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Man sentenced on 2011 drug charges

CATAWBA COUNTY, NC (WBTV)- A Hickory man was convicted in Catawba County Criminal Superior Court on two drug charges stemming from a traffic stop that occurred in 2011.

Alphonso Theondraz Chisholm, 38, was convicted of felony trafficking in opium and felony possession with intent to manufacture, sale and deliver cocaine.

The offense occurred on November 8, 2011, in Hickory and arose out of a traffic stop in which officers located 25 dosage units of Oxycodone and 2.7 grams of cocaine.

Chisholm was sentenced to no less than 70 months and no more than 84 months in the North Carolina Division of Adult Correction, and received a fine of $50,000.

Copyright 2013 WBTV. All rights reserved.

Senate budget proposal changes SBI

Senate budget proposal changes SBI

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- The North Carolina Senate released its state budget proposal late Sunday night.

It's a  $20.6 billion dollar plan that includes adjustments to Medicaid, education reform, and a big change for the State Bureau of Investigation.

Senate leaders have been looking for ways to trim costs, and to prevent any tax increases, and they're proposing consolidation as a tool to do so.

But the SBI proposal is starting to look like a convoluted case.

Attorney General Roy Cooper stood with a dozen law enforcement officers today to oppose the move. Cooper says putting the SBI under McCrory's control could create a conflict of interest, and that it would cripple the organization's independence and investigative techniques.

The SBI currently handles public corruption cases, and in the past it's investigated more than 500 public officials, including the past two governors' administrations.

Tip led to triple arrest in scrap metal theft, deputies say

Nathaniel Wilson, 47

ALEXANDER COUNTY, NC (WBTV)- Three people have been arrested for a recent scrap metal theft after a tip to deputies lead to the trio, according to the Alexander County Sheriff's Office.

Nathaniel Wilson, 47, Mary White, 45, and Junior Bumgarner, 75, were arrested and charged with two counts of misdemeanor larceny and one count of felony larceny each.

Deputies said a Crimestoppers tip led authorities to a home in Catawba County where the three lived.

Wilson's Bond was set at $11,000, while White and Bumgarner's bonds were set at $5,000.

Detectives say they are still investigating other larcenies in the area and more charges are expected.

Copyright 2013 WBTV. All rights reserved.

Operation "Road Watch" ends on successful note

Operation "Road Watch" ends on successful note

The Highway Patrol completed its Operation "Road Watch" campaign after a two-day intensive enforcement effort on I-85 in Cleveland and surrounding counties. 

During the two-day event, which began on Tuesday, May 14, and ended on Wednesday, May 15, Troopers concentrated on commercial motor vehicle violations as well as focused their attention on motorists who were driving aggressively around big trucks, speeding, tailgating, and driving aggressively.

Established in 2007, Operation "Road Watch" was designed to improve commercial motor vehicle safety as well as the efficiency of commercial vehicle operations.

Severe weather spotter training classes offered

Severe weather spotter training classes offered

Severe weather season is underway in the Carolinas and the National Weather Service is looking to train severe weather spotters in our area.

The first of two classes in our area will be offered Thursday evening, May 16, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Iredell County Agriculture Center. Classes are about two hours long and covers the basics of thunderstorm development, fundamentals of storm structure and how to identify potential severe weather features.

The class is free, but you will need to register by calling 704-878-5097. For directions and more information, click here.

The next class will be offered in Union, SC on Tuesday, May 21st.

For more information on the SKYWARN program, click here.

Copyright 2013 WBTV.  All rights reserved.

Frye Regional Medical Center Receives Gold Award in Heart Care

Frye Regional Medical Center Receives Gold Award in Heart Care

Frye Regional Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Heart Attack Gold Receiving Center Accreditation.

The accreditation program — sponsored by the American Heart Association and the Society of Chest Pain Centers —recognizes centers that meet or exceed quality of care measures for people experiencing the most severe type of heart attack, ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), in which blood flow is completely blocked to a portion of the heart.

Frye underwent numerous on-site reviews by accreditation specialists from the Society of Chest Pain Centers.

As a result, Frye will display the American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline ® Heart Attack Gold Receiving Center Accreditation certification mark.

One person killed in deadly Catawba Co. crash

LONG VIEW, NC (WBTV)- Police in Long View are investigating a deadly vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon.

The incident was reported at 4:04 p.m. on the 2200 block of Second Avenue, according to the Long View Police Department.

Police say at least one person was killed, the vehicle is upside in the roadway.

Shirley Accord, 77, died at the scene, police said.

Sheila Low, 23, was the driver of the vehicle that hit Accord.

Police say Accord failed to stop at a stop sign and was hit by Low's car.

Low was taken to the hospital for treatment.

No charges will be filed in the case.

Copyright 2013 WBTV. All rights reserved.