Burke County Health officials report two additional deaths Monday as a result of the COVID-19 virus.

These individuals – one in their late 40’s, and the other in their early 80’s died from complications associated with underlying medical conditions according to a news release.

Burke County has now suffered a total of eight deaths to the coronavirus.

McDowell County Monday afternoon reported its first virus-related death.

Reports say the person was 83 years old and passed away at Mission Hospital McDowell on Sunday.

Recent numbers from Burke reveal 76 positive cases; while McDowell has 21.

Burke County health director Rebecca McLeod states in a news release ‘ as our efforts continue to fight this virus, we hope that all persons will continue to take the social distancing, the stay at home order, and all other preventive measures seriously.’

McLeod further says ‘infection cases will continue to rise if these measures continue to be ignored or not practiced.’

For general questions about COVID-19, you can call Burke’s public information line at 764-9388.

Monday’s figures show NC as having 6-thousand-764 positive cases of the virus, while 179 have died throughout the state.

The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting on Rome Jones Road in Newton

Monday afternoon.

Reports say the incident took place after a FedEx driver reportedly struck a dog.

A man, who is the dog’s owner along with his mother reportedly pursued the delivery truck in a silver pickup.

Reports then say the owner of the dog shot a firearm three times at the back of the delivery truck.

The dog owner and his mother were taken into custody by deputies.

A traffic stop on Highway 27 West in Lincoln County Sunday leads to a fugitive from justice arrest.

An open line on a cell phone alerted dispatchers to a domestic situation in a moving vehicle.

Once stopped, a male and female inside the car told officers they had gotten into an argument after attending a party.

A young child was also in the vehicle.

A check of the driver, 40-year-old Bruce Arthur Godfrey of Lincolnton revealed he was wanted in Virginia on outstanding warrants.

A news release reports Godfrey is charged in Henrico County Virginia with three counts of embezzlement and two counts of construction fraud.

He was jailed without bond and is awaiting extradition to Virginia.

More than a dozen families received donations of masks, gift cards, and food through the Burke County Public Schools ‘Futures’ program last week.

The program helps to build positive parenting strategies with families including grandparents or kinship caregivers who are raising their grandchildren.

A news release says a Grandparents raising Grandchildren Support Group was formed several years ago, meeting weekly before COVID-19.

The meetings included a hot meal, but now that they’re unable to meet, Program coordinator Lisa Schell and family mentor Mike Massey are checking on the families and putting together care packages for them.

During the normal meetings, families enjoy a meal together and afterward the children do an activity with volunteers; allowing grandparents to share how their grandchildren are doing in school, any needs they may have, along with success stories.

For more information or for those interested in joining the Futures program, call Lisa Schell at 502-9786.