Covid-19 Update  

Burke County Public Health reported 33 new cases of COVID-19

Wednesday, for a current total of 4-thousand-362. Active cases total

886 with 12 patients hospitalized.

In McDowell County, 35 additional cases of the virus reported for a

total of 1-thousand-880. 308 McDowell residents are in quarantine.

Caldwell County reported 44 new cases of coronavirus for a new total

of 3-thousand-691, with 26 people hospitalized.

63 new cases of COVID-19 were reported yesterday in Catawba County

for a total of 7-thousand-278. 62 patients are hospitalized and 100 deaths

reported since the panademic began in March.

Warrant Service Leads to More Charges  

Warrant service leads to drug and weapon charges on a Morganton

man. On November 28^th, Public Safety officers served an order for

arrest on Billy Lee Alman, Jr. at 201 Carbon City Road for Assault on

a Female. That led to other charges, including Possession of a Firearm

of a Convicted felon, Simple Possession of Marijuana and Possession

With Intent to Sell, Manufacture or Deliver Methamphetamine. Bond

was set at $150,000 secured.

Rutherford Officer Involved Shooting

The SBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Rutherford

County. Just after 4 p.m.Tuesday, deputies were at a residence on

Edisto Drive in Rutherfordton to serve outstanding warrants on

a convicted felon, 28-year-old Ethan Tyler Calton. According to the

Sheriff’s Office, after deputies found Calton, he presented a handgun

and made threatening statements after which a struggle ensued to

gain control of the firearm. Sargeant Tyler Greene discharged one

round from his firearm, striking Calton. He was pronounced deceased

at the scene by EMS. Deputies at the scene were not injured.

Suspect Found With Drugs and Stolen Gun 

A Marion man is reportedly found with drugs and a stolen gun.

On November 13^th, just after 9 p.m., a McDowell deputy was

patrolling the area of Jacktown Road and stopped a truck for traffic

violations. The driver, 59-year-old Kevin Brian Loftis, was wanted on

an outstanding warrant for assault with a deadly weapon. A search

of the truck and Loftis turned up 14.1 grams of methamphetamine,

a gram of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a concealed pistol.

The gun had been reported stolen from a Gable Drive residence

In June.