COVID-19 UPDATE

Burke County has suffered its 22^nd COVID-19 death as reported Thursday afternoon by local public health officials. The individual was in their 40's, was not hospitalized, but died from virus-associated complications. Burke now has 1,288 positive cases.

Catawba County saw an increase of 28 positive cases yesterday, bringing the total to 1,380, with 952 people that have recovered and 35 are hospitalized. Caldwell County has 18 new cases of COVID-19 for a total of 725, with 369 people that have recovered and 19 that are hospitalized. McDowell County reports now 315 cases of COVID-19.

BOE Special Meeting

As other school districts throughout the state are making plans for the upcoming year following the Governor’s announcement Tuesday, the Burke County Board of Education has announced a special-called emergency meeting for today.

 According to the agenda, schools superintendent Dr. Larry Putnam will discuss with board members a re-opening plan for Burke County schools. 

The meeting takes place at Noon at the Olive Hill Resource center on West Concord Street in Morganton.

Weston Arrest

An argument between two women turns into a felony charge for a Morganton woman.

Last month, officers with the Burke County Sheriff’s office were called to the incident at 1815 Conley Road; where the victim told deputies 26-year-old Taylor Denise Weston of 225 VFW Road was picking up her belongings and was supposed to leave.

A news release says upon questioning, the victim told them Weston had struck her a week prior to this incident.

Reports say Weston agreed to leave the home and both parties were advised of their legal options.

The next day, reports indicate, the victim advised the magistrate that she had been assaulted by Weston prior to the deputy’s arrival the day before.

According to the report, the victim said she had been choked, struck in the head, and pulled out of a car by her hair, but had failed to reveal the assault to officers.

A warrant was then issued for Weston, while Morganton Public Safety officers arrested her Wednesday.

She is charged with felony assault by strangulation and placed under an 11-thousand dollar bond.

Weston’s court date is set for today.

Lenoir Drugs

A month-long investigation by lawmen from two counties ends with the arrests of five Lenoir residents.

Members of the narcotics unit and the special response team with Lenoir Police assisted by Newton Police and Longview Police served a search warrant before sunrise Thursday at 517 Hospital Avenue in Lenoir.

Investigators found and seized 1-point-7 grams of meth, 2-point-3 grams of heroin, and 500-dollars in counterfeit US currency.

37-year-old Michael Joseph Ford, 38-year-old Kelvin Anthony Dula, 38-year-old Michelle Margaret Whitney, 38-year-old Sterling Dion Dula, and 38-year-old Michael Pasquel Powell all face a string of drug possession charges following the seizure.

Reports say additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.

Lenoir Police urges anyone with information relating to their investigation to call 757-2100.