Assault Suspect Wanted  

Burke authorities are looking for a man wanted in connection with

a Tuesday night assault. Deputies were called about 7:30 to 3865 Briar

Drive in Valdese, where a female, who was being treated by Burke County

EMS, had multiple lacerations to her face, arms and body. The victim’s

mother sustained multiple bite injuries during the altercation. Both

victims were taken to CHS-Morganton for treatment. The suspect,

22-year-old Jeffrey Jesus Martinez is on the loose and should be considered

armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone with

information on the whereabouts of Martinez is asked to call the Burke

County Sheriff’s Office at 438-5500, or Crimestoppers at 437-3333. All

Crimestoppers tips are anonymous, and anyone with information leading

to an arrest may receive a cash reward.

June Unemployment  7/29/21  CJS  Morning

June unemployment figures were released Wednesday by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, with the rate for the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton

metro area 4.7%, and Asheville’s rate at 4.4%. Area county rates include,

Alexander at 4.3%, Avery 3.9%, Burke County 4.6%, Caldwell 5.1%,

Catawba 4.7% and McDowell County also 4.7%.

The Burke County School Board race saw the entrance of two new candidates yesterday as filing for the November 2nd election continues at the Burke County Board of Elections Office in Morganton.  Jerry Scott Lambert of Valdese placed his name on the ballot for the Eastern District of the Burke County School Board.  Leslie Ritchie Taylor filed for the same seat on Monday.  Kurt Randal Fox of Morganton becomes the fourth person to file for the Western District of the Burke County School Board.  Incumbent Seth Hunt, Aaron Kyle Johnson, and Jane Marie Sohovich all filed for the same seat on Monday.  In the Morganton City Council race, incumbent Wendy Cato filed to retain her seat in District #4.  Filing continues until noon August 13th.