COVID-19 UPDATE

Burke County Public Health reported a virus-related death Wednesday as the county’s COVID-19 death toll is at 147.

A news release states the individual was in their 70’s, and was hospitalized.

Current figures on the county’s website shows 9-thousand-669 total cases, with 266 being active, and 3 Burke residents hospitalized.

McDowell County reported 3 new COVID-19 cases yesterday for a total number at 4-thousand-864.

51 people remain in quarantine.

Caregivers Resource

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Wednesday announced a new phone service helpline for family caregivers in North Carolina caring for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia.  The Caregiver Navigator, a service of Project CARE is a first port of call for caregivers with unmet needs. Caregivers, professionals and the general public can call the Caregiver Navigator toll-free at 844-728-0191 from anywhere in the state to get answers to all sorts of questions. At the beginning of 2019, the Alzheimer’s Association projected that 479,000 family caregivers would care for people with dementia in North Carolina, putting in a staggering 545 million hours of unpaid care. And by the end of 2020, many of these same caregivers had an added challenge: dealing with the risk of COVID-19 and the social distancing and loneliness that came with it. Community resources were and remain harder to find for these caregivers, but the Caregiver Navigator can link them into a network of resources, including caregiver and dementia education, respite and support groups.   For more information about the Caregiver Navigator, call 844-728-0191 or email DHHS.caregiver@dhhs.nc.gov. Jail Employee Fired

A Burke County jail detention officer has been terminated following an investigation for reported excessive use of force. 

48-year-old Ravi Patel of Morganton was issued a criminal summons Tuesday for simple assault.

According to a news release issued by the Burke Sheriff’s Office, the summons named the former detention officer as assaulting a person in custody by pushing the individual while he was handcuffed behind his back.

The release states the investigation into allegations was opened by the jail captain on January 30^th, while Patel was placed on suspended leave with pay February 2^nd pending an internal investigation.

Reports say Sheriff Whisenant requested the SBI conduct an independent investigation with the DA’s office to prosecute any criminal violations that were revealed.

The SBI reportedly turned their findings over to the DA’s office resulting in Wednesday’s charge.

Patel’s case is pending trial in NC District Court in Morganton May 17^th.

Pedestrians Struck

A pair of pedestrians has been transported to a local hospital, reports say, after being struck by a vehicle Wednesday afternoon in downtown Morganton.

The collision reportedly occurred at the intersection of South Sterling and West Union Streets, where sidewalk access is closed due to the construction on the old courthouse square.

Public safety officers report the two transported to Carolinas Healthcare Blue Ridge in Morganton both suffered head injuries in the accident, although it’s unknown how severe.

Reports say the driver was not injured.

Morganton Public Safety continues to investigate.

Burke EMS and Burke County Rescue responded to the scene.

Hickory Men Sentenced

Two Hickory men have each been ordered to serve prison terms in separate incidents.

36-year-old Nathaniel Kirby could spend up to 14 years in prison following his conviction for criminal charges tied to the exploitation of minors.

Kirby pleaded guilty as charged with no plea offer or agreement from the State to nine counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

Kirby’s sentence stems from a November 2019 incident in which Hickory Police received a cyber tip and tracked an IP address to Kirby.

A search warrant allowed officers to seize multiple electronic devices from his home, and further to the discovery of thousands of pornographic images of children.

Meanwhile, 32-year-old Antonio Kee will serve six to nine years imprisoned after a conviction for possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, and admission of habitual felon status.

Records show that an informant in June 2018 told Hickory police officers that Kee was selling drugs from a particular location.

An undercover officer went to the location, made a purchase from Kee; leading to his arrest.  

Reports say Kee’s prior felony convictions date back to 2004.