COVID-19 UPDATE

The number of deaths in Burke County due to COVID-19 rose by three over the weekend for a total of 154.

A news release issued Monday afternoon says the three were in their 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s and were all hospitalized.

Public health officials report an increase of 13 cases since Friday In Burke, for a total of 9-thousand-911 COVID-19 cases.

Figures show 273 cases are reported to be active, and 9 people remain hospitalized.

McDowell County reported 15 new virus cases yesterday for a total of 4-thousand-979 positives.

58 residents in McDowell are still in quarantine.

Hiker Killed

Local and state emergency personnel were called to Linville Gorge over the weekend where a man reportedly fell 40 to 60 feet to his death.

Rescue crews responded to the Babel Tower area around 12:30 Saturday afternoon to the report of a long fall.

After hiking along the trail for about a mile, officials found the victim deceased.

Emergency officials report the man had been hiking with his son, and had apparently decided to climb part of Babel Tower without using ropes.

The US Forest Service continues to investigate the incident.

The NC Helo Aquatic Rescue Team assisted Burke EMS and Burke Emergency Management, along with Burke County Rescue, Avery and McDowell Counties, and NC Emergency Management.

Withholds Evidence

The owner of a Caldwell County country store has been arrested for withholding evidence in the March 28^th shooting of his dog Rocky.

Bruce Morrison Gray was arrested for withholding video evidence of the incident – video revealing Rocky charged and lunged aggressively at the man charged in the shooting Joshua Wayne Hawley of Burke County.

The dog Rocky was described as a mascot at Betsey’s Olde country store in Collettsville.

Hawley initially left the scene following the shooting but was later found and admitted to killing the dog.

He was charged with felony cruelty to animals and given a 10-thousand dollar bond.

Reports say Gray had the video detailing Rocky’s attack on Hawley, but failed to turn it over to investigators.

He has now been charged with felony obstruction of justice and issued a 20-thousand dollar bond.

 

Drugs on Probationer

A Marion man already on probation is found with drugs in his possession.

On March 31^st, McDowell Sheriff’s Office deputies and State Probation and Parole searched the residence of 46-year-old Jerry Chris Trantham on Owl Hollow Road.

Authorities discovered meth, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Trantham was charged with numerous drug possession charges.