COVID-19 UPDATE

The latest figures released by Burke County Public Health shows local COVID-19 numbers up by 24 since Friday for a total of 10-thousand-59 cases now.

242 cases in Burke remain active, while 8 residents are in the hospital currently.

15 new virus cases were reported in McDowell County yesterday bringing the county’s total to 5-thousand-71.

58 people in McDowell remain quarantined.

Dog Killed

Morganton Public Safety is asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect who reportedly shot and killed a dog belonging to a homeless person.

According to reports, the incident occurred just before 2:30 Sunday afternoon near Jerry’s Neighborhood Store at the intersection of East Meeting and White Streets.

Officials say the man is suspected of approaching the homeless person and shooting his dog DJ.

Authorities say any assistance from the public to help identify the suspect would be kept confidential.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to call Morganton Burke Crimestoppers at 437-3333.

McDowell Break In

A break-in suspect in McDowell County is nabbed at the scene of the crime.

On April 21^st, a woman living on Worley Road returned to her home to find a man inside.

As deputies and detectives arrived on the scene, they spotted a man on the property later identified as 52-year-old David Eugene McKinney of Marion.

Officers, reports say, chased McKinney into a wooded area; capturing him a short time later as he resisted arrest and assaulted a detective.

Authorities discovered property from the Worley Road home on McKinney, plus meth and a gun.

Reports say McKinney had also broken into vehicles at the home and entered a safe inside the house.

McKinney was charged with numerous break in and larceny offenses, possession of a firearm by a felon, safecracking and habitual felon; along with meth possession resisting a public officer, and assault on a government official or employee.

Apple Scam

Scammers posing as ‘Apple’ employees are calling McDowell County residents in attempts to get money.

The McDowell Sheriff’s Office reports some residents reported getting the calls last Thursday.

In one case, the caller told the resident that her Apple account was suspended, and he needed credit card information to unlock it.

In another incident, the caller offered the resident Apple anti-virus software on the condition the resident purchased Apple gift cards for him to activate.

Officials say anytime callers ask you to purchase gift cards, that’s a sure sign it’s a scam.

Anyone with questions of concerns can call the McDowell Sheriff’s Office at 652-2235.