Catawba County Public Health reported the second Covid-19 associated death

over the weekend.  The individual had been hospitalized and died Sunday from

complications associated with the virus.  The patient was in their early 70s and

had underlying medical conditions.  The person did not reside at a senior living

facility.  Over the weekend Catawba County was also notified of additional COVID-

19 cases.  The total now stands at 82.   Meanwhile, Burke County’s total COVID-19

cases remained at 138 on Sunday.  The Burke County Health Department said the

cases were the result of traveling, congregate living and community spread.  In

Caldwell County, 60 people have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus, and in

McDowell County, there are 30 positive cases.

ReOpen NC/Burke held a second rally Saturday, May 9^th at the Old Burke County

Courthouse in downtown Morganton.  The group said they were holding the rally

even though some of the restrictions on business had been lifted last Friday by

Governor Roy Cooper.  The group says that they will continue their movement

until all business; daycares, gyms, theatres, restaurants, bowling alleys, skating

rinks, churches, schools, hairdressers, salons and more are open at full capacity. 

They said their rallies are more than just commentary on a virus; it is about

government overreach.

The Valley Hills Mall in Hickory is planning to reopen for business tomorrow.  The

Mall, which closed down due to the Governor’s Stay at Home restrictions in late

March, says they are doing everything they can to offer shoppers a clean and safe

environment when businesses open Tuesday morning. The retail property, owned

by Brookfield Properties Retail Group, is a two-story regional shopping mall with

80 tenants.  No word on whether all the stores plan to re-open on Tuesday .

The Catawba County Library is now open to the public for the first time since

March 17^th.  The Main Library is Newton is open 10 to 7 Monday thru Thursday

and 9 to 6 Friday and Saturday.  Some restrictions are in place for the safety of all

at the Library.  The staff is implementing limited occupancy as well as social

distancing and any other safety protocols that support public health needs.  The

Sherrills Ford, Southwest and St. Stevens branches of the library will operate their

pre-COVID hours.  The Claremont, Conover and Maiden branches will reopen at a

later date.

Starting today the McDowell Public Library will offer curbside service to patrons. 

Those who wish to place holds on books, DVDs or magazines, should make the

request online at www dot mcdowell public library dot org, or call 652-3858 for

Marion and 668-7111 for Old Fort.  They will be notified when their requests are

available for pickup.

A Newton woman and Maiden man were arrested in Lincoln County on drug

charges.  30 year old Courtney Michelle Crowder, the driver of a car stopped after

Lincoln Officers observed an equipment violation, and 39 year old Joshua Jacob

Earl Cole were each charged with two felony counts of trafficking

methamphetamine, one felony count of possession with intent to sell and deliver

methamphetamine, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Crowder was also charged with felony maintaining a vehicle for a controlled

substance.  She was placed in the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a two

hundred thousand dollar secured bond.  Cole was jailed under a one hundred 75

thousand dollar secured bond.  Their first court appearance is set for today.

A Morganton pair faces break-in charges in connection with an incident on US 64 last week.

A news release from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office says officers responded to a reported break-in at 6443 US 64 on April 30^th around 9 pm.

Reports say the suspects fled the scene before deputies and the homeowner arrived; however, the next morning around 6:30 officers again were called to the same location.

The homeowner arrived and discovered 41-year-old Jennifer Brooke Laws of 4670 Crystal Creek Road exiting the basement.

Further investigation revealed Laws was the same suspect from the prior evening’s break in, and that she was accompanied by 37-year-old Thomas Ray Laws of 1301 Jamestown Road.

Jennifer Laws was arrested and issued a 50-thousand dollar secured bond and first appeared in court this past Wednesday.

Just a week prior to this break-in, Jennifer Laws was arrested by Burke lawmen and charged with multiple felony charges involving two stolen vehicles of furniture recovered at her home.

Thomas Laws was arrested at a later date reports say and issued a 5-thousand dollar secured bond.

Both were charged with felony breaking and/or entering.

He also appeared in court May 6^th.

An ongoing narcotics investigation in Lincoln County leads officers to a suspected drug house and the arrest of three men.

A search warrant obtained for a residence on AC Sherrill Road in Denver, also allowed deputies to search an outbuilding on the property, and occupant 37-year-old Keymandy Williamson.

Multiple items related to the sale and distribution of illegal narcotics was located as a result of the search.

Williamson faces numerous drug and weapon charges and was jailed under a 50-thousand dollar secured bond.

24-year-old William Nixon of Iron Station and 24-year-old Darius Cunningham of Lincolnton also each face drug possession and conspiracy charges.

Their bond was set at 10-thousand dollars secured for each.