Caldwell and Catawba COVID-19 

Caldwell County reported 16 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, for

a total of 9-thousand-283, with 6 people hospitalized.

Catawba County saw an increase of 9 new cases of coronavirus for

a total of 18-thousand-732, with 14 people in the hospital.

Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Arrest  

A Morganton traffic stop leads to a drug arrest. Public Safety Friday

responded to the Gate Station on North Green Street for an assault

call. After the victim gave a suspect vehicle description, the traffic

stop was conducted on North Green. The suspect, Shawn Dupree

Corpening, reportedly resisted officers during a person search. After

a search of Corpening and his vehicle, officers located numerous drugs

including, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Marijuana, MDMA, and over

$11,750 in cash. The victim of the assault charged Corpening with

Sexual Battery. He was placed in the Burke County Jail under a bond

of $35,000.

March Unemployment Figures  

The March unemployment rate for the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton

metro area was 4.5 percent. Area county rates include Alexander at 3.9%,

Avery 4.1%, Burke and McDowell counties at 4.4%, Caldwell 4.8%, and

Catawba at 4.5%, according to figures released Wednesday by the North

Carolina Department of Commerce.

PACT for May  

The Hickory Police Department’s May traffic enforcement – Pay Attention in

City Traffic – will be located on Highway 70 SE to Fairgrove Church Road SE.

Enforcement will focus on following too closely, distracted driving, speeding

and other traffic violations.

Child Sexual Assault Arrest  

A man faces charges in connection with a child sexual case in Lincoln

County. The Lincoln Sheriff’s Office on Sunday reported the arrest of

21-year-old Joshua Tyler Gray of Gastonia. Two juvenile female victims

were interviewed at the Lincoln County Child Advocacy Center, and

both disclosed inappropriate contact between themselves and Gray.

Both victims were known by Gray. He was arrested Saturday in Gaston
County and placed in the Gaston County Jail under a $500,000 secured

bond. He has a first court appearance scheduled for today in Lincoln

County District Court.