COVID-19 Update

On the first workday after the Christmas holiday, COVID-19 numbers continue to rise in Burke and surrounding counties.

Public health officials in Burke report 62 additional positive cases today from Sunday.

Burke’s total now stands at 5-thousand-885 individuals who have tested positive for the virus since March.

One-thousand-141 cases are reported to be active, and 16 Burke residents remain hospitalized.

McDowell County health officials report 58 new positives today; with a total now at 2-thousand-890 cases.

433 people in McDowell remain in quarantine.

Health departments in Burke, Alexander, and Caldwell Counties are reportedly among the smaller facilities to receive the first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine this week.

Residents living in long-term care facilities in both Carolinas are set to begin receiving the vaccine this week.

Cocktails To Go

The N.C. Sheriff's Association is questioning the legality of how cocktails and other mixed adult beverages can be transported through the carryout service permitted by Gov. Roy Cooper.

Last Monday, Cooper issued Executive Order No. 183, which permits businesses to offer carry-out and delivery of cocktails between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Businesses offering the option must hold permits from the state ABC Commission. The order lasts through at least 5 p.m. Thursday.

Meanwhile, state Treasurer Dale Folwell is citing Cooper's order as another example of the governor giving Council of State members little heads-up when seeking agreement for a statewide order.

Reports say Council members were given from 8:39 a.m. to noon on Monday to determine whether to concur. Cooper announced the order in a statement released at 4:04 p.m. that same day.

Cooper said the executive order "will help people avoid settings that can contribute to increased viral spread, while giving restaurants and bars a financial boost that they need right now."

State law does not permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages while driving.

The sheriff’s association issued a memo clarifying their stance on the governor’s order -

Those beverages that are not in an unopened manufacturer's original container are required to be placed in the trunk of a vehicle or other areas considered by law not to be a passenger area.

Otherwise, it is a Class 3 misdemeanor to have a mixed adult beverage in the passenger area.

Teens Charged

Four teenagers face charges following a domestic situation in Taylorsville Saturday evening.

Around 10:30 pm, Alexander County deputies and Taylorsville Police were called to a residence where shots were reported to have been fired.

Authorities discovered that three individuals forced their way into the home occupied by a 17-year-old and his parents.

A news release says the 17-year-old in the residence was confronted by two 18-year-old olds and a 17-year-old suspect demanding money and property.

Reports say the parents chased the suspects from the home and into a vehicle parked in the driveway, with the father shooting the vehicle several times as it fled the scene.

Hours later, the three suspects were located at another residence in Alexander County.

18-year-old Zachariah Canterbury of Taylorsville and 18-year-old Christopher Dalton Whorley of Seminole Florida were both charged with common law robbery and first degree burglary.

Each was given a 100-thousand dollar bond.

The release says a juvenile petition is being sent to the Juvenile Court Counselor for charges on both 17-year-olds involved.

The investigation is continuing with more charges possible.