COVID-19 Update

Burke County Public Health reported two additional COVID-19 related

deaths Tuesday, for a total of 113. One individual was in their 50’s, one in

their 80’s, and both were hospitalized. Total positive cases of COVID-19

now total 8-thousand-347, with 27 people in the hospital.

McDowell County reported one additional COVID-19 related death, along

with 30 new cases of coronavirus. Total cases number 4-thousand-152, and

312 McDowell residents are in quarantine.

Caldwell County reported two additional deaths due to COVID-19 related

complications, with 11 additional cases of positive COVID-19. That brings

the number of positive cases to 7-thousand-815, with 47 hospitalizations.

Catawba County saw an additional 157 cases of the virus for a current total

of 14-thousand-982, and 102 people in the hospital.

Rutherford Offender Dies from COVID

A Rutherford Correctional Center offender with pre-existing conditions,

who tested positive for COVID-19, has died. The man, in his mid-60’s,

with underlying health conditions, tested positive on January 12th, the

day he was hospitalized. His condition worsened and he died yesterday.

WPCC Program Receives Tool Donation

The Building Construction Technology program at Western Piedmont

Community College recently received a donation of tool bags from Lowe’s

Home Improvement of Morganton. The supplies, valued at almost $1,500

included wrenches, wire cutters, safety glasses and gloves. These bags

will be distributed to Intro to Wiring students and participants in the

Electrician’s Academy this summer.

Newton Man Faces Multiple Charges After Chase

A Newton man faces multiple charges after a brief Burke County chase.

Yesterday, a Burke deputy was on patrol when he attempted to stop a car

on Burkemont Road. The vehicle fled for a short chase before coming to

a stop. The passenger, 24-year-old Austin Michael Neece, exited the vehicle

and led responding deputies on a foot pursuit. After apprehending Neece,

deputies and a Burke K-9, recovered a felony amount of meth and marijuana

along with a firearm discarded during the foot chase. Due to a pending parole

violation Neece was not given a bond. He is scheduled to appear in Burke

County District Court tomorrow.