Burke COVID

13 new positive cases of COVID-19 in Burke County since Saturday, bringing the total of positives to 2-thousand-288 since the pandemic began.

Data from the county’s website shows 254 cases are active, 1-thousand-985 are recovered, and 4 are hospitalized.

Local public health officials have announced rapid COVID-19 testing to be conducted at a Burke County business.

The rapid testing began Monday, and will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from Noon until 2 pm at East Burke Pharmacy.

The fee is 75-dollars, and workers there will not be filing insurance.

Results of the rapid testing are returned by the end of the day, and the testing is a drive-thru service by appointment only.

The number to call for an appointment is 397-3420.

An outside tent where the testing is being conducted is set up at the rear of the pharmacy.

Elsewhere, McDowell County reports 9 new positive cases Monday, bringing their total to 857 positives. Caldwell County reported 17 new cases of COVID, with a new total

1-thousand-624 and Catawba County now has 3 thousand-13 total cases of positive COVID-19.

Drug Trafficker Caught

A Marion man on the run for more than a month on drug trafficking charges has been apprehended.

29-year-old William Kyle Lytle of Holly Street, reports say, has eluded authorities since mid-August, but was located and arrested September 15^th.

Reports with the McDowell Sheriff’s Office say attempts were made to stop Lytle on US 221 while driving a motorcycle with no tag on August 21^st.

Lytle reportedly tried to flee from the officer by speeding up, driving recklessly nearing hitting another vehicle head-on, and then wrecking into a ditch.

Lytle was transported to the hospital and later left without notifying authorities.

A search of his belongings at the accident site turned up more than 38 grams of heroin, and 89 grams of meth.

Lytle has been charged with two counts of trafficking in meth, two counts of trafficking in heroin, and one count of maintaining a vehicle to keep a controlled substance.

He was also served with a violation of his post-release supervision.

Fatal Wreck

One person was killed, and another injured in a collision on I-40 in Catawba County early Monday morning.

The state highway patrol reports two vehicles collided in the eastbound lanes around 3:45 near Exit 133.

Reports say one person died at the scene, and another sustained injuries.

The crash caused the closure of both eastbound lanes for a time.

The interstate reopened around 6 am.

Sex Assault

A Lincoln County man has been charged with child sexual assault.

Reports from the Lincoln Sheriff’s Office indicate the department had received information on September 12^th about a child who had allegedly been sexually assaulted by 68-year-old Donald Charles Curtis of Lincolnton.

A news release says the victim was interviewed and the abuse was disclosed.

Officials determined the female victim is related to Curtis.

Curtis is charged with three felony counts of indecent liberties with a child.

He was jailed under a 45-thousand dollar secured bond.

 

 

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