COVID-19 UPDATE

36 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Catawba County yesterday.  The new

total is 516 cases.  Of that, 231 patients have recovered while 15 are hospitalized. 

In Caldwell County, 9 new cases were reported yesterday.  152 patients have

recovered and 5 have been hospitalized.  In Caldwell County a court employee

tested positive for Covid-19.  As a result, all court employees have been tested as

a precaution, and the courthouse has been sanitized.  The Courthouse remains

open for business according to the Caldwell County Health Department.  In

McDowell County there are now 159 cases of Covid-19.  67 patients are out of

quarantine in that county.  Lincoln County recorded the first Covid-19 related

death on Wednesday.  The individual was in their 80’s and had previous

underlying health conditions. In Burke County, 11 additional positive cases of

COVID-19 brings the county's total to 853.

Shooting Victim Identified  

Catawba County authorities have identified the man shot in an officer involved

shooting Thursday morning as thirty-five year old Buddy Edward Weeks.  Weeks

was wanted on 3 counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of

larceny of a motor vehicle, felony breaking and entering, larceny of a firearm and

possession of stolen firearms and stolen goods. The U.S. Marshalls Service had

requested assistance from the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office as they served the

search warrant on Week’s residence on Saddleview Court in Maiden.  The report

says Weeks exited  the home with a handgun and knife, re-entered the home, and

later exited the house with a rifle.  At that time, he was shot by a US Marshall. 

The State Bureau of Investigation and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Internal

Affairs Division are investigating. 

11^th Congressional District  Voting

If you live in the 11^th Congressional District you can early vote again today for the

Republican nominee for the US Congress seat held previously by Mark Meadows. 

Madison Cawthorn is in the runoff with Lynda Bennett.  One will be chosen to

face Democrat Moe Davis in November

Man Sought by Caldwell Emergency Management  

A 78 year old Caldwell County man is the subject of a search by Caldwell County

Emergency Management .  Caldwell County authorities said that Billy Joe Lipford

of the Bradford Mountain Road walked away from his home Tuessday around 4

p.m..  Lipford is believed to have dementia.  He is 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs

about 155 pounds, and was last seen wearing a long sleeve plaid shirt, gray or

black pants and brown wingtip shoes.  He has good mobility and only wears

glasses to read.  If you are aware of his whereabouts, please call 911.

Mask Requirement

People will be required to wear face coverings in Boone starting this weekend –

That according to a news article in the Watauga Democrat.

Reports say in a 3-2 vote on Tuesday, town council amended Boone’s state of emergency declaration by adding that face masks are mandatory with some exceptions.

The amendment calls for people to wear face coverings at public businesses – with exceptions for those who may have health issues related to wearing a mask.

The exception rule also applies to people at restaurants who are eating and drinking at their tables, and children younger than 10 years of age.

Anyone caught not wearing a mask may be cited, but not before being made aware of the requirement and given a verbal warning for the first offense.

The amendment takes effect at 9 am Saturday.

At a press briefing earlier this week, Governor Cooper says he and his staff are looking at a statewide requirement for face masks.

The governor reports whether it’s a law or store requirement, wearing a face covering whenever around others slows the spread of the virus.

Stolen Car

McDowell County Sheriff’s Officers are on the lookout for a stolen car.

The car’s owner, Justin Beltranponce of Marion told deputies someone took his white 2006 Mazda 6 after it had become disabled on the side of Nix Creek Road.

Reports say the theft occurred sometime between June 9^th and 12^th

Anyone with information about the stolen auto or suspect is urged to call Detective Watson at 652-2237 or McDowell Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME.