COVID-19 UPDATE

Positive cases of COVID-19 continue to mount in Burke County – Public Health officials reporting 21 new positives Tuesday, with a total of 2-thousand-838 cases.

390 of the total cases are active, 2-thousand-384 have recovered, and 11 people remain hospitalized.

McDowell County health officials reported 10 additional positive cases with

McDowell’s total of positives – 1-thousand-138.

125 cases are in quarantine, while 981 are out of quarantine.

Recent numbers released by public health in Catawba County on Tuesday indicated more than 4-thousand cases diagnosed since the pandemic began.

Caldwell County reported 11 new cases on for a total of 2-thousand-202,with

80 people released and counted as recovered.

Icard Elementary COVID

Burke County Public Schools was made aware Tuesday of a cluster of at least five or more related positive COVID-19 cases at Icard Elementary School.

 As a result, Icard Elementary School will move to Plan C instruction until Thursday, Nov. 5th; which means all learning at Icard will move from in-person to remote while the school is shut down.

There will be no activity at the school at least for several days to ensure adequate time for the virus to dissipate from the air.

 Once that time period is up, the custodial team will move in to start the thorough sanitation process.

School officials made parents aware of the positive cases today; giving them the e option of checking out their students early, if they wished, but the Icard buses did run on their normal afternoon schedule to accommodate families who did not have alternative transportation and childcare options in the middle of the afternoon.

The school is working closely with the Burke County Health Department for guidance and to identify anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19.

Just as with individual cases, if a child was identified as having had close contact and exposure, the school nurse notified the parents. Parents who do not hear from the school nurse should know their child is not considered to have had close contact. Parents who have questions about their child's health, can contact their physician or the Burke County Health Department Public Information Line at 828-764-9168.

MDPS Arrest Suspect

Morganton Public Safety has arrested a Burke County man wanted in connection with a Lincoln County shooting that took place last Friday.

51-year-old Terry Lee Peeler of Wards Gap Road Connelly Springs was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.

He is accused of shooting his nephew Jimmy Drew Peeler using a shotgun during an altercation at Halfway Supply on NC 18.

The victim was transported to a Shelby hospital, treated for his injuries, and released later in the weekend.

Reports further say Terry Peeler fled the crime scene and was chased by a vehicle driven by Jimmy Frank Peeler Sr.

The two vehicles wrecked on Highway 10 in Cleveland County with both drivers running from the scene.

Terry Peeler eluded lawmen, while Jimmy Frank Peeler received treatment for a leg injury.

Morganton Public Safety received information that Terry Peeler was in a room at Carolinas Healthcare in Morganton.

He was arrested without incident early Sunday morning.

In addition to the Lincoln County charges, Peeler was served outstanding warrants for felony larceny and misdemeanor larceny.

Peeler was placed in the Burke County jail under a 105-thousand-500-dollar secured bond.

Voted Best Place to Live

The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton area known as the Catawba Valley has earned bragging rights as a home for retirees and families, and is becoming a destination for young professionals.

Our area was voted 49^th among the 150 ‘Best Places to Live in the US’.

The poll was part of an article included in the recent issue of US News and World Report.

The article noted the region’s growing businesses, restaurants, outdoor recreation, moderate climate and affordability.