A press conference Thursday morning by Burke County Sheriff Steve Whisenant reveals circumstances surrounding last week’s homicide in Connelly Springs.

37-year-old Joshua Nathaniel Beard of Lenoir was arrested and served with a murder warrant Wednesday in Myrtle Beach.

Investigators suspect Beard may have been attempting to purchase furniture from Robin Berry Teague on the evening of her death.

Authorities discovered Teague’s body inside a residence on US 70 after suffering a fatal blow to the head.

Working from tips and surveillance video, authorities identified the suspect and checked his Lenoir residence after obtaining search warrants.

The truck of interest and other items were seized during the search.

Working from information gathered by the Burke Sheriff’s Office and SBI, investigators proceeded to contact SC law enforcement and Myrtle Beach Police regarding Beard’s whereabouts leading to his arrest.

Beard has previous charges in Caldwell County for felony hoax by fake bomb with a July court date.

He was also served a warrant for felony breaking and entering, and larceny after breaking and entering from an incident last April in Burke County.

A Lincoln County grand jury has returned a true bill of indictment charging a former Catawba County Sheriff candidate with multiple felonies and misdemeanors.

Reports say 46-year-old Jason Coy Reid is charged with felony embezzlement by a local officer, felony larceny, and one misdemeanor count each of cyberstalking, stalking, and willfully failing to discharge duties.

In their indictment, the grand jury states it believes there is enough evidence to support that Reid willfully and unlawfully placed an electronic tracking device on his ex-girlfriend’s car without her consent and contacted her via text message stating knowledge of her location.

Reportedly, the text messages began on or around July 1^st 2017 and ended August 2^nd 2017; while the tracking device was in use from July 30^th 2017 through the following August 2^nd.

Reid was a captain for the Catawba Narcotics division in August 2017 and used a tracking device that belonged to the Sheriff’s office according to the indictment.

His bond has been set at 10-thousand-dollars secured with a first court appearance in Lincoln County today.

Lincoln County authorities have arrested a man wanted in Winston Salem in connection with an attempted armed robbery there.

27-year-old Javier Osorio of Charlotte was detained by officers while at a residence in Maiden.

A news release states deputies made repeated attempts to get Osorio to exit the residence, but they finally entered the home and found him hiding in a bedroom.

He was placed in custody without incident and served with outstanding warrants charging him with felony attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, and felony first-degree burglary.

Osorio was detained without bond, and turned over to the Forsyth County authorities.

A man who allegedly held a woman against her will for three days made his first court appearance this week.

24-year-old Daniel Farnsworth has been charged with second-degree kidnapping, assault by strangulation, and assault on a female.

Those charges stem from the victim arriving at Newton Police headquarters to advise officers of the incident.

A press release states she had obvious injuries and managed to escape the house in order to alert authorities.

Farnsworth allegedly strangled the victim to the point she began to lose consciousness; having tied her up using bungee cords.

She told officers she escaped whenever Farnsworth fell asleep.

Farnsworth was issued a 50-thousand-dollar secured bond.

A traffic accident in McDowell County leads officers to the discovery of meth; and to the arrest of a Marion woman.

33-year-old Joanna Kaye Julius of 149 Thunderhill Drive was charged with two counts of trafficking methamphetamine and one count each of possession with intent to sell and deliver meth and possession of meth.

McDowell deputies were assisting Highway Patrol officers at the wreck scene on Tom’s Creek Road.

Julius was an occupant in the vehicle.

A search of the suspect and the car turned up 42 grams of meth.

Additional arrests are pending.

Contractors will tear down the old water tower near the intersection of Vine Arden Road and View Street in Morganton today.

Work is scheduled to last throughout the day.

Residents may see workers on the tower with cutting torches as removal progresses.

A press release states no customers will have their water access affected by the work.

The 750-thousand gallon tank was originally constructed in the 1930’s, and has been out of service for some 20 years.

McDowell County authorities hope the public can help them locate a stolen truck.

James Hensley of 961 Airport Road in Marion reported his ’92 white GMC truck was taken from his driveway Wednesday morning around 8.

The truck’s license plate ELT-4006.

It was loaded with construction equipment and numerous 2-by-4 boards hanging out of the tailgate.

Anyone with information about the crime, suspects, or whereabouts of the truck should call McDowell detectives at 652-2237 or McDowell Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME.

Natalie Bell, a rising Ray Childers Elementary 5th grader, has placed second in a world archery tournament in Louisville.

The 10-year-old Bell competed in the Archery in Schools World Tournament June 9th and finished second out of 616 elementary girls. She was first out of 262 4th-grade girls and 88th out of 2,362 elementary, middle and high school girls.

Heading into Louisville, Bell was ranked 1st in the nation in her bracket for scoring 293 out of 300 points at the national championships in May.

The Burke County Sheriff's Office is looking for the driver of a pickup truck that was in the area of a crime scene June 17th.

The truck is described as a 1999 (or close year) Nissan Frontier, grayish in color and was in the area of 2273 Highway 70 Connelly Springs around 7:30pm. Anyone with information is asked not to engage the person, but to contact the Burke County Sheriff's Office at 438-5500 or Crimestoppers at 437-3333.

Burke deputies were dispatched to an assault at that location and found 63-year-old Robin Berry Teague deceased in the residence. The case is being investigated as a homicide.

The Hickory Water Treatment Facility is one of 69 in the state recognized for surpassing federal and state drinking standards by the N.C. Division of Water Resources.

While all drinking water systems must meet strick state and federal drinking water standards, the Hickory system met performance goals that are significantly more stringent.

Also yesterday, the City of Hickory reported the purchase of a new fire truck. The Rosenbauer fire/rescue pumper replaces a 1999 Quality Fire Appartus Spartan Pumper, which will be placed in reserve status for the next several years. The cost for the new appartus was $475,990.

McDowell investigators are looking for a stolen four-wheeler, valued at $2,500.

The 1991 Honda 4 by 4 was taken sometime between 7:30pm Friday and 12:30pm Sunday from 3815 Tatertown Loop.

Anyone with information concerning the theft of the whereabouts of the ATV is asked to call Detective Grindstaff with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office at 652-2237 or Crime Stoppers at 652-7463.

A Lincoln County rest home resident who walked away from the facility almost five months ago remains missing.

53-year-old Richard Keith Perdue was reportedly last seen leaving through a side door at the Boger City Rest Home in Lincolnton around 8:30 in the evening last January 22^nd.

Facility staff reported him missing two hour later.

Deputies searched the area bur were unable to locate Perdue.

On January 31^st, multiple agencies from Lincoln and Cleveland counties searched a 300-meter area around the rest home, without success.

Perdue is a white male, is 5-feet-5 inches tall and weighs 135 pounds. He has black hair and blue eyes.

Perdue suffers from several medical conditions including autism, spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia.

 

Investigators say they’ve exhausted all leads that have been received in the case.

Perdue does not have relatives in NC and is not familiar with the area.

Anyone having information about his whereabouts should call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 704-732-9050.

A Nebo man charged in the 2014 carbon monoxide poisoning death of his son appeared in court last week and received a prison sentence.

34-year-old Timothy Carl Bartlett Junior was found guilty of negligent child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, and involuntary manslaughter.

He was sentenced to four months in prison; while given a 24 to 41 month suspended sentence.

Bartlett must serve 24 months of supervised probation.

Records show Bartlett and his two sons Nathaniel and Jacob were found unresponsive at their home on February 7^th.

Nathaniel was pronounced dead at the scene; while Jacob and his father were air-lifted to Spartanburg Medical with life-threatening injuries; where they were later released.

Investigators say high levels of carbon monoxide were found in the home, possibly coming from a generator that was running in the basement.

Reports say Bartlett also had methamphetamine found on him the day of the incident.

Caldwell County water customers are seeing sediment in their water in several areas of the county due to separate water-related issues.

Customers near the new William Lenoir Middle School because of construction and replacement of water lines on Highway 90, those in the Grace Chapel area due to hydrant flow tests being conducted by Grace Chapel fire department, and customers in the Dudley Shoals area because of low water levels at the Draco Holding Tank.

Officials say all three areas should see the water beginning to clear over the next few days.

County staff has tested the water in these areas and have determined the water is safe.

Anyone with questions can contact the Caldwell County Water Department at 757-5758.

The Falling Creek Road bridge replacement project in Hickory is now complete and open to traffic.

The NC DOT conducted the final inspection and approval today prior to reopening the bridge.

The bridge has been closed since June 12^th 2017 following a determination by engineers that it was structurally deficient.

The project was expected to take a year to complete.

The NC Center for Missing Persons has issued a silver alert for a missing Morganton man.

24-year-old Michael Joseph Morin was last seen on North College Street.

He is described as a white male, 5-feet-11-inches tall with medium length brown hair and brown eyes.

Morin weighs 203 pounds and was last seen wearing a black tank top with black basketball shorts.

The release states Morin may be suffering from dementia or ome other cognitive impairment.

Anyone having information about Morin’s whereabouts should call Morganton Public Safety at 437-1211.

Local and state authorities are currently investigating a Connelly Springs homicide that occurred over the weekend.

Following a call from a family member Sunday evening, Burke Sheriff’s deputies were summoned to an alleged assault at 2273 US Highway 70.

Whenever they arrived however, they discovered 63-year-old Robin Berry Teague deceased in the residence.

The case is being investigated as a homicide.

Other news outlets report the victim received blunt force trauma.

The SBI is assisting the Burke Sheriff’s Office in the investigation.

A Hickory man faces a host of charges following his arrest Saturday afternoon.

While patrolling on South Center Street, Hickory Police officers heard shots fired in the area.

Upon investigation, reports say multiple suspects fled in separate vehicles.

One of the vehicles was stopped on 10^th Avenue Southeast, in which officers found a 357 handgun underneath the passenger seat, two grams of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and more than 600-dollars cash.

25-year-old Marquis Lee Wilson was charged with felony possession of a schedule-two controlled substance, misdemeanor carrying a concealed gun, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, and discharging a firearm in the city limits.

Wilson was issued a 10-thousand-dollar secured bond, with a first court appearance set for Tuesday.

Hard to believe it’s not even summer yet as state public health officials warn people to take steps to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses as sweltering heat is expected to impact parts of our state this week.

High temperatures along with high humidity levels can be dangerous.

People spending time outdoors for work or recreation should seek protection from the sun and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Every summer studies show around 3-thousand heat-related illness visits to the emergency rooms.

Children, older individuals, outdoor workers and those with chronic health conditions are most vulnerable.

Officials remind people to increase fluid intake, take frequent breaks in cool or air-conditioned areas, reduce normal activities, remember meds you’re taking that may not react well to becoming overheated, check on neighbors, and never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.

A missing teenager who ran away from her home in Lincoln County is believed to possibly be in McDowell County.

A news release states 17-year-old Alyssa Jordan Davis left her Iron Station home early Tuesday morning following an argument with a family member.

She is described as a white female, 5-feet-3 inches tall with blue eyes and brown hair.

Davis may be in the company of Jackie Goldsworth or Eli Goldsworth and may be in the Marion or Nebo area.

Anyone with information about Davis’ whereabouts should contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 704-732-9050.

McDowell County has established a designated number to request help with home cleanup following recent damaging rains.

Now through Friday June 22^nd, McDowell residents simply dial 2-1-1 for cleanup assistance.

As they are able, reputable and vetted relief agencies may assist those affected move earth, cut fallen trees, and remove drywall, insulation, flooring, furniture, and appliances.

All services are free, but service is not guaranteed due to the overwhelming need.

Just dial 2-1-1- McDowell County only- and a specialist will connect you.

Your information will be shared with volunteers who can provide cleanup assistance and the tools and equipment necessary to complete your project.

The price tag to fix recent storm damage is up to 17-million dollars in western NC- that according to state DOT officials.

While most roadways previously closed due to debris from flooding have reopened, officials say some fixes are only temporary.

Motorists could be seeing work zones throughout the summer as more permanent repairs are made.

Where damage is more complex and extensive, contractors will be brought in to complete the work.

Catawba County officials are on the lookout for a Newton man wanted for a series of assaults over a three-day period.

A press release from the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office says Jason Travis Shook has an outstanding warrant for assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injuries.

A female victim told authorities Shook had held her against her will inside a residence on Viewpoint Road for three days and assaulted her numerous times.

Deputies were told Shook had fled the scene prior to their arrival.

The female victim was transported to Frye regional for her injuries.

Hickory Police, the NC Highway Patrol, and Newton police assisted at the incident.

Shook’s location remains unknown.

Anyone having information should call the Catawba Sheriff’s Office at 464-3112.

A Marion man faces numerous charges after authorities arrested him while walking naked on Interstate 40.

48-year-old Kevin Gordon Elliot of Grants Mountain Road was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell and deliver meth, and indecent exposure.

McDowell deputies assisted by the state highway patrol responded to the report of an unclothed man walking along the I-40 ramp near Exit 86.

Reports say as they were taking Elliot into custody, he threw a pill bottle on the ground that contained more than 9 grams of meth.

A Lincoln County traffic stop earlier this week led to the arrest of three people in connection with drugs, and larceny from a residence in Denver.

Officers observed a vehicle believed to have been used in the theft, proceeded to stop the vehicle, and upon consent searched the two male occupants along with the vehicle.

Reports say a small baggie containing meth was located underneath the hood.

The driver 32-year-old Joseph Matthew Shirley of Mount Holly was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, and no insurance on the vehicle.

Shirley was then interviewed by Lincoln detectives regarding the theft of 40-thousand-dollars worth of equipment from a Denver residence including a tractor, bush hog, and two four-wheelers.

Authorities then secured a search warrant for a residence on Magnolia Grove Road occupied by Charles Jason Keener.

Officers seized illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, stolen property, and also arrested a male there who had outstanding warrants.

The bush hog and a bag from one of the stolen four-wheelers were recovered.

Keener of Lincolnton, Cory Ingram of Iron Station along with Shirley were charged with felony larceny, possession of stolen goods, and conspiracy.

The three were each jailed under a 25-thousand-dollar secured bond.

The investigation continues.

A South Carolina man died Saturday from an apparent fall at Upper Creek Falls in northern Burke County.

Published reports say 25-year-old Daniel Arroyo of Lancaster was discovered by search and rescue teams following numerous hours of searching an area where he and friends had been hiking.

Arroyo became separated from friends who began then looking for him.

After no success, the group called Burke County emergency services for assistance in locating their friend.

Searchers eventually found Arroyo at the bottom of the falls around midnight.

Medical examiner reports point to an apparent fall; however, they’re not sure of the distance of the fall.

Burke County Search and Rescue, Burke Emergency Management, Chestefield Fire and Rescue, George Hildebran Fire and Rescue, Linville Central Rescue, Parkway Rescue, and the Burke County Sheriff’s Department took part in the incident.

A former McDowell County library employee faces embezzlement charges.

69-year-old Martha Jane Berryhill of 526 Berryhill Farm Drive in Nebo has been charged with five counts of embezzlement.

McDowell Sheriff’s Department reports say Berryhill worked at the McDowell County Public Library and was responsible for depositing cash from both the Marion and Old Fort branches.

Library administrators reportedly found discrepancies in the deposits and notified the Sheriff’s Office.

It’s believed that Berryhill took nearly 22-thousand-dollars between Jan 1^st  2014 and March 29^th of this year.

An Alexander County couple has been charged with embezzling money from a disabled veteran’s chapter.

The investigation began May 29^th when the Disabled American Veterans chapter reported 58-hundred-dollars missing.

Investigation led to the organization’s treasurer, 65-year-old James Marion Benfield of Taylorsville who was charged with three counts of embezzlement.

In addition, his girlfriend 46-year-old Elizabeth Dixon was charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit embezzlement.

Benfield is also reportedly a member of the local chapters of VFW and American Legion who also reported funds missing.

Reports say many of the transactions were ATM withdrawals and Benfield used checks from the DAV to pay his personal bills.

The thefts began in August 2017 and continued until they were reported on May 29^th.

Dixon admitted to also using the organization’s money for personal use.

Both Benfield and Dixon were issued 15-thousand-500 dollar secured bonds.

The investigation continues.