COVID-19 update

Another increase in positive COVID-19 cases Tuesday in Burke County, with 66 additional cases.

Burke now stands at 4-thousand-310 positives; while 826 cases are active, and 20 residents are hospitalized because of the virus.

McDowell County added 25 new cases to its numbers yesterday, with a total of 1-thousand-845 positives.

273 McDowell residents are in quarantine.

Tuesday saw a record high number in hospitalizations across the state due to COVID-19; 2-thousand-33.

Governor Cooper delivered a COVID-19 update Tuesday afternoon, with the news that NC is preparing to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

Cooper stated Pfizer and Moderna have produced vaccines with remarkable early results – better than health experts ever hoped for.

The governor says the vaccine will be free to all, regardless of whether someone has health insurance.

He say the vaccine will be administered first to health care workers, people in long term care, and those at risk for severe illness.

Cooper stresses his confidence in the process, saying quote ‘ When its my turn to get this vaccine, I’ll be ready to roll up my sleeve.’

In Tuesday’s address, the governor says he implores Congress to do more to support families, small businesses, and states.

Home Invasion

McDowell County authorities continue to search for two suspects involved in a home robbery in which a man was assaulted.

Reports with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office say the break-in occurred November 21^st around 9 pm on Reds Hill near Sugar Hill Road.

Two male subjects reportedly kicked open the door at the residence, assaulted a 54-year-old man who lived there, and stole an undisclosed amount of money before leaving.

The suspects were captured on video surveillance fleeing the crime scene.

The injured victim, reports say, was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Anyone having information concerning the suspects should contact McDowell County Sheriff's detective McGinnis at 828-652-2237.

Meth Possession

A Marion man is charged with drug possession after officers observe him on a ballfield.

A McDowell County Sheriff's deputy on patrol on US 221 South November 9^th around 11:30 pm noticed flashlights on one of the Glenwood ballfields.

Upon investigation, the officer found 49-year-old John Berry Greer of Sugar Hill Road along with a female.

A search of Greer turned up a gram of methamphetamine.

Stolen Debit Card

A Lincoln County woman is charged with obtaining property by false pretenses by using a stolen debit card.

39-year-old Shea Amber Borland of Lincolnton is charged with one felony count of financial card theft and three felony counts of obtaining property by false pretenses.

The victim of the theft on November 25^th told Lincoln County Sheriff's officers that a co-worker at Bosch Corporation took her debit card and cash, and had used the debit card at several locations to make purchases.

According to the victim, the suspect had taken her billfold from her car as they had left a soda bottle behind.

Borland was also served with an outstanding warrant from Gaston County for one felony count of financial card theft.

She was placed under a 15-thousand dollar unsecured bond and released.