COVID-19 UPDATE

The 3^rd straight day of record-high COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state, as the nation tops 3 million positive cases; while Burke County’s numbers also increase.

Public health officials say Burke now has 1-thousand-116 positive cases; while 

McDowell County reports 263 positive cases, and Caldwell County with 555.

Caldwell County reported a third outbreak of COVID-19. Two employees at Hickory Falls Health and Rehabilitation tested positive, with eight more cases reported at Brockford Inn Assisted Living. Caldwell County now has 555 confirmed cases._
Catawba County Public Health is investigating another outbreak of COVID-19 at
a Newton long-term care facility, Three residents and two staff members at
Abernathy Laurels have tested positive for the virus. 

State experts continue to warn residents about methanol-contaminated hand sanitizers.

Methanol is a toxic alcohol that can cause blindness and/or death when absorbed through the skin or when swallowed.

No alcohol-based hand sanitizers should ever be ingested.

Manufacturers and distributors are working on a voluntary recall of products that contain significant methanol.

Officials say to check your hand sanitizer on the FDA’s testing and manufacturer’s recall list.

If your product is listed, stop using the product and dispose of it immediately in appropriate hazardous waste containers; and do not flush or pour down the drain.

Child Abduction

Two Morganton men face felony charges for child abduction.

A news release from Morganton Public Safety states the department on Tuesday took a report of a runaway juvenile, while further investigation into the matter revealed reports of an additional runaway juvenile.

Reports say the two juveniles were located unharmed in Georgia through cooperative efforts of Morganton Public Safety, the Houston County Georgia Sheriff’s Office, and the Burke County Emergency Communications Center.

Those charged in the case - 30-year-old Bryan Febres and 21-year-old Michael Rodriquez are currently awaiting extradition back to NC.

Further charges are pending.


Bear Statue Taken

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help for

information about the theft of a large bear statue that was stolen

on or about June 30^th from Old NC 18 outside Morganton. In you

have any information please call the Sheriff’s Office at 438-5500 or

Crime Stoppers at 437-3333.

Cocaine Charges

Two people are found in possession of cocaine in McDowell County.

Just before 4pm on June 24^th, during an ongoing investigation into

child sex allegations involving 45-year-old Jacob Daylen Ross ,of Landis

Road, Marion, a McDowell deputy stopped a vehicle occupied by Ross

and 48-year-old Angela Powell Carpenter of Powerhouse Road, Morganton.

A search of the vehicle turned up two dosage units of crack cocaine.

Missing Marion Girl

McDowell deputies are searching for a 15-year-old Marion runaway.

Amanda Nevaeh Brown was last seen on Triton Way in Old Fort at

7:30 last night. She is described as a white female, 5 feet 3 inches tall

weighs 115 pounds and has red shoulder-length red hair, blue eyes and

a nose piercing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s

Office at 652-2235 or the 911 communications center at 652-4000.

New Hickory Traffic Pattern

Beginning Monday, a new traffic pattern will be implemented in

Hickory along Main Avenue NE, from Third Avenue NE to Seventh

Avenue NE, due to construction of City Walk. The new traffic

pattern will narrow travel in both directions from four lanes to two

lanes during City Walk construction. You are advised to slow down

and look out for construction workers and equipment. The new

traffic pattern is estimated to be in place for four to five months.