COVID19 UPDATE

The second COVID-19 related death reported in Burke County this week marks the 51^st virus associated death since the pandemic began.

Health officials say the individual was in their 90’s, and was not hospitalized when they died from COVID-19 complications.

Burke is currently at 2-thousand-720 positive cases, an increase of 24 positives.

Recent figures show 389 cases are active, 2-thousand-262 cases are recovered, and 7 individuals are hospitalized.

In McDowell County, health officials report an additional virus-related death bringing the number of deaths there to 31.

McDowell is currently at 1-thousand 78 positive cases, an increase of 12 positives since Tuesday.

119 people remain in quarantine, while 928 are out of quarantine.

Caldwell County saw an increase of 50 new COVID cases for a total of 2-thousand-62 while Catawba County reported 47 additional cases for a new total of 3-thousand-728.

Austin named POA

Burke County Public Schools has named Walter Johnson Middle School Principal Lora Austin this year’s district Principal of the Year.

A news release from the school system reports Austin’s fellow Burke schools principals nominated her for the honor, and she was chosen following an interview panel session.

Austin has a degree in elementary education, a master’s in middle grades education and an add-on master’s in school administration.

She began teaching in Caldwell County and then moved to teach at Walter Johnson the second year it was open.

After extensive educational duties again in Caldwell, Austin returned to Burke County in 2013 and has served for seven years as principal at Mountain Crest/Hillcrest Elementary, East Burke Middle School, and now at Walter Johnson Middle.

Human Remains Found

Investigators continue to work a scene in Old Fort where human remains have been recovered.

A news release says a resident who lives in the area found skeletal remains in a wooded area off Lavender Road Tuesday.

The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the discovery through a Crime Stoppers tip just before 11 Tuesday morning.

Authorities continue to examine the scene, and the remains have been sent for an autopsy to determine a positive identification.

Alexander Co Shooting

A Taylorsville man has been arrested after lawmen say he shot and killed his mother at a residence in Alexander County Wednesday morning.

Reports say officers confirmed the son identified as 36-year-old Christopher Lee Brown is in custody after his mother was fatally shot.

Upon arrival at the home on Harbert Mountain Road, deputies officers found a woman with multiple gunshot wounds, who died at the crime scene.

According to reports, Brown left the scene in his vehicle while still armed.

After a time, officers apprehended Brown and charged him with first-degree murder.

He is being held without bond at the Alexander County Detention Center.