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.