COVID Update

115 new cases of COVID-19 in Burke County Tuesday, as public health reports the majority of new cases are being reported in those less than 40 years of age.

Burke is currently at 14-thousand-18 cases, with 1-thousand-336 cases reported to be active and 48 residents hospitalized.

A news release from the Burke County Health Department reports the county is presently at a 13-percent positivity rate.

Officials say the highest increase in additional positives are occurring in the 20 to 39 age bracket with 37 new cases since Monday, and 29 new cases in newborn to 19 year olds.

Reports also note 31 cases in 40 to 59 year olds since Monday.

McDowell County reported 51 new COVID cases Tuesday, and two additional deaths from virus complications.

McDowell’s total is 7-thousand-509 cases, with 595 in quarantine.

Center Parade Canceled

Another holiday tradition canceled – the Christmas parade at J Iverson Riddle Developmental Center scheduled for December 2^nd has been called off to ensure the health, safety, and well being of the center’s residents.

Facility director Todd Drum says the parade has been part of the center’s tradition for 45 years until last year when it was also canceled because of COVID-19.

The center does look forward to continuing its annual drive-thru holiday display on its campus.

The display will begin December 2^nd and run through New Year’s Eve.

Displays will be lighted each evening from 5:30 until 10.

Facility officials ask visitors to the display event remain in their cars.

The J Iverson Riddle Developmental Center opened in 1963 and is a state-operated facility serving those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, complex behavioral challenges or medical conditions that requires specialized expert treatment.

New Grandfather Mtn Super

Grandfather Mountain State Park has a new superintendent – Andy Sicard as announced by the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation.

Sicard serves as the chief of operations and park administrator with wide-ranging responsibilities including staffing, training, law enforcement, and community outreach.

The state park is free and lies in Avery, Caldwell and Watauga counties, and opens Grandfather Mountain’s nearly 29-hundred acre backcountry for hikers, backpackers, and nature lovers.

Kayak Stolen

McDowell County authorities are looking for a stolen kayak.

A SC woman reported to the McDowell Sheriff’s Office last Friday that someone stole her dark and light green kayak from the Majestic Landing trail.

The kayak has an orange sticker on the back that says ‘Get Outdoors’.

Anyone having information about the stolen kayak should call McDowell detective Michael Vaughn at 652-2237.