Updated COVID-19 Cases

Catawba County added four new cases of Covid-19 yesterday bringing the

county’s new total to 87.  4 Covid cases in Catawba are hospitalized, while 45

individuals have recovered.  In Caldwell County, there was one additional case of

Covid-19 for a total of 65.  There, 33 people have recovered, and in Burke County

the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 is 148.

Caldwell County Crash Fatality

A forty-two year old man, being chased by officers for speeding, is dead after a

near head on collision in Caldwell County.  Falando Francis was killed Tuesday

afternoon after the North Carolina Highway Patrol says he veered left of center

on Hartland Road, just south of Lenoir, and collided with another car.  The other

vehicle had five passengers including two young people.  Officers said all five were

wearing seatbelts.  They were taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries. 

Police say they broke off the high speed pursuit of Francis about a mile from the

crash scene.  The road was closed for about two hours while the investigation into

the accident was conducted.

Caldwell County Rabies Case

The North Carolina State Laboratory has notified Caldwell County Animal Control

that a skunk submitted for testing was infected with the rabies virus.  The

notification was returned yesterday.   The skunk was found in the Granite Falls

area of Caldwell County and is the second confirmed rabies case in the county this

year.  Rabies is common in NC wildlife such as raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats. 

The virus if found in the saliva of an animal and is usually transmitted by a bite or

scratch.  You can protect your pets by making sure your animals are up to date on

rabies vaccinations.  Be sure to supervise your pets to prevent exposure, also.

Wanted Man Arrested in McDowell County

An Oxford man, wanted on multiple charges from North Carolina and Georgia was

arrested by McDowell Sheriff’s deputies after he led officers first in a vehicle

chase, and then, a foot pursuit.  35 year old Jack Byrd, III, was charged with felony

hit and run inflicting serious injury. as well as fleeing to elude arrest and resisting

a public officer.  Deputies say they observed Hicks and a passenger, traveling  on

East Court Street in Marion running other vehicles off the road. Officers

attempted to stop Byrd, but he led them on a pursuit on US 70 toward Nebo.  The

SUV Byrd was driving then crossed the center line and collided with a sedan.  Both

men jumped from the vehicle and fled.  After the two were caught they were

taken to the hospital, where they were treated for injuries and released to the

custody of the sheriff’s department.  The passenger in the vehicle, 26 year old

Tanner Scott Campbell of Marion was charged with resisting a public officer.

Pisgah and Nantahala Restrictions Lifted

The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are lifting forest-wide

fire restrictions and allowing campfires beginning today. The Forest

Service is lifting these restrictions due to increased precipitation

throughout the forests.

Input Wanted For Old Lenior Walk Project

Old Lenoir Road will soon be transformed under the Crafting Hickory

Initiative and $40 million bond referendum passed by Hickory voters.

The multiuse path to be built along the roadway will be called Old

Lenoir Walk is a link between City Walk and Riverwalk as part of the

Much larger Hickory Trail path system. The public is invited to provide

On the project with the opportunity for public input open until June 1.

To view information about Old Lenoir Walk and submit comments

Visit https://www.hickorync.gov/content/old-lenoir-walk-information.