COVID-19 Update

Local public health officials reported 68 new COVID-19 cases in Burke County since Saturday, with a current total of 8-thousand-298 positives.

According to Monday's report, 1-thousand-347 cases are active, and 26 individuals are hospitalized.

Carolinas Healthcare System Blue Ridge officials continue to schedule vaccines for those aged 65 and over for community clinics, but are only able to schedule weekly based on the amount of vaccine received, plus the demand.

The number to call the Community Call Center 358-4454; officials say to keep calling until you can get through to make an appointment.

And even after receiving the vaccine, officials urge the importance of continuing to wash hands often, wear a mask when in public, and continue to social distance from others by staying six feet apart.

Elsewhere, McDowell County health officials report 81 new positive cases today, bringing the total to 4-thousand-122 with 282 residents in quarantine.

Caldwell County reported 94 new cases of the virus for a total of 7-thousand-804, with 43 people in the hospital, and Catawba County saw an additional 101 cases of COVID-19, for a total of 14-thousand-825, and 101 patients hospitalized.

MVA Fatality

One person was killed after a two-vehicle collision Monday afternoon on US Highway 70 SE in Hickory, near Everett Chevrolet.

According to Hickory Police, the suspect’s vehicle was traveling east bound and crossed into the west bound lane striking the victim’s vehicle.

61-year-old Leisa Glenn White of Hickory was pronounced dead at the scene.

26-year-old Aaron Lee Walker of Newton was arrested by police on charges of Felony Death by Motor Vehicle, Driving While Impaired, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Careless and Reckless Driving. Walker is being held on a secured bond of $121,5000.

Stolen Debit Card

McDowell County authorities are asking for help identifying a woman who used a stolen debit card that was reportedly taken in October.

Two Burke County women told deputies someone stole their purses and their contents from a vehicle on Toney Road in Marion.

The suspect used one of the victim’s debit cards at a McDowell location on the day of the theft and was caught on video surveillance.

The video capture can be viewed on the McDowell County Sheriff’s website at mcdowellsheriff.com.

Anyone having information regarding the suspect’s identity should call Detective Lambert at 652-2237 or McDowell Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME.

 

 Deputy Assaulted

Attempting to break up a dispute between two women, a McDowell County deputy sustains an injury.

The officer, reports say, was called to the disturbance on Bulo Carver Road in Old Fort last Friday evening.

33-year-old Melissa Parker Ailes of Old Fort was charged with assault on a government official, after reportedly striking the officer in the face.

Rutherford Shootings

New details have been released in a fatal shooting in Rutherford County that took place last Thursday.

Responding to reports of a man pointing a gun at someone on Doggett Road in Forest City, officers located two males suffering from gunshot wounds in the front yard of a residence.

Reports say 29-year-old Jarvis Cole Tate was pronounced dead at the scene, while 25-year-old Douglas Cole Suhy was transported to an area hospital with a leg wound; treated and released.

Officials believe only Suhy and Tate were directly involved in the shooting of each other, however; an investigation continues.

Meanwhile, Rutherford County authorities are still looking into a suspected murder-suicide that occurred over the weekend in Bostic.

Deputies were dispatched to a welfare check on Robert and Anne Seslar Sunday.

Officers discovered the couple in an upstairs bedroom deceased, suspecting Robert had shot and killed Anne, then killed himself.

Family members told authorities Robert had been suffering from mental issues.