COVID-19 UPDATE

Burke County Public Health was notified Friday of the thirty-fifth Covid-19 related

death in the County.  The individual was in their 70’s and was hospitalized but

died from their underlying medical conditions.  As of Sunday, Burke had 2

thousand 1 hundred 15 cumulative Covid-19 cases with 1 thousand 7 hundred 42

people recovered.  7 patients are hospitalized.  Catawba County reported 23 new

cases of Covid-19 Sunday for a cumulative total of 2 thousand 6 hundred 37 cases. 

2 thousand two hundred 60 patients have recovered and 13 are hospitalized. 

Caldwell had 7 new cases of Covid-19 of Friday for a cumulative total of 1

thousand 4 hundred 16 cases.  7 hundred 92 cases have recovered.  And

McDowell County had 3 new cases on Friday for a total of 7 hundred 50

cumulative cases.  6 hundred 15 patients have recovered.

Man Arrested for Church Break-In 

A twenty five year old Pineburr Avenue Valdese resident has been arrested in

conjunction with the breaking and entering at Crosslink Church of Rutherford

College on August 25^th.  Nicholas Lee Pearson was charged with felony breaking

and entering to a place of worship and felony larceny after breaking and entering. 

He was given a five thousand dollar secured bond. Two televisions, offering

deposit bags and some items from the Christ Classical Academy were taken during

the break-in.  

Case Closed

The Burke County Sheriff’s Department has closed the case of a reported female

subject who knocked on the door of a Rutherford College resident on August 25th

and claimed to be a police officer.  Detectives were able to locate the person and

car reported in the incident and determined there was no criminal act.  The

Sheriff’s Department, said in a press release, that there is no public risk related to

this incident.

8 Local Residents Sentenced in Drug Ring

8 Catawba Valley residents were sentenced in federal court in Charlotte Friday for

their part in a meth ring in the area that distributed around 45 kilograms of meth

with a street value of 4 million dollars between March and September of 2019.   

34 year old Cheng (Kam) Yang of Claremont, who operated the network, was

sentenced to 15 years in prison and 3 years of supervised release.  Yang’s brother,

35 year old Peng Yang, also of Claremont was given a sentence of 156 months in

prison with 5 years supervised release.  Yang’s younger brother, 21 year old

Nicholas Yang of Claremont, received a sentence of 3 years in prison with 5 years

supervised release.  Yang’s aunt, 37 year old Susan Yang of Claremont, received a

sentence of 42 months in prison with 5 years of supervised release.  Cheng Dawb

Yang, 38 of Morganton, no relation, was sentenced to 60 months in prison and 5

years supervised release.  30 year old Rex Eversole of Morganton was sentenced

to 110 months in prison and 5 years supervised release.  59 year old Belden

Watson of Rutherford College received 97 months in prison and 5 years of

supervised release, and 30 year old Ashley Vaught of Lenoir received a sentence

of 30 months in prison and two years of supervised release.  The drugs were

supplied from California by 31 year old Austin Litchfield of Los Angeles who

received a 12 year sentence with 5 years of supervised release.  27 year old Randy

Martinez of Los Angeles also was sentenced to 48 months in prison and 3 years of

supervised probation.

COVID-19 UPDATE

Catawba County added 23 new coronavirus cases yesterday bringing their

cumulative total to 2 thousand 5 hundred 50.  Of that number 1 thousand 2

hundred 60 patients have recovered and 16 are hospitalized.  Caldwell County

had 19 new cases yesterday for 1 thousand 4 hundred and 1 total cases.  7

hundred 71 have recovered and 19 patients are hospitalized.  Caldwell had an

additional case reported from Lenoir Health Care where there are now 3

employees and one resident who have tested positive for Covid-19.  In Burke

County there are one thousand 9 hundred and 77 cumulative cases as of

yesterday.  1 thousand 6 hundred 86 have recovered and 11 are hospitalized. 

McDowell County added 10 new Covid-19 cases yesterday for a total of 7 hundred

44.  5 hundred 91 patients in McDowell County are out of quarantine.

Foothills Red Status

A spike in COVID-19 cases has placed a local minimum-custody prison facility on ‘Red Status.’

Foothills Correctional Institution in Morganton reportedly has four offenders who work in a laundry facility who have tested positive for the virus.

A Charlotte news outlet reports the inmates who tested positive have continued to work at the laundry housed on the Broughton Hospital grounds, and in the kitchen at the higher-custody unit at Foothills.

A prison spokesperson says the laundry facility was thoroughly sanitized after three Broughton Laundry employees tested positive and taken off the job.

On August 14^th, reports say, the offenders from Foothills were tested for COVID-19 when the four were discovered to be positive.

Prison officials state the four were immediately separated from others, and placed in medical isolation where they remain.

Reports say news of the inmates continued work outside the prison has caused the ACLU of NC to question the state’s department of public safety in how it is caring for prisoners during the pandemic.

A hearing is set for Friday regarding a previous motion submitted by the ACLU to better protect inmates from COVID-19 while in custody.

3 Arrested for Child Abuse

A Valdese woman is charged with felony intentional child abuse inflicting serious

physical injury in connection with a Child Protective services report on the abuse

of an 11 month old male child. 39 year old Donna Faye Lingerfelt-Adams.

was taken into custody and issued a fifty thousand dollar secured bond on the

charge.. Burke County Sheriff’s Detectives continued an investigation thru a

search warrant served on the residence August 25^th, where Lingafelt Adams as

well as 47 year old Terry Allen Griffin and 54 year old Cletus Delon Stamey was

present.  Lingafelt-Adams and Griffin were found in possession of meth and

Lingafelt Adams was also found in possession of oxycodoone.  Stamey was

arrested on an outstanding failure to appear warrant.  Subsequently, Lingafelt-

Adams was charged with felony possession of meth and misdemeanor possession

of oxycodone, and Griffin was charged with felony possession of meth.  Griffin

and Lingafelt Adams were jailed under four thousand dollar bonds each and

Stamey under a $3 hundred 11 dollar cash bond.

Cawthorn Speaks at Republican Convention

11^th District Republican US Congressional candidate Madison Cawthorn told

Republican convention watchers last night that if he is elected in November, he

will be the youngest member of Congress in over 200 years.  The twenty-five year

old Henderson County native stressed that young people can change the world,

pointing out George Washington was 21 when he received his first military

commission; Abraham Lincoln was 22 when he first ran for office, and James

Madison was 25 when he signed the Declaration of Independence.  Cawthorn,

who was injured in an automobile accident at age 19, spoke from a wheelchair

until he stood in the final minutes of his speech with the aid of a walker.  “This is a

time of great adversity for our country.” Cawthorn said, “And I know something

about adversity.”  Cawthorn faces Democrat Morris Davis from Asheville in

November.

Scam Attempt

A would-be scammer impersonating a police officer visits a Rutherford College resident Tuesday.

According to a news release from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, the female suspect knocked on the resident’s door and claimed to be a police officer.

Reports say the suspect questioned the victim about when she worked and when she would be away from her home.

The resident reportedly shut and locked the door; while the female suspect left in a green Subaru with tinted windows.

Anyone who has had a similar encounter with a person fitting this description should call the Burke County Sheriff’s Office at 438-5500.

Officials with the Burke Sheriff’s office warn citizens to not allow a stranger into their homes.

Residents are urged to speak to anyone unfamiliar through the door before opening it.

Ask for an ID to be shown through the door’s glass.

Call the company the person claims to represent to verify they are legitimate.

Always call law enforcement to report any suspicious person.

Scam Man

McDowell County Sheriff’s deputies need help in identifying a man believed to be part of a credit card scam.

Several Marion residents have reported their mail being stolen, and some have reported the suspect attempted to open credit card accounts in their names.

A photo of the suspect is on the McDowell Sheriff’s office website at mcdowell-sheriff-dot-com.

Authorities have been unable to identify him.

Anyone with information about the suspect’s identity should call Detective Watson with the McDowell Sheriff’s Office at 652-2237.

COVID-19 UPDATE

Burke County Public Health was notified Wednesday afternoon of the 31st COVID-19 related death in the county. The individual was in their 70’s, was hospitalized, but died from COVID-19 complications. Burke County also reported 17 new positive cases of COVID-19, with a new total of 1-thousand-892 virus cases. 286 cases are active, while 11 people are hospitalized and 1-thousand-565 individuals have recovered.

McDowell County reported 6 new positives; bringing the total to 705 persons testing positive. McDowell also reported 1 additional virus-associated death.

184 persons in McDowell are in quarantine, and 499 individuals are out of quarantine.

23 positive COVID-19 cases were reported to the Caldwell County Health Department with a new total of 1-thousand-333 virus cases. 587 cases are active, with 16 people hospitalized and 728 individuals have recovered.

In Catawba County, 27 new cases were reported on Wednesday for a new total of 2-thousand-394. 19 individuals are hospitalized and 1-thousand-903 people have recovered.

Lenoir Arrest

A Lenoir man has been arrested in connection with a sexual assault that occurred Sunday evening inside the city limits of Lenoir. 

22-year-old Zachary Demill Jones of 171 Hickman Avenue was taken into custody just before 10 Tuesday night at the Lenoir police department.

Jones is charged with 2^nd Degree forcible rape.

Last Sunday, officers responded to the Joyceton area to investigate the reported sexual assault of an elderly female.

A previous posting on the Caldwell Sheriff’s Office Facebook page stated the subject knocked on the victim’s door around 9:30 pm, and the victim reportedly went outside the residence.

A news release states the incident remains under investigation, and that Jones may face additional charges related to the case.

The Hudson Police Department also assisted in the investigation.

Child Abuse

A McDowell County couple has been charged with child abuse. 

A news release from the McDowell Sheriff’s Office says 39-year-old Chastity Tennille Bright and 36-year-old Charles Baxter Bright both of Mimosa Drive in Marion were last month accused of abusing their step-children.

No further details were released.

COVID-19 UPDATE

Catawba County Public Health has identified a new outbreak of Covid-19 at a

congregate care center.  Brian Center East has four residents that have tested

positive for the virus.  This is the 10^th congregate care facility in the County with

an outbreak.  Yesterday, Catawba reported 23 new cases of Covid-19 for a

cumulative total of 2 thousand 3 hundred 24.  1 thousand, 7 hundred 72 patients

have recovered and 16 are hospitalized.  Caldwell County was notified Friday of

the 17^th Covid-19 related death.  The patient was over 75 years of age and was

reported to have underlying medical conditions.  Caldwell had 9 new cases of

Covid on Friday for a total of 1 thousand 2 hundred 65.  6 hundred 82 patients

have recovered and 17 patients are hospitalized.  Burke County now has 1

thousand 8 hundred 49 Covid-19 cumulative cases.  1 thousand 5 hundred 39

have recovered and 7 patients are hospitalized.  McDowell County had 8 new

cases of Covid-19 Friday for a cumulative total of 6 hundred 79.  4 hundred 27

patients of that total have recovered.

Schools To Open  

Schools across the area are set to open today, some with remote learning only,

and others with blended learning approaches.  Both the Burke County Public

Schools and the Hickory City Schools will be remote learning through September

11^th.  In Caldwell County, approximately 84 hundred students will return to

campuses today with two days a week of face to face instruction and three days

of remote learning.  More than 25 percent of the students in Caldwell are

enrolled in a full remote option.  Catawba County will also have two day a week

classroom instruction and 3 days remote learning, as well as the students in Avery

County.  There is a 100 percent online option for Catawba County students and

Avery County students, also.  McDowell County Schools are opening today with

a hybrid plan that allows families the choice of face to face instruction or a

100% remote option. 

Air Rescue in Gorge  

Burke County Search and Rescue says they are seeing a lot more recreational

traffic as within the matter of hours, three calls were dispatched Sunday

afternoon.  Search and Rescue Teams were first called to aide an injured climber

near the area of the Amphitheatre in the Linville Gorge.   The climber had fallen

against a rock while hiking the approach receiving an injury to the upper leg. 

Rescuers said an air extraction was the best option. The NC National Guard

provided a Blackhawk helicopter and crew for the rescue.  While rescuers were on

the scene, two additional rescues were dispatched in the county.  Assisting with

the rescues were the Burke County EMS, Burke County Special Ops, Burke County

Emergency Management, Burke County Emergency Operations Center, NC

Emergency Management, USFS, NCHART and the North Carolina National Guard.

Water Problems  

Heavy rainfall over the weekend resulted in one local government declaring a

State of Emergency.  The Catawba County Commissioners declared a State of

Emergency at 7:51 a.m. Saturday after 3 to 10 inches of rain fell in the Big Dawg

listening area.  The NC Department of Transportation lists the Snow Creek Road

North East and Kool Park Road as closed due to the excessive rainfall and

infrastructure damage.  Swift water rescues were made along the Snow Creek

and Falling Creek areas in Eastern Catawba County.  6 apartments on 13^th Street

North West in Conover were damaged by water.  In Hickory, 1 hundred 13

thousand gallons of untreated waste water was discharged into Snow Creek due

to infrastructure failure.  60 thousand gallons of water was discharged into Falling

Creek and 12 hundred gallons of untreated waste water was discharged into

Clarks Creek.  The City of Hickory says the water supply remains safe after the

overflows.

COVID-19 UPDATE

Both Caldwell and Catawba Counties saw increases in the Covid-19 numbers

yesterday.  Caldwell County was notified of 22 new cases bringing the cumulative

total to 1 thousand 2 hundred 53.  673 patients have recovered in Caldwell

County and 18 are hospitalized.  Catawba County was notified of an additional 20

cases yesterday.  Catawba now has 2 thousand 2 hundred and 5 cases with 1

thousand 7 hundred 72 cases recovered.  17 patients are hospitalized.

Burke County has suffered its’ 29^th and 30^th COVID-19 associated deaths as reported Wednesday afternoon by local public health officials.

A news release says the individuals were in their 80’s and 90’s, neither was hospitalized, and both died from complications associated with their underlying medical conditions.

Both Burke and McDowell County each report 6 new cases since Tuesday; bringing Burke’s total to 1-thousand-795 positive cases, and McDowell’s to 660.

McDowell public health on Wednesday reported 2 additional virus-related deaths.

Lincoln Courthouse Closed

The Lincoln County Courthouse will be closed today and tomorrow for cleaning. 

With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Lincoln County is taking measures to ensure

the safety of its employees and citizens by allowing for the cleaning of the

courthouse per the Lincoln County Judges.  Anyone needing to file emergency

documents with the Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court can do so by dropping

them off at the designated alternate filing location inside the Lincoln County

Sheriff’s Office.  The Lincoln County Courthouse will resume normal operations on

Monday, August 17^th.

Porn Charges

A Morganton man serving in the military and based in Kentucky faces child pornography charges in federal court.

Reports say 23-year-old Chase Bowman Raines of Crystal Creek Road is charged with distribution of, and possession of child pornography.

The investigation began in June 2019 when Homeland Security Investigations in Kentucky were notified of the illegal distribution from officials with a free messaging app.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for Bowman-Raines computer account and discovered multiple saved items of child pornography.

Reports indicate the victims ranged in age from 4 years to pre-teen.

He was indicted on 3 counts of distribution, and one count of possession of child pornography.

If convicted, Bowman-Raines faces between five and 20 years for each charge without the possibility of parole.

Building Burned

A Marion man is charged with breaking and entering his parents’ home, and with burning their outbuilding.

 44-year-old Chad Alan Yates faces two counts each of breaking and entering, and larceny after breaking and entering; along with one count of burning other buildings.

 Reports with the McDowell Sheriff’s Office say Yates allegedly broke into the Mount Pleasant Church Road home and stole goods and money on July 8^th.

 He then reportedly returned to the property July 15^th and set fire to an outbuilding.

 The release from the Sheriff’s Office did not indicate any injuries.

Checkpoint Arrest

Two South Carolina men are arrested at a McDowell County checkpoint for marijuana possession.

26-year-old Marc Eli Gabriel and 26-year-old Estavio Jones both of Columbia were both charged with possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, and maintaining a vehicle to keep a controlled substance.

The were were stopped at the checkpoint on US 70 West in Pleasant Gardens July 14th according to the McDowell County Sheriff's Office.

Officers then detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from their vehicle.

A search of the suspect car turned up just under 180 grams of marijuana.

HS Football

Another casualty because of the coronavirus – high school football in NC will kick off its season in February 2021.

The state’s high school athletic association made the announcement Wednesday, and released its full amended sports schedule.

Football practice officially begins February 8^th, with the first games scheduled for February 26^th.

The football season will consist of a maximum of seven games.

COVID-19 UPDATE

Covid-19 cases are dropping in North Carolina for the first time in fifty days. 

Yesterday there were less than one thousand new cases, a benchmark that has

held since mid June.  6 hundred 26 new cases were reported across the state on

Monday.  South Carolina also saw a drop in new coronavirus cases with 7 hundred

18 new cases reported. Catawba County had an increase of 13 new cases on

Monday for a cumulative total of 2 thousand one hundred and 61.  22 patients

are hospitalized in Catawba and 1 thousand 6 hundred 79 have recovered. 

Caldwell County had an increase of 19 cases on Monday for a total of 1 thousand

2 hundred and 27.  656 patients have recovered and 18 are hospitalized.

Positive cases of coronavirus continue to increase in Burke County; 24 new cases reported since Sunday with a total now at 1-thousand-774 positives since the pandemic began.

According to the county’s website, of Burke’s nearly 18-hundred positives, 349 cases are active, 15 individuals remain hospitalized, and 1-thousand-386 are presumed recovered.

McDowell County health officials report 21 new positive cases of COVID-19 and 2 additional deaths this afternoon.

McDowell’s total is now at 649 positive cases; while 272 people remain in quarantine, 360 are out of quarantine, and there have been 17 deaths.

McDowell public health continues to monitor an outbreak at Deer Park Health and Rehab where 33 residents and 26 staff members have tested positive.

Three Deer Park residents remain hospitalized, while 10 have died.

The McDowell County Health Department is holding a free drive-thru testing clinic Friday August 14^th 9 until 11 am.

Oktoberfest Cancelled

Otoberfest in Hickory has been cancelled.  The annual event set for October 9^th

through 11^th will not happen due to concerns about Covid-19.  The HDDA says the

measure must be taken to insure public health.  The next Oktoberfest is set for

2021.

Meth Arrest

A Nebo man is arrested for drug possession in McDowell County.

Reports say officers stopped a vehicle on July 13^th for multiple traffic violations.

A search of the car turned up more than 2 grams of meth in the passenger area, occupied by 30-year-old Jacob Lee McNeilly of US 70 East.

McNeilly was charged with meth possession.

Meanwhile, an inmate housed in the McDowell County jail is charged with injury to real property.

21-year-old David Allen Whittington of Nebo was charged after, reports say, he broke a window in one of the cells.

Gas Leak

A gas leak in Catawba County Monday forced the temporary closing of a roadway.

Parts of NC 10 near Startown Road was closed until 6 p.m. according to officials with the state department of transportation.

Reports say a crew with the city of Newton was working on water and sewer lines for a new animal hospital in the area whenever the leak occurred.

City officials say the location had been checked for gas lines prior to the project; however, a two-inch gas line was missed.

No injuries were reported.

A Valdese man is charged with Felony Discharging Weapon in an

Occupied Dwelling. Burke deputies responded just before 9 a.m.

Tuesday to 1859 Crump Park Road, Morganton, to screams and shots

fired. According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office, the

suspect, 31-year-old Jonathan Leroy Poplin, and a female had left

the scene and could be heading to Caldwell County. The Caldwell

County Sheriff’s Office was notified and located the suspect’s van on

Pony Court. The suspect, Poplin, had fled into the woods but was

taken into custody by Caldwell deputies, and turned over to Burke

deputies. Bond on Poplin was set at $50,000 secured with a court

appearance scheduled for tomorrow.

 

A Fayetteville man was sentenced to 15 to 21 years in prison for his

role in the death of two people in March 2016. The plea of

27-year-old William Crawford Powell, Jr. on Monday during Catawba

County Superior Court, came about as a result of charges stemming

from the March 12^th, 2016, murders of 34-year-old Mark Anthony

Wilson and 39-year-old Deidra LaCarol Ramseur at the couple’s home

on Rest Home Road in Claremont.

 

The City of Morganton has begun flow testing fire hydrants throughout

the city. The flow testing is expected to last until about August 16^th. The

highest percentage days that the downtown area could be affected is

today, tomorrow and Saturday. All flowing will not begin before

10 o’clock each night. The Fire Department is working closely with the

Water Department during these tests to be as careful and least

disturbing as possible.

 

Through a partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services

And supporting agencies, free cloth coverings will be available starting

Today, at all three branches of the Caldwell County Library and North

Catawba Fire-Rescue. People can stop by any branch library, come to the

Door with their request, and staff will place the face covering outside.