Two additional cases of COVID-19 reported since Tuesday brings Burke County’s latest total to 99.

Recent figures shows Catawba at 56 positive cases, McDowell with 25, and Caldwell at 33.

Figures from Wednesday morning show 9-thousand-948 people in NC have tested positive for COVID-19, while 354 residents have died from virus complications.

Let’s remember our ‘furry’ family members as we continue to protect ourselves and others during this virus pandemic.

Although there are unknowns in how COVID-19 affects animals, the CDC and the veterinary community recommends you treat pets as you would other family members to protect them from a potential infection.

A news release from Burke County Animal Services recommends pet owners not let their animals interact with people or animals outside the household.

Keep cats indoors when possible to prevent them from interacting with other people and animals.

Walk dogs on a leash, maintaining at least 6 feet from others, while avoiding dog parks or places where people and dogs may gather.

When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals should you become sick.

If you must care for your pets while sick, wear a cloth face mask and wash your hands before and after caring for them.

And call your veterinarian should your pet become sick.

The release states the risk that a pet would be a source of COVID-19 in a household is exceptionally low, while utilizing precautions.

Officials further state pets can provide important emotional support during challenging times.

A small portion of the Catawba River greenway is closed until further notice.

A  City of Morganton news release says crews are closing the part of the greenway running alongside fields 3 and 4 of the soccer complex, in order to allow construction to be completed in Phase 3 of the complex expansion.

The closure affects less than a quarter mile of the 4-point-5 miles of trail available for public use.

Citizens can contact Morganton Parks and Recreation at 438-5350 with questions or for more information.

McDowell County deputies are asking for the public’s help in locating a stolen dump truck and the suspect who took it.

An employee of IEM on Henry McCall Road in Marion reported Monday that someone had removed a 1999 Ford F-350 dump truck from the business sometime between 6pm Saturday and 11 Monday morning.

The cab is white, the truck’s bed is black and the passenger door is gray.

It has NC tag AX-2041.

Anyone having information about the theft should call Detective Watson at 652-2237 or McDowell Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME.

As of Tuesday, 97 people had tested positive for COVID-19 in Burke County,

with 25 in McDowell County, 33 in Caldwell County and 51 in Catawba County.

Across the state, 9,568 people had tested positive for COVID-19.

McDowell County Sheriff’s Office investigators are looking for a stolen UTV

and the person that took it. A 2018 green 2018 Polaris Ranger was taken from

property on Paris Creek Road in Old Fort, sometime between 6 a.m.on April 21^st

and 6 p.m.April 22^nd. Anyone having information is asked to call Detective Burlin

Ballew at 652-2237 or Crime Stoppers at 65-CRIME.

The Caldwell County School District and the Education Foundation of Caldwell

County launched Rolling Hotspots as part of Google’s Rolling Study Halls program.

The initiative will help local students engage in virtual learning during the COVID-19

pandemic, according to a press release from Caldwell County Schools. By outfitting

31 Caldwell County School District buses with Wi-Fi capabilities, the Rolling

Hotspots will address the critical need for reliable internet access and allow all

11,200 county students to continue their education using Google Classroom. The

Caldwell County hotspots will help local students engage in online classroom

lessons and complete assignments, staying in communities through the end of summer.

Governor Cooper announced that the State is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for

information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible

for the death of Brenda Henson and Robert Metcalfe, who were killed in Gastonia

on April 4^th, 2018. Anyone with information may call Gastonia Police at 704-866-6882.

The most-recent figures released Monday afternoon by Burke County health officials show Burke currently has 90 positive COVID-19 cases.

A previous news release from last week indicates more than 75-percent of Burke’s total comes from those associated with local long term care facilities.

Published reports say state health officials are due to release details on the locations of dozens of nursing homes and other living facilities with virus outbreaks across the state.

The state department of health and human services planned release of outbreak locations follows new guidance the agency issued to county health departments by email Sunday night.

9-thousand-142 people across NC have tested positive for the virus, while 306 have died from COVID-19.

District Attorney Scott Reilly and associates appeared before the Catawba County Board of Commissioners last week to request permission to submit a grant application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

If approved, the grant will monetarily assist in establishing a Veteran’s Treatment Court.

Reilly told commissioners there are almost 10-thousand veterans in Catawba County; adding that veterans interactions within the criminal justice system can be best addressed by a specialized court trained to recognize and consider their unique experiences.

The total potential grant funding is 500-thousand dollars over three years and would be used for court staff, operating costs, equipment expenses, program materials, drug testing and specialized training.

Catawba commissioners unanimously approved Reilly’s request to submit the grant application.

Catawba will be the fifth county in the state to have a treatment court for veterans.

The court will begin in January 2021.

Two Morganton residents are arrested on felony theft charges.

41-year-old Jennifer Brooke Laws and 34-year-old Douglas Herman Saunders both of 4670 Crystal Creek Road were charged after Burke deputies located a pair of stolen trucks loaded with 30-thousand-dollars worth of stolen furniture parked at their home last Friday.

A news release states the theft had occurred earlier in the day from 1185 Drexel Road.

Upon officers arrival, Laws fled on foot and was located hiding under a shed’s crawlspace at a neighbor’s house minutes later.

Reports say Saunders fled into his home’s crawlspace and entered the mobile home through a hole cut out in the home’s floor.

Refusing to come out of the residence, negotiators worked with Saunders by phone; convincing him to surrender just prior to the arrival of a SWAT team nearly three hours after the incident began.

A K-9 further searched the home, but did not locate any other subjects.

Laws and Saunders were both charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

Laws was additionally charged with breaking and entering a motor vehicle and felony larceny.

Laws bond was set at 50-thousand dollars secured; while Saunders was 30-thousand dollars secured.

Along with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, Glen Alpine Police and Burke EMS assisted at the scene.

A Marion man faces meth charges after his arrest last month.

McDowell deputies were called to Cane Creek Road to a reported suspicious man asleep inside a car while parked in a residential driveway.

Officers located 44-year-old Stephen Joseph Obar the second of Linville Hollow Drive.

A search of his person turned up 1-point-2 grams of meth.

Alexander County authorities arrest a Granite Falls man with a sex offense.

47-year-old Shane Dula is charged with felony first-degree statutory sex offense and felony indecent liberties with a minor according to a press release.

His bond was set at 1-point-1 million dollars.

An investigation continues.

As of Sunday morning, North Carolina had reported 8,830 positive cases of COVID-19.

299 deaths had been reported. Burke County had 88 positive COVID-19 cases, McDowell

County 24, Caldwell County 30 and Catawba County 49.

Governor Roy Cooper has announced that the state’s public schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year.

Students and staff will still be expected to continue schoolwork remotely.

Cooper said in his Friday afternoon statement that classrooms may be closed, but the learning is not over.

State school superintendent Mark Johnson states that there was hope schools could eventually reopen this school year; however, the current COVID-19 situation in NC does not make that possible.

Johnson goes on to say this will not be the new normal - that plans for the next school year are already underway and will be proactive.

Before the governor’s decision Friday, schools had originally been closed to students and staff until at least May 15^th.

More than 40 states along with Washington DC have already said students will not return for the rest of the school year.

The investigation by the SBI into a Friday morning officer involved shooting

in Caldwell County has revealed that 28-year-old Timothy Darryl Sides, Jr. was

in possession of a hand gun. A deputy responded to a suspicious person call on

 Miller Hill Road in Lenoir. The deputy encountered Sides in the roadway and a

confrontation ensued that resulted in the death of Sides. The deputy was not 

injured and will be on paid administrative leave pending review by the

District Attorney’s Office, according to a news release from the Caldwell

County Public Information office.

A Morganton man is accused of making statements to kill the Magistrate. On

Thursday, the Burke Criminal Investigations/Narcotics Division arrested

Kenneth Earl Buchanan of Pops Buchanan Road. During his arrest, he was

found to be in possession of meth and drug paraphernalia, according to a press

release from the Sheriff’s Office. Buchanan was placed in the Burke County

Jail under a $50,000 secured bond and additional charges are pending.

Multiple charges are filed on a man accused of breaking into a residence on

Burke County Line Road. On April 21^st, Burke 911 received a call of a breaking

and entering that had already occurred. The suspect, who resides only two doors

from the victim, was arrested and charged with three felony offenses. Bill Casey

Hinson was found to be on probation and his vehicle was reported stolen from

Waynesville. The investigation is continuing and further charges are expected.

The Town of Valdese has canceled all June and July concerts as part of the Family Friday Night summer concert series; including the Independence Day celebration and fireworks planned for July 3^rd.

The concert series was scheduled to kick off June 5^th after May’s events had to be canceled.

Town officials hope to be able to observe a celebration as a community in August for the Waldensian festival scheduled for August 7^th and 8^th.

A Valdese news release states town officials know that mass gatherings will not be a reality for our state for quite some time, and that no event is worth putting the health of our community at risk.

Governor Cooper on Thursday issued an Executive Order Thursday extending

North Carolina’s Stay At Home order through May 8^th. The orders extending

closure of restaurants for dine-in service and bars and closure of other close

contact businesses are also extended through May 8^th. The Stay At Home and

other orders were extended Thursday because the state has not yet seen a

downward trajectory of three metrics, testing, tracing and trends.

Members of Morganton’s Community Appearance Advisory Commission

recognized Arbor Day in North Carolina and in the U.S. by having a tree

planted at Morganton Public Safety Station 2 in early March. The City’s

Public Works Department planted the tree, and members of the advisory

commission gathered during their regular meeting on March 10^th to dedicate

the tree at the public safety station. North Carolina Arbor Day was recognized

on March 20^th, and Arbor Day in the U.S. is recognized today, April 24^th.

A Spruce Pine man faces multiple charges following a chase in two counties.

Just before midnight on March 25^th, a McDowell Sheriff’s deputy spotted

32-year-old Joshua Wayne Henline operating a motorcycle and knew that he

had a suspended driver’s license. An attempt was made to stop the mototcycle

on Lytle Mountain Road, but the driver sped up leading to a pursuit onto

Henry McCall Road to old Greenlee Road to I-40 West into Buncombe County.

The Black Mountain Police Department joined in the pursuit that was

discontinued when they reached I-26. Charges were issued at that time, but

Henline was not located until Monday, when he was taken into custody.

Caldwell County Sheriff’s detectives are looking for a missing person.

Jessie Ervin Whisnant Jr. was reported missing on Sunday by family

Members. Whisnant was last seen in the Bushtown area of Lenoir on

March 10^th. He is 41 years old, is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 165 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Morgan or Caldwell

County Communications at 758-2324.

A federal indictment charges area residents with conspiracy to traffic meth.

The indictment from a federal grand jury sitting in Charlotte, charges

Savannah LeeAnn Goins of Crouse, Marlee Dare Griffith of Cherryville,

Ryan Andrew Prescott of Lincolnton along with a Enoree, SC man

Joseph Michael Vassey, with conspiracy to traffic meth and possession

with intent to distribute meth. A fifth co-conspirator, Dakota Reese Davis

of Lincolnton pleaded guilty on Tuesday to drug trafficking conspiracy and

possession with intent to distribute meth. From at least 2019 to February 2020

the defendants were involved in a conspiracy that distributed meth in and

around Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln Counties.

Hickory City Walk contractors will continue construction work on the center

Support of the N.C. 127 pedistrian bridge on Saturday. N.C. 127 will be closed

Between First Avenue SE and First Avenue NE from 6 a.m. till 6 p.m. Detour

Routes will be established and clearly marked.

Burke County continues to have the most positive cases of COVID-19 in the Catawba Valley; now reporting 83 cases.

Catawba County reports 3 additional cases; making a total of 47 testing positive; while Caldwell reports 2 additional cases bringing its total to 25 and McDowell County with 21.

Wednesday figures from the state’s department of health and human services show 7-thousand-220 positive cases statewide, with 242 deaths.

The NC Department of Public Safety confirmed that an inmate with COVID-19 has died- marking the first prisoner at a state prison to die from the virus.

The inmate was incarcerated at Pender Correctional Institution and passed away at the hospital as a result of pre-existing conditions complicated by COVID-19.

Prison officials report he was in his late 50’s and had underlying health conditions.

Four inmates who were held at a NC Federal prison died of COVID-19 last week.

They were in prison at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, NC.

Meanwhile, Governor Cooper says he and state leaders are working to ease stay at home restrictions in a responsible and staged way.

Reports say Cooper  will be more specific about his plans to move forward today.

Hundreds showed up for the Re-Open-NC protest in downtown Raleigh Tuesday to protest Cooper’s orders aimed at combating the spread of COVID-19.

The Morganton Farmer’s Market announces their opening day will take place Saturday May 2^nd.

The market is an essential business offering locally grown produce, along with homemade baked breads, local meats, eggs, honey, and other farm goods.

The Saturday farmers market is located at 300 Beach Street behind Maria’s Italian Eatery and is open from 8 am to Noon.

A mini-market is available every Wednesday beginning May 6^th from Noon till 4 at 111 North Green Street at the corner of Avery Avenue.

The markets will follow necessary precautions to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.

Customers and vendors will have access to hand-washing stations at both locations.

No customers or vendors exhibiting symptoms of illness may enter the market area.

Precautions also include one customer at a time at each vendor table, only handle a product you intend to purchase, and congregating will not be allowed.

The markets will be open each Saturday and Wednesday through the end of October.

A shooting spree in Catawba County Tuesday resulted in three vehicles and two homes on Old Catawba Road being riddled with bullet holes.

A news release from the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office says 35-year-old Antwan Boyd of Catawba was arrested at a residence in Newton in connection with the incident.

Reports say a 9-millimeter semi-automatic rifle Boyd is believed to have used was located and seized at the same residence.

Boyd was charged with two counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, and three counts of injury to personal property.

According to the release, the shooting stemmed from an ongoing dispute between Boyd, a woman who is the mother of his children, and the woman’s boyfriend.

No injuries were reported.

The release states Boyd was issued a 25-thousand dollar bond for the firearm charge along with no bond on the remaining charges in that they were deemed episodes of domestic violence. 

 The US Food and Drug Administration recently gave LabCorp an emergency use authorization to offer COVID-19 home collection kits.

LabCorp calls the kit “Pixel”, and it is available with the recommendation of a health care provider following the completion of a COVID-19 questionnaire.

Test-takers use a swab to collect a sample that is then sent to LabCorp for testing.

Health Care workers and first responders will have priority access according to LabCorp officials.

The company reports 60-thousand kits will be available to begin with, initially going to health care officials who may have been exposed to the virus.

The company intends to provide tests to other consumers in the next few weeks.

LabCorp can send the kit with a nasal swab in the mail for a reported 119-dollars per kit.

The emergency authorization doesn’t mean the FDA has cleared or approved the test; it only allows the kits to be used in that circumstances exist justifying the need for quicker testing.

Governor Cooper announced on Monday that North Carolina has been

approved for the new Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program, to

help families purchase food for children impacted by school closings due

to COVID-19. The program provides a benefit on an EBT card to families

whose children are eligible for free and reduced lunch at school. Families

will receive $250 in P-BET benefits per child, provided in two installments.

Families will be able to use the P-BET benefit to purchase food items at

EBT authorized retailers, including most major grocery stores.

The Town of Granite falls Electric Department has earned the American

Public Power Association’s Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating

practices in 2019. The utility earned a first-place award in Category A for

electric utilities based on having no days away from work and no medical

treatment cases in over 12,400 worker exposure hours in 2019.

Benjamin Carver has been named warden at Marion Correctional Center.

He has served as associate warden for custody and operations at Alexander

Correctional Institution since 2016. A 22-year veteran I state government

Service, Carver began his career in 1998 as a correctional officer at Foothills

Correctional Institution.

Burke County Health officials report two additional deaths Monday as a result of the COVID-19 virus.

These individuals – one in their late 40’s, and the other in their early 80’s died from complications associated with underlying medical conditions according to a news release.

Burke County has now suffered a total of eight deaths to the coronavirus.

McDowell County Monday afternoon reported its first virus-related death.

Reports say the person was 83 years old and passed away at Mission Hospital McDowell on Sunday.

Recent numbers from Burke reveal 76 positive cases; while McDowell has 21.

Burke County health director Rebecca McLeod states in a news release ‘ as our efforts continue to fight this virus, we hope that all persons will continue to take the social distancing, the stay at home order, and all other preventive measures seriously.’

McLeod further says ‘infection cases will continue to rise if these measures continue to be ignored or not practiced.’

For general questions about COVID-19, you can call Burke’s public information line at 764-9388.

Monday’s figures show NC as having 6-thousand-764 positive cases of the virus, while 179 have died throughout the state.

The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting on Rome Jones Road in Newton

Monday afternoon.

Reports say the incident took place after a FedEx driver reportedly struck a dog.

A man, who is the dog’s owner along with his mother reportedly pursued the delivery truck in a silver pickup.

Reports then say the owner of the dog shot a firearm three times at the back of the delivery truck.

The dog owner and his mother were taken into custody by deputies.

A traffic stop on Highway 27 West in Lincoln County Sunday leads to a fugitive from justice arrest.

An open line on a cell phone alerted dispatchers to a domestic situation in a moving vehicle.

Once stopped, a male and female inside the car told officers they had gotten into an argument after attending a party.

A young child was also in the vehicle.

A check of the driver, 40-year-old Bruce Arthur Godfrey of Lincolnton revealed he was wanted in Virginia on outstanding warrants.

A news release reports Godfrey is charged in Henrico County Virginia with three counts of embezzlement and two counts of construction fraud.

He was jailed without bond and is awaiting extradition to Virginia.

More than a dozen families received donations of masks, gift cards, and food through the Burke County Public Schools ‘Futures’ program last week.

The program helps to build positive parenting strategies with families including grandparents or kinship caregivers who are raising their grandchildren.

A news release says a Grandparents raising Grandchildren Support Group was formed several years ago, meeting weekly before COVID-19.

The meetings included a hot meal, but now that they’re unable to meet, Program coordinator Lisa Schell and family mentor Mike Massey are checking on the families and putting together care packages for them.

During the normal meetings, families enjoy a meal together and afterward the children do an activity with volunteers; allowing grandparents to share how their grandchildren are doing in school, any needs they may have, along with success stories.

For more information or for those interested in joining the Futures program, call Lisa Schell at 502-9786.

Burke County Public Schools recently received a donation of a refrigerated truck from Case Farms in Morganton.

A news release says child nutrition staff has had an increased need for places to keep meals frozen during the student meal distribution program.

Director of child nutrition Daniel Wall says the refrigerated truck will be able to freeze up to 26-thousand meals.

Wall states the truck was a very big need that was met for our community and students.

Packaging Corp of America has also been donating cardboard boxes to package and store the individual meals.

Schools superintendent Dr. Larry Putnam says donations like these and others that Burke County Public Schools has received are what keep us going in helping to support our students and staff.

Burke County Public Health reported Sunday the sixth COVID-19 associated

in the county. The individual in their late 80’s was hospitalized and later died

from complications associated with his underlying conditions. Also on

Sunday Burke County health officials reported 71 positive cases of COVID-19.

McDowell County reported 21 cases, Caldwell County 23 and Catawba 43.

Statewide 6,493 residents have tested positive with 172 deaths.

Some area communities have been approved for grant requests. Under the

 State’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account program, the Town

of Drexel was given a $647,100 grant to help the Town in its redevelopment

of a 70-acre site that was the home of the former Drexel Heritage plant. In 

the Vacant Building Category, the City of Hickory received a $75,000

grant to support the reuse of an 11,372-square-foot building, where a

company, Aritax, LLC, will invest almost $1.3 million dollars and is

expected to create 11 jobs. In the Existing Business Building Category,

the City of Lenoir was given a $200,000 to support the renovation of a

216,137 square-foot building that is occupied by Woodgrain Millwork,Inc.

which expects to add 33 jobs and invest over $200,000. In the Rural Health

Category, the Town of Granite Falls received a grant of $210,000 to

support the construction of a 57,188-square-foot building. Tullock

Management, a senior healthcare provider, will expand its operations with a

new 60-bed facility at this location. The company is expected to create 21 jobs

and invest over $1.6 million dollars.  The NC Rural Infrastructure Authority

approved 17 grant requests across the state totaling more than $6.5 million.

The seizure of a stolen car with drugs inside leads Burke deputies to arrest a Morganton man.

A news release states officers were on routine patrol Wednesday near the intersection of Zion Road and Amherst Road whenever they observed a vehicle with an expired tag.

Upon investigation, officers stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as 31-year-old Matthew English of 3305 Junior Fox Road.

Reports say English had a suspended driver’s license and the car had been reported as stolen.

A search of the vehicle turned up a substantial amount of meth.

He was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, possession of meth, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling place for a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

English was held at the Burke County jail under a 20-thousand dollar secured bond.

The NC legislative session will formally re-open for business April 28^th with appropriate measures in place to ensure health and safety.

Officials say the General Assembly will limit access to the legislative campus to members, staff, and credentialed media April 20^th through May 8^th, with those entering having their temperatures taken.

The policy limiting access is in place to balance the need for legislators to return to Raleigh to carry out their constitutional duties while maintaining the health and safety of members as well as the general public.

Officials add that the policy was developed in collaboration with the state capitol press corps and public access advocacy organizations.

Burke County is holding fairly steady with the number of positive Covid-19 virus cases increasing by  one since Wednesday, bringing the county to a total of 64 confirmed cases.

As of Thursday Catawba County reported 40 positive cases, Caldwell 21 and McDowell 20.

In the latest figures, NC’s positive cases total 5-thousand-465 with 131 deaths.

Meanwhile NC Governor Cooper says three factors must be considered when deciding when and how to re-open the state during the current pandemic.

The factors include testing availability, tracing processes and trends as it relates to positive cases, hospitalizations, deaths, the supply of personal protective equipment, and hospital capacity.

Cooper says ‘we want to get back to work, but at the same time prevent our hospitals from getting overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.’

Cooper states the re-opening will not be like flipping a switch to turn on the economy, but rather compared it to using a dimmer switch that gradually brings light to a room.

He described some normal activities like restaurant dining may look different with fewer people or tables; while sporting events and concerts may not host attendees for some time.

Cooper states ‘a new normal can get us back to work, back to school, and back to play; but in a new way for awhile.’

According to reports, Governor Cooper stated he has conducted conversations with other state governors in exchanging ideas on how to best re-open parts of the economy.

 A Marion man faces charges after allegedly attempting to break into a couple of his neighbor’s homes last month.

42-year-old Kenneth Allan Styles of Styles Drive is charged with two counts of attempted breaking and entering and one count of damage to property.

On March 4^th, two home owners on White Pine Drive in Marion reported that Styles came to their residences and began to bang on their doors, trying to gain entry.

A news release from the McDowell Sheriff’s office says both complainants were familiar with Styles as he lives nearby.

Styles reportedly caused 200-dollars in damages to one of the homes.

He was taken into custody at the scene.

A motorist was killed in Lincoln County Wednesday evening after colliding with a pickup truck.

Highway Patrol reports say 21-year-old Robert Austin Cornelius was headed west on Poarch Road driving a ’94 Chevrolet Geo when he attempted a left turn onto Buffalo Shoals Road.

Troopers report Cornelius failed to yield the right of way and collided with a 2014 Ford pickup driven by 49-year-old Mark Edward Beal.

Cornelius was reported deceased on the scene; while Beal was transported to Atrium Health Lincoln for treatment of his injuries.

Burke County health officials report the fifth local resident to die from COVID-19.

A news release says the woman, in her 70’s, had been hospitalized and passed away Wednesday morning from virus-related complications.

According to the release, the patient also had underlying medical conditions.

Burke currently is reporting 63 positive cases.

McDowell County reports an additional positive virus case since Tuesday, bringing the county’s total to 19.

NC health experts say the state has not yet reached its peak of the COVID-19 virus.

Officials continue to urge residents to maintain stay-at-home efforts and social distancing.

The state’s department of health and human services is monitoring outbreaks and hotspots.

Reports indicate as many as 40 nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout the state have positive cases.

Data from Wednesday shows NC has 5-thousand-123 positive cases, and 117 virus-related deaths.

The Burke County Board of Education is currently accepting applications for a position on the Western Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees.

Applications will be accepted through Thursday April 30^th at 5 pm.

Those interested can pick up an application from the Office of the Superintendent at 700 East Parker Road Morganton, or visit the school’s website at burke-dot-k12-dot-nc-dot-us.

Completed applications along with a resume should be returned to Linda Huffman, Burke County Public Schools, P.O. Drawer 989 Morganton 28680.

The position is a four-year term that becomes effective July 1^st.

The Caldwell County Board of Elections has named a new director.

After having served as the board’s chief deputy director for eight years, Chad Barnes has recently assumed his new position.

In a news release, Barnes says his goal is to provide fair and accurate elections and to maintain integrity in the voting process.

Barnes says too he looks forward to working with both the county Republican and Democrat chairs.

Burke County health officials report the fourth COVID-19 related death in the county.

A news release states the resident, who passed away Monday, was in her 90’s and had underlying medical conditions.

Reports say Burke is holding at 60 positive cases.

A public information line has been established for Burke County citizens having virus-related questions; 764-9388 Monday through Friday 8am till 5pm.

Catawba County reports two new positive cases bringing Catawba’s total to 38.

At last report, NC has 5-thousand-24 residents testing positive for the coronavirus with 108 deaths statewide.

Burke County Public Schools has received two grants totaling 6-thousand dollars to help purchase masks for the district.

Each grant was for 3-thousand dollars; one from the Community Foundation of Burke, and the other from Duke Energy Foundation.

A news release reports all school employees are wearing masks while working.

Along with social distancing the masks are a measure employees are utilizing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In the release, Schools Superintendent Dr. Larry Putnam thanks school nurse Miranda Michaels for securing the masks and organizing their distribution, along with Director of Student Services Dr. Mike Swan for his work in securing the grants.

The report of a suspicious person at a Burke County mobile home park leads to a drug seizure and arrest.

Last Monday April 6^th, Burke sheriff’s deputies located a female at the J and R mobile home park on NC 18-US 64 initially reported as being a suspicious subject.

The female identified as 31-year-old Mary Elizabeth Brown of 304 Arnold Drive Morganton was searched and discovered to possess meth.

Brown was arrested on meth possession charges and confined at the Burke County jail under a 3-thousand dollar secured bond.

Her court date is set for April 29^th.

McDowell County authorities need the public’s help in locating a stolen SUV, and with identifying the suspect.

Wanda Jones of Marion told officers on April 6^th that someone had taken her silver 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer from an area on US 221 North where it had became disabled sometime on March 16^th.

Anyone having information about the theft or suspect should call McDowell detective Watson at 652-2237 or McDowell crimestoppers at 65-CRIME.

A public reminder –

Services provided by Valdese public works may be delayed because of operational changes brought on by COVID-19.

This includes brush and rough trash pickups.

Town of Valdese urges their customers to be patient during this time.

To submit a request for pickup, visit their website at town-of-valdese-dot-com.

Burke County Public Schools is reducing its grab-and-go meal sites from

eight schools to six, and the number of distribution days from five days a week

to two days a week – Tuesdays and Fridays. The change will start the week of

April 20^th. The same of number of meals will be available to ensure students are

fed breakfasts and lunches seven days a week. Extra meals will be handed out

on Tuesdays and Fridays so families can stockpile the meals for children 18

and younger. Hillcrest Elementary and Ray Childers Elementary will no

longer serve as feeding sites. The school site locations will be: Table Rock

Middle, Liberty Middle School, Mountain View Elementary, Valdese

Elementary, East Burke Middle, and George Hildebrand Elementary. For the

most up-to-date bus stop times and locations visit bit.ly/BCPSGrabLunch

Due to recent precipitation and decreased fire danger, the N.C.Department of

Agriculture announced Monday that they have rescinded the restriction on

open burning for 32 Western Region counties. Also on Monday, McDowell

County lifted their burning ban within 100 feet of an occupied residence.

As of April 5^th, North Carolina’s online response rate continues to lag behind

the nation, According to Carolina Demography, the state’s overall response

rate is 42%. By the start of the third week of Census reporting, North

Carolina’s self-response rank had risen 6 spots from the first reporting date

to 37 out of 50 states and DC. Nationally, 45% of households had responded

to the 2020 Census.

Governor Cooper signed an Executive Order on Thursday for stronger social

distancing requirements. Some of the requirements include:

1) Setting limits on how many people can be in a store at one time. 5 people per

1000 square feet of retail space or 20% of fire marshal posted occupancy limits.

2) Marking 6 feet of distance for areas where people gather like checkout lines

3) Requiring specific cleaning measures for retail stores

The Order also sets public health and safety requirements for nursing homes

during the public health emergency. The Order encourages other longer-term

care facilities to follow the same guidance.

Fire restrictions are now in effect for the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests

due to high fire danger. Building maintaining, attending, or using a fire or

campfire is now prohibited. The restrictions are in effect until August 8^th, unless

rescinded earlier due to changing conditions. Commercially available fuel

stoves (camp stoves) can be used at this time.

A man is charged with felony intimidating a witness. On March 28^th, the Burke

County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division was conducting an

investigation for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. It was

discovered that the defendant 23-year-old Emillo Jesus Villarreal made contact

with a state’s witness in ongoing criminal investigation for the expressed purpose

of preventing  and/or deterring testimony. A court appearance is set for Monday.

An investigation continues into a Tuesday morning explosion at a Long View

company. About 60 surrounding homes sustained mostly minor damage from

the explosion at OneH2. The homes were inspected by Catawba County building

inspectors and City of Hickory fire inspectors. One home has been deemed

uninhabitable and the owner is being assisted. There were no injuries or fatalities.

Visitation at many state forests in North Carolina is two and three times greater

than what is typical for this time of year, which is stretching the resources of the

sites and making it harder for people to practice proper social distancing. Visitors

are asked to strictly follow social distancing guidelines to help keep public lands

safe, available and open to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two area men face child sex charges. The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office has

charged 20-year-old Juan Antonio Rojas of Marion, with statutory rape of a

child 15 or younger and statutory sex offense with a child 15 or younger.

In Lincoln County, the Sheriff’s Office charged 48-year-old Bobby Larry Avery

Junior of Iron Station, with statutory sex offense of a child and indecent liberties

with a child.

A 1-year-old child is in intensive care after a shooting Tuesday night in Spindale.

Police responded to a residence on Guffey Street about 7:45. The child was taken

to Rutherford Regional and then transferred to Mission Memorial and placed in

Intensive care unit. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office is assisting Spindale

Police with the investigation.