COVID Update

A sad news story, but unfortunately one that is repeated all too often – the death toll in Burke County from COVID-19 continues to rise as newly-reported cases are also on the increase.

Local public health reported that 6 Burke residents died last week from the virus, while 5 were reported to have been hospitalized.

A news release states the victims were in their 40’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s.

Burke officials reported 84 additional COVID cases Friday for a total of 12-thousand-417.

1-thousand-68 cases are reported as being active, and 35 residents remain in the hospital.

McDowell County Friday reported 73 new cases and one additional virus-related death.

McDowell’s total is 6-thousand-469 and 597 people remain quarantined.

Friday marked the second consecutive day state health officials have reported more than 8-thousand new cases across the state.

State figures reveal also more than 36-hundred hospitalized in NC with the virus, while over 900 are in the ICU.

Vaccine Data

The State Department of Health and Human services has released new data showing that those who are unvaccinated are 15-point-4 times more likely to die from COVID-19.

The recent finding comes as NC hit a pandemic high Friday of 912 adults in ICU beds, and 574 individuals on ventilators.

Data indicates there were 29 deaths among unvaccinated persons younger than 65, compared with one death among vaccinated persons younger than 65 during a four-week time period.

In comparison, there were 30 deaths among unvaccinated persons older than 65, and seven deaths among vaccinated persons older than 65.

The Burke County Health Department will be holding a vaccine clinic at Fonta Flora Brewery in Morganton Friday September 3^rd from 5 to 7 pm.

Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines will be available.

WPCC Grant

Western Piedmont Community College is proud to announce the continued funding of its Educational Talent Search Grant.

After receiving a perfect score and applying for a nationally competitive grant, WPCC has received more than 1-point-8 million dollars to be dispersed over the next five years.

Educational Talent Search (ETS) is a college access program funded by the Federal Governments Department of Education with the goal to break down barriers that underserved students may encounter on their college journey.

Students must complete an application process and express a desire to attend college. The program grant will continue to serve the need in our community by providing opportunities such as college tours and cultural enrichment experiences for student’s 6^th through 12^th grade in Burke County Schools.

ETS also aims to assist students with time management, test taking, study and organizational skills, in addition to completing college applications, registering for classes, preparing for college entrance exams and applying for scholarships – including federal and state financial aid.

 Area Missing

A Lincoln County teenager reported missing last week has been located and is safe.

Reports say 18-year-old Johnathan Keith Merchant made contact with the detective division with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and is reported to be unharmed.

Elsewhere, Rutherford County authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating four people reported missing; three of the missing are children.

The children were last seen Thursday with 28-year-old Brandi Hutchins on Morning Star Lake Road in Rutherford County.

Hutchins is reportedly not the children’s legal guardian.

The missing children are 6-year-old Nicholas Hunt, a white male with blonde hair and blue eyes; 7-year-old Nathan Hutchins, a white male with blonde hair and hazel eyes; and 10-year-old Neveah Hutchins, a white female with brown hair and brown eyes.

Brandi Hutchins is described as a white female, 5 feet tall, weighs 130 pounds and has auburn hair and green eyes.

And in a separate case, officials in Rutherford County are looking for 35-year-old Amber Starr Nunez.

She is a white female, 5 feet 1, and weighs around 140 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.

Should you have information regarding either case, contact the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office at 828-286-2911.