COVID Death

Burke County’s death toll from COVID-19 stands at 148 now as local public health officials reported the latest person to die from the virus on Wednesday.

A news release says the individual was in their 70’s and was hospitalized.

The latest figures released show Burke with a total of 9-thousand-770 cases of COVID-19.

McDowell County reported 5 additional positive cases yesterday for a total of 4-thousand-914 cases.

Presently, there are 44 McDowell residents in quarantine.

Vaccine Clinics

The Burke County vaccination team will be hosting two COVID-19 vaccination clinics next week.

The vaccine is now available to all adults, but you must have an appointment to get vaccinated.

The first clinic will be Thursday April 15^th at Freedom High School.

Officials will be distributing the Moderna vaccine which is approved for those 18 and older.

The second clinic is Saturday April 17^th also at Freedom.

The Pfizer vaccine will be distributed at Saturday’s clinic which is approved for those 16 and older.

The vaccine is free, and no insurance or ID is required.

You do not have to be a Burke County resident to make an appointment.

Local health officials report there are many available appointments.

Schedule your vaccine appointment by calling 358-4454 or visit chsbr.org/vaccine online.

 

Caldwell Child Health Fair

The Caldwell County Health Department will host the 2021 Child Health and Safety Fair Wednesday April 14^th 5:30 till 6:30 pm.

The event will be held in the parking lot of the Health and Human Services building on Morganton Boulevard in Lenoir.

During the free event, parents can drive through the area stopping at each agency table for educational material and prizes for young children.

Some of the participating agencies include Caldwell County Safe Kids, local law enforcement, Caldwell EMS and fire departments, Caldwell Health Department and many more.

The fair is held annually during the ‘Week of the Young Child’ and is geared toward parents and their children ages birth to 5 years.

The rain date for the fair is April 21^st.

For more information, contact Anna Martin at 828-426-8415.

Drug Possession

A Marion man admits to possessing drugs that McDowell County officers seized in a search almost two years ago.

On April 18^th 2019, a McDowell deputy and Marion Police assisted state probation and parole with a search of a Fairview Park Lane residence.

The search, reports say, turned up methamphetamine.

At the time, authorities arrested the occupant of the home 63-year-old Sandra McKinney Capps who was on probation.

During a recent court appearance, 55-year-old Steve Allen Buchanan of Green Meadow Lane testified the drugs found on Fairview Park Lane in 2019 belonged to him.

Buchanan was charged with meth possession and maintaining a dwelling to keep a controlled substance.

Vale Man Found

A Vale man who was previously reported as missing has been located safe in Jacksonville.

39-year-old Travis Michael Reilly had been reported missing after he was last seen April 1^st traveling to Lincolnton to return items to a store.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office thanks the public for their help.