COVID-19 UPDATE

Four additional COVID-19 related deaths in Burke County as reported Thursday afternoon by local public health officials; with a death toll in Burke now at 75.

Two of the individuals were in their 70’s, while two were in their 60’s.

All four were hospitalized but later died from virus related complications.

Officials say Thursday marks the highest number of deaths having occurred in a single day across the US because of COVID-19, as the death toll tops 31-hundred – more than died on D-Day or 9-Eleven.

Burke County, is currently at 4-thousand-900 positive cases, an increase of 72 positives since Wednesday, with 1-thousand-7 actives and 26 residents hospitalized.

McDowell County Thursday reported 35 new positive cases, and one additional death.

McDowell’s total of positives stands at 22-hundred with 387 residents in quarantine.

Caldwell County reported 112 new cases of the virus for a total of 4-thousand-184 with 22 patients hospitalized. And in Catawba County, 127 additional cases of COVID-19 for a total of 8-thousand-593 and 79 people hospitalized.

Icard Goes Remote

Meanwhile, another Burke County school goes remote as officials discover more cases of COVID-19.

A news release states a cluster of at least five or more related positive cases has developed at Icard Elementary School.

All learning at Icard will transition from in-person to remote while the school building is closed through Monday December 21^st.

Icard principal Jeanne Burris notified parents Thursday concerning the positive cases.

According to the release, teachers are communicating with students and family members to provide information as to what to expect while the school is operating under Plan C.

And parents and staff who do not hear from the school nurse should know they have not been exposed.

School officials urge parents to call their child’s physician with questions, or the Burke County Health Department Public Information Line at 828-764-9168.

Meth Charge

A minor traffic accident last weekend turns into a drug arrest for a Morganton woman.

47-year-old Tonya Cook Baker of 906 Jamestown Road told Public Safety officers she was traveling on Sanford Drive when she noticed police lights ahead, attempted to turn around to avoid a checkpoint, and slid off the roadway down an embankment.

As officers approached her pickup, they observed a small safe underneath the truck’s bed on the ground.

An investigation and search of Baker’s vehicle turned up the safe’s key and drug paraphernalia.

Authorities found approximately 190 grams of meth, a small bag of marijuana, and other drug related items inside the safe.

Baker was arrested and charged with driving while license revoked, trafficking methamphetamine, and simple possession of a schedule-6 controlled substance.

She was jailed under a 25-thousand dollar secured bond, with a first court appearance held earlier this week.

Drug Bust

Two Burke County men are detained Wednesday following several weeks of investigation.

Authorities with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office and Morganton Public Safety on November 30^th had served a search warrant at 105 B-and-D Avenue in Morganton.

Reports say the search turned up several items used in the distribution of meth, trafficking amounts of meth, and a firearm.

Detectives reportedly determined the home’s occupant 36-year-old Roger Lee Sparks was involved in illegal possession and distribution of meth.

As warrants had been issued for Sparks’ arrest, on Wednesday Deputy US Marshals with the Carolina Regional Fugitive task force located and arrested him at 2800 Icard School Road in Connelly Springs.

A news release says several subjects were also detained during the arrest, while 34-year-old William Douglas Thomas of 7875 Rhodhiss Road barricaded himself inside the home.

Burke deputies responded to assist and determined Thomas had outstanding warrants for his arrest.

For the safety of the public, deputies closed Icard School Road while law enforcement personnel entered the residence.

Thomas was found hiding, but was taken into custody without further incident.

He and Sparks were both taken to the magistrates office, where Thomas was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Sparks was issued numerous drug trafficking and possession charges.

His bond was set at 22-thousand secured, while Thomas’ was set at 11-thousand secured.