COVID-19 UPDATE

Governor Cooper announced a slight progression into Phase 2-point-5 Tuesday afternoon which goes into effect Friday and remains effective until October 2^nd.

Governor Cooper says gyms, museums, aquariums and playgrounds may re-open at a reduced capacity of 30-percent.

Movie theaters, bars & night clubs, amusement parks, and gaming establishments remain closed.

The governor’s new directive allows indoor mass gatherings of 25, and outdoor gatherings of up to 50.

In Tuesday afternoon’s address, Cooper also encouraged citizens to continue to wash hands frequently, wear face coverings, and social distance.

Burke County reported 31 new positive cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, with Catawba County recording 12 new cases and McDowell and Caldwell counties just 2 each.

Alex Lee Purchase

Hickory-based Alex Lee Incorporated announces their purchase of 20 Bi-Lo stores in South Carolina and Georgia. 

Reports indicate the newly-purchased stores will remain open as Bi-Lo stores until the transaction is complete, which will take place over a staggered period from now until November.

Officials with Alex Lee say they plan to operate 15 of the stores under the KJ’s Market IGA brand and five stores under the Lowes Foods brand.

Alex Lee expects to hire more than 2-thousand employees in the communities where the 20 stores are located.

No purchase price for the stores was disclosed.

US 321 Wreck

A jack-knifed tractor trailer resulted in a traffic snarl Tuesday afternoon for Caldwell and Catawba County motorists.

The accident took place on the Caldwell county side of the bridge on US Highway 321 that spans the Catawba River and Lake Hickory.

Reports say firefighters from Granite Falls and Hickory were called to the scene to contain a fuel spill.

The state highway patrol is investigating, as they report there were no serious injuries.

For a time, traffic was halted on US 321 traveling in and out of Caldwell County.