COVID Update

COVID-19 numbers are remaining steady as we near the end of the month.

Catawba County reported 11 new cases of the virus Wednesday for a total of 19-thousand-392, with 9 people in the hospital.

McDowell County reported 4 new cases yesterday for a total of 5-thousand-187.

21 people in McDowell are in quarantine.

No new reports from Burke or Caldwell Counties; Burke has a total of 10-thousand 372 cases and Caldwell 9-thousand-581.

Fatal Wreck

An early Wednesday morning car crash in Catawba County claims the life of a mother and son.

Just before 5:30 am on NC 16 near Mount Ruhama Church Road, reports say 20-year-old Allison Faith Presley of Indian Trail was driving north when she crossed the center line in her 2007 BMW, and collided head-on with a southbound 2018 Toyota truck.

Reports say the pickup then traveled off the road, overturned, and came to rest on its side.

Presley and her 3-year-old son Aiden were both pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say the child was restrained in a car seat that was improperly installed inside the car.

The 30-year-old driver of the pickup sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

Initial reports regarding the cause of the accident states Presley may have fallen asleep while driving.

Missing Man Found

A McDowell County man has been located unharmed according to authorities with the Sheriff’s Office.

78-year-old Norman Robinson left on foot Tuesday afternoon and was found Wednesday.

McDowell authorities thank the public for their assistance.

Meanwhile, McDowell officials are looking for a 17-year-old last seen at his Marion residence on Airport Road Tuesday evening.

Mason Beshear is white, stands 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighs 145 pounds, and has curly red hair, has several facial tattoos, one on his neck, and one on his right forearm.

Anyone having information about his whereabouts should contact the McDowell Sheriff’s Office at 652-2235.

Parkway Closure

Blue Ridge Parkway officials have announced the extension of a partial closure of a campground due to continued bear activity.

Officials say they are extending the existing temporary prohibition on tents and soft-sided campers at the Mount Pisgah Campground until July 1^st.

The partial closure was initially scheduled to end today.

A bear attack on a teenage girl June 18^th prompted the closure.

Officials say one particular young bear has established a pattern of entering occupied campsites, and coming too close to campers while taking food.

The temporary ban on certain types of camping gear is expected to be lifted July 1^st pending dissociation of bear presence.

Park officials report they will honor existing reservations during this period at other Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds and at Mount Pisgah after July 1^st.