COVID-19 UPDATE

Burke County’s death toll from COVID-19 rises to 146 since the pandemic began a year ago.

Local public health officials Monday afternoon reported three additional virus-related deaths; the individuals two in their 80’s and one in their 70’s.

Following a database cleanup of numbers on the county’s website, Burke is currently at 9-thousand-492 cases.

Yesterday’s reported total is actually three cases less than the figure reported on Friday as a result of the data cleanup by eliminating duplicates and removing discovered out of county cases.

311 cases are reported to be active, while only one person remains hospitalized.

In McDowell County, health workers reported 18 new COVID-19 cases on Monday for a total of 4-thousand-779.

101 residents are quarantined.

Caldwell County saw an increase of 17 virus cases for a total of 8-thousand-776, with 17 people in the hospital.

Catawba County reported 35 new cases of COVID-19 for a total of 17-thousand-286, with 22 patients hospitalized.

Drug and other Offenses

An investigation into a McDowell County break-in leads to the arrest of a Marion man who now faces numerous charges.

The break-in victim told authorities that someone broke into a storage building at his Marion business and stole knives, hand and power tools and collectible Pepsi signs.

The investigation led to 29-year-old Tevin Wayne Lanning of Davis Park Lane.

When authorities searched his residence, they located some of the stolen items, as well as marijuana and a gun with an altered serial number.

As officers attempted to arrest Lanning, he fled on foot.

Once apprehended, he was found in possession of methamphetamine and pills.

Scam Alert

Another phone scam is making its way around the area according to the McDowell Sheriff’s Office.

The caller states he is from the American Senior Citizens Sweepstakes and tells the person answering the call that they’ve won a prize, but in order to claim it they must purchase a gift card.

Authorities warn residents that this is a scam and refrain from giving money or personal information to strangers.

Should you have questions, call the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office at 652-2235.

BRP Visitors

The Blue Ridge Parkway saw an estimated 14 million visitors come through the park in 2020 according to a park news release.

Parkway officials say the Blue Ridge Parkway took the top spot in National Park Service visitation numbers as 1 of 3 park systems receiving more than 10 million recreation visits last year.

While the parkway remains open year-round weather permitting, the traditional visitor season begins in the spring and continues through fall.