COVID-19 Vaccine Process Changed

The Burke County Health Department has announced a change in the vaccine registration process – to allow more convenient access to secure an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccination.

Staff members report the phone system has been altered in order to handle the volume of calls.

Those 65 years or older who wish to get the vaccine, can now call the community Vaccine call center to schedule an appointment at 828-358-4454.

The call center is open Monday through Wednesday 8 am to 4:30 pm.

Carolinas Healthcare System Blue Ridge, Burke County Public Schools, Burke County Emergency Management, and the Burke County Health Department are working together to distribute vaccines to residents in priority groups 1 and 2 based on the state’s health guidelines.

In a news release, officials report very limited weekly vaccine allocations from the NC Department of Health and Human Services, and residents are being vaccinated as the meds are received.

The release states Burke County has thus far received 5-thousand-675 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine with dosages distributed to Carolinas healthcare Blue Ridge, the health department, Broughton Hospital, and J Iverson Riddle Center for their employees.

Officials report Burke has more than 83-hundred residents over 75, and just over 13-thousand residents who are between 65 and 74.

Health officials state participants must have an appointment; walk-ins are not accepted.

Son stabs Mother

The female victim who died Monday in a stabbing incident in Catawba County, identified her son as the one who killed her before she died.

The woman killed was later identified as Rebecca Hahn, while reports say she informed deputies her son Billy Hahn had stabbed her.

Reports say the fatal stabbing occurred around 2 am Monday on 16^th Street Drive Northeast.

Officers were then called to 28^th Street Northeast where the suspect was reportedly hold-up in a residence.

Deputies discovered a second stabbing victim inside a vehicle outside the home.

The man, reports say, was transported to an area hospital where he remains in serious condition.

Authorities say they believe the 29-year-old Hahn is responsible for both stabbings, but further say the incidents are not related.

Hahn was taken into custody and charged with murder. He is being held at the Catawba County Detention Center under no bond.

Officials report charges for the second stabbing are pending.

Traffic Stops

McDowell County officers make two arrests during separate traffic stops.

On December 28^th, deputies stopped a pickup truck on North Main Street that had a fictitious tag.

41-year-old Michael Dale Honeycutt of Nebo was driving the vehicle.

Officers found a chainsaw in the truck’s bed that had been reported stolen from Haywood County.

Honeycutt was charged with possession of stolen goods.

Meanwhile, deputies pulled a vehicle over on Nix Creek Road December 30^th because the officer knew the driver had outstanding warrants.

A search of the driver, 27-year-old Kyle Aaron Hollifield of Marion turned up 1 gram of meth.

Aside from the outstanding warrants, Hollifield was charged with possession of methamphetamine.