COVID-19 UPDATE

Caldwell County Health officials were notified of two Covid-19 related deaths

yesterday.  One patient was over age 65 and had been hospitalized.  The patient

was reported to have underlying health conditions.  The other patient was

between the ages of 25 and 64 and had not been hospitalized, nor was reported

to have any underlying health conditions.  Caldwell County Public Health says

their positive Covid-19 numbers increase by 7 yesterday, bringing the total to 526

cases.  300 have recovered and 16 are hospitalized. The Burke County Health

Department says there have been 1101 positive Covid-19 cases in the county

since the virus appeared in March.  846 of those cases have recovered and 7 are

currently hospitalized.  McDowell County’s Covid-19 numbers increased by 8

yesterday, bringing the total to 256.  179 are out of quarantine.  In McDowell

County, 10.4% of the population has been tested.

Morganton Police Investigating Armed Robbery  

Morganton Police are investigating an armed robbery and burglary at a Hopewell

Road residence early Monday morning.  The victims were awaken when the door

to their bedroom was kicked in around 4 a.m.  Two suspects, armed with guns

and wearing dark colored ski masks, demanded money and property.  Anyone

with information regarding this case is asked to call Investigator Goforth at 438-

5395.

Davis Receives Sentence  

A 37 year old Granite Falls man has pleaded guilty to felony involuntary

manslaughter and felony hit and run serious injury death in the October 2019

death of Marriah Kelly Warren during Caldwell County Superior Court Monday. 

Kenneth Avery Davis was sentenced to 270 days to be served in the Caldwell

County Detention Center followed by 36 months of supervised probation. 

Warren died as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident on October 7^th when

she was struck at an intersection in the driver’s side door by a car operated by

Davis, who had a red light in his lane of travel.  Reconstruction reports indicate

Davis was traveling around 57.8 miles per hour in the 45 mile per hour zone. 

Davis then left the scene of the accident.  On October 9^th, he was taken to a

magistrate by a Caldwell County citizen where he was arrested and charged.  

Homicide Investigation 

The Catawba County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a homicide.  Deputies

responded to a call around 1:40 p.m. yesterday to residence on Hopewell Church

Road in Sherrills Ford.  There officers found 56 year old Shaun Michael Loughrey

dead of one or more gunshot wounds.  The State Bureau of Investigation is

assisting in the investigation.

HCT  to Host Live Streaming Event  

Black voices Matter, a show produced and curated by local artists of color in

association with the Hickory Community Theatre, will premier online on Saturday,

July 18^th at 7:30 p.m.  This one of a kind event is executive produced by Tiffany

Christian, director of HCT’s recent production of A Raisin in the Sun.  This show is

composed of a variety of artistic forms of expression, all centered around the

theme of giving voice to those impacted by the violence that has spurred the

rejuvenation of the Black Lives Matter movement.  This event is free, but

donations are encouraged.  All proceeds will be donated to support the purchase

of racially diverse materials for local libraries in the Hickory area.  To sign up to

receive a link for the event call 828-327-3855.