COVID-19 UPDATE

Positive cases of Covid-19 continue to rise in our area as well as hospitalizations.

In Burke County there are 12 hundred 10 cases of Covid 19 since testing began in

March.  Of that number 930 are recovered and 8 are hospitalized.  Catawba

County has 38 new cases over the weekend for a total of 12 hundred 10 cases.  24

patients are hospitalized.  In Caldwell County there are 616 cases with 340

recovered.  16 patients are hospitalized.  And in McDowell County there are 279

positive cases.

Person  Arrested in Catawba 

One person was arrested in connection with the assault of another in Newton late

Saturday night.  39 year old Taji Shareef Haqq was charged with assault with a

deadly weapon inflicting serious bodily injury in connection with the stabbing of

an adult male during an argument on Stove Drive.  The injured party was taken to

Catawba Valley Medical Center in serious but stable condition.  Haqq will make

his first court appearance today.

McDowell Courthouse Closed

Both the McDowell County and Rutherford County Courthouses are temporarily closed because of a confirmed case of COVID-19. 

Reports say visitors to the McDowell Courthouse in downtown Marion discovered the doors locked with a flier taped to the glass stating the facility is closed for cleaning following the confirmed case.

The health department that serves McDowell and Rutherford requested the closing because of the contamination related to both courthouses.

Officials say some departments at the courthouses may re-open next week depending on employee test results.

Court is expected to resume Monday July 20^th.

Spears Charged

A Banner Elk man has been charged in connection with a road rage incident that occurred last month on NC 181. 

A news release from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office says officers were called to the scene near Avery County June 12th where a vehicle had struck another vehicle multiple times, and a shot was possibly fired.

Reports say Avery County deputies stopped the suspect vehicle being driven by 24-year-old Robert Torrence Spears.

Evidence gathered from an investigation by the Burke detective division revealed Spears intentionally struck the victim’s car numerous times.

On Wednesday, Spears was served with a Burke County warrant for Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill.

He was issued a 50-thousand dollar secured bond.