Current COVID-19 Cases

Burke County recorded six new cases of Covid-19 over the weekend bringing the

total to 194.  In Burke, 14 patients have died..  Catawba County had

4 new cases of Covid-19 over the weekend bring their total to 101.  Two people

have died in Catawba with the disease.  50 patients have recovered and two

remain hospitalized.  In Caldwell County, where Health Department Officials said

Friday Carolina Prime Pet had four employees who tested positive, 76 people

have Covid-19.  Two patients have died and 36 have recovered.  McDowell County

recorded their 31^st case of Covid-19.  Currently 7 individuals in McDowell are in

quarantine.  23 are out of quarantine and one patient has died.

Newton Fire Fatality

Newton Fire Investigators are working to uncover the cause of an early Sunday

morning fire that took the life of an occupant.  The Newton Fire Department was

called to a single family residence on 9^th Street in Newton around midnight.  Units

advised heavy fire was coming from the home upon arrival ,and the Conover and

Maiden Fire Departments responded to assist.  The blaze was under control

around 1:30 a.m. The name of the deceased has not been released.  Also,

assisting on the scene was the Newton Public Works Department, Newton Police

and Catawba County EMS.

NC Boating Week

COVID-19 is forcing everyone to navigate in uncharted waters including boaters.

This year, social distancing is a recommendation for boaters who travel North

Carolina waterways.  During National Safe Boating Week, the Boating Council

wants to remind everyone that boaters should travel with family members only,

and make sure to allow plenty of space between groups in recreational areas.  

Stamey Meth Arrest

A Hildebran man is arrested in McDowell County on drug charges.

27-year-old Cameron Lee Stamey was charged with possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On March 13^th, reports sat deputies were conducting a license checkpoint whenever Stamey approached.

The officer reportedly observed drug paraphernalia in plain sight, and upon further investigation located 1-point-3 grams of meth.

Parkway Openings

Gates along the Blue Ridge Parkway reopened Friday morning allowing access to Moses Cone, Price Park, and Grandfather Mountain.

It’s the first time the parkway has been open to traffic since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The reopening will allow hikers to visit Grandfather Mountain, although there are still restrictions in place.

Visitors to Grandfather will have a temperature check before being allowed inside.

Workers will also be disinfecting the handrail on the mountain’s swinging bridge every 30 minutes, and visitors will only be allowed to cross in one direction.

Officials will allow 20 people inside the park every hour, and that will only be by reservation.

Visitors can reserve a date and time of entry online at grandfather-dot-com.

And visitors now have access to all trailheads, but campgrounds remain off limits.

Restrooms and other parkway facilities remain closed as well.