Burke County’s Covid 19 cases rose to 108 over the weekend.  In a press release

from the Burke County Health Department, citizens were advised all cases are

isolated.  Meanwhile Caldwell County has recorded 38 cases and the Catawba

County Health Department reports cases there rose to 60 over the weekend.  38

cases in Catawba have recovered while 3 cases required hospitalization.  Avery

County remains Covid-19 free while Yancey County recorded its first positive case

of Covid-19 over the weekend.

In other Covid-19 related news, Burke County Commission Chairman Johnny

Carswell has amended the State of Emergency in Burke County pertaining to the

rental of lodging facilities.  As of May 1^st, short term rentals such as Air B & B

rentals, bed and Breakfast rentals, VRBO vacation rentals by owners,

campgrounds, time share units, condos, and other rental programs or places

where leases or rentals are for less than one month, are now permitted to open,

provided such facilities adhere to all virus spreading prevention strategies

established by the CDC.

Governor Roy Cooper has said he has made recommendations to the Division of

Employment Security in light of complaints brought on by the high number of

unemployed in North Carolina due to the state’s Covid 19 restrictions.  Nearly one

million people in North Carolina have filed for unemployment, but many people

have not been able to get their benefits filed.  Claimants have said they were left

on hold for lengthy periods of time, their applications were denied and their

accounts frozen.  Governor Cooper said he had ordered the employment security

commission to increase the number of people handling telephone calls, and

increase the capability online to take claims.   On April 29^th there were a total of 9

hundred 35 thousand, 3 hundred and 84 applications received and just over 9

hundred 94 million dollars paid out.

The North Carolina State Lab has notified Caldwell Animal Control over the

weekend that a fox submitted for testing was infected with rabies.  The fox was

found in the Lower Creek area of Caldwell County.  Residents are reminded to

keep rabies vaccinations up to date in their pets.  Each year wild animals such as

foxes and raccoons show up with rabies, and those animals can infect domestic

pets if they come into contact.

City crews will begin work to install a new water main in Downtown Morganton today. The work is expected to last four to six weeks, and will affect some streets and parking lots.

Crews will begin work on Queen Street, and the street will be closed for the first phase of the water main installation. Work will then move into the parking lot that is bordered by King Street and Queen Street.

When crews begin this phase of the work, Queen Street will be reopened, and portions of the parking lot will be closed while work is completed. Crews will close off as little parking as possible while work is being performed.

The last phase of the water main installation will move onto King Street, and the street will be closed temporarily until work is completed. While King Street is closed, most of the parking lot should be reopened by this time.

Citizens may call 828-438-5277 with any questions or for further information on the project.

The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public of a new phone scam.

The caller says he is a McDowell County detective and has a warrant for the person who he’s speaking with because they failed to keep an appointment to provide a DNA sample.

A news release says the scammer then tells the person that bail has been set, and they need to send money or gift cards.

Officials say do not give money or personal information to someone you don’t know.

Obtain a name and number to verify that the caller works where they claim to.

Anyone having questions or concerns can call the McDowell Sheriff’s office at 652-2235.

Kirksey Funeral Home in both Marion and Old Fort has announced closing permanently.

A letter issued by the funeral homes does not give a date for the closing or a reason why the businesses are ending; although an official with the funeral home says the closings are not related to COVID-19.

The statement does not indicate what will happen to current employees or the buildings.

In Marion, reports say a funeral home has stood at the North Main Street location for nearly a century.

McCall’s Funeral Home was there for many years previous to Kirksey.

The release from Kirksey states all families will receive a letter with additional information, including instructions to transfer existing contracts.

They further encourage clients or families with questions or concerns to contact the Morganton Kirksey Funeral Home at 437-2111.