COVID Update

In Friday’s media release, Burke County Public Health reported 51 new cases of COVID-19 for a total of 15-thousand-547.

18 of the new cases are among those 20 to 39 years old, and 19 of the additional positives fall between the 40 to 59 age bracket.

750 cases are reported to be active, and 41 Burke residents are in the hospital.

The health department’s online dashboard indicates there has now been a total of 246 deaths in Burke, when a check of Thursday’s total was 239.

McDowell County reported 25 new cases Friday for a total of 8-thousand-447.

289 residents remain in quarantine.

Burke Drug Arrest

A Connelly Springs man is charged with various drug offenses after attempting to conceal the drugs from authorities.

According to a news release from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and state probation officers initiated an investigation at 4650 Mount Hebron Avenue on September 30^th.

Upon arrival, officers made contact with 53-year-old Kevin Lee Huffman and several others behind the residence.

Reports say Huffman allegedly ran into an outbuilding in an attempt to hide something.

Lawmen seized over an ounce of meth, drug paraphernalia, and hydrocodone from inside the outbuilding.

Huffman was then arrested and charged with felony trafficking in meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, and simple possession of a schedule two controlled substance.

He received a 30-thousand-dollar secured bond with a court date set for October 18^th.

Trafficking Arrest

A Valdese woman stopped by officers for a traffic violation ends up with drug trafficking charges.

On Thursday investigators with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle on Mourglea Avenue being driven by 28-year-old Savanna Nichole Wood.

 A news release states a search of her car produced a trafficking amount of opiates.

Wood was arrested for felony trafficking in opium or heroin and served with a warrant for arrest at the Burke Magistrate’s office.

She was placed in the Burke County jail under a 5-thousand-dollar secured bond.

Prisoner Hangs Himself

A prisoner awaiting sentencing in Lincoln County dies after hanging himself in his cell Thursday night.

Detention Center staff discovered 61-year-old Randy Rinck Senior unresponsive about 11:30.

Lincoln County EMS were called to the scene but were unable to revive Rinck.

The incident is being investigated by the SBI.

Lincoln Sex Charge

A Lincolnton man is charged with sexual exploitation of a child.

While investigating cyber tips, Lincoln County detectives learned that a local resident had downloaded child pornography.

When contacted by authorities, 39-year-old Brian Allen Smith admitted to downloading the material.

Smith was charged with third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and jailed under a 10-thousand dollar bond.

The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program helps state and local law enforcement agencies provide an effective response to combat internet crimes against children.