COVID-19 UPDATE

Burke County Public Health reported four additional COVID-19 related deaths Tuesday; with deaths in Burke County now amounting to eighty-six.

According to a news release, two individuals were hospitalized, and two were not hospitalized.

Two individuals were in there 80’s, one was in their 50’s, and one was in their 100’s.

New cases of COVID-19 continue to mount in Burke with 197 new positives Tuesday.

Burke’s total is currently 6-thousand-814; although health department officials report the increase in local numbers is due to the back-log of cases being reported from outside testing sites and cases reported through the state electronic disease surveillance system.

Burke reports 1-thousand-337 cases are active, and 29 residents are hospitalized with COVID 19.

In McDowell County, 90 new cases were reported Tuesday.

McDowell’s total of cases is now 3-thousand-336 with 504 residents in quarantine.

Caldwell County was notified Tuesday of a record high number of coronavirus cases with 271 people testing positive, bringing the total to 6-thousand-439, with 45 people hospitalized. Caldwell is reporting the 8th breakout, with 5 residents and 4 staff of Com Serve at Creekside Group Home testing positive for the virus.

Catawba County reported 221 cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, with 105 patients hospitalized and 175 COVID associated deaths.

Benefits Increase

The State Department of Health and Human services Tuesday announced that Food and Nutrition Services recipients will see a temporary increase in benefits, as part of the federal emergency coronavirus relief act of 2020.

The maximum benefit amount for households receiving FNS will increase by 15-percent until June 30^th.

After the end of June, benefits will return to their current amounts.

Food and Nutrition Services is a food assistance program that provides help buying food for low income families.

Repeat Offender Arrest

A Valdese man, with repeat offenses for drug trafficking, is detained again by local law enforcement officers.

36-year-old Roger Lee Sparks of 105 B and D Avenue was spotted by a Valdese Police officer on December 29^th and stopped for driving while license revoked.

Burke County Sheriff’s deputies were assisting with the traffic stop when a K-9 reacted to Sparks’ vehicle.

A news release says a trafficking amount of methamphetamine was located, prompting Sparks’ arrest.

He was charged with felony trafficking in meth, felony maintaining a vehicle dwelling or place for a controlled substance, along with possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while license revoked.

Sparks received a 51-thousand dollar bond with a court date set for January 21^st.

Sparks has previous arrests dating back to October 2019 for trafficking in meth, and one case still pending that occurred last November.

Mail Theft

A news release Tuesday from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office states over the past several weeks, there have been numerous reports of mail theft throughout the county.

Residents are reporting having located opened and unopened mail scattered in ditches and yards.

According to the release, mail theft is a common occurrence and difficult to prevent; however, there are recommendations from the US Postal Inspector.

If you see someone committing mail theft, call law enforcement immediately and report it to the Postal Inspectors at 877-876-2455.

Should you find discarded mail along the side of the road or elsewhere, contact local law enforcement and your local Post Office.

For additional information on how to protect yourself from mail theft, visit uspis.gov and select mail theft tips.

Caldwell Co Shooting

A reported shooting in Caldwell County Tuesday afternoon has sent two to an area hospital.

Reports say the shooting took place just before 1 at the Market Basket store on 321-A in Sawmills.

Officials say two victims were transported to the hospital, with one reported to be in critical condition.

Should you have information about the case, contact the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office at 828-754-1518.

Marion Drug Arrest

A Marion man faces numerous drug charges after being spotted by McDowell County deputies driving a stolen vehicle.

29-year-old Isaac Ray Davis of Old Linville Road was stopped in Old Fort November 27^th driving a Ford van that had been reported stolen.

A search of Davis and the vehicle turned up over 1 gram of meth and three Xanax pills.

After being charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, Davis was charged also with possession of stolen goods, meth possession, possession of a schedule four controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.