COVID-19 Update

Burke County Public Health on Sunday reported a total of 7-thousand-391

positive cases of COVID-19 since the panademic began in March. That

total represents an increase of 113 cases since Friday’s briefing. 38 patients

are in the hospital.

In McDowell County, 48 additional cases of coronavirus were reported on

Friday, for a total of 3-thousand-507, with 540 McDowell residents in quarantine.

Caldwell County saw an increase of 192 new cases of the virus in Saturday’s

report for a total of 6-thousand-914, and 52 people hospitalized.

On Sunday, Catawba County reported 221 new cases of COVID-19 for a current

total of 13 thousand-100, and 115 patients in the hospital.

Long View Arrest

Long View Police responded early Wednesday morning to a breaking

and entering in progress at A-1 Transmission, 1910 1st Avenue SW, Hickory.

Officers found a car with several bags outside the vehicle. Further

investigation revealed a man underneath a truck in the parking lot, evading

detection. The man was identified as Jonathan Todd Griffin. An investigation

revealed that two vehicles at the business had been broken into with items

removed. Griffin was arrested and confined to the Catawba County Detention

Center under a $10,000 secured bond. Additional charges are pending on

Griffin for previous breaking and entering crimes at A-1 Transmission.

New Assistant DA 36^th District

Ryan Hamady was sworn in last week as the newest assistant district

Attorney for the 36^th District, at the Burke County Courthouse. Hamady

will be a Superior Court prosecutor in Burke County.

BRP Repairs at Linville River Bridge  

National Park Service officials announced on Friday that a section of the Blue

Ridge Parkway from Milepost 316.5 to Milepost 317.5 will close as contractors

start a rehabilitation project at the Linville River Bridge. Detour signs will be in

place to direct travelers around this area beginning at Milepost 312.5, routing

visitors around the project site via Highways 181 and 221. Access to the

Linville Falls visitor center, camping, and hiking activities will be available

from the north at Highway 181, near Pineloa. During the project, which is

expected to last through the summer, both lanes from Milepost 316.5 to

Milepost 317.5 will be closed to all activity.