COVID-19 UPDATE

Cases of COVID-19 continue to grow in Burke and surrounding counties.

Health officials in Burke County reported 28 new cases Thursday, bringing the county total to 1-thousand-438 individuals who’ve tested positive for the virus.

The county’s website shows 74-percent of those are presumed recovered; while 9 remain hospitalized.

Catawba County has been especially hard-hit in the last couple weeks with 41 new cases reported Thursday and an additional virus associated death.

Catawba has a current total of 1-thousand-656 positive cases; 94 of those in assisted living facilities.

McDowell reported 9 new cases on Thursday with a total now of 382 cases, and an additional death.

Caldwell County reported 889 positive cases of COVID-19, up 41 since Wednesday. Of that number, 400 patients have recovered and 16 are hospitalized, although not all of them are hospitalized in Caldwell County.

The Burke County Health Department will be hosting a drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic at the Jonas Ridge Fire Department Sunday August 2^nd from 1 until 4 pm.

Testing is free, but present your insurance card if you have one.

Call 764-9168 to pre-register; however, drop-ins are welcome.

You don’t have to be a Burke County resident to be tested.

Epley Charged

The discovery of a deceased person near the entrance to Mimosa Hills Golf Course early Thursday morning leads to the arrest of a Morganton man.

33-year-old Joshua Kenneth Epley of 618 Golf Course Road has been charged with felonious concealment of death.

A news release states the Burke County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Morganton Public Safety after city officers reported the body of a female had been found on the side of Golf Course Road.

An initial investigation revealed the deceased subject may have been at a residence on Golf Course Road inside the county.

Epley was issued a 10-thousand dollar secured bond with a court date set for July 27^th.

The investigation continues.

Drugs and Guns

A Morganton couple faces drug and weapon charges following a weeks-long investigation. 

44-year-old Wayne Patrick McDaniel and 32-year-old Kelly Rae Schreiber both of 4696 Log Hollow Lane were taken into custody July 17^th following a search of their home.

Investigators with the Burke County Narcotics Division found multiple felony amounts of controlled substances, including meth and heroin.

US currency, a stolen firearm, and a weapon of mass destruction were also located.

McDaniel is charged with meth trafficking, possession of a weapon of mass destruction, and possession of a firearm.

He was issued a 50-thousand dollar secured bond.

Schreiber is charged with trafficking opium or heroin with a 5-thousand dollar secured bond.

Both had court appearances Monday.

Freedom Park Track

Morganton crews will begin resurfacing the walking track at Freedom Park Monday July 27^th; temporarily closing the track and public parking lot during the project. 

The other two parking lots at Freedom Park will remain open, as will the tennis courts.

Playgrounds, shelters, and bathrooms at Freedom Park remain closed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Call Morganton Parks and Recreation with questions at 438-5350.

911 Hang up

A 911 hang-up call in McDowell County results in the arrest of a Marion man for drug possession. 

While investigating the call, officers located a suspicious vehicle occupied by 24-year-old James Boyd Woodard Junior of Proctors Knob Road.

Reports say Woodard had an outstanding warrant for his arrest, and while being taken into custody he was found with point-60 grams of meth.

Bad Drugs on the Street

Burke County Sheriff Steve Whisnant indicated in a news story on WBTV

yesterday that local law enforcement officers were concerned about some tainted

illegal drugs on the street in Burke County.  There have been four suspected

overdoses in the past 48 hours.  Officers do carry Narcan, a drug that is used to

counter the effects of overdoses. and so far they have been able to revive three

out of the four suspected cases.  Sheriff Whisnant stressed  for people to not use

illegal street drugs.

UNC System Waiving ACT & SAT for 2021  

The University of North Carolina System will not require ACT or SAT test scores on

applications for admission in 2021.  The UNC Board of Governors voted for the

waiver Thursday.  Prospective 1^st year students at any of  UNC’s 16 campus

system have been required in years past to submit test scores from the ACT or

SAT.  Due to uncertainty over Covid – 19, students will not be required to submit

test scores for the 2021 freshman class.  Students can still submit the scores as

part of their application, and they can still be considered, but they will not be