COVID Update

The Labor Day holiday in Burke County saw 200 additional cases of COVID-19 as reported by public health officials.

Burke’s total stands at 13-thousand-287, with 1-thousand-354 active cases and still 35 hospitalized.

A news release says the largest amount of confirmed cases is among those 20 to 39 years old, and also those 40 to 59 years old.

McDowell County Tuesday reported 67 new cases from Monday for a total of 7-thousand-113.

644 people in McDowell are quarantined.

Tonight, the Burke County state of Youth will be hosting a vaccine question and answer session along with a vaccination clinic at the Collett street Recreation Center.

The event begins at 5:30 in the basement of the rec center.

Parents and guardians with questions about the COVID vaccine are encouraged to attend.

Those 12 and older are eligible for the vaccine, and no appointment is necessary.

Conover Shooting

A woman has been charged in connection with a deadly shooting early Monday in Catawba County.

Law enforcement officials say Brittany McCleave is charged with murder in the shooting death of a man inside a mobile home in Conover around midnight Monday.

Reports say McCleave was taken to the Catawba County detention center and was scheduled to appear in court yesterday.

Deaf Awareness Month

Governor Cooper has proclaimed September as Deaf Awareness Month to celebrate and raise awareness about people who are hearing-impaired.

This year commemorates 70 years since the first congress of the World Federation of the Deaf was held in 1951.

There are one-point-2 million individuals with hearing loss in NC with a projected increase to one-point-6 million by 2030.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted communications in the deaf community, with the face-covering requirement aggravating the ability to communicate.

However, opportunities for creative solutions such as wearing clear masks, using speech-to-text apps and other communication resources have helped deaf individuals to tear down the barriers.

Carbon City Road

Morganton City contractors will be closing Carbon City Road each day this week to repair the entryway and storm drains at Morganton Public Safety Fire Station 2.

The lane closure begins at 8 each morning, with contractors reopening the road once they’re finished each day.

Public Safety officers will be on site to direct traffic around the construction area.

Motorists are urged to use caution in the area.