COVID-19 UPDATE

Burke County health officials reported on Monday that the total count now stands at 2-thousand-21 positive cases of COVID-19.

Of that number, the county’s website reports 238 cases are active, 1-thousand-742 residents have recovered, and 7 remain hospitalized.

McDowell County public health reports 24 additional positives Monday, with a current total of 774 positive cases.

McDowell officials also reported an additional death as a result of the virus, which

brings McDowell’s death toll to 26. 

98 individuals in McDowell are in quarantine, while 650 are out of quarantine.

Caldwell County reported 17 new cases, with a total of 1-thousand-433 and 21

remain hospitalized.

In Catawba County, 7 additional cases of COVID-19 were reported for a total of

2-thousand-644 and 13 people are hospitalized.

Alexander Shooting

An intruder demanding money reportedly shot an Alexander County man in his home Friday morning.

A news release from the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office says the victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Reports say the shooting happened at a residence on Steel Bridge Loop in the Bethlehem Community.

The victim, reports say, told authorities the intruder entered his home shortly after 8 am, demanding money and his wallet.

The two scuffled and the victim reports he was then shot by the intruder.

The suspect was dressed in black with lettering on the front of his shirt and wore a black mask.

Anyone having information about the incident should call the Alexander Sheriff’s Office at 828-632-2911 or Crimestoppers at 828-632-8555.

Hickory Shooting

Shots fired into an occupied vehicle in Hickory Monday afternoon leaves one man injured according to reports.

A Facebook posting states someone shot into a vehicle traveling on 16^th Street Northeast striking the driver.

The posting further states the male subject stated he had been shot in the shoulder as he went inside the Cubbard Express for help.

An eyewitness to the shooting was apparently a passenger in the victim’s car, and stated the incident occurred after the victim looked over at another vehicle.

But the eyewitness further stated they did not believe it was a case of road rage.

An investigation is continuing.

Meth and Gun

McDowell County Sheriff's deputies and the NC Highway Patrol find drugs and a gun at the scene of a motor vehicle accident on August 7^th.

Around 1:30 am, officers responded to the reported mishap on Interstate-40.

There they discovered 35-year-old Todd Michael Ollis of Marion who had passed out behind the wheel of his pickup after driving off the roadway.

Further investigation revealed 7 grams of meth and a handgun in Ollis’ possession.

He was charged with meth possession and possession of a firearm by a felon.