Burke County deputies were called to a Zion Road residence Monday and found a man's body. According to WSOC-TV, Sheriff Steve Whisnant hopes an autopsy will provide answers in the death investigation. The SBI has been called in to assist.

A report of a stolen vehicle leads to drug charges for a McDowell County pair. 36-year-old James Robert Hollifield ofNebo faces numerous drug charges; while 28-year-old Amanda Lynn Jones of Marion was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. McDowell officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle, which turned out not to be stolen according to reports. However, Hollifield and Jones were discovered inside the vehicle along with nearly 13 grams of methamphetamine and paraphernalia. Both were served with outstanding warrants - Hollifield for failure to pay child support, and Jones for failure to appear.

A Monday morning wreck has claimed the life of a Hickory man. According to the News Herald, 53-year-old Timothy Ray Weaver was killed about 8:30 in the accident near MM 118 on I-40 in Hildebran. The State Highway Patrol told the paper that Weaver's car ran underneath a box truck. Authorities were working another accident in the area and traffic was backed up.

Hickory firefighters were dispatched just after 8:30 Monday morning to a reported fire in the area of 2071 15th Avenue Place SE. The building sustained minor fire damage and no injuries were reported. Fire investigators determined the fire was caused by combustibles too close to a heating device.

The City of Morganton is closing Erwin Street between South Sterling Street and South Green Street about 8 o'clock this morning, to repair a stormwater line. The road should reopen Wednesday night.

A 150-acre fire is burning in McDowell County. The fire began about 1pm Saturday, along the Haines Eyebrow Ridge between Singecat Branch and Burgins Fork. Highway 80 is temporarily closed to all but local traffic between Buck Creek Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Little Buck Road near Lake Tahoma. The public is encouraged to use extreme caution with outdoor fires. Western North Carolina continues to be abnormally dry despite recent rain and snow. Don't burn on windy days.

A Cleveland County man will spend the next 6 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug charges and admitting his status as a habitual felon during Catawba County Superior Court on Thursday. 48-year-old Warren Darnell Tipps of Lawndale, was sentenced to serve 6 to 8 years by the Honorable W. Todd Pomeroy, Superior Court Judge from Lincoln County. Tipps'sentence was enhance by his habitual felon status, which includes prior felony convictions in Catawba County for assault causing physical injury to emergency personnel (January 2013), possession of cocaine (January 2003) and possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance (October 2000).

Impaired driving charges are filed on a Morganton man after a traffic accident. Morganton Public Safety Officers responded Saturday afternoon, to the area of West Fleming Drive at Burkemont Avenue. Burke EMS responded to the scen and evaluated both driver. Neither driver was injured. One driver, 41-year-old David Adam Stamey was charged with Driving While Impaired, Careless and Reckless Driving to Endanger, and Open Container of Alcoholic Beverage in the Passenger Area of a Vehicle after driver had Consumer (Alcohol).

A McDowell County man is charged with sexually abusing a 10-year-old. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office Friday, charged 59-year-old Douglas Honeycutt of Marion with 2 counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. The girls' parents contacted authorities.

A Lincoln County resident faces methamphetamine and felony probation violation charges. Hickory Police Saturday charged 35-year-old Autumn Dawn Buckland of Iron Station. Bond was set at $285,000 with a court appearance today.

A motion was passed to retain an architect for services at EMS base 6 and Burke County was awarded a $2 million grant to extend the County's water system in the Burke County Board of Commissioners regular Tuesday night meeting. Architectural services needed for EMS base 6 will include taking bids for the board to choose, then oversee the project. The max amount of money allotted for the project is $29,500 from the general fund. The grant for water services awarded to Burke County was NC Department of Environmental Quality Community Development Block Grant. The award amount is $2 million and the funds will be used to extend the water system to 12 homes and businesses along Hwy 18 South and Rhoney Road. the grant will also allow the County to interconnect several of its water systems and will provide multiple water supply sources to help minimize service interruptions. The project will bring about 7.5 miles of water line in the area; 4 miles from Shoupe's Way heading south for four miles and from the Gene Huffman Memorial Convenience Center heading south along Rhoney Road to Old NC 18 for 3.5 miles. Funds are expected to be released and available to the County later this year. The construction of the project will begin in 2018.

A suspect was arrested in connection with the armed robbery at a Cubbard Express in Hickory on January 12th. Jovan Tyrese Little was arrested in connection with the armed robbery of the Cubbard Express at 1130 2nd Street Street NE earlier this month. Little was served with a warrant for one count of Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon while in custody on unrelated charges. Bond was set at $75,000. The Hickory Police Department has an outstanding warrant for Jacquez Burrell in reference to the same incident. This warrant is also for one count of Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551.

A Morganton woman is charged with taking mail. On Wednesday, Burke County Sheriff's deputies responded to the area of US Highway West and Denton's Chapel Church Road in reference to a suspicious person. Witnesses told deputies that there was a female walking down the road removing mail from mailboxes. Deputies located 39-year-old Tonya Loretta Biggerstaff a short time later, reportedly with a backpack containing miscellaneous pieces of mail. Bond was set at $25,000 secured with a court appearance scheduled for today. The Sheriff's Office is wanting to make the residents aware in that area and request they file a report if they have missing mail. The investigation is continuing.

Students and employees were recognized during the Monday night regular Burke County Board of Education meeting. Students in elementary and middle school were recognized for their accomplishments in the speech contest that was held December 14th and 15th.
Elementary School
First Place
Original Composition: Chloe Garrison - Salem
Notable Speeches: Laya Bolds - Salem
Prose: Kaylen Hall - Oak Hill
Poetry: Daniel Kreahling - Salem

Middle School
First Place
Duo Category: Leena Brittain & Sarah Johnson - East Burke
Original Oratory: Brody Wright - Heritage
Poetry: Emma Welland - Heritage
Prose: Rachel Gamewell - Walter Johnson & Luke Elliot - East Burke  Tied
Recited Oratory: Sara Byrd Succop - Heritage

A large number of Burke County Public School teachers were acknowledged for training certifications, performance bonuses and credentials. 17 teachers were recognized for their Gifted Training (AIG) Local Training Certifications, four third grade teachers were recognized for reading performance in the class and being in the top 25% in the LEA and received a bonus. Nine other third grade teachers were awarded for being not only top 25% in the LEA, but also top 25% in the state, also receiving a bonus. Thirteen teachers were acknowledged for their Career and Technical Institutions (CTE) Credentials, receiving a bonus of $25 per student credential. And 31 teachers received bonuses for their student's Advanced Placement.

Two Marion men are facing drug charges following a traffic stop. 25-year-old Justin James McKinney and 20-year-old Austen James Bowie have various drug charges against them after McDowell officers stopped a vehicle they were passengers inside. Reports state McKinney was charged with possession of methamphetamine and Bowie with possession of marijuana. The deputy searched all five occupants and discovered .20 grams of meth on McKinney and 3.9 grams of marijuana on Bowie. Officers stopped the vehicle knowing the driver had a suspended license.

Weapon and drug charges are placed on a Claremont resident. The Catawba County Sheriff's Office Tuesday, filed 5 charges on 43-year-old Felicia Hedrick Salvati. Charges include possession of a firearm by felon, possession of a weapon of mass destruction and 3 marijuana offenses. Bond was set at $50,000 with a court appearance scheduled for today.

A Nebo man has been charged with attempted murder. McDowell officers charged 66-year-old Chester Lee Wilkerson after reports say he shot his wife with a small caliber handgun. Marion police reports show officers responded to a report of a domestic dispute on Jack Corpening Road to find 70-year-old Darnell Logan Wilkerson suffering from a single gunshot wound. The victim was able to make it out of her residence to alert a neighbor, when authorities were notified. She was transported to Mission Hospital in Asheville.

Felony drug charges are filed on a Caldwell County man. The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office Monday, reported the arrest of 25-year-old Ronnie Claude Burchette III of Hudson. Agents with the Sheriff's Office ICE Unit reportedly caugh Burchette with a trafficking amount of hydrocodone pills and a small amount of meth for sale. Complaints had been received about Burchette dealing drugs in the Sawmills area. Bond was set at $100,000.

The Alexander County Sheriff's Office is seeking information in reference to 18 reports of Breaking and Entering to Motor Vehicles in the Bethlehem area. On Wednesday, the Sheriff's Office received reports that vehicles that were both locked and unlocked were entered in the early morning hours. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Daniel Millsaps at 828-632-111 EXT 617.

A Burke County resident is charged with Felony Uttering Counterfeiting Coin. Morganton Department of Public Safety Saturday night, charged 28-year-old Joseph Michael Emerson of Morganton. He was placed in the Burke Catawba Detention Confinement Facility under a $20,000 secured bond with a District Court appearance scheduled for today.

Charges of Methamphetmine Possession and Felony Probation Violation Out of County are filed on a Caldwell County resident. Conover Police Sunday, filed charges on 46-year-old Kerry Elaine Giles of Hudson. Bond was set at $44,750 with a court appearance set for today.

Hickory officials are looking for suspects in a rash of breal-ins occurring since mid-December. Thirteen reported breaking and enterings to Hickory businesses along Highway 127 North have taken place since December 18th. In each incident, the suspect waited until the business was closed, and then forced entry. Video surveillance from two area businesses - one robbed on December 19th and the other on January 17th show a suspect of similar build, wearing similar clothing. Hickory police urge those having information about these cases or any others occurring in the last month to call the investigating officer at 261-2020. Citizens and business owners are encouraged to be vigilant and to contact police should suspicious persons be observed near businesses or residences in the area.

A Marion man is charged with abusing a 6 year old boy. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, charged 26-year-old Scott Robert Bouza with negligent child abuse inflicting serious injury. The victim is the son of Bouza's fiance. The Sheriff's Office received the case on a referral from the McDowell County Department of Social Services.

UPDATE Saturday January 21  Haili has been found in good condition.
The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance in locating 15-year-old Haili Baird. She is 5'3", weighing about 111 pounds and has brown hair. Baird was last seen Monday evening at her residence in Candler. If you have any information please contact the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office Communications at 828-250-6070, or Crimestoppers at 828-255-5050.