Top Story Spotlight Former Burke County coach charged with sex crimes against student in Hickory s_johnson Sep 29, 2026 Sep 29, 2026 Updated Sep 29, 2026 0 Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save A former Burke County high school coach was arrested in Catawba County on sex charges involving a student. Rugama-Blandon kAmw6C=:?E@? #2>@? #F82>2\q=2?5@?[ ba[ @7 w:4<@CJ[ :D 492C865 H:E9 76=@?J D6I 24E H:E9 2 DEF56?E 2?5 76=@?J :?5646?E =:36CE:6D H:E9 2 DEF56?E[ 244@C5:?8 E@ 4@FCE 5@4F>6?ED]k^AmkAm#F82>2\q=2?5@? H2D 3@@<65 :? E96 r2E2H32 r@F?EJ s6E6?E:@? u24:=:EJ @? %F6D52J]k^AmkAm%96 2CC6DE H2CC2?E D2:5 #F82>2\q=2?5@? H2D 2 4@249 2E y:>>J r] sC2F89? w:89 $49@@= :? '2=56D6] #F82>2\q=2?5@? 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Owners provide update on plans McDowell County Schools alumni spotlight: Carson Gowan has dedicated his life to community Halloween festivities to fill downtown Marion with food, dancing and spooky fun starting Friday First ever Old Fort Harvest Festival to take place Saturday Hunter's Liver Mush needs help with repairs, rising costs to keep Marion business operating McDowell Commissioners approve reappraisal schedule McDowell candidates weigh in on affordability, mental health and Helene recovery Shiflet Field Fly-In & Drive-In returns to Marion Saturday with aircraft, classic cars, family fun UPDATE: Fly-In event at Marion's Shiflet Field rescheduled to Saturday, Oct. 24 3 hospitalized when horses panic and jump at popular NC tourist attraction McDowell County commissioners hear update about design, timeline for new school for Marion JD Vance to rally Republicans in western North Carolina on Monday 6 events with free admission happening in and around Hickory this weekend Liberty Coin & Bullion brings rare coins, currency and collectibles to Marion kAm%96 G:4E:> H2D 2 DEF56?E 2E y:>>J r] sC2F89? w:89 $49@@= 2E E96 E:>6 @7 E96 C6A@CE65 4C:>6[ 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 2CC6DE H2CC2?E]k^AmkAm#F82>2\q=2?5@? 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H92E :D >6?E:@?65 23@G6]k^Am kAm“x? 86?6C2=[ H6 E2<6 2== 4@?46C?D :?G@=G:?8 DEF56?E D276EJ D6C:@FD=J 2?5 4@@A6C2E6 7F==J H:E9 =2H 6?7@C46>6?E] p== 6>A=@J66D F?56C8@ 324<8C@F?5 4964<D 2?5 EC2:?:?8 56D:8?65 E@ 96=A D2768F2C5 @FC DEF56?ED] (6 6IA64E 2== 6>A=@J66D 2DD@4:2E65 H:E9 @FC D49@@= 5:DEC:4E E@ FA9@=5 E96 9:896DE DE2?52C5D @7 AC@76DD:@?2=:D> 2?5 4@?5F4E]k^Am kAm“~FC 7@4FD C6>2:?D @? AC@E64E:?8 @FC DEF56?ED 2?5 AC@G:5:?8 2 D276[ DFAA@CE:G6 6?G:C@?>6?E 7@C 6G6CJ 49:=5]”k^AmkAm#F82>2\q=2?5@? :D 36:?8 96=5 H:E9@FE 3@?5] #F82>2\q=2?5@? :D :??@46?E F?E:= AC@G6? 8F:=EJ :? 2 4@FCE @7 =2H]k^Am Sarah Johnson is the courts and breaking news reporter for the Hickory Daily Record. 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. s_johnson Author email Follow s_johnson Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Related to this story Most Popular Swannanoa man faces sexual assault charges in McDowell County The sheriff's office said the victim reported being assaulted in her sleep. Nebo woman charged with fentanyl possession following traffic stop Law enforcement found marijuana and fentanyl during a traffic stop on Sept. 30. Nebo man charged with possession of stolen 1976 Yamaha motorcycle Sammy Lee Hensley, 36, of Nebo was found to be in possession of one of the bikes after an investigation by Detective Adam Burnette. NC man charged with 60-plus counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, police say Police say the 31-year-old man may have used the SnapChat social media forum to reach his minor victims, according to a news release from the … Watch Now: Related Video Japan launches ambitious mission to Mars' moons France first night under targeted curfews passed calmly France first night under targeted curfews passed calmly Search for Amelia Earhart’s plane comes up empty, but researchers did find something Search for Amelia Earhart’s plane comes up empty, but researchers did find something Over 70% Of Americans Think The US Is On The “Wrong Track” Over 70% Of Americans Think The US Is On The “Wrong Track” Recommended for you
s_johnson Author email Follow s_johnson Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
Swannanoa man faces sexual assault charges in McDowell County The sheriff's office said the victim reported being assaulted in her sleep.
Nebo woman charged with fentanyl possession following traffic stop Law enforcement found marijuana and fentanyl during a traffic stop on Sept. 30.
Nebo man charged with possession of stolen 1976 Yamaha motorcycle Sammy Lee Hensley, 36, of Nebo was found to be in possession of one of the bikes after an investigation by Detective Adam Burnette.
NC man charged with 60-plus counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, police say Police say the 31-year-old man may have used the SnapChat social media forum to reach his minor victims, according to a news release from the …
