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.