COVID Update

Holiday gatherings are apparently showing up in the latest COVID figures throughout the Catawba Valley.

On the Burke County health department’s online dashboard, 283 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the last two days.

There are now 411 active cases, and 12 Burke residents are in the hospital.

Catawba County reports 245 new cases in the last week with 48 hospitalized.

Caldwell County saw an additional 239 cases of the virus, and 14 residents remain in the hospital.

In McDowell County, there have been 53 additional cases since Monday, and 236 are presently quarantined.

NC health officials Wednesday reported nearly 94-hundred new COVID cases statewide and more than 21-hundred people throughout the state are hospitalized because of the virus.

Blood Donations

The American Red Cross says their blood supply is lower than it’s been in years and is desperate for donations.

Officials state the holiday season always leads to a drop in donations but this year it’s been worse and the demand is up.

Red Cross workers say that someone in the US needs blood every two seconds; and during the holidays, accidents come at a higher level due to kids being out of school and family travel.

Workers also stress the need for donations due to ongoing health issues that people endure.

Those who would like to donate can make an appointment on redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

 Lost Cove Fire Update

The Avery County wildfire in the Lost Cove area is now estimated at 1-thousand acres, and is now 60-percent contained.

The latest update from fire officials says firefighters are currently patrolling and monitoring the fire perimeter.

Some light rain fell on the fire area, with additional rainfall expected.

Officials say the outlook of firefighting operations beyond Wednesday will depend on whether enough rainfall occurs to fully extinguish the blaze.

Emergency closures of some trails in the area remain in place.

The US Forest Service assisted by Collettsville and Linville Fire Departments are on the scene of the wildfire.

Fire officials continue to investigate the cause of the fire.

Caldwell Rabies

Caldwell County health officials are reporting the county’s fourth confirmed case of rabies for the year.

A news release says the state’s lab notified Caldwell animal control that a skunk submitted for testing was infected with the rabies virus.

The skunk was found on Power Drive in Granite Falls and was sent for testing after coming into contact with a dog.

The dog received a booster rabies vaccine and is under observation for 45 days.

Rabies is fatal and can also be transmitted to people; making the rabies vaccine a state requirement for cats and dogs.

Rutherford Co Arrest

A Rutherford County man faces charges after lawmen find the partial remains of two people on his property Monday.

Reports say officers were responding to a call about two possible deaths at a residence in Forest City.

Authorities report the discovery of remains and personal belongings of 44-year-old Jason Van Dyke who lived with the suspect on the property.

Investigators also found the remains and personal belongings of 42-year-old Tracey McKinney of Ellenboro.

McKinney had been reported missing by her family earlier on Monday.

34-year-old Matthew Thomas Cooley has been charged with one count of homicide in the death of Van Dyke.

He is also charged with two counts of dismembering or destroying human remains, and two counts of failing to notify law enforcement of the deaths.

Cooley has not yet been charged with homicide in connection with McKinney’s death.

Reports state an autopsy on the victims is scheduled for tomorrow.

Cooley is currently being held in the Rutherford County detention facility with no bond.

 

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Lost Cove Fire

The Lost Cove fire has grown to an estimated 700 acres as the wildfire continues to spread with low intensity.

The fire is burning in the Wilson Creek watershed in the Grandfather Ranger district in Avery County.

Containment remains at 20-percent.

The fire was reported on Christmas Eve and has now progressed downhill from Timber Ridge to the south and east.

Officials report the fire is primarily burning through leaf litter at low to moderate intensities.

Firefighters report they expect the fire to continue to grow within the Lost Cove Wilderness Study area until significant rain is received.

No homes or structures are currently threatened.

Emergency closures of some trails in the fire zone remain in place.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

COVID Treatment Paused

In a news release from Caldwell County health officials, the assistant secretary for preparedness and response announces the organization is pausing allocation of some monoclonal therapies used to treat patients who test positive for COVID.

The therapy has been paused pending updated data from the CDC.

According to the FDA and Preparedness and Response officials, the particular monoclonal antibodies may not work against current circulating COVID variants, including Omicron, which continues to increase across the US.

In the news release Caldwell County states based on the federal changes and recommendations, the Caldwell health department along with EMS personnel will provide monoclonal treatments on a limited basis; while continuing to monitor the most current federal and state guidelines.

Meanwhile, state health officials report nearly 37-hundred new COVID-19 cases today statewide.

Officials further report almost 2-thousand residents in NC are hospitalized with the virus.

Tuesday’s daily percent of positive tests reported in the state is 21-point-9 percent.

Marion Sex Crime

A Marion man has been found guilty in McDowell County Superior Court of sex crimes involving an underage girl.

52-year-old Joseph Guzman of Robin Drive pleaded guilty, reports say, to indecent liberties with a child.

He was given a 19 to 32 month suspended sentence, with a credit for 168 days time served.

Guzman will serve 48 months supervised probation, and will be required to register as a sex offender.

Guzman also pleaded guilty to felony disseminating obscenity, and issued a 5 to 15 month suspended sentence; with an additional 48 months supervised probation to follow the initial judgment.

In August, a detective with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office reportedly charged Guzman after an investigation revealed he had inappropriate sexual contact with a teenage female acquaintance, and had sent her obscene photos to her phone.

12/28/2021 PM

A Lincoln County teenager has been arrested on outstanding armed robbery charges from Mecklenburg County, and a robbery of a Denver convenience store.

Officers were called to the store in Denver around 3 Tuesday morning to a reported armed robbery.

Store clerks told deputies a lone gunman entered the store wearing all black clothing and brandishing a gun.

The suspect described as a white male reportedly demanded the clerk place money from the cash register in a grocery bag.

The man then left the store, ran across the parking lot and fled in a silver passenger car.

Then around 6:30 a.m., Charlotte Mecklenburg officers assisted by Lincoln County deputies were serving three outstanding warrants on a Lincoln resident for robbery with a dangerous weapon at convenience stores in Charlotte.

Officers arrested 18-year-old Abdel Lagueb who also confessed to the Lincoln convenience store robbery that occcured Tuesday morning.

He is currently being held in the Mecklenburg detention center under a 75-thousand dollar bond.

Lagueb will be charged with common law robbery in connection with the incident.

 

 

 

COVID Update

The increase in new COVID-19 cases hasn’t taken a break for the holidays –

According to the latest figures from Burke County’s online dashboard, there have been an additional 85 cases since this time last week for a total of 17-thousand-67.

255 cases are reported to be active, while 9 Burke residents remain hospitalized.

McDowell County reports 62 new COVID cases since Friday and one additional virus-related death.

183 people in McDowell are quarantined.

McDowell is currently at a 6-point-8 percent positivity rate, with a total of 9-thousand-303 cases since the pandemic began.

Marion New Years 

One of the southeast’s most unique New Year’s Eve celebrations takes place in downtown Marion.

At midnight, a gold nugget descends from the sky into a pot of gold to ring in 2022.

The City of Marion began its annual nugget drop in 2007 in recognition of McDowell County’s gold heritage.

Other events Friday evening include an urban hike through several downtown Marion neighborhoods, highlighting the city’s iconic homes and stories of former owners.

The hike starts at 7 pm and is expected to last about 2 hours, and participants are urged to wear comfortable walking shoes.

No advanced registration is required.

Then at 7:30 and 10:30 pm, the McDowell Historical Society will host a Ghost Walk. Tickets are 12-dollars for adults and 8-dollars for kids 12 to 18; while those under 12 are free.

The walks should last about an hour and 15 minutes.

The event also features kid’s games, a costume contest, scavenger hunt, and carriage rides.

For more about the New Year’s Eve event checkout Marion Rotary’s Facebook page.

Shelby Sex Charge

A Shelby man will spend decades in prison followed by a lifetime on the sex offender registry for having sexual encounters with an out-of-state teen through a messenger app.

35-year-old Kenneth Ricky Ingle Jr. was sentenced to a prison term of 20 years, and supervised release following his release from custody.

Court documents indicate Ingle used the Kik messenger app in August 2020 to engage in sexual communications with a 14-year-old girl in Florida.

He was then arrested the following October and charged with four counts of using a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct.

Ingle reportedly accepted a plea offer earlier this year and was sentenced last week.

He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to a federal prison facility once one is designated.

 

 

 

 

Lost Cove Wildfire  

The U.S.Forest Service issued an emergency closure

for some trails in the Pisgah National Forest due to

the Lost Cove Fire in the Wilson Creek area. The fire

is located near Bee Mountain, 10 miles southeast of

Linville. The fire, reported Friday afternoon, was

estimated in a Sunday news releases at 350 acres and

10% contained. Trail closures include, Huntfish Falls,

Darkside Cliffs, Lost Cove Loop, and Timber Ridge,

including portions of the Mountain to Sea Trail between

Roseboro and Pineola Roads. The public is asked to

avoid the Lost Cove Wilderness Study Area until the

fire is contained. U.S.and North Carolina Forest Service

firefighters are responding with support from Linville

and Collettsville. The cause of the fire is under

investigation, but is suspected to be human caused.

Hickory Man Charged with Probation Violation  

A Hickory man is charged with multiple Felony

Probation Violation offenses and Failing to Appear

charges. 43-year-old David Lee Brendle was charged 

Sunday by the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office with

3 counts of Felony Probation Violation and 7 counts

of Failing to Appear in court on various charges.

Bond was set at $85,000 with a first court appearance

scheduled for Thursday.

Asheville Pedestrian Fatalities  

Asheville Police continue to investigate two recent

pedestrian fatalities. The first on December 14^th at

6:27 p.m.,involved a car driven by Brenda Pace traveling

west on Long Shoals Road, which struck Charles Call, who

was attempting to cross the road. Call was wearing dark

clothing and was not walking in a marked crosswalk.

The second pedestrian fatality occurred on December 20^th

at 10:39 p.m., when a truck operated by Jeremiah

Shiver, was traveling west on Tunnel Road near Riceville

Road, hit Stephen Funk, who wearing dark clothing and

walking across the intersection. Traffic Safety Unit

officers encourage drivers to be mindful of intersections

and roadways where pedestrian traffic is heavy.

Iredell Bridge Replacement  

NCDOT has closed a road in Iredell County until next

summer. Jennings Road is closed in both directions

between Gethsemane and Mount Vernon Church roads

while crews replace the bridge over Olin Creek. The

work is expected to be complete by late July. Traffic

is detoured to Mount Vernon Church, Friendship

and Gethsemane Roads.

 

Numerous Charges on Conover Man 

A Conover man faces numerous charges after a Tuesday

arrest by the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. 31-year-old

Terry Kenneth Ross was charged with Felony First Degree

Burglary, Felony Breaking and or Entering, two Meth Charges,

Maintaining a Vehicle, Dwelling or Place for Controlled

Substance, Possession of a Weapon of Mass Destruction and

Possession of Firearm by Felon. Bond was set at $390,000

with his next court appearance scheduled for December 30^th.

Rape Suspect Arrested by Asheville Police  

Asheville Police on Thursday arrested a rape suspect. Detectives

charged 69-year-old James Brown of Asheville with Second

Degree Forcible Rape and he was booked into the Buncombe

County Detention Center under a $200,000 bond. Asheville

Police continues to investigate similar cases of sexual assault.

Anyone who may have been a victim or has information related

to a similar incident can contact Asheville Police at 828-252-1110.

Wire Theft from House 

An Iron Station man has been charged with stealing

wire from a residence under construction. Lincoln

deputies on December 14^th, were dispatched to the

2700 block of West NC 27 Highway, where they

discovered that wiring in the crawl space had been

cut. Damage was estimated at about $1,000.

50-year-old Michael Wayne Rich reportedly

confessed to the larceny, according to the Lincoln

County Sheriff’s Office, and was placed in the Harven

A. Crouse Detention Center. 

 

Hinson Murder Case Update  

Burke detectives have received additional information in

connection with a 40 year old murder case. Today

marks the 40^th anniversary of the death of 19-year-old

Rhonda Hinson who was shot and killed. A press release

Wednesday from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office

indicates that the additional data provides a new line

of information.

Highway Projects Halted  

Most state road construction projects will be suspended

for the holidays. NCDOT plans to open lanes that have

been closed for construction through the evening of

Tuesday December 28^th and again from Friday December

31^st through Tuesday January 4^th. Exceptions include

bridges being replaced, long-term construction that

cannot be temporarily removed and highway work that

does not impact travel. The heaviest traffic is expected Monday.

 

COVID Death

COVID-19 reportedly claims another life in Burke County as reported by public health officials.

The individual was in their 60’s and had been hospitalized.

The recent death marks the 277^th virus-related passing to occur in Burke.

Local health officials urge those who are sick with any COVID-like symptoms to stay home and avoid visits with family and friends to reduce the chance of passing infection.

On Monday Governor Cooper and state health officials issued a strong public health warning heading into the holidays – saying they anticipate the omicron variant will soon severely strain hospitals as it becomes the dominant variant.

In place of mandates, NC officials are hoping additional testing resources and a strong informational campaign aimed at the 62-percent of unvaccinated individuals will work.

Overall, recent figures show 73-percent of the state’s adults have gotten at least one COVID shot and 69-percent have received at least two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of the J&J.

However, early studies indicate the vaccinated still need a booster shot for the best chance at preventing an omicron infection.

Repairs Close Library

Scheduled repairs, inside and out, will temporarily close the Morganton branch of the Burke County Public Library beginning Saturday January 8^th.

The library will be closed to the public for approximately two weeks.

The closure will allow inside renovations upstairs and downstairs, including painting the lobby, the Kistler wings, and the circulation desk area.

The downstairs staff areas and study rooms are due to get replacement flooring.

Exterior improvements will begin in mid to late January on the library with wood and fascia replacements, new gutters, and exterior paint.

During the interior renovations, library customers can obtain materials through curbside service.

Online programs will continue and staff will be available by phone and email.

Customers may have to utilize the handicapped- accessible library entrance on the lower level due to the exterior renovations.

For more details on the renovations visit the library’s website at bcpls.org or check their Facebook page for updates.

Help ID Suspect

Authorities need the public’s help in identifying a trespasser in Marion.

A resident of a mobile home park on US 70 West in the Pleasant Gardens area told McDowell County deputies that on December 14^th an unknown white female wearing a mask forced her way inside of her home.

Reports say the suspect cursed the victim’s daughter inside the residence before apparently being scared off by the family dog.

The suspect was wearing glasses, a necklace with a gold charm, and had a tattoo on her left ring finger.

She was reportedly driving a black four door car.

Anyone with information about the female suspect or her whereabouts should call McDowell detective Ballew at 652-2237.

Rutherford Co Missing

Rutherford County officials continue to look for a teenage girl reported missing earlier this month.

15-year-old Katelynn Anne Bodford went missing from her Bostic home in early December.

Reports say authorities suspect Bodford may be in Caldwell County in the company of a black male named Kenathan McGuire.

Bodford is described as a white female with blue eyes and long straight brown hair.

She is 5 feet 1 and weighs 168 pounds.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has issued a missing poster for Bodford.

Anyone having information regarding Bodford’s whereabouts should contact the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office at 828-286-2911.

Missing Teen Safe

Lincoln County detectives located a teenager reported missing on Sunday.

The news did not indicate specifics; however, 16-year-old Isaiah Richardson reportedly returned home sometime Monday and is reported to be safe.

It was the second time in less than a week Richardson had been reported missing.