COVID-19 Update

Positive cases of COVID-19 continue to mount in Burke County with 72 new cases reported Wednesday, with a total caseload now of 8-thousand-419.

1-thousand-181 cases are reported to be active, and 21 Burke residents are hospitalized.

McDowell County health officials reported 17 additional positives yesterday, with one death also reported.

McDowell County's death toll now stands at 60 since last March.

328 McDowell County residents remain in quarantine. 

Caldwell County saw a increase of 50 new coronavirus cases for a total of 7-thousand-865 and 35 people are hospitalized.  

Catawba County reported 210 additional cases of COVID-19 Wednesday for a total of 15-thousand-192 with 103 patients in the hospital.

Cooper Extends Order

Governor Cooper announced Wednesday that the state’s modified ‘Stay at Home’ order has been extended for another month.

The governor states the order will continue until February 28th.

The initial order was set to expire this Friday.

Cooper reports the COVID-19 data remains high, although the data trajectory shared by NC Health Secretary Mandy Cohen is leveling.

The governor says the extension of the order gives NC more time to fight the spread of the virus.

Cooper also extended the eviction moratorium.

Businesses are still permitted to allow to-go and delivery sales for mixed alcohol through March 31st.

Most businesses will be required to close by 10 pm, with onsite alcohol consumption sales ending by 9 pm.

The Stay at Home order requires people to be at home between 10 pm and 5 am.

Marion Fire

A Wednesday pre-dawn fire brought heavy damage to a restaurant in Marion.

Reports say the fire broke out around 1 am at Fat Boys Burritos, gutting the interior.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

There were no injuries reported, and a vacant business next door also sustained damages.

The restaurant’s owner reports he hopes to rebuild and reopen.

Lincoln Arrests

A lengthy narcotics investigation has led to the arrest of two people in western Lincoln County.

According to reports, officers began their investigation into possible drug activity at a Cherryville residence last May.

Authorities conducted surveillance operations and traffic stops that led to the purchase of meth from two individuals at the home.

Officers then were able to obtain a search warrant and arrested 32-year-old Haley Boyles Gantt and 51-year-old Donald Wayne Burton the Second both of Vale.

Gantt and Burton were both charged with felony sell and deliver a controlled schedule two substance, felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture, and felony possession of a schedule two controlled substance.

Gantt was placed in custody under a 40-thousand dollar secured bond.

Burton was also charged with felony probation violation and jailed without bond.