Governor’s Incentives

Governor Cooper Thursday afternoon announced an incentive for NC residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine –four 1-million dollar cash drawings in hopes of boosting the state’s overall vaccination percentage.

Over the next three months, four NC residents will win a million dollars each for having gotten at least one vaccine.

For residents receiving a vaccine and those who’ve already been vaccinated who are 18 and older are eligible and will be automatically entered.

North Carolinians 12 to 17 years old who have gotten at least one shot are automatically entered into four drawings to pay 125-thousand dollars for a college education at a school of their choice.

The first drawing will be on June 23^rd and will occur every other week until the last one on August 4^th.

The drawings will take place every other Wednesday and as an extra incentive for anyone getting their first shot today and going forward will be entered twice for each drawing.

State health officials report NC has recently fallen behind the national vaccine average with only 54-percent of adults who have gotten at least one dose.

That percentage is in comparison with nearly 64-percent of adults nationwide according to data with the state department of health and human services.

WNC Blood Demand

Blood donation-bank leaders in Western NC say our area is experiencing an emergency blood shortage – donations are the lowest they’ve been in 60 years.

Officials say demand is up from residents who are undergoing elective surgeries that they delayed because of the pandemic.

They further state the usual number of blood donors is down as well; making it critical for people to give blood if they’re able.

Withh historically low donor turnout, the executive director of the American Red Cross for WNC, Megan Robinson says as people return to a pre-pandemic life, donating blood has taken a backseat.

Officials state if the low donation trend continues, hospitals may begin to see blood rationing.

Murder Victim IDed

Authorities in Iredell County release the name of a man killed earlier this week, while lawmen continue to search for the suspect.

20-year-old Zion Treyshaun Gaither of Hickory was pronounced dead at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville early Tuesday morning.

Officials are on the lookout for 31-year-old Tyrell Daniels in connection with Gaither’s death.

According to reports with the Iredell Sheriff’s Office, Daniels has made threats against law enforcement in the past, and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Daniels has a criminal history including several felony convictions for first-degree burglary, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, and assault.

Should anyone have information about his whereabouts, they are urged to contact the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office at 704-878-3100.

McDowell Theft Attempt

A McDowell County pair is charged in connection with trying to steal a dirt bike last month.

Deputies were called to River Hills Park in Marion May 21^st to discover a male suspect had fled into the woods, while witnesses had stopped a female driving a moped that had dropped the man off.

 The pair was identified by officers as 33-year-old Jessica Dawn Morgan of Old Fort and 34-year-old Cody Cheyenne Vance of Marion.

Reports say Morgan became irate with a deputy and was taken into custody on the scene, while officers located Vance several hours later.

Both were charged with attempted larceny.

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