COVID-19 Update

Tragic news as Burke County Public Health reported Friday that the death toll from COVID-19 climbed to 182; as 10 local residents die from the virus last week.

A news release states the individuals were in their 30’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s; while nine of the victims were hospitalized.

Burke reported 421 new cases of COVID last week for a total of 11-thousand-787.

Of those cases, 842 are reported to be active and 22 Burke residents are still hospitalized.

McDowell County reported 63 additional cases Friday for a total of 6-thousand-53.

449 are reported to be in quarantine.

State health officials report more than 66-hundred new cases throughout NC, and some 31-hundred people are hospitalized.

Health officials contend more than 94-percent of recent cases in NC are in those who are not fully vaccinated.

More than 20-thousand North Carolinians have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last week.

WPCC Program

For the fifth consecutive year of the partnership, Western Piedmont Community College announces that five students have been selected for a Registered Apprenticeship Program at Continental Automotive Systems, a worldwide automotive products manufacturer, in Morganton.

Pioneering a way for the future, WPCC has partnered with Continental Automotive Systems to provide opportunities for students to earn while they learn.

 Program students pursue their education while also working as full-time employees, receiving a wage progression throughout the Registered Apprenticeship.

The process begins in high school when students are selected based on their interests and abilities.

Continental Automotive Systems works alongside the students while they utilize their hands and take aptitude tests.

At the end of the process, best fit students are selected for the program and typically attend the community college they live closest to. 

All students are hired at an entry technician level. Upon completion of the apprenticeship, students receive a Registered Apprenticeship Card from North Carolina that is a portable credential and can be carried and recognized anywhere in the country.  

For more information on apprenticeships or work-based learning opportunities, contact Michael Daniels, Dean, Applied Technologies at mdaniels@wpcc.edu.  

Red Cross Help

As search and rescue missions continue in parts of western NC, the American Red Cross is working with emergency management to provide community support to those impacted by flooding and severe weather.

Red Cross volunteers are serving meals and providing established shelters for families displaced by weather events.

People can donate to assist those affected by visiting redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Lincoln Theft

Lincoln County detectives are investigating the theft of a pull-behind travel camper.

The camper was reportedly taken from the Riverwalk Apartments storage lot on Thursday.

The camper is described as a 2019 Puma with NC tag CL46694, and is valued at 35-thousand dollars.

Anyone having information about the theft should contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 704-732-9050.