A Morganton man is arrested after reports say he assaulted his grandmother.

Public Safety officers were called to the scene of a disturbance Wednesday at 312 White Street.

There they found 21-year-old Dawson L. Hicks who was intoxicated and had allegedly assaulted his 73-year-old grandmother Betty Hudson.

A news release states officers moved Hicks outside the home onto a concrete porch where the suspect became involved in a scuffle with one of the officers.

Reports say Hicks then spit on the officer, and had to be held down by officers on the scene awaiting additional assistance to further secure him.

Hudson was evaluated by Burke EMS and transported to the hospital by a family member.

She reportedly suffered several broken bones in her arm from the assault.

The Public Safety Officer was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released for minor injuries he received in the scuffle with Hicks.

Hicks was charged with assault on a female, resist delay or obstruct a public officer and assault on a government official, and felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury.

He was placed in the Burke County jail under a total 15-thousand dollar secured bond.

Hicks’ first court appearance is April 8^th.

Burke County reports an additional case of coronavirus Thursday, bringing the latest total for Burke

 to 9 positive cases.

As standard, health officials report the individual is in isolation with an investigation underway into identifying their close contacts.

A news release from the health department encourages residents to call their medical provider if they have symptoms consistent with the virus, but that they do not need to come out to be tested since it may spread the illness to others.

Health officials further state it is extremely important to follow the Governor’s Stay at Home executive order for the next 30 days, and only go out to pick up essential items.

The state’s department of health and human services reports one-thousand-857 people in NC have tested positive for COVID-19, with 16 deaths statewide.

McDowell County has launched a virtual COVID-19 screening system for residents concerned about symptoms they may be having.

Enter mcdowell-dot-clearstep-dot health in your computer browser to start the screener.

McDowell also has a hotline setup for screenings by phone at 527-6687.

The Burke County Board of Commissioners will hold their April 7^th meeting via virtual platform.

All meeting participants will take part in the gathering electronically, either by computer or phone.

In compliance with the Governor’s executive order, the Commissioners meeting room will not be open.

The public is invited to watch the live stream on the County’s YouTube channel, Burke County Government or watch the recorded meeting on COMPAS cable channel 2 and Spectrum Cable Channel 192.