The death investigation of 27-year-old Demetrius Marcellus Chisholm of Charlotte has been determined to be a homicide caused by a gunshot wound. Chishom's body was found Sunday night near Lake James. The Burke County Sheriff's Office and SBI continue to investigate the incident and interview witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Burke County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division at 764-9505 or Burke County Emergency Communications Center 911.

The search in Linville Gorge for a missing Wilkes County man ended Wednesday. 59-year-old Ronald Brookshire was found unharmed after he began the hike about 8pm Tuesday along the Pinch-In-Trail. He had given his wife his hiking route, which aided search and rescue in finding him, according to the Morganton News Herald. Numerous departments assisted including personnel from Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Henderson and McDowell Counties.

A Hickory man was given an active prison sentence of at least 5 years, Tuesday, during Catawba County Superior Court. 24-year-old Eric Shannon West pleaded guilty to robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree burglary, secon-degree kidnapping and possession of stolen goods. The Honorable Robert C.Ervin, Superior Court Judge from Burke County, sentenced West to a prison term of 5-7 years. He also received a suspended sentence of 14 to 26 months with 36 months of supervised probation for possession of a firearm by a felon. Justin Levey investigated the case for the Hickory Police Department. Michelle Lippert was the prosecutor for the District Attorney's Office.

The City of Morganton's new Parks and Recreation Director resigned Tuesday. Brian Benton cited personal matters. City Manager Sally Sandy said that she was disappointed with Benton's decision. Sandy and the Management Team will resume the search for a new Parks and Recreation Director.

A two vehicle collision Tuesday in McDowell County sends multiple victims to the hospital. Highway Patrol reports state 6 people were transported to Mission Hospital after the wreck on Highway 70 West. According to McDowell EMS, 3 of those transported were listed as critical; while the remaining 3 have non-life threatening injuries. The State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the cause of the accident.

A body found near Lake James has led to a death investigation. The Burke County Sheriff's Office responded Sunday, regarding a possible body found off Highway 126. Deputies arrived at the scene about 9pm and confirmed the death. Sheriff's Office Detectives initiated a death investigation and the victim was identified as 27-year-old Demetrius Marcellis Chisolm of Charlotte. The SBI was called for assistance and the investigation is continuing. According to a press release from the Burke County Sheriff's Office, more information will be released after the autopsy and investigation are complete. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Burke County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division at 764-9505 or Burke County Communications Center 911.

A Conover man was sentenced Monday, after pleading guilty to multiple sexual offenses involving a minor female child. 27-year-old Joshua lee Lipford was given an active prison term of 24 to 39 years by the Honorable Robert C.Ervin, Superior Court Judge from Burke County, following his guilty plea in Catawba County Superior Court. Lipford pleaded guilty to 4 counts of statutory sex offense with a victim 13, 14 or 15 years old by a defendant 6 years older and 3 counts of statutory rape of a victim 13,14 or 15 years old by a defendant at least years older. Russ Boger investigated the case for the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. Lance Sigmon and Michael Van Buren handled prosecution for the District Attorney's Office.

Multiple felony charges are filed on a Burke County man. The arrest made Friday by the Burke County Sheriff's Office of 51 year old David Ray Parker. He was charged with Breaking and Entering, Larceny After Breaking and Entering and Possession of Stolen Goods. Parker was placed in the Burke-Catawba District Confinement Facility under a $10,000 secured bond.

Improvements at the Mountain View Recreation Center are almost complete. Visitors now have many more places to park; new landscaping is sprucing up the property, and the new tennis courts should be completed by the end of July. City Council approved funding in the 2015-2016 budget for improvements at the center, with roughly $675,000 spent thus far.

Morganton Department of Public Safety responded to 46 calls for bomb threats at various businesses within the city between Friday and Sunday. No suspicious packages or items were located during any of the searches and the businesses were reopened afterwards. These cases remain under investigation. Anyone having information regarding the bomb threats at any of the businesses is asked to contact the Morganton Department of Public Safety at 437-1211.

In light of the normal rise of crime during the summer months, the Burke County Sheriff's Office will be aggressively serving warrants within the county. According to a news release from the Sheriff's Office, 45 warrants were served on 30 people between June 20th-23rd. A search warrant served on the 21st on Mineral Springs Road in Valdese resulted in 3 arrests at the scene with 2 additional persons having subsequent charges filed. That investigation continues with additional charges expected. Persons with pending warrants can voluntarily turn thenselves in. Anyone with information on the location of persons with pending warrants can contact the 911 Center or call Crime Stoppers at 437-3333. You can also text 274637 with the keyword BURKETIPS and then text your tip, or go to www.tipsoft.com and download a free TipSubmit application to submit pictures and videos.

Morganton Public Safety responded to a residential fire early Monday morning on the 22nd at 208 Conley Road. No fire personnel or residents were injured. Damage to the residence was listed at about $10,000. Burke County REACT assisted at the scene.

A McDowell County woman faces multiple charges in connection with a breakin at the residence of the Old Fort Police Chief. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office Friday, reported the arrest of 37 year old Misty Dawn Anthony of Old Fort. The felony charges include, breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, possession of burglary tools and breaking and entering a motor vehicle. About 2:15pm Thursday, Anthony broke into the home of  Police Chief Melvin Lytle. A witness to the crime notified Lytle, who was working. With the assistance of Old Fort Officers and McDowell County sheriff's deputies, Anthony was taken into custody.

Governor McCrory announced Thursday that the NC Rural Infrastructure Authority approved grant and loan requests totaling over $10,000,000. Some area approvals included in the Vacant Building Category, for Burke County, a $150,000 to support the reuse of a vacant building near Morganton by Fonta Flora Brewery. In Lenoir, a $49,250 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building by Belle Torte Bistro & Bakery. In the Existing Business Building Category, a $500,000 grant to support the renovation of four buildings in Hildebran that will facilitate a 50-job expansion at Peds Legware. In Caldwell County, a $222,450 grant to support the expansion of a building in Granite Falls to support Jordan-Holman Lumber's 23-job expansion. Under the state's Economic Infrastructure program, the City of Marion, a $150,000 grant to support the demolition and clean-up of an abandoned industrial building.

An investigation into a break-in at a Morganton business leads officials to question an employee. A Morganton man faces multiple charges after admitting to breaking into the Boathouse and Service Center on South Sterling Street Sunday. An employee - 28 year old Gregory Allen Shell reportedly broke a window to gain entry. Reports state Shell had initially told the business owner that he had arrived at work to find the broken window. However, the store's owner told Public Safety officers that the business had been ransacked with several items noticeably out of place. Further investigation revealed Shell as a suspect; as two boat keys were located in his belongings. Shell has been charged with Felony Breaking and Entering, Larceny After Breaking and Entering, Damage to Real Property, Possession of Schedule VI, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set $25,000 secured.

The National Main Street Center, has cited numerous NC communities for economic vitality and fidelity in following the best-practice standards for historic preservation and community revitalization championed by the center. Among the new communities appearing in this year's list include: Lincolnton, Rutherfordton and Shelby. Communities receiving accreditation again this year include: Boone, Hickory, Lenoir, Marion, Morganton, and Spruce Pine.

A Hickory man is charged with four felony charges, including Child Abuse Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury. On May 21st Deputies with the Burke County Sheriff's Office responded to Frye Regional Hospital where a 15 month child had been admitted. 27 year old Timothy Alan McBee, Jr. was also charged with felony Breaking and Entering, Larceny after Breaking and Entering and Possession of Stolen Goods. Bond was set at $85,000 secured. The Burke County Department of Social Services assisted the the Burke County Sheriff's Office in the case.

Three Valdese residents face charges after officers execute a search warrant Tuesday, at a residence on Mineral Springs Mountain Road in Valdese. According to a news release from the Burke County Sheriff's Office, the search occurred about 4:30pm. Officers encountered 12 people at various locations on the property and within the residence. 38 year old Clee Eugene Blackenship was charged with Non-Support, 53 year old Rocky Darell Powell faces two counts of FTA in Caldwell County and in Newton, and 29 year old Elizabeth Maria Hanna was charged with Resist, Obstruct, and Delay. The homeowner, Gail Phillips, was not present at the time of the search, but charges are pending on her based on items located within the residence. Officers located a truck on the property that was reported stolen in Drexel. The investigation is ongoing. The Burke County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the A.T.F., the Burke County Narcotics Task Force and Drexel Police.

Governor McCrory has released the state "broadband" plan. Increasing access to affordable high-speed internet across NC through a state broadband plan - the Governor's plan outlines recommendations for th state to increase internet access, focusing on lowering infrastructure construction costs, preparing a 21st century workforce, increasing a small business adoption, and expanding access for K-12 students at home. The plan targets connecting classrooms, with hopes of implementing 100-percent to a robust Wi-Fi system by 2018. A press release states the plan also details ways to support new health care technologies and methods of providing necessary tools to public safety responders to ensure safety for the state's citizens.

A public hearing was scheduled regarding the adoption of the 2016-2017 budget and a motion was passed to cover a landfill in the Burke County Board of Commissioners Tuesday night regular meeting. There was one public hearing held regarding the 2017 budget, but no one spoke. County Manager Bryan Steen said the budget is a statement of policy from the board towards the needs of the community. At the current tax rate, the general fund budget provides funds for projects, the school system and community college, enables security enhancement at the courthouse, enables detention staff to take holiday time off accumulated during the year and much more. The budget also made a 3.5% adjustment to the pay plan, the first major adjustment to the pay plan since 2008. There was conflict on the budget with some commissioners being concerned with the 3.5% increase in the pay adjustment. The budget was adopted with a 3-2 vote. For years Burke County has operated a MSW landfill municipal solid waste at the John's River facility. This facility was closed in 1990 and converted into a Construction & Demolition debris landfill. That converted landfill has reached its filling capacity and commissioners approved a geo synthetic clay liner to be placed over the top 6 acres of the landfill and then fill with soil on top to establish growth. A bid was given to Triangle Paving & Grading of Burlington for $838,434. The motion passed 5-0.

Hickory City Council met Tuesday night. Deputy City Attorney Arnita Dula was recognized for receiving the Citizen Lawyer Award from the North Carolina Bar Association. Three department reports were presented with all three passing by a 7-0 vote of city council. Mayor Rudy Wright mad some comments concerning the Hickory Housing Authority. Wright stated that as long as he and city council have the responsibility of appointing members to the Board, those who have served for long periods and many terms will be changed, so others willing to serve can have the opportunity to do so. Appointment of new members passed 7-0. A closed session was needed to discuss several items, including a discussion of litigation between Willie James Grimes and the City of Hickory. No action was taken back in open session.

Two have been arrested on drug charges at a Hickory motel over the weekend. During a routine property check at the Red Roof Inn, reports say Hickory Police detected a scent of marijuana - leading them to a room occupied by two individuals. Officers seized 4.3 grams of meth and a marijuana cigarette. 24 year old Kasey Marie West of Vale was charged with one felony count of possession of a controlled substance; while the other subject was reportedly cited for simple possession. Reports state officers searched a second room registered under the same name and discovered 1.5 grams of meth and a dose of Vicodin. The room's occupant, 33 year old Tony Lee of Hickory was charged with one felony count of possession of a schedule two controlled substance, one misdemeanor count of possession of a schedule two controlled substance, and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Lee was issued a $5000 secured bond; while West received a $3000 secured bond.

A public hearing was held to consider adopting the 2016-2017 fiscal year budget for the City of Morganton and a resolution was made in support of the Fonta Flora State Trail in Monday night's regular Morganton City Council meeting. The budget for the 2016-2017 year is estimated at $71 million. The general fund, which gained large revenue from sales tax, had a budget of $22 million dollars, which is $1.6 million less than the revised budget for 2015-2016. Sales tax is the second largest revenue in the general fund. Capital improvements are included in the general fund. Some of these operations and expenditures include brick and mortar repair and sound improvements at COMMA as well as patrol car, fire truck & gear replacement and facility improvements for public safety. Also in the budget is $180,000 for a skate park, $400,000 for MLK,Jr Park renovation and
$80,000 in other park renovations. Council adopted a resolution in support of the Fonta Flora State Trail. Burke County Community Development has been working on the Fonta Flora State Trail Master Plan -  Lake James Section and the concept of the trail has expanded from Morganton to Asheville. The N.C.Division of Parks and Recreation supports the expansion and Council adopted the resolution unanimously. Prior to the open session, council had a closed session to discuss an economic development project.

Two area residents are charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine. Lenoir Police Sunday reported the arrests of 30 year old Garry Dean Sanders Jr of Lenoir and 29 year old Josiah Phillip Denman of Longview at an address on Blowing Rock Boulevard. They were placed in the Caldwell County Detention Center under a bond of $100,000 each.

A section of Alphabet Lane near the Morganton Aquatics Center is currently closed for paving. Visitors can still access the Aquatics Center or the Mountain View Recreation Center via Bouchelle Street and First Avenue. Contractors are paving a section of Alphabet lane and the new parking lots at the recreation center. Alphabet lane should be reopened Wednesday morning, barring unforeseen problems.