COVID-19 UPDATE

16 new positive cases of COVID-19 in Burke County Wednesday as reported by local public health staff, bringing the county’s total number to 9-thousand-608.

Of the total, 245 cases are reported to be active and 5 Burke residents remain in the hospital.

Health officials in McDowell County reported 10 new cases for a total of 4-thousand-845 positives.

84 McDowell residents are still in quarantine.

State health officials gave the go-ahead to begin vaccinating a large part of those in Group 4 yesterday.

People 16 to 64 years old at a higher exposure risk and who have an increased risk for severe illness are now eligible.

The group includes those who are in a homeless situation and those who are incarcerated who have not been vaccinated.

The rest of group 4 includes other essential workers who will become eligible April 7^th.

Burke Native in Two Sports Hall of Fames Has Died 

A Burke County native, who was an All-ACC basketball player in the

early 1960’s, has died at the age of 81. Art Whisnant from Icard, played

at South Carolina from 1959-1962. He was second team All-ACC in 1960

and 1961, and first team in 1962. Whisnant was selected to the USC

Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001 and the South Carolina Athletic Hall of

Fame in 2016. He was the grandfather of Masters and U.S.Open champion

Dustin Johnson. No cause of death was listed in the release from

USC Sports Information.

DVO Violator

A Marion man already under a domestic violence protection order faces additional charges following an incident in February.

Last September, the protection order was issued against 31-year-old Alexander Paul Moore of Whataway Drive at the request of a Marion woman.

Reports say Moore violated the order twice on January 7^th when he went to the victim’s home on separate occasions; once crawling through a window with the intent of terrorizing her.

Then January 31^st, the woman awoke to find Moore in her bedroom where he physically assaulted her reports say.

Then February 1^st, Moore again went onto the victim’s property twice.

Moore is now charged with five counts of violating a domestic violence protection order, and one count each of breaking and entering to terrorize or injure, first degree burglary, and domestic criminal trespass.

Drive-By Shooting

A reported drive-by shooting in Rutherford County leaves one person dead Tuesday night.

Officers with Spindale Police say the incident occurred around 10:30 outside of a residence in the area of Academy Street.

According to police reports, the victim was identified as Marcus Obrian Young of Spindale.

Young died from his injuries at the scene.

Officials say no arrests have been made yet.

The SBI has been called in to assist with the investigation.

Anyone having information should call the Spindale Police Department at 828-286-3464.

Lincoln Drive By

Meanwhile, Lincoln County authorities continue to investigate a drive by shooting that occurred in Lincolnton Tuesday night as well.

A homeowner on Long Meadow Lane told officers he heard a series of shots fired around 10 o’clock.

Early Wednesday morning, the resident discovered bullet holes had gone through a glass storm door and wooden storm door at his home, along with shots fired into his vehicle.

Reports say deputies recovered shell casings near the home.

No one was injured in the incident.

Detectives urge anyone with information to call the Lincoln Sheriff’s Office at 704-732-9050.