COVID-19 Update

Burke County sees another large leap in positive cases of COVID-19, as the state continues to observe an increase in virus hospitalizations.

Local health officials report 30 new positive cases, amounting to 371 total for Burke.

Across NC, 25-thousand-412 residents have tested positive for the virus, which is 784 more cases than on Wednesday.

Currently 708 people are currently hospitalized; the highest number reported yet by the state.

Governor Cooper attributes the increased case count due in part to additional testing which has increased significantly.

State leaders, however remain concerned with the number of hospitalizations continuing to go up.

Catawba County added 13 new cases of COVID-19 and recorded their 6^th Covid-

related death.  In all, 194 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Catawba

County.  79 have recovered and 5 are in the hospital.  In Caldwell County, seven

new cases were added yesterday bringing the total to 127 laboratory confirmed

cases.  61 have recovered, 6 are hospitalized and two patients have died.  The

Caldwell County Health Department will hold a Drive-Thru Covid 19 testing on

Wednesday, June 3^rd at 2345 Morganton Boulevard in Lenoir.  Testing is free and

available on a first come/first serve basis.  Please bring a photo ID and download

and fill out the form at caldwellcountync dot org slash coronavirus. Time is from 9

a.m. till noon.

Justified Deadly Force in Hudson

The United States Marshals involved in the fatal shooting of a man following a

standoff in Hudson have been deemed justified in their use of deadly force.  A

press release from the 36^th District Attorney’s Office said that based on a review

of findings from an investigation by the NC State Bureau of Investigation, along

with interviews and body camera footage, District Attorney Scott Reilly

determined that the marshals were justified in their use of deadly force in the

death of 28 year old Kentrey Marquis Witherspoon in December of 2019. 

Witherspoon was shot and killed December 19^th when he refused to negotiate his

surrender, after he fired on officers from Hudson Police Department and the

Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office following a traffic stop.

State Bars

The state Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to allow bars to serve customers outdoors despite the Governor’s executive order keeping them closed through Phase 2.

Governor Cooper responded to senate action by saying the time is not now; (quote) six days into Phase 2 and on a day when we’re seeing high numbers of hospitalizations, the senate wants to open bars.

Cooper says his decision keeping bars closed until at least late June is based on data and science.

He further states a decision to re-open now would mean bars would stay open should there be a surge of COVID-19 that would overwhelm hospitals throughout the state.

Reports say the NC Bar and Tavern Association says it will file a lawsuit in that restaurants and breweries can open at 50-percent capacity, but leaving bars and nightclubs closed.

The group reportedly will file the lawsuit today if there are no changes to the executive order by then.

New Office Building for Hickory

Atlanta-based developer Stonemont Financial Group has announced plans to

construct a one hundred 92 thousand square foot speculative building in Trivium

Corporate Center in Hickory.  The building is expected to be completed in its shell

state by April 30^th, 2021.  Industrial recruiters are hoping to attract business

sectors that have shown supply chain and production deficiencies in operations

that became apparent during the COVID-19 outbreak.  These may include

pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, personal protection equipment, medical

devices and testing equipments, even transportation parts, information and data

storage or food production.

McDowell Law

A moped driver in McDowell County stopped for a traffic violation is later charged with drug possession.

47-year-old Brian Keith Breech of Nebo was pulled over for not displaying a tag on his vehicle.

Officers searched Breech and located 3-point-72 grams of meth.

An investigation was completed and Breech was charged with possession of meth.

Meanwhile, McDowell officials continue to look for suspects who broke into a storage unit earlier this month and made off with 25-hundred dollars worth of property.

Reports say Willoughby Biggs the third of Marion reported thieves entered his storage facility at L-and-T Mini Storage on Nix Creek Road taking a grandfather clock, 10 air guns, a train set, hand tools, collectibles and other items.

The theft took place between April 5^th and May 4^th.

Anyone having information is urged to call McDowell Detective Watson at 652-2237 or Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME.

COVID-19 Update

Positive cases of COVID-19 continue to mount locally as Burke County reports 14 new cases, bringing the county’s total to 341.

The state department of health and human services reports there are 24-thousand-628 individuals across NC who’ve tested positive for the virus.

Burke County’s public information line remains manned Monday through Friday from 8 am until 5 pm for those having questions; 764-9388.

You can also visit the Burke County COVID-19 webpage at burkenc-dot-org-slash COVID-19.

10 new cases of Covid-19 was reported in Catawba County yesterday bringing the

total to 181.  Of that number 29 have recovered and four are hospitalized.  In

Caldwell County, six new cases were reported yesterday bringing their total to

120.  61 have recovered and 6 are hospitalized.  McDowell County now has 46

positive Covid cases with 28 recovered.

New Jobs to Burke

Unix Packaging, with headquarters in Montebello, California has announced they

will open an East Coast facility in Morganton.  The company will locate in a facility

formerly operated by Ice River Springs at 100 Ceramic Tile Drive.  The company,

which manufactures branded and private label beverages, will create at least 151

new jobs by the end of 2022 and approximately 226 jobs over the next five years. 

Employees will be sought to work as operators, forklift drivers, shipping

specialists, mechanics and office workers.  The average annual salary will be

around thirty nine thousand dollars per year.  The current Burke County average

salary is $ 36 thousand, 8 hundred per year.

Boone Town Council Votes to Strike COVID-19 Amendment

Unix Packaging, with headquarters in Montebello, California has announced they

will open an East Coast facility in Morganton.  The company will locate in a facility

formerly operated by Ice River Springs at 100 Ceramic Tile Drive.  The company,

which manufactures branded and private label beverages, will create at least 151

new jobs by the end of 2022 and approximately 226 jobs over the next five years. 

Employees will be sought to work as operators, forklift drivers, shipping

specialists, mechanics and office workers.  The average annual salary will be

around thirty nine thousand dollars per year.  The current Burke County average

salary is $ 36 thousand, 8 hundred per year.

Lake Hickory Rotary Club Scholarships

The Rotary Club of Lake Hickory has awarded four scholarships, amounting to a

total of twenty thousand dollars towards higher education for graduating seniors

from high schools in Catawba County.  L’Asia Heard from Hickory High School,

who will be attending Lenoir-Rhyne University, Tamia Sloan from Hickory High

School, who will be attending Campbell University, Anna Kirby from Maiden High

School, who will be attending the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and

Bryan Fernandez from Newton-Conover High School, who will be attending

Catawba Valley Community College, will be honored at a lunch at the Lake Hickory

Country Club when the Covid-19 guidelines allow the club to meet.

Burke Mask Maker

What began as a project initiated by a former Burke County school’s student has taken off to form a partnership with school system staff to manufacture N-95 masks.

Aiman Hussein is a 2017 graduate of Patton High and is now a junior at NC State, majoring in technology design and education.

After returning home to Morganton as the university was closed because of the pandemic, Hussein wanted to use his skills to help his community.

He has started 3-D printing masks inside his home, with the assistance of his senior project mentor Paul Gantt.

A news release says Gantt sought approval to use some of the school’s 3-D printers in order to help Hussein.

Hussein’s masks have been shipped to multiple different countries as well as throughout the US.

McDowell Man Missing

Authorities in McDowell County are looking for a Marion man last seen at his residence on May 21^st.

50-year-old Brian Wesley Berry was reportedly seen around 5 pm that evening at his home on Dwight Berry Road.

He is described as a white male, 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs 200 pounds and has brown hair and green eyes.

Anyone having information concerning Berry’s whereabouts should call the McDowell Sheriff’s Office at 652-2235.

COVID-19 UPDATE

Burke County reports 7 additional positive cases of COVID-19 since Monday bringing the county total to 327.

Catawba County added 14 new cases of Covid-19 yesterday bringing the total to

171.   62 patients have recovered in Catawba County and three are hospitalized. 

Caldwell County added 9 new cases Tuesday bring their total to 114.  61 of those

have recovered and 7 are hospitalized. McDowell County reported one new case

on Tuesday bring the county’s total to 46.

Mission Confirms COVID-19

Mission Health in Asheville has confirmed a small number of staff members have

tested positive for Covid-19.  A spokesman for the hospital said that after learning

about the cases, the hospital activated protocols for handling COVID-19 cases,

which includes isolating anyone impacted and notifying anyone who may have

been in contact with those who tested positive.  An exact number of staff

members who tested positive has not been released.

Man Saved After Jumping 

Mission Health in Asheville has confirmed a small number of staff members have

tested positive for Covid-19.  A spokesman for the hospital said that after learning

about the cases, the hospital activated protocols for handling COVID-19 cases,

which includes isolating anyone impacted and notifying anyone who may have

been in contact with those who tested positive.  An exact number of staff

members who tested positive has not been released.

Gas Line Causes House Fire

No one was injured in a two story house fire with an active gas leak Tuesday

afternoon in Denver.  Multiple agencies responded to the 3:13 p.m. call of a

house fire with possible gas explosion in the 74 hundred block of Wood Chuck

Road in Denver.  Investigators think a gas line used to heat a pool at the house is

the probably cause of the fire.  The fire was extinguished by 4:30 p.m.

City of Lenoir Cancels July 4th Celebrations

The City of Lenoir has canceled their July 4^th celebrations due to the Governor’s

Stay At Home orders.  The City has also moved to keep the outdoor pool, the

Lenoir Aquatics Center, the recreation centers and public facilities closed through

the end of Safer At Home Phase 2 which will ends in the state at the earliest on

June 26^th.  The decisions were announced Tuesday morning.

Catawba River Rescue

A water rescue on the Catawba River Memorial Day afternoon called upon efforts of several Burke County emergency agencies.

Morganton Public Safety officers were initially dispatched to the incident around 3 Monday afternoon to determine a kayaker was in distress in the fast-moving river.

Reports say two companions were with the one in distress; while another person had attempted to rescue the three, and was also reported to be in trouble himself.

Rescue crews located the four subjects on the river bank hanging on to trees to avoid being swept away by the current.

A news release says the four were quickly assisted to safety and evaluated by medical personnel.

Burke County EMS, Burke County Rescue, Burke County Emergency Management, and Burke County Communications assisted Morganton Public Safety Fire and Police.

Officials remind outdoor enthusiasts to monitor water levels and conditions before taking part in water sports to avoid potentially dangerous situations caused by rising water.

COVID-19 Update

Burke County - 320 positive cases

Caldwell County - no new cases, Monday.  105 positive cases Total, 61 have recovered

McDowell County - 7 more positive cases for a total of 45.  28 people have recovered

Catawba County - 157 total cases with  8 new added on Monday.  62 have recovered and 4 people are hospitalized.

Statesville Man Sentenced for Cyberstalking

A Statesville man is sentenced in federal court for cyberstalking. Last

week, a U.S.District Court Judge sentenced 57-year-old Charles Timothy

Browne to 43 months in prison and three years of supervised release,

for cyberstalking a woman residing in Maryland. On February 3^rd, Browne

pleaded pleaded guilty to cyberstalking. At last week’s sentencing

hearing, the judge enhanced the sentence of Browne, because, at the

time he sent the harassing and intimidating texts to the Maryland woman,

a judge-issued protective order was in effect that prohibited him from

abusing, threatening to abuse, harassing and or/contacting her.

Between 2004 and 2017 Browne had been subject to six protective orders.

Lincoln Man Faces Felony Child Sex Charge

A registered sex offender has been charged in connection with a child

sexual assault in Lincoln County. On April 28^th, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s

Office received a report of inappropriate touching of a girl, who was

between the ages of 5 and 8 years old at the time of the incident. On

May 21^st, 23-year-old Austin Michael Fredell of Lincolnton was arrested

and charged with felony indecent liberties with a minor. He was placed

in custody under a $50,000 secured bond. Fredell was convicted on a

charge of attempted second degree rape in March of 2014. He was

sentenced to more than eight years in prison but was released in

August of 2016 and placed on the NC Sex Offender Registry.

City Council Meeting Next Week

The City of Morganton will hold its scheduled June 1^st City Council

meeting remotely/electronically. At the meeting a public hearing

concerning an economic development project will be conducted.

Citizens wishing to address the Council may:

1. Send an email to krussell@ci.morganton.nc.us

2. Send a letter to: City of Morganton,Attn: Kelly Russell, P.O.Box 3448

Morganton, NC 28680 by 3pm Monday June 1^st.

3. Hand deliver a letter to City Hall: 305 East Union Street by 3pm Monday

4. If a citizen wants to address the Council in person, you must make an

appointment by calling Kelly Russell at 438-5228 by 3pm Monday.

Speakers will be allowed into Council Chamber one at at time during

the Public Comment/Public Hearing and then asked to leave the room

immediately after speaking. The meeting Monday at 6pm may be viewed

on COMPAS Cable Channel 2 and the City You Tube channel.

Stage 2 Opens Today

Burke County reports the largest 24-hour increase in positive cases since the beginning of the pandemic. 

A news release from public health officials this afternoon states Burke County is currently at 251 positive cases of COVID-19; up 33 cases since Wednesday.

Although, health workers say as communities across the state increases testing, the numbers of positive and negative results will also increase.

The release states it is still very important to follow the ‘safer at home’ recommendations for those who are high risk; even though more businesses will begin reopening today as part of the Phase 2 plan.

The governor’s new executive order begins this afternoon at 5, and eases restrictions on such businesses as salons and restaurants.

Some businesses will remain closed including bars, night clubs, gyms, movie theaters, bowling alleys, and public playgrounds.

Restaurants will be able to open for dine-in customers at 50-percent capacity, with distancing and cleaning requirements.

Personal care businesses like salons and barbers can also open at 50-percent capacity, with face covering and cleaning requirements.

Phase 2 will last for five weeks.

Catawba County added six new cases of Covid-19 Thursday bringing the total

number of cases to 133.  Of that number, 55 have recovered and 4 are

hospitalized. Caldwell County now has 95 Covid 19 cases.  In McDowell County, 4

additional residents have tested positive for the virus bringing the total number of

positives to 38.  Currently in McDowell, there are 9 individuals in quarantine, 28

out of quarantine and one death.  And Avery County, the last county in North

Carolina to have a Covid-19 case, has recorded their second case Thursday.

MIS-C Case 

The state’s department of health and human services is reporting its first case of Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or MIS-C, associated with COVID-19.

While children generally experience mild symptoms with the virus, a recent connection between COVID-19 and a serious inflammatory disease in some children and teenagers has been discovered.

Health care providers across NC are monitoring patients for possible cases.

To protect the family’s privacy, the patient’s age and other specific information about the case will not be released.

State health officials say MIS-C is a very rare condition, but as COVID-19 cases increase, additional reports of the syndrome could follow.

Most children with the syndrome have fever of at least 100-point-4 degrees lasting several days.

Other symptoms may include irritability, decreased activity, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Call your child’s doctor immediately if your child has a persistent fever or other symptoms.

MIS-C is not contagious; however, children with such symptoms may have COVID-19 or another infection that may be contagious.

Burke Teacher of the Year

Andrea Gladden, Project Lead the Way teacher at East Burke Middle School, has

been named the Burke County Public Schools 2020 teacher of the year.  Gladden

is in her 18^th year of teaching and her second year at East Burke Middle.  She

previously taught fifth grade at Icard Elementary School for 16 years.  Gladden will

go on now to represent Burke County on the District level.

Hickory Wi-Fi Downtown

Visitors to downtown Hickory will soon enjoy free Wi-Fi via CommScope and the

City of Hickory.  Downtown guests will have access to Wi-Fi signal throughout the

Union Square area.  CommScope and its affiliates have donated a number of

products to make the installation possible.  The Wi-Fi will help Hickory City visitors

and residents to connect and engage for free while in the Union Square area.

McDowell Drug Arrest

A traffic stop in McDowell County leads to a drug arrest.

18-year-old Kevin Jacob Suttles of Miller Avenue in Marion was stopped for traffic violations and subsequently charged with felony possession of marijuana.

Reports say officers discovered 5-point-3 ounces of marijuana inside Suttles vehicle.

Area COVID-19 Update

Burke County Health officials report Wednesday afternoon the addition of seven positive cases of COVID-19 pushing Burke’s total to 218.

The most recent state figures released by the NC Department of Health and Human Services indicate 20-thousand-122 positive virus cases throughout the state, with 702 deaths, and 11-thousand-637 residents presumed recovered.

Due to an overwhelming interest in antibody and COVID-19 testing in Burke beginning this week, local public health officials have announced a testing location change.

On Friday May 22^nd, Psalms and Solid Rock Family Medicine will conduct a first-come first-serve drive-thru COVID-19 antibody testing clinic from 9am till 5pm at Patton High School.

Officials say antibody testing is not appropriate for anyone who is experiencing symptoms consistent with the virus.

Then Friday May 29^th and Friday June 5^th, Psalms and Solid Rock Family Medicine will hold another drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic from 9am to 5pm again at Patton High School.

The clinic is also first-come first serve and is for Burke County residents who are symptomatic, has been in contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, or is a high risk individual.

Directional signs will be posted, and health officials request your patience during the clinics.

Testing may take 2 to 5 days for results.

For additional questions, call Cindy Biddix at 438-1117.

Catawba County has six new cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday bringing the total

to 127.  50 patients have recovered and five are currently in the hospital.  On May

22^nd, Catawba County will hold drive thru testing for residents at no cost to the

participant.  Front line workers such as grocery store workers, healthcare

workers, and first responders are encouraged to get tested.  Anyone else who

thinks they may have COVID-19 can be tested, also  The testing will be held in the

back parking lot of Catawba Public Health, 3070 11^th Avenue Drive South East

from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  In Caldwell County there are now 90 confirmed cases of

COVID-19.  52 patients have recovered and 5 are hospitalized.

Morganton House Fire

No injuries in a reported house fire in Morganton earlier this week.

Firefighters responded to 211 Summit Street just after 6 Monday evening to discover smoke coming from the residence.

A news release states Morganton fire officials found fire originating from the kitchen area, possibly from a cooking stove.

Reports say the fire remains under investigation by Morganton Public Safety fire investigators; although it appears accidental.

Damages are estimated at 13-thousand dollars.

Fire officials urge residents to maintain proper clearances around cooking appliances and to never leave a stove unattended while cooking.

McDowell State of Emergency

Heavy rainfall and flooding led McDowell County authorities to declare a local state of emergency on Wednesday.

The declaration was issued for McDowell County, Marion, and Old Fort in the midst of waves of heavy rainfall that had forced evacuations Tuesday evening of two campgrounds- Carolina Emerald Mine Campground and Riverbreeze Campground.

Reports state 11 citizens were actively sheltered in Marion due to the campground evacuations.

McDowell emergency personnel are reportedly on standby to respond to incidents that may develop due to the weather.

Officials warn residents to not attempt to drive through flooded roadways.

The declaration reports as of Wednesday afternoon more than 8-point-5 inches of rain has fallen in the western sections of McDowell.

The flash flood watch continues till 8 this evening. 

Lenoir City Budget

City of Lenoir City Manager Scott Hildebran presented his 20-21 proposed budget

Tuesday night.  There is no increase in taxes or fees in the proposed budget.  The

city tax will remain at .58 cents per 100 dollars in valuation.  The proposed

general fund budget is 17 point 8 million with three fourths of the general fund

spent on police, fire and public works services.

Caldwell Memorial Day Schedule Change

All Caldwell County offices will be closed Monday, May 25^th in observance of

Memorial Day.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, county offices will re-open with

limited public access on Tuesday, May 26^th.  For details on how to access county

services during the pandemic, visit www dot Caldwell County NC dot org.

L-R New Vice-President

Nelson Murphy has been named the Vice President of business and finance at

Lenoir Rhyne University.  Murphy is taking over for Senior Vice President for

Administration Peter Kendall, who is retiring after 15 years of service to LR. 

Murphy comes to Lenoir Rhyne after serving as the executive vice president for

finance and operations at Catawba College.  His new role at LR begins June 15^th.

Bars And Restaurants May Open This Weekend

North Carolina could allow restaurants and bars to open this weekend after being

closed due to the coronavirus for more than two months.  The North Carolina

Restaurant and Lodging Association has emailed their members with the

Governor’s plans to open restaurants and bars.  The regulations include dining

room service at 50 percent capacity with social distancing required.  Tables with

people should be at least six feet apart and a limit of six or fewer people per

table.  The regulations are contingent on North Carolina going into phase 2 of

reopening on May 22^nd.

COVID-19 Update

Burke County has recorded its 2 hundred and 11^th coronavirus case.  The Burke

County Health Department made the announcement Tuesday.  All positive cases

in Burke County have been isolated.  A third patient has died from complications

of the coronavirus in Catawba County.  The individual was a patient at Brian

Center in Viewmont.  Catawba’s coronavirus total rose by ten on Wednesday to

121.  6 cases are hospitalized.  And Caldwell County saw no new cases on

Tuesday.  There are 86 cases in the county with 36 of those cases recovered.

Grab and Go Revision

Due to the Memorial Day Holiday on Monday, May 25^th, Burke County Public

Schools will not distribute grab and go meals on Tuesday, May 26^th.  The meals

will resume on Wednesday, May 27^th at the six school site locations and 88 bus

stops.  Friday, May 29^th will be the final day of the bus stop grab and go meal

distribution and the final day of Liberty Middle School being a feeding site.  The

summer feeding program starts Tuesday, June 2^nd at the five schools:  Table Rock

Middle School, East Burke Middle School, Mountain View Elementary, Valdese

Elementary and George Hildebrand Elementary.

Multiple Drug Arrests

A joint investigation between the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, and the Caldwell

County Sheriff’s Office yielded three arrests for drug offenses at a Hartland Forest

Drive residence in Burke County.  39 year old Michael Wayne Walker and his 24

year old girlfriend Brittany Taylor Cowick were arrested after a search warrant

was executed and over 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine and sixteen thousand

dollars in US currency was seized.  The street value of the drugs was fifty

thousand dollars.  Also arrested was 34 year old Kyle Richard Bristol of Howard

Road , Lenoir on possession of meth.  All three subjects were taken to the Burke

County Jail.  Walker and Cowick were placed under one hundred thousand dollar

secured bonds with court dates of June 8^th.  Bristol received a one thousand dollar

secured bond.

Foothills Conservancy Adds McDowell Land

The Foothills Conservancy has purchased 38 acres of land along the North Fork

Catawba River in McDowell County for future public use.  The property will

eventually be transferred to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

for public use as part of its Wildlife Conservation Area program.  The land will also

provide an opportunity to build a planned segment of the Fonta Flora State Trail

that will connect Lake James to the City of Marion.  The purchase was funded

though a one hundred thousand dollar grant from Duke Energy’s Catawba-

Wateree Habitat Enhancement Program along with contributions.

COVID-19 Testing to Begin in Burke County

Nine additional positive cases of COVID-19 in Burke County since Sunday bringing the county’s total to 203.

In a news release issued Monday afternoon, Burke Public Health officials report the beginning of drive-thru COVID antibody testing this week.

Solid Rock Family Medicine in conjunction with Quest Diagnostics will be doing the testing Friday May 22^nd from 9am till 5pm.

The release indicates fees should be covered for the testing.

Test results should take 3 to 5 days to come back.

Then on Friday May 29^th and June 5^th, drive-thru antibody testing along with COVID-19 testing will take place again at Solid Rock Family Medicine for Burke County residents.

The virus testing is for anyone who is symptomatic, is a known contact of someone who has tested positive, or is a high risk patient.

For those getting a virus test, you are required to self-isolate at home until test results return – no getting out for any reason.

You will also need to self-isolate from others within your home until test results come back so you do not spread the virus within your home.

Should you have further questions about testing, call Burke’s public information line at 764-9388 Monday through Friday 8 to 5.

Surrounding counties continue to see coronavirus cases rising as most counties

are conducting more testing.  Catawba County has reported the 2^nd outbreak of

coronavirus at a congregate care facility.  Catawba County Public Health said that

one resident and one team member at Abernathy Laurels had tested positive. 

Last week, Brian Center in Viewmont had positive cases of coronavirus.  In all the

Health Department said there were 7 new cases Monday bring Catawba County’s

total to 111.  50 of those patients have recovered and 5 are in the hospital. 

Caldwell County saw a jump of ten coronavirus cases Monday, where there are

now 86 cases, and McDowell County has been notified of two additional cases. 

Their total is now 33.  5 individuals are in quarantine with 27 out of quarantine

and one death.  And finally…Avery County has recorded its 1^st case of coronavirus

on Monday.  This means that now all 100 counties in North Carolina have

coronavirus cases.

Vale Restaurant Defies Order

A Vale restaurant owner has been issued a citation for openly violating a North

Carolina Executive order.  Carroll Dean Mitchem, owner and operator of

Mitchem’s Kitchen, located at 6649 West Highway 27 in Vale, was issued the

citation after the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department received complaints from

the general public.  Lincoln County Sheriff Bill Beam said that he may not

personally approve of all the Emergency orders issued by Governor Cooper, but

that the Governor has the right to do so.  Mitchem has a court date scheduled for

Wednesday, September 9^th.

Catawba County Fire Ruling

A fatal fire in Catawba County early Sunday morning has been ruled accidental by investigators.

Reports say the fire started just after midnight at a home on West 9^th Street in Newton.

As firefighters arrived, they found the home engulfed in flames and called for additional assistance.

The blaze was reportedly under control just before 1:30 am, allowing crews to search the home whenever they discovered an 88-year-old female deceased inside the residence.

Investigators report the fire was caused by discarded smoking material.

The name of the deceased has not been released pending an autopsy scheduled for Wednesday.

McDowell Charges

A traffic stop leads to numerous charges for a Marion man.

22-year-old Dillan Etan Powell of Woody McKinney Drive was stopped by a McDowell officer on March 20^th for having no license plate.

Reports say Powell was discovered to be driving on a revoked license and was found to be in possession of a handgun and one gram of meth.

Powell was then charged with meth possession, possession of a firearm by a felon, carrying a concealed firearm, and driving while license revoked.

McDowell Vandal Sought

McDowell County lawmen are on the lookout for vandals who reportedly spray painted an SUV.

Jan Lynch of Cherokee Way in Marion told officers someone came onto his property and used red spray paint to write profanity on the inside and outside of his 2008 Chevrolet Suburban sometime either May 1^st or 2^nd.

Anyone having information about the incident should call Detective Watson with the McDowell Sheriff’s Office at 652-2237.

City Walk Construction

Construction will begin on the Third Street pedestrian bridge in Hickory this

Thursday.  Downtown visitors are being advised to stay at least 100 feet away

from the construction activity to avoid hearing impairment.  Construction includes

driving steel sheet piles which can create loud booming sounds.  This preliminary

work is expected to take approximately two days to complete.

 Current COVID-19 Cases

Burke County recorded six new cases of Covid-19 over the weekend bringing the

total to 194.  In Burke, 14 patients have died..  Catawba County had

4 new cases of Covid-19 over the weekend bring their total to 101.  Two people

have died in Catawba with the disease.  50 patients have recovered and two

remain hospitalized.  In Caldwell County, where Health Department Officials said

Friday Carolina Prime Pet had four employees who tested positive, 76 people

have Covid-19.  Two patients have died and 36 have recovered.  McDowell County

recorded their 31^st case of Covid-19.  Currently 7 individuals in McDowell are in

quarantine.  23 are out of quarantine and one patient has died.

Newton Fire Fatality

Newton Fire Investigators are working to uncover the cause of an early Sunday

morning fire that took the life of an occupant.  The Newton Fire Department was

called to a single family residence on 9^th Street in Newton around midnight.  Units

advised heavy fire was coming from the home upon arrival ,and the Conover and

Maiden Fire Departments responded to assist.  The blaze was under control

around 1:30 a.m. The name of the deceased has not been released.  Also,

assisting on the scene was the Newton Public Works Department, Newton Police

and Catawba County EMS.

NC Boating Week

COVID-19 is forcing everyone to navigate in uncharted waters including boaters.

This year, social distancing is a recommendation for boaters who travel North

Carolina waterways.  During National Safe Boating Week, the Boating Council

wants to remind everyone that boaters should travel with family members only,

and make sure to allow plenty of space between groups in recreational areas.  

Stamey Meth Arrest

A Hildebran man is arrested in McDowell County on drug charges.

27-year-old Cameron Lee Stamey was charged with possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On March 13^th, reports sat deputies were conducting a license checkpoint whenever Stamey approached.

The officer reportedly observed drug paraphernalia in plain sight, and upon further investigation located 1-point-3 grams of meth.

Parkway Openings

Gates along the Blue Ridge Parkway reopened Friday morning allowing access to Moses Cone, Price Park, and Grandfather Mountain.

It’s the first time the parkway has been open to traffic since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The reopening will allow hikers to visit Grandfather Mountain, although there are still restrictions in place.

Visitors to Grandfather will have a temperature check before being allowed inside.

Workers will also be disinfecting the handrail on the mountain’s swinging bridge every 30 minutes, and visitors will only be allowed to cross in one direction.

Officials will allow 20 people inside the park every hour, and that will only be by reservation.

Visitors can reserve a date and time of entry online at grandfather-dot-com.

And visitors now have access to all trailheads, but campgrounds remain off limits.

Restrooms and other parkway facilities remain closed as well.