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.

 

 

 

COVID Update

Online figures show just over 100 new cases of COVID-19 in Burke County in the last two days.

The dashboard manned by Burke County Public Health indicates 105 new cases since Tuesday for a total of 15-thousand-496.

800 cases are reported to be active, and 41 Burke residents are still hospitalized with the virus.

In McDowell County, health officials report 25 new cases for a total of 8-thousand-422.

321 in McDowell remain quarantined.

Meanwhile, Pfizer and BioTech announced Thursday that the companies have officially submitted their request to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.

The companies stated they’ve received positive results from the trial on September 20^th which included more than 22-hundred young participants.

The FDA is expected to take several weeks going through the data before possibly issuing an emergency use authorization.

Rain Impact

The Catawba Valley counties saw massive amounts of rainfall Thursday morning and into the afternoon hours, while life-threatening flash flooding caused the issuance of a State of Emergency in McDowell County.

In McDowell, emergency officials reported more than 80 swift water rescues as homes were flooded and roads became impassable.

The McDowell Board of Commissioners issued a state of emergency around Noon as heavy rains continued to produce landslides, power outages, and road closures.

Burke County’s Director of Emergency Management Mike Willis reports Burke’s biggest impact was seen in the City of Morganton with storm drains unable to handle the volume of rainfall in a short period of time.

Willis says swift water rescue personnel were placed on standby; however, fortunately no rescue situations were reported.

The National Weather Service reports some 6 to 7 inches of rainfall occurred in areas of the foothills.

Fatal Wreck

A crash along Interstate-40 in Asheville Tuesday evening has claimed the life of a former Burke County resident.

Authorities with Asheville Police confirm 21-year-old Sara Rae Harris Key of Oak Grove Kentucky was killed when her vehicle crashed near mile marker 53 in east Asheville.

Officers report Key’s vehicle was traveling west when the mishap occurred, but traveled to the eastbound side of the interstate.

Key’s facebook page states she was originally from Morganton.

Caldwell Rabies

Caldwell County marks its second confirmed case of rabies this year.

The state’s lab notified Caldwell Animal Control Thursday, that a skunk submitted for testing was indeed infected with the rabies virus.

The skunk was found in the Grace Chapel community when it came in contact with a kitten.

To protect your pets, make sure their rabies vaccinations are current. Rabies is a viral disease of the central nervous system that is almost always fatal once symptoms begin.

Caldwell Animal Control is holding a rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday October 23^rd from 1 until 4 pm at the Health and Human Services Building in Lenoir.

One and three-year vaccinations will be offered at a cost of 7-dollars.

Iredell Charges

A couple has been charged with felony concealment of death after a newborn baby was found buried in a shallow grave behind an Iredell County home.

Reports filed with High Point Police on September 4^th say 21-year-old Olivia Billington, while in the company of 19-year-old Alex Best, gave birth to an infant boy while in High Point.

Authorities say no medical treatment was sought by the pair, and on September 6^th Best allegedly took the deceased baby to his home in Iredell County where he buried it on his property.

An autopsy was reportedly conducted on the infant; findings were inconclusive.

High Point’s Special Victims Unit was initially made aware of the incident on September 7^th.

 

 

COVID-19 Update  

McDowell County reported 25 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday

for a total of 8-thousand-397, with 398 residents in quarantine.

In Caldwell County since Monday, 158 cases of the virus and 3 COVID

related deaths, with 28 residents in the hospital.

Caldwell Smartphone App  

The Caldwell County Health Department has released the organization’s

new smartphone app. The app offers quick access to items of public

interest and is easy to use. The app is available to download for free in

the App Store and Google Play. Search “Caldwell County Health, NC” to

download the app.

Man Sentenced in Lincoln County  

A man pleads guilty to Assault and Robbery Tuesday in Lincoln County

Superior Court. 35-year-old Bill Joe Franklin III of Cherryville pled guilty

to robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy and attempted first

degree murder in connection with the robbery and beating of an operator 

of Corner Market on Confederate Road in Lincolnton in 2019. Franklin was

sentenced to 372 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $9,000. 

 

COVID Update

Less than 50 new cases of COVID-19 in Burke County Tuesday as indicated by the Health Department’s online dashboard.

49 additional positives reports show, now amounting to 15-thousand-391 as Burke’s new total.

Figures show 867 cases remain active while 41 are still hospitalized.

McDowell County yesterday reports 30 new cases for a total of 8-thousand-372.

373 residents in McDowell are quarantined.

Murder Suicide Determined

The shooting death of a Newton couple has been ruled a murder – suicide by investigators.

Authorities discovered the bodies of 55-year-old Cindy Hull and 58-year-old Larry Brigham Friday night inside the offices of the Observer News Enterprise in Newton.

Hull and Brigham had both been reported missing earlier in the day, while the pair was found fatally shot inside the newspaper office after officers discovered their vehicles in the parking lot.

Earlier reports state the victims had been in a dating relationship, and authorities say the shootings appear to be an incident of domestic violence.

The investigation is ongoing however; anyone having information about the case needs to contact Newton Police at 465-7430 or the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office at 465-8340.

Gibbs Sentenced

A Newton man is sentenced to a prison term of five to seven years this week during Catawba County Superior Court.

24-year-old Jakaylan Gibbs pleaded guilty to the attempted trafficking of opiates by sale.

Reports say the offense occurred in July 2019 when an undercover officer purchased heroin from Gibbs at a local restaurant.

The substance was tested by the US Drug Enforcement Administration and came back positive for fentanyl.

Newton Police was the investigating agency.

Prison Name Change

A prison in Swannanoa is slated for a name change to better reflect diversity.

The Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women is becoming Western Correctional Center for Women.

The name change comes after a review of the historical aspects of all state-owned or operated facilities.

The prison in Swannanoa is one of five in the state to get a name change.

According to the State Department of Public Safety, Swannanoa Correctional’s name was tied to the construction of the Swannanoa Tunnel that resulted in the deaths of numerous black offender laborers.

Prison officials say the change aims to better reflect the state’s diversity without negative historical connotations.

Plane Crash

A small plane crash killed two people in Western NC over the weekend.

Officials report a private single-engine aircraft crashed into a mountainside just north of Andrews on Sunday.

According to authorities, The Beechcraft B-35 had taken off from Western Carolina Regional Airport just before 8 Sunday evening, and within minutes Atlanta air control received a distress signal from the plane.

Multiple agencies searched for the downed aircraft throughout the day Monday, and crews located the wreckage Tuesday.

The plane’s two occupants were found to be deceased.

Their names have not been released pending notification of next of kin.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating the crash.

 

 

 

 

 

 

COVID Update

Burke County recorded 123 new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend, with the highest increase still among those under 40 years of age.

As part of the weekend’s additional cases though, 31 positives were reported in the 40 to 59 age bracket.

Burke’s total is now 15-thousand-342 while 895 cases are reported to be active, and 41 Burke residents remain in the hospital.

Public health officials report they administered 72 vaccinations this past Friday at the Catawba Brewery vaccine clinic, and 54 vaccinations at last week’s WPCC clinic.

Currently in Burke County, 47-percent of the population 12 and older is fully vaccinated.

Missing Couple Found Dead

The search for a missing couple in Catawba County ends after both were discovered shot and killed at a Newton newspaper office.

Around 11 Friday night, officers with Newton Police and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office found both of the missing person’s vehicles in the parking lot of the paper office.

Upon investigation, the officers located the bodies of 55-year-old Cindy Hull and 58-year-old Larry Brigham, who reports say had been in a dating relationship.

Police officials say the incident appears to be isolated; however, an investigation continues.

Anyone having information about the case should contact Newton Police at 465-7430 or the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office at 465-8340.

Officer Involved Shooting Update

An update to Hickory’s officer-involved shooting that took place last Thursday night –

Hickory Police on Friday obtained warrants on 42-year-old Gregory Ray Cribb for felony robbery with a firearm or dangerous weapon and felony second degree kidnapping.

A news release says charges were obtained after authorities learned Cribb attempted to rob and then detained an employee of Skill Fish Arcade.

Cribb was apprehended at the nearby Corner Pocket Lounge after allegedly threatening officers.

Reports say Cribb advanced toward officials, prompting two Hickory officers to discharge their weapons injuring the suspect.

Warrants have not been served against Cribb as he remains in stable condition at Carolinas Med Center.

Laundrie WNC Search

The search for a ‘person of interest’ that’s gained national attention has made it to Western NC.

Haywood County authorities say they have received a number of calls regarding sightings of Brian Laundrie over the past several days.

The Haywood Sheriff’s Office reports each report has been thoroughly investigated with no areas of concern discovered.

Laundrie is the fiancé of Gabby Petito whose body was found near the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, a month after she was reported missing.

Her death has been ruled as a homicide.

Many NC residents have reportedly called in sightings to local law enforcement agencies, claiming to have spotted him on the Appalachian Trail.

Authorities in Watauga and Avery Counties report they’ve been in contact with the FBI and are following up on tips that appear legitimate.

 

 

COVID Update  

Burke County reported 6 COVID-related deaths on Friday, with the

individuals in their 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. That brings the total deaths

in Burke to 239 since the panademic began. Active cases number 951,

with 74 new cases reported on Friday.

In McDowell County, 28 new cases of the virus reported Friday, with

1 additional virus related death. 419 McDowell County residents are in

quarantine.

Caldwell County reported 161 COVID cases on Friday since Wednesday.

25 Caldwell residents are in the hospital.

BCPS Principal of the Year  

East Burke Middle School Principal Keith Recker has been named the

2021-22 Burke County Public Schools Principal of the Year. Recker came to

Burke County in 2015 as the assistant principal at Drexel Elementary and

then principal at the school. In 2019 Recker was named principal at East

Burke Middle.

August Unemployment Figures  

The August unemployment rate for the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metro

area was 4.1 %. Area county rates include Burke, McDowell and Catawba

at 4.1, with Caldwell County’s rate at 4.4 %. Avery and Ashe were two of

the four lowest counties in August with an unemployment rate of 3.4%,

according to figures released last week by the NC Department of Commerce.

LJSP Scam  

The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation is warning residents

of a flyer scam. The flyer is advertising an event at Lake James State Park

October 23^rd and 24^th, billed Octoberfest. The scammer is requesting money

for small business owners, artists, etc. to set up a booth at this “festival”,

which is not actually scheduled at Lake James at all. You are advised to not

engage with the scammer in any way.

PACT  

The Hickory Police Department’s October traffic enforcement, will be

located on Highway 70 SE from Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard to 10^th Avenue

Drive SE. Enforcement will focus on following too closely, distracted

driving, speeding and other traffic violations.

 

COVID Update

The number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Burke County as the online dashboard indicates 66 new cases on Thursday.

Burke’s total is now 15-thousand-146, with 993 cases reported as being active.

Online figures show a decline in hospitalizations; 41 Burke residents are in the hospital.

The majority of new virus cases are still being reported among those under the age of 40.

McDowell County reports 38 new cases of the virus for a total of 8-thousand-239.

434 McDowell residents are in quarantine.

Burke Health Department officials say they are now administering booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine to those who are eligible.

Booster doses can be given at a minimum of 6 months from the second dose.

Call the Burke Health Department at 764-9150.

Also health officials will hold a COVID-19 vaccination today from 4 to 7 pm at the Catawba Brewery in Morganton.

Appointments are not required.

All three types of the vaccine will be available; along with the Pfizer booster dose.

If getting the booster, be sure to have your vaccination card with you.

Cleveland Co Incentive

Cleveland County health officials have announced a new COVID-19 vaccine incentive program.

Beginning October 4^th, any Cleveland County resident 12 years old or older who receives a first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will receive a 50-dollar Visa gift card.

Reports say Commissioners authorized the use of grant monies to make the incentive program possible.

According to Cleveland County health officials, only 49-percent of those 12 or older in the county are fully vaccinated.

The vaccination average across NC currently stands at 61-percent.

Weapon and Drugs at Schools

A weapon and drugs were found on Hickory school students in separate incidents this week.

At Hickory High, a student was charged with having a weapon on school grounds as reported by Hickory Police.

According to authorities, the weapon was a 5-inch fixed blade M-tech knife.

Reports say the student that was charged did not threaten anyone with the knife before police took possession of it.

And at Northview Middle School, a student was charged with possession of a schedule-6 controlled substance.

Officers found the student with point-16 grams of marijuana.

Corning Expansion

Cable manufacturing company Corning will create 200 new jobs and invest 150-million dollars as part of an expansion of its operations at the Trivium Center in Catawba County.

The county’s governing bodies jointly approved a total of up to 8-point-2 million dollars in incentives.

Governor Cooper’s office, reports say, reports Corning stands to receive an additional amount up to 2-million dollars in state incentives over the next 12 years.

New positions will average a minimum salary of 55-thousand, which is 11-thousand more per year than the county’s average wage.

Corning will have to create the new positions by the end of 2024.