’s Office, Collettsville Fire Department, Avery County EMS, and the NC Forestry Service.

A Morganton man was injured Sunday by the accidental discharge of a firearm.

A news release from Morganton Public Safety says officers were called to 511 East Union Street  to a reported self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Reports say 24-year-old Jacob Peele was injured after accidentally discharging a firearm striking him in the mouth.

Peele was transported to Carolinas Health Care in Charlotte and reported to be in stable condition.

Officers recovered a revolver and ammunition at the scene.

An investigation is continuing.

A Marion woman is charged with meth possession following a traffic stop in March.

66-year-old Rochelle Bowman Hunt of Yancey Street was stopped on US 70 East for having no registration plate.

Hunt also had an outstanding warrant for larceny.

As she was being taken into custody, a search of her and her vehicle turned up point-20 grams of meth and drug paraphernalia.

Burke County’s Covid 19 cases rose to 108 over the weekend.  In a press release

from the Burke County Health Department, citizens were advised all cases are

isolated.  Meanwhile Caldwell County has recorded 38 cases and the Catawba

County Health Department reports cases there rose to 60 over the weekend.  38

cases in Catawba have recovered while 3 cases required hospitalization.  Avery

County remains Covid-19 free while Yancey County recorded its first positive case

of Covid-19 over the weekend.

In other Covid-19 related news, Burke County Commission Chairman Johnny

Carswell has amended the State of Emergency in Burke County pertaining to the

rental of lodging facilities.  As of May 1^st, short term rentals such as Air B & B

rentals, bed and Breakfast rentals, VRBO vacation rentals by owners,

campgrounds, time share units, condos, and other rental programs or places

where leases or rentals are for less than one month, are now permitted to open,

provided such facilities adhere to all virus spreading prevention strategies

established by the CDC.

Governor Roy Cooper has said he has made recommendations to the Division of

Employment Security in light of complaints brought on by the high number of

unemployed in North Carolina due to the state’s Covid 19 restrictions.  Nearly one

million people in North Carolina have filed for unemployment, but many people

have not been able to get their benefits filed.  Claimants have said they were left

on hold for lengthy periods of time, their applications were denied and their

accounts frozen.  Governor Cooper said he had ordered the employment security

commission to increase the number of people handling telephone calls, and

increase the capability online to take claims.   On April 29^th there were a total of 9

hundred 35 thousand, 3 hundred and 84 applications received and just over 9

hundred 94 million dollars paid out.

The North Carolina State Lab has notified Caldwell Animal Control over the

weekend that a fox submitted for testing was infected with rabies.  The fox was

found in the Lower Creek area of Caldwell County.  Residents are reminded to

keep rabies vaccinations up to date in their pets.  Each year wild animals such as

foxes and raccoons show up with rabies, and those animals can infect domestic

pets if they come into contact.

City crews will begin work to install a new water main in Downtown Morganton today. The work is expected to last four to six weeks, and will affect some streets and parking lots.

Crews will begin work on Queen Street, and the street will be closed for the first phase of the water main installation. Work will then move into the parking lot that is bordered by King Street and Queen Street.

When crews begin this phase of the work, Queen Street will be reopened, and portions of the parking lot will be closed while work is completed. Crews will close off as little parking as possible while work is being performed.

The last phase of the water main installation will move onto King Street, and the street will be closed temporarily until work is completed. While King Street is closed, most of the parking lot should be reopened by this time.

Citizens may call 828-438-5277 with any questions or for further information on the project.

The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public of a new phone scam.

The caller says he is a McDowell County detective and has a warrant for the person who he’s speaking with because they failed to keep an appointment to provide a DNA sample.

A news release says the scammer then tells the person that bail has been set, and they need to send money or gift cards.

Officials say do not give money or personal information to someone you don’t know.

Obtain a name and number to verify that the caller works where they claim to.

Anyone having questions or concerns can call the McDowell Sheriff’s office at 652-2235.

Kirksey Funeral Home in both Marion and Old Fort has announced closing permanently.

A letter issued by the funeral homes does not give a date for the closing or a reason why the businesses are ending; although an official with the funeral home says the closings are not related to COVID-19.

The statement does not indicate what will happen to current employees or the buildings.

In Marion, reports say a funeral home has stood at the North Main Street location for nearly a century.

McCall’s Funeral Home was there for many years previous to Kirksey.

The release from Kirksey states all families will receive a letter with additional information, including instructions to transfer existing contracts.

They further encourage clients or families with questions or concerns to contact the Morganton Kirksey Funeral Home at 437-2111.

A national statistic-gathering company gives NC and Burke County a failing grade for social distancing.

According to the company called ‘Unacast’, the state’s score has dropped to an “F”.

Unacast says the “F” comes in the category of there NOT being less than 55-percent of non-essential visits, and in NOT having less than a 40-percent decrease in personal encounters.

The scores are comparatively-based on the nationwide rate.

Unacast reportedly uses geospatial human mobility insights to show the change in non-essential visits made, and average mobility throughout the area before and during the virus outbreak.

The company then compares gathered data to other parts of the country, and considers the number of positive cases the area has when determining a score.

Other counties in NC receiving an “F” include Catawba, Lincoln, and Cleveland.

The number of positive COVID-19 cases in Burke County is now 104. McDowell County has 25,

Caldwell County 35, and Catawba County with 53 positive cases.

Statewide as of Thursday  according to the NC department of health and human services – 10-thousand 509 positive cases, with 378 people having died from the virus.

A news release from Burke County officials states a public information line continues to be manned Monday through Friday 8am till 5pm.

Should you have questions or need additional information, call the info line at 764-9388.

Meanwhile, the Burke County Emergency Operations Center has a community resource coordinator who is securing resources to be used by local residents who may be in need.

The coordination involves those within the local community interested in volunteering, and identifying food sources that residents can access.

Should you know a Burke County resident in need of food, contact the resource coordinator Melissa Estep at 764-9383 or by email at Melissa-dot-estep@burkenc.org.

A McDowell County man has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for drug trafficking.

30-year-old Mitchell Gilliland of Nebo will serve 148 months in prison, and an additional five years under court supervision.

At today’s sentencing hearing, a review of the case showed Gilliland was pulled over by a Marion Police Officer in May 2019 for speeding and other traffic violations.

Reports say officers searched his vehicle and located a half pound of meth, a loaded firearm, and more than 34-thousand dollars in drug proceeds.

A news release says Gilliland has multiple felony convictions and he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Last October, Gilliland pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth.

He is currently in federal custody without the possibility of parole.

Along with Marion Police, the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security aided in the investigation.

Rutherford County authorities are looking for a missing teen who was reported missing Monday, returned that same evening, but is now missing again.

Reports say 16-year-old Jasmine Nicole Williamson left her Forest City residence on Harris Henrietta Road Wednesday on foot traveling in an unknown direction.

She is described as having medium curly red hair and blue eyes.

Anyone having information about her whereabouts should call the Rutherford County 911 Center at 828-286-2911.

Lieutenant Gary Massey retired on Thursday from Morganton Department of

Public Safety after 27 years of service. Massey began his career with Morganton 

Public Safety in December 1992, as a law enforcement officer.

NASCAR announced on Thursday that the Cup Series will resume on Sunday

May 17^th at Darlington Speedway. Darlington will host a Cup Series race just

three days later on May 20^th. The Charlotte Motor Speedway will have its

Coca Cola 600 Cup Series race on Sunday May 24^th, and the Speedway will

host its second race just three days later on May 27^th. Two Xfinity races and one

Gander Truck event will take place at those tracks during that time period.

No races have been scheduled after May 27^th, and no fans will be allowed to attend.