COVID-19 UPDATE

The latest figures posted by Burke County Public Health indicate 252 active cases of COVID-19 with 9 residents hospitalized.

Reports show Burke with a total of 10-thousand-225 cases.

McDowell County yesterday reported 2 new cases of the virus for a total of 5-thousand-135 positives.

43 people in McDowell are in quarantine.

Benefits Expand

The expansion of state benefits to families with young children and infants who need extra help buying food was announced Wednesday.

The State Department of Health and Human Services along with the NC Department of Public Instruction will expand the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program to assist eligible children under the age of 6 who are in households receiving Food and Nutrition Services.

The state will begin issuing the EBT benefits to eligible children beginning this week.

There is no application process to receive the newly-established benefits.

Eligibility will be determined through circumstances of the child and through the public schools in the county where the child lives.

Those who are not currently receiving Food and Nutrition Services benefits who believe they may be eligible, visit the NCDHHS website for more information about income eligibility and how to apply.

B and E Arrest

A Marion couple is charged in connection with a break-in and theft from an outbuilding on Harmony Grove Road.

On May 2^nd, a resident told authorities someone broke into the building on his property and stole a bag of golf clubs, ammunition, a bow, a TV and computer equipment.

Neighbors informed the victim that they witnessed the theft and identified the pair as 34-year-old Joshua Bartlett and 33-year-old Nisha Hollifield both of Roy Hollifield Road.

As deputies proceeded to speak with the two, Bartlett reportedly fled on foot but was apprehended later that night.

Reports say some of the stolen property was found in the couple’s car.

They were both charged with breaking and entering, and larceny after breaking and entering.

In addition, Bartlett was charged with resisting a public officer.