COVID-19 Update

27 new cases of COVID-19 in Burke County as reported Thursday afternoon by local public health officials.

Burke County is currently at 9-thousand-289 positives, with 692 cases reported as active and 9 residents remain hospitalized.

Carolinas Healthcare System Blue Ridge in Morganton learned late Wednesday that shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine were delayed because of winter storms across much of the country.

Those scheduled to get their ‘first’ dose of the vaccine Thursday were automatically rescheduled for the same time on Friday February 26^th at Freedom High School.

The delay does not affect the second dose clinic scheduled for today.

Elsewhere, McDowell County reported 11 new cases yesterday with a total now at 4-thousand-598.

Health officials report an additional virus related death in McDowell, while 188 residents are quarantined.

Couple on Run

An Alexander County couple wanted in last month’s murder of a Hickory furniture plant employee may still be in WNC – that according to investigators looking for Tangela and Eric Parker.

A commander with the US Marshal’s Office says the search for the pair extends to the entire East Coast; however, he contends they may possibly still be in the greater Hickory area.

According to reports, marshals feel there’s a good chance they’re somewhere in the mountain area, maybe even closer to the Tennessee/NC border.

The Parkers were last seen in a beige 2019 Honda CRV with NC tag FAM-5669, and so far, the vehicle has not been located.

Investigators urge area residents to continue to be on the lookout for the pair; adding that fugitives may do things such as changing or altering license plate numbers to avoid capture.

Authorities are offering a 10-thousand dollar reward for information leading to the Parker’s arrest.

Anyone having information can submit a confidential tip to 877-WANTED-2 or online at usmarshals.gov/tips.

 

Meth Found

A Marion man recently stopped for having a fictitious tag on his vehicle is found to possess drugs.

The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office reported 39-year-old Donald Ray Taylor Junior of West Tate Street was discovered with meth after he was stopped him on US 70 January 28th.

Taylor was charged with possession of methamphetamine.

Fatal Wreck

Two motorists were killed Wednesday in a crash in Iredell County shortly before Noon. 

A release from the state highway patrol says 53-year-old Bradley Koepnick of Statesville and 19-year-old Caroline Elizabeth Ervin of Claremont died when their vehicles collided on River Bend Road near Oxford School Road.

Reports show Koepnick was driving a Ford Mustang and crossed over the center line in a curve and struck Ervin driving a Toyota Camry head-on.

Both drivers died at the scene and no other vehicles were involved reports say.

The release states Koepnick and Ervin were not wearing seatbelts.