COVID-19 UPDATE

Both Caldwell and Catawba Counties saw increases in the Covid-19 numbers

yesterday.  Caldwell County was notified of 22 new cases bringing the cumulative

total to 1 thousand 2 hundred 53.  673 patients have recovered in Caldwell

County and 18 are hospitalized.  Catawba County was notified of an additional 20

cases yesterday.  Catawba now has 2 thousand 2 hundred and 5 cases with 1

thousand 7 hundred 72 cases recovered.  17 patients are hospitalized.

Burke County has suffered its’ 29^th and 30^th COVID-19 associated deaths as reported Wednesday afternoon by local public health officials.

A news release says the individuals were in their 80’s and 90’s, neither was hospitalized, and both died from complications associated with their underlying medical conditions.

Both Burke and McDowell County each report 6 new cases since Tuesday; bringing Burke’s total to 1-thousand-795 positive cases, and McDowell’s to 660.

McDowell public health on Wednesday reported 2 additional virus-related deaths.

Lincoln Courthouse Closed

The Lincoln County Courthouse will be closed today and tomorrow for cleaning. 

With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Lincoln County is taking measures to ensure

the safety of its employees and citizens by allowing for the cleaning of the

courthouse per the Lincoln County Judges.  Anyone needing to file emergency

documents with the Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court can do so by dropping

them off at the designated alternate filing location inside the Lincoln County

Sheriff’s Office.  The Lincoln County Courthouse will resume normal operations on

Monday, August 17^th.

Porn Charges

A Morganton man serving in the military and based in Kentucky faces child pornography charges in federal court.

Reports say 23-year-old Chase Bowman Raines of Crystal Creek Road is charged with distribution of, and possession of child pornography.

The investigation began in June 2019 when Homeland Security Investigations in Kentucky were notified of the illegal distribution from officials with a free messaging app.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for Bowman-Raines computer account and discovered multiple saved items of child pornography.

Reports indicate the victims ranged in age from 4 years to pre-teen.

He was indicted on 3 counts of distribution, and one count of possession of child pornography.

If convicted, Bowman-Raines faces between five and 20 years for each charge without the possibility of parole.

Building Burned

A Marion man is charged with breaking and entering his parents’ home, and with burning their outbuilding.

 44-year-old Chad Alan Yates faces two counts each of breaking and entering, and larceny after breaking and entering; along with one count of burning other buildings.

 Reports with the McDowell Sheriff’s Office say Yates allegedly broke into the Mount Pleasant Church Road home and stole goods and money on July 8^th.

 He then reportedly returned to the property July 15^th and set fire to an outbuilding.

 The release from the Sheriff’s Office did not indicate any injuries.

Checkpoint Arrest

Two South Carolina men are arrested at a McDowell County checkpoint for marijuana possession.

26-year-old Marc Eli Gabriel and 26-year-old Estavio Jones both of Columbia were both charged with possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, and maintaining a vehicle to keep a controlled substance.

The were were stopped at the checkpoint on US 70 West in Pleasant Gardens July 14th according to the McDowell County Sheriff's Office.

Officers then detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from their vehicle.

A search of the suspect car turned up just under 180 grams of marijuana.

HS Football

Another casualty because of the coronavirus – high school football in NC will kick off its season in February 2021.

The state’s high school athletic association made the announcement Wednesday, and released its full amended sports schedule.

Football practice officially begins February 8^th, with the first games scheduled for February 26^th.

The football season will consist of a maximum of seven games.