COVID Deaths and Clinic

Two more deaths from COVID-19 reported in Burke Thursday, while 192 cases remain active according to the latest figures released by public health officials.

The death toll from the virus in Burke now totals 165. Officials report one of the victims was in their 60’s and was not hospitalized, and one was in their 90’s and was hospitalized.

Burke reports a total of 10-thousand-272 cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago.

7 Burke residents remain in the hospital.

McDowell County reported 5 additional cases of the virus yesterday afternoon for a total of 5-thousand-153 positives.

24 people in McDowell are in quarantine.

The McDowell County Health Department will host a vaccine clinic for youth 12 and older today from 3 until 6 pm.

Theclinic will be a drive-through and will be at the health department at 408 Spaulding Road in Marion.

Officials say those coming to the clinic will be finished within 30 minutes.

So far, reports say an estimated 3-hundred teens in McDowell County have been vaccinated.

Patients 12 to 15 years old will need a parent or guardian present to give consent for the vaccine.

Appointments guarantee a vaccine, but walk-ins are also welcome. Call 828-803-4552 for an appointment.

Jail Lock Malfunction 

A lock malfunction Wednesday at the Burke County jail prompted response from Morganton firefighters; while officials worked to securely move inmates to safety.

A news release from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office says  around 5:40 pm, jail staff began smelling smoke inside the facility.

Some of the electronic doors, reports say, failed in seven of nine areas and the manual override keys would not open the compromised lock leading into one of the seven cell blocks.

Morganton Public Safety responded to the jail as off-duty Burke deputies were called in to assist in supervising and moving inmates to other cells within the jail.

Jail officials in Catawba, Caldwell, Cleveland, and McDowell Counties agreed to house inmates if needed.

The release states too that the NC Department of Public Safety Prison Emergency Response Team was placed on standby to assist with inmate transfer.

However, by 10:30 pm inmates were all in cells that officers could open and lock.

The lock company’s technician was due to arrive at the Burke jail yesterday to determine the cause of the problem and to make repairs.

Grad Ceremony Moved

An area high school graduation ceremony has been moved indoors as a precautionary measure – the result of a recent threat from a former student.

East Lincoln High School in Lincoln County has moved tonight’s ceremony from the football stadium to inside the school’s gymnasium.

School officials state the decision was made out of an abundance of caution, and is the best way to provide a safe and secure environment for the graduates.

Reports identify Amon Stevens as a former East Lincoln student who is accused of making a previous threat on social media.

Stevens was arrested and charged with communicating threats.

He has since been released from jail, but the threat a few weeks ago reportedly forced the school to hold a remote learning day to allow authorities to investigate.

The school is asking attendees to not bring bags or purses, and everyone will have to go through a security screening.

The graduation ceremony at East Lincoln High will take place at 7 o'clock.

 

 

 

 

Vax or Mask

The State Department of Health and Human Services is launching a new public campaign encouraging North Carolinians to ‘Vax Up or Mask Up’ to support the new CDC guidance that lifts many of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions.

A news release states vaccines have proven effective in protecting people from COVID-19, and to date, nearly half of the state has been fully vaccinated and those age 12 and up are eligible for the vaccine.

But for those not fully vaccinated, the CDC recommends that anyone who is not vaccinated continue to wear a mask in public indoor settings and outdoors when they cannot social distance.

Officials recommend businesses and community organizations post signage reminding employees and visitors to wear a face covering if they are not fully vaccinated.

Masks are still required in certain settings such as child care centers, schools, hospitals, doctor’s offices, correctional facilities, and homeless shelters.

Health officials strongly recommend masks for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, at large crowded indoor events.

Multiple Charges

A Marion woman faces a string of charges after an interchange with McDowell County deputies.

Officers on May 5^th were called to a medical call at a Hensley Park Drive residence where they encountered 50-year-old Wendy Renee Hartje.

The deputy, reports say, had a restraining order to serve on her, but Hartje became belligerent and refused to leave the home.

Once in custody, officers searched her to find meth in her possession.

According to reports, Hartje also threatened another female at the scene.

She was charged with possession of meth, violation of a domestic violence protection order, resisting a public officer, and communicating threats.

Staged Drive By

The parents of a two-year-old in Cleveland County have been charged after allegedly staging a drive-by shooting in which the child was shot inside their home on Mother’s Day.

Reports say the shooting occurred around 10:30 the morning of May 9^th at a home in the Lawndale Community.

Deputies say the boy was shot in the abdomen and rushed to a Shelby hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

He was then flown to a hospital in Charlotte.

Investigators report the child’s parent Lucentio Clark and Tianna Jumper told authorities that the shooting was a drive-by however today both have been charged with obstruction of justice and staging a crime scene.

Clark was also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.

Detectives in the case say no drive-by occurred and that the boy was accidentally shot while inside the home.

Gas Prices

The Memorial Day weekend typically kicks off the unofficial start of summer, but if your plans include travel it’s going to cost more than in years past.

The national average for the price of gas is just over 3-dollars a gallon.

Figures show the US hasn’t seen prices this high since 2014.

It’s also an increase of more than a dollar per gallon from the week preceding Memorial Day last year.

Some of the increase is due to the cyberattack on the Colonial pipeline earlier this month.

Certain gas stores in the Southeast still have not fully recovered.

 

 

 

 

COVID-19 Update  

Burke County Public Health reported 196 active cases of COVID-19

on Tuesday, for a total of 10-thousand-258, with 6 patients hospitalized.

McDowell County reported 5 new cases of coronavirus yesterday, for

a total of 5-thousand-145 positives, with 25 residents in quarantine.

Caldwell County saw an increase of just 3 new cases of the virus, for

a total of 9-thousand-494, with 5 patients hospitalized.

Catawba County reported 29 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday for a total

of 19-thousand-160 positives, with 10 people in the hospital.

Lanes Closed Downtown  

City crews have closed several lanes of traffic in Downtown Morganton

today and tomorrow, to complete construction work on traffic islands

surrounding the Courthouse Square. The inside lanes closest to the

Courthouse Square on South Green, East Union, and South Sterling

Streets will be closed both days while work is being performed. The

lanes of traffic will be reopened by Friday.

BCPS Student COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics 

Burke County Public Schools is teaming up with Carolinas HealthCare

System Blue Ridge and the Burke County Health Department to administer

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to students 12 and up. Two student vaccine

clinics will be held on Thursday, one at Liberty Middle and the other at

East Burke Middle. The clinics will be held immediately following the

school day and parents must be present with their students and provide

consent. Appointments can be scheduled by calling the Burke County

Health Department at 764-9214. 

Crowe Receives $15,000 Scholarship  

Caden Crowe, a senior at Hibriten, has been awarded a $15,000

scholarship from the North Carolina Association of Rescue and

Emergency Medical Services. He is the son of Jennifer Crowe and

Sawmills Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Rusty Crowe. Caden Crowe

will be attending Appalachian State in the fall. 

 

COVID-19 UPDATE

The week began on a sad note as Burke County Public Health reported the 163^rd COVID-19 related death Monday afternoon.

The person was in their 60’s and was hospitalized.

Burke now reports a total of 10-thousand-258 total cases of the virus; 16 additional positives since Friday.

Figures indicate 224 of those cases remain active, while 6 Burke residents remain in the hospital.

McDowell County again reported a single new case of the virus for a total of 5-thousand-140 positives.

20 people in McDowell are in quarantine.

Burke Shooting

A man was airlifted following an early Monday morning shooting in Connelly Springs.

Reports from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office say just after 3:30 deputies responded to Highway 18 South and Camp Meeting Road to find a white male suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.

The man had reportedly been shot at another location.

According to the sheriff’s office, the shooter had left the scene of the incident prior to officers’ arrival.

No word yet on the victim’s condition. The Criminal Investigation Division is investigating.

Anyone having information about the shooting is urged to call local investigators at 764-9505.

Arsonist

After a home is burned in Marion, a suspect is charged with arson and animal cruelty.

According to reports, on May 12^th fire destroyed the residence on Veterans Drive and killed a dog inside the house.

An investigation led authorities to 50-year-old Christopher Jerome Conley of East Wilhemina Street, an acquaintance to the victim.

Conley was charged with second-degree arson and cruelty to animals.

 

 

 

Caldwell & Catawba COVID-19 Update  

Caldwell County reported 12 new cases of coronavirus on Friday,

for a total of 9-thousand-485, with 5 patients hospitalized.

Catawba County saw an increase of 16 new cases of COVID-19,

for a total of 19-thousand-111, with 16 people in the hospital.

No Burning  

North Carolina Forest Service officials urge the public to postpone any

outdoor burning through early June. During the next two weeks as warmer,

drier weather patterns continue, fire danger will be high. More wildfires

have occurred in the state this year, than in all of 2020.

Denver Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Employer  

A Denver man faces prison time for defrauding his former employer

of more than $4 million dollars. 43-year-old Michael Guzman pleaded

guilty, in federal court, to wire fraud, which carries a maximum prison term

of 20 years and money laundering, which carries a statutory maximum of up

to 10 years in prison. Guzman was released on bond following the guilty

plea. A sentencing date has not been set. Acting U.S.Attorney William

T. Stetzer thanked the FBI for their investigation which led to Thursday’s

guilty plea.

Taylorsville Drug Charges  

Two Taylorsville men face multiple drug charges. Hickory Police early

this morning, arrested 39-year-old Jessie Henry Hammer and 32-year-old

Buddy James Hammer, both of Jessie Mays Lane. Charges on both men

number eight. Bond on each set at $300,000 with court appearances

scheduled in July.

 COVID-19 UPDATE

27 new cases of COVID-19 since Monday as reported Friday by Burke County Public Health for a total of 10-thousand-242 positives.

Figures show 224 cases remain active, while 6 Burke residents are in the hospital.

McDowell County reported a single new case yesterday bringing the county total to 5-thousand-139 positives.

37 residents remain in quarantine.*

Officials with the Burke Health Department state for those interested in getting a COVID-19 vaccine to visit myspot.nc.gov to find vaccine locations in Burke and surrounding counties.

For those without computer access, call the Burke County Health Department at 764-9150 and press ‘0’ for the operator.

Shooting Update

A Morganton man is charged with shooting his neighbor on Pea Ridge Road Thursday.

61-year-old Kenneth Aubrey Reed reportedly shot the victim using a 12-gauge shotgun shortly after 2:30.

A news release indicates the individual was transported to a local hospital after suffering an apparent gunshot to his ankle and foot.

As officers with the Burke Sheriff’s Office arrived, the shotgun was secured and Reed was arrested without incident.

He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and received a 25-thousand dollar secured bond. 

Authorities did not release a motive for the shooting.

Checkpoint Seizure

A man stopped at a McDowell license checkpoint is caught with drugs and a firearm.

On May 11^th, 51-year-old Brian Wesley Berry of Dwight Berry Road in Marion approached the checkpoint, but turned into a nearby driveway.

Deputies discovered Berry had outstanding warrants for his arrest and upon searching him and his vehicle, they discovered a stolen gun and meth.

Berry was charged with possession of meth, possession of a stolen firearm, and driving while license revoked.

Lottery Wins

Three big wins in one drawing makes for a lucky night for NC – those words coming from the executive director of the state’s education lottery following Wednesday night’s wins.

One of the three wins was a 50-thousand dollar ticket purchased at WalMart in Morganton.

The winning 2-dollar ticket matched the numbers on four of the five white balls and the Powerball.

A one-million dollar ticket was purchased in Harnett County, and a 100-thousand dollar ticket was bought in Iredell County.

Congratulations to the lucky winners!

 

 

 

 

COVID Death

Burke County Public Health reported a  COVID-19 related death Thursday, bringing the total death count to 162 in Burke since the pandemic started.

 Officials say the individual was in their 40’s and was not hospitalized.

 Recent figures show a total of 10-thousand-229 positives with 245 active cases in Burke, and 9 in the hospital.

 McDowell County reported 3 new positive cases yesterday for a total of 5-thousand-138.

39 residents remain quarantined.

Fugitives Caught

A couple on the run for weeks in connection with local drug charges is now in the McDowell County jail after being apprehended earlier this month in Atlanta.

32-year-old Wesley ‘Clay’ Rhom Junior of NC 226 South Marion is charged by the McDowell Sheriff’s Office with two counts each of trafficking in meth and trafficking in heroin.

He failed to appear for trial on March 1^st, so he was wanted on four additional charges of failure to appear.

Rhom’s wife, 32-year-old Megan Rhom was wanted on one count each of conspiracy to traffic meth and conspiracy to traffic heroin.

Their charges stemmed from a March 2020 incident whenever reports say Clay Rhom attempted to flee from deputies on a motorcycle, wrecked, and was found to possess a substantial amount of meth and heroin.

The couple reportedly left the area sometime in February 2021, prior to Clay’s court date.

The Rhoms were apprehended May 4^th, and transported back to McDowell County May 18^th.

Senior Prank

A reported ‘senior prank’ involving 12 high school students resulted in a Lincoln County school building and buses suffering damages earlier this week.

A news release says officials at East Lincoln High School reported buses and interior areas of the school had been covered with some type sticky substance and glitter.

Foreign objects had also been placed in the HVAC system on the roof of the school.

Damage estimates as a result of the vandalism total 5-thousand dollars.

Yesterday, warrants were issued against the students involved; with seven so far having turned themselves in at the Lincoln magistrate’s office.

Juvenile petitions were drawn on four of the students on Thursday.

Charges range from trespassing, breaking and entering, injury to real property and injury to personal property.

Trench Collapse

A Taylorsville man was killed in a reported trench collapse Wednesday at an Alexander County construction site.

Just before 2 p.m., emergency workers were called to the trench rescue in the parking lot of Big D’s diner and Country Store on Highway 64/90 West.

Reports say 38-year-old Shane Anthony Sharpe was killed in the mishap as crews were working to replace a damaged culvert.

According to officials at the worksite, Sharpe was inside a trench about 10-feet down as dirt and asphalt had fallen onto him.

As rescuers freed him from the trench, CPR was administered but was unsuccessful.

Multiple Alexander County agencies responded to the scene as well as the State Highway Patrol, the NC Department of Labor, and state DOT officials.

The State Occupational Safety and Health Division is investigating; a process that can take up to six months to complete.

 

 

 

 

 

COVID-19 UPDATE

The latest figures posted by Burke County Public Health indicate 252 active cases of COVID-19 with 9 residents hospitalized.

Reports show Burke with a total of 10-thousand-225 cases.

McDowell County yesterday reported 2 new cases of the virus for a total of 5-thousand-135 positives.

43 people in McDowell are in quarantine.

Benefits Expand

The expansion of state benefits to families with young children and infants who need extra help buying food was announced Wednesday.

The State Department of Health and Human Services along with the NC Department of Public Instruction will expand the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program to assist eligible children under the age of 6 who are in households receiving Food and Nutrition Services.

The state will begin issuing the EBT benefits to eligible children beginning this week.

There is no application process to receive the newly-established benefits.

Eligibility will be determined through circumstances of the child and through the public schools in the county where the child lives.

Those who are not currently receiving Food and Nutrition Services benefits who believe they may be eligible, visit the NCDHHS website for more information about income eligibility and how to apply.

B and E Arrest

A Marion couple is charged in connection with a break-in and theft from an outbuilding on Harmony Grove Road.

On May 2^nd, a resident told authorities someone broke into the building on his property and stole a bag of golf clubs, ammunition, a bow, a TV and computer equipment.

Neighbors informed the victim that they witnessed the theft and identified the pair as 34-year-old Joshua Bartlett and 33-year-old Nisha Hollifield both of Roy Hollifield Road.

As deputies proceeded to speak with the two, Bartlett reportedly fled on foot but was apprehended later that night.

Reports say some of the stolen property was found in the couple’s car.

They were both charged with breaking and entering, and larceny after breaking and entering.

In addition, Bartlett was charged with resisting a public officer.

 

 

 

 

Man Charged With Kidnapping & Felony Assault  

A Morganton man is charged with Kidnapping and Felony Assault, among other

charges. On Tuesday, Morganton Public Safety Officers responded to the Burke

County Magistrates Office in reference to an assault. Officers documented

injures to the female and contacted Burke County EMS. 27-year-old

Johnithyn Thomas Bristol, who was currently on probation, was located

in Downtown Morganton by officers from Public Safety and Probation.

Bristol had just been released from Lincoln County after being charged

with Driving While Impaired. Bond was set at $100,000 secured for four

of the five charges with no bond for Domestic Violation Protection Order.

A court appearance is scheduled for tomorrow.

Deputy Finds Wanted Man

A McDowell deputy finds a man wanted in Buncombe County. Just

after 2:30 p.m. on May 2^nd, the deputy stopped 53-year-old Phillip

Edward Jones, Jr., of Zion Hill Road, Marion, because of warrants.

A search of Jones and his SUV turned up methamphetamine and drug

paraphernalia.

Driver Wanted for Attempting to Hit Man  

Asheville Police want the public’s help in locating a driver who attempted

to hit a man on the side of the road. The incident occurred just before

5 p.m.Monday, at the Exit 44 off-ramp of I-40 East. The driver, described

as a white man, 30-40 years old, was operating white Ford F-150, with

North Carolina license plate RCL-8595. Anyone with information is asked

to call Asheville Police at 828-252-1110.

Missing Lincoln Woman Located  

A missing Lincoln County woman was located Monday, when officers

were dispatched to investigate an altercation outside the Kountry

Korner on NC Highway 10. Two men were reportedly involved in a

shoving match with no injuries. 36-year-old Laura Kathryn Smith, who

was reported missing May 12^th, was with one of the men involved in

the altercation. She was identified by detectives, but decided to remain

with George Christian Settleymyre. She has been removed from NCIC

as missing.

 

COVID-19 UPDATE

Burke County Public Health Monday reported 15 new cases of COVID-19 since Friday for a total of 10-thousand-215.

The latest figures indicate 259 cases are active, while 7 people are in the hospital.

In McDowell County, health officials reported 9 additional cases of the virus for a total of 5-thousand-129 positives.

37 residents remain in quarantine.

Car Stolen

A woman in McDowell County makes off with a stolen vehicle and leads law enforcement on a chase.

On April 21^st, 25-year-old Jacquelyn Taylor Williams showed up at a resident’s house on Old Morganton Road.

Whenever the resident told her to leave, Williams grabbed the keys to his 2002 GMC Denali and fled.

A short time later, officers spotted her driving on Interstate-40, attempted to pull her over; however, she failed to stop until she was apprehended in Buncombe County.

Williams was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle and failure to heed a blue light and siren, according to the McDowell County Sheriff's Office.

Rutherford Complaint

The family of a man fatally shot by Rutherford County deputies last December has filed a complaint against the department.

According to reports, officers were attempting to serve a felony warrant on 28-year-old Ethan Tyler Calton at a home off Highway 221 south of Rutherfordton.

The family alleges the officers were driving an unmarked vehicle and were wearing civilian clothes.

A witness who reportedly was close-by at the time of the incident said lawmen approached Calton from behind without stating their presence or identifying themselves as police officers.

The witness, reports say, went on to say that the officers immediately began to detain Calton.

He was reportedly startled and tried to break free and within seconds a deputy drew his weapon and shot Calton.

The family’s complaint also contends that officers didn’t provide first aid but instead contacted the sheriff.

Calton died at the scene.

The officers have been placed on administrative leave.

The SBI is investigating.

 

 

 

 

Disaster Declaration for Marion  

Governor Cooper on Friday signed a State Disaster Declaration for the

City of Marion, which experienced severe weather from the remnants of

Tropical Storm Zeta on October 29th. The declaration for state-funded

Public Assistance allows Marion to be reimbursed for costs of debris

removal, emergency protective measures and repairs to roads and bridges.

Governor Cooper Lifts Most COVID-19 Restrictions  

Governor Cooper on Friday lifted mass gathering and capacity limits both

indoors and outdoors, with the following exceptions:

Childcare, Schools, Prisons and Jails, Homeless Shelters, Public Transportation,

Camps, Hospitals, Doctor Offices, and Nursing and Long Term Care Facilities.

Masks are still highly recommended for large crowded indoor events.

Fifth Street NE Temporary Closing  

The City of Hickory, this week, will be closing the portion of Fifth Street NE

Stasovich Place to Tenth Avenue NE. The various sections of the road will

be closed for about two and a half months to enhance the crosswalks across

the area. Fifth Street NS will also go from three lanes to two lanes. Detour

signage will be in place.

Murphy’s Farms Apartments Groundbreaking  

Groundbreaking took place Friday for Murphy’s Farms Apartments in

Morganton, set in open in Mid-2022. The project is located off Enola Road

near Broughton Hospital, the School of Science and Math, and Western

Piedmont Community College. 

Insurance Fraud Charge on Hickory Woman  

State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced on Friday the

arrest of a Hickory resident on insurance fraud, a felony. Special agents

with the Criminal Investigations Division accuse 62-year-old Sharon Frye

Hart of falsely telling Erie Insurance that her 2020 Ford Mustang was stolen

from Hibriten Mountain Road in an attempt to obtain payment on an auto

insurance claim. According to the arrest warrant, Hart had given someone

else permission to use her car. After being arrested last week, Hart was

released on a written promise to appear in court.

Former East Lincoln Student Charged With Communicating Threats 

A former East Lincoln High student is charged with communicating threats.

18-year-old Amon Douglas Stevens reportedly told Lincoln and Hickory

detectives that he made posts on social media depicting death threats

observed by the initial reports made to officers. A day later, last Thursday,

an additional charge of communicating a threat of mass violence at a place

of religious worship was served on Stevens. He is accused of threatening to

kill people attending a memorial service at a Denver church to honor an East

Lincoln High senior who recently died. Bond on Stevens was set at $20,000.

Maiden Police and Hickory Police assisted the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office

in the case.

 

COVID Death

Public health officials report another COVID-19 death in Burke this week for a death toll now at 161.

According to a news release issued Wednesday, the person was in their 80’s and was hospitalized.

The latest figures posted on Burke County’s website shows a total of 10-thousand-182 cases of the virus; with 292 active and 6 in the hospital.

McDowell County yesterday reported 9 new cases of COVID for a total of 5-thousand-119.

48 residents there remain in quarantine.

Hickory Homicide

A woman was shot to death Wednesday night in Hickory by an alleged drive-by shooter.

Just before 11 p.m., Hickory Police responded to a residence on 17^th Street Northwest after receiving a call that a female had been shot.

A news release says upon their arrival, officers discovered 27-year-old India Rice inside the home with a single gunshot wound.

Catawba County EMS responded and pronounced Rice dead at the scene.

An investigation revealed Rice and several other individuals were inside the residence when an unknown person or persons fired multiple rounds of gunfire into the home.

The release indicates the shots came from a passenger vehicle that was traveling on 17^th Street Northwest.

Officials say there is no suspect information to release.

Should you have any information concerning the incident call Hickory Police at 328-5551.

Wanted in McDowell

A McDowell County woman is being sought by authorities on drug charges.

39-year-old Heather Nicole Taylor is charged with possession of meth and possession of a Schedule-4 controlled substance.

Officers with the McDowell Sheriff’s Office assisted state probation and parole officials with a search of her home on Westwood Chateau Drive on May 5^th.

Reports say they seized meth and pills during the search.

Anyone having information about Taylor’s whereabouts should call Lt. Taylor at 652-2237 or McDowell Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME.

Sex Charges

A Marion man is charged with sex offenses.

51-year-old Enrique Morales of Circle EM Street is charged by McDowell deputies with taking indecent liberties with a child, and statutory sex offense with a child 15 or younger.

Morales is reportedly accused of having inappropriate relations with a teenage female acquaintance.

Lincoln Missing

Lincoln County authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing woman.

Reports say 36-year-old Laura Kathryn Smith of Lincolnton was last seen leaving a West Highview Lane residence enroute to an appointment on Wednesday.

Smith told an acquaintance that she would be back shortly, but never returned.

Deputies have learned she may be in the company of George Settlemyre of Catawba County.

Smith is a white female, 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighs 105 pounds and has brownish blond hair and brown eyes.

Anyone having information regarding Smith’s whereabouts is urged to call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 704-732-9050.

 

 

 

 

 

Arson Charge

A Morganton man is charged with arson after allegedly setting fire to an occupied mobile home in the Chesterfield area Tuesday.

Chesterfield Fire and Rescue were called to the fire at 2306 Putnam Street after a caller reported a male subject had set fire to the residence with a woman inside.

As firefighters extinguished the blaze, a news release from the Burke Sheriff’s Office says the county’s fire marshal and Burke detectives began an arson investigation. There were no reported injuries.

Officers learned the suspect, 37-year-old Ryan William Shambre had fled the scene on foot through a wooded area.

Reports say Shambre was spotted on NC 18-US 64 sometime later, was observed by deputies, and fled from authorities.

The release says after a foot chase and resisting arrest involving a deputy and highway patrol trooper, Shambre was taken into custody.

Shambre was charged with felony first degree arson, two counts of assault on a governmental official, and resisting a public officer.

He also had two failure to appear charges from Iredell County where he received a 2-thousand-dollar secured bond.

Shambre was placed in custody in the Burke County jail under a total 92-thousand dollar secured bond.

He, reports say, has 21 pending charges in three counties.

Hydrant Work

City crews will be flushing Morganton’s fire hydrants in the area of Alpine Mill Number 7 apartment complex, Fleming Drive, and Green Street Saturday morning beginning at 8.

Officials say customers near these areas may experience cloudy or discolored water or low water pressure as a result of the hydrant flushing.

Customers are directed to run cold water through their faucets until it clears should they experience discolored water.

For more information, contact Morganton’s water resources department at 438-5276.

Drugs Found

Officers stopping a vehicle for traffic violations in McDowell County discover the driver in possession of drugs.

39-year-old Tina Bielski of Old Fort was stopped on April 21^st, whenever deputies located meth, THC wax, marijuana, pills, and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

Bielski was charged with possession of a synthetic cannabinoid, possession of meth, possession of less than one-half ounce marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and possession of a schedule-two controlled substance.

Gas APP

Motorists can use the gasbuddy.com app to locate where gas is available.

Simply click on ‘find gas’ and search by city or state.

 

 

 

 

COVID-19 UPDATE  

Burke County Public Health reported 292 active cases of COVID-19 on

Tuesday for a total of 10-thousand-163, with 6 people in the hospital.

McDowell County reported an additional 3 cases of coronavirus for

a total of 5-thousand-102, with 46 McDowell residents in quarantine.

Caldwell County saw an increase of 18 cases of the virus yesterday, for

a total of 9-thousand-385, with 5 patients hospitalized.

Catawba County reported 51 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of

18-thousand-924, with 16 people in the hospital.

Indecent Exposure  

A Caldwell County man is charged in Burke County with Felony Indecent

Exposure. The Burke County Sheriff’s Office charged 22-year-old Tristan

Douglas Coffey in connection with exposing himself to two female

childcare workers, last week, in Morganton. Coffey has been charged with

over 10 misdemeanor indecent exposure charges since 2019. Burke County

detectives are investigating Coffey for other possible indecent exposure

charges in Burke and surrounding counties. Bond on Coffey was set at

$20,000 secured. The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office assisted Burke County

in the case.

Lincoln Grand Jury Indicts 14 People for Drug Operation  

A Lincoln County Grand Jury on Monday indicted 14 people in connection

with a lengthy Sheriff’s Office undercover drug operation. Narcotics

investigators began targeting street level dealers in late 2019 and ending

early this year. Undercover officers purchased crack cocaine, heroin, meth,

Marijuana and opiods. Of the 14 indicted, 9 people were from Lincolnton,

with 1 each from Hickory, Maiden, Shelby, Gastonia and Crouse.

 

Hurricane Preparedness Week  

Governor Cooper has declared this week as Hurricane Preparedness Week,

joining the national effort to prepare citizens as the hurricane season runs

from June 1st through November 30th. The Governor recommends that

residents should update family emergency plans and supply kits. Severe

tropical weather is common in the state.

State of Emergency  

Governor Cooper on Monday issued a State of Emergency for Fuel

Transportation Waivers. This was in response to the Colonial Pipeline

Ransomware Cyber-Attack. The Executive Order temporarily suspends

motor vehicle fuel regulations to ensure adequate fuel supply lines

throughout the state due to the temporary shutdown of the primary

fuel pipeline for North Carolina.

Prison System 2021 Programs Award  

Cindy Haynes, program director at Marion Correctional Institution,

has won the state prison system’s 2021 Programs Award. Haynes is in

charge of rehabilitative services and educational opportunities for

offenders. Haynes stated with Prisons in 1993 as a correctional officer

in Morganton, moving into case management, then offender classifications,

before earning a programs management post. She has also worked with crime

victim’s, as a victim information coordinator. Last month the combined

U.S.Attorney’s Offices in the state presented her the Victim Services Award

as Distinguished Law Enforcement Officer.

 

COVID-19 UPDATE

COVID-19 cases continue to mount in Burke County as health officials report the addition of 33 new cases over the weekend for a total of 10-thousand-162.

The latest figures show 282 cases are active, while 5 individuals are hospitalized.

In McDowell County, 7 new virus cases were reported today bringing the county’s total to 5-thousand-99.

43 residents in McDowell are in quarantine.

The Burke County Health Department will be hosting a Moderna community vaccine Thursday May 20^th from 9 till 11 am in the parking lot of Valdese Weavers at 1000 Perkins Road Southeast Valdese.

The vaccine is approved for those 18 and older.

Walk-ins are welcome and the first or second dose of Moderna will be available.

If you’d like to schedule an appointment, visit myspot.nc.gov online; or call 764-9150 and press 0 to speak to an operator.

Caldwell Cluster

Meanwhile, a cluster of COVID-19 cases has been identified within the Caldwell County School System.

Caldwell County health officials confirmed the cluster at Collettsville School.

A cluster is defined as a minimum of five cases with illness onset, or initial positive results within a 14-day period.

A news release states any student or staff member identified as a close contact has been notified, and all recommended quarantine procedures are being followed.

Caldwell County School officials report all safety protocols and procedures recommended by the state and the CDC for COVID prevention have been followed during the school year.

Health experts in Caldwell reported 13 new cases of the virus last Friday for a total there of 9-thousand-354, while 6 residents are hospitalized.

Toddler Shot

Cleveland County authorities say a two-year-old boy was shot Sunday morning in the Lawndale area.

Reports say the incident occurred around 10:30 yesterday morning, and was initially reported as a drive-by shooting; although investigators have not concluded that’s what actually took place.

The child was discovered with serious injuries inside a home.

He was later airlifted to a Charlotte hospital.

Officers have not made an arrest in the case.

Gun Possession

An investigation in McDowell County into a man firing shots outside his residence turns into an arrest.

On March 21^st, deputies arrived to find 43-year-old Michael Mashburn of Old Fort Sugar Hill Road in Old Fort firing the shots.

A convicted felon, reports say Mashburn was in possession of multiple firearms.

He was then charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.