COVID-19 UPDATE

31 new cases of COVID-19 since Monday as reported by Burke County Public Health bringing the county’s total to 9-thousand-942 positives.

The latest figures show 246 cases are active, and 8 Burke residents remain hospitalized.

McDowell County yesterday reported two additional cases of the coronavirus for a total of 5-thousand-13 cases, with 72 McDowell residents in quarantine.

In a news release from the Burke County Health Department, officials encourage those 16 and over to take the COVID vaccine to help reduce the spread of the virus.

Those interested in getting the vaccine this week should visit myspot.nc.gov to find locations within Burke and surrounding counties to schedule an appointment. 

For those without internet access, call the Burke County Health Department at 764-9150 and dial 0 to speak to the operator for assistance.

Murder Arrest

A man is now charged in Wednesday’s murder of a 7-year-old boy in Hickory.

23-year-old Douglas Mason Wilson of 13^th Street Southeast Hickory was reportedly taken into custody at a Catawba County hotel just before 8 Thursday evening.

Reports say Wilson was initially arrested on unrelated warrants issued by the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, and later charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Zakylen Greylen Harris.

Hickory Police responded to the report of a shooting into an occupied vehicle on Tate Boulevard in which Harris had sustained a gunshot wound to his neck while riding with his mother and siblings.

The boy was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Harris’ mother, reports say, told officers while driving she had unintentionally cut off Wilson’s vehicle he was driving by pulling into the lane in front of him prior to the shooting.

Wilson is being held at the Catawba County detention facility with no bond.

The investigation continues.

Pair Arrested

McDowell County officers arrest a Spruce Pine couple on drug charges after finding the two passed out inside a car.

On April 4^th, deputies found a vehicle parked at the Tate Street Welcome Center with 37-year-old Jeremy Hensley and 38-year-old Miranda Medford both passed out, and had to be awakened by officers.

A search of the car and suspects turned up meth, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Hensley was charged with meth possession, and resisting a public officer after initially giving the deputy a fictitious name.

Medford was charged with possession of meth, possession of up to one-half ounce marijuana, and possession of drug and marijuana paraphernalia.

Missing

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating a woman reported missing on Thursday.

36-year-old Lisa Leona Stepp was last seen April 5^th.

She is white, has blond hair and blue eyes; and is 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 150 pounds.

Anyone with information about Stepp’s whereabouts should call the Rutherford Sheriff’s Office at 828-286-2911.