COVID-19 Update  

Burke County Public Health on Wednesday reported 10-thousand-916

cumultative cases of COVID-19. There are about 401 active cases.

McDowell County yesterday reported 27 new cases of the virus for a total

of 5-thousand-455, with 181 McDowell residents in quarantine.

Caldwell County reported a total of 9-thousand-976 cases of COVID-19

on Wednesday, with 10 patients in the hospital.

Catawba County yesterday reported 201 new cases since the last report,

for a total of 19-thousand-962, with 10 patients hospitalized.

Another Drug Arrest for Valdese Resident

A Valdese resident faces a felony meth charge for the second time since

May. On Friday, NC Probation Officers and Sheriff’s detectives conducted

an investigation at 3644 Tom Deal Avenue. According to a press release

from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, detectives seized meth and drug 

parapharnalia and arrested 43-year-old Johnnie Denise Hickman. On

May 26^th, officers initiated an investigation at the same address and

located meth, other controlled substances, drug paraphernalia and a

large quantity of US currency. Hickman was charged then with Trafficking

in Meth and other drug offenses. A third investigation at that address on

July 22^nd, was conducted concerning two stolen motorcycles that were

seized. That investigation is continuing and charges are pending.

WNC Native Named SHP Lt Colonel  

The State Highway Patrol announced the promotion Wednesday of

a Western North Carolina native, Major Daryl B. Conley, to the rank of

lieutenant colonel effective August 9^th. Lt.Col. Conley is a native of

Rutherford County, and began his career in 1996 as a trooper in Burke

County. He has served in multiple supervisory positions across the

state including Hickory and Newton.