Vaccine and ETC

COVID-19 vaccine eligibility officially opens to all NC residents age 16 and older today; although counties throughout the state, including Burke, have already opened appointments for Group 5.

Governor Cooper moved up the vaccination timeline ahead of schedule as more vaccine supply became available.

Cooper urges NC residents to get vaccinated and to encourage others to get the vaccine.

Reports show there have been more than 5-point-2 million vaccinations throughout the state, while 36-percent of adults are at least partially vaccinated.

The latest figures on Burke County’s website shows there is now a total of 9-thousand-770 cases of COVID-19, with 213 cases termed as active and 6 Burke residents are hospitalized.

Vaccine appointments in Burke run from 9 am until 7:30 pm and can be scheduled by calling 358-4454, or schedule on-line at chsbr.org/vaccine.

Meanwhile, McDowell County health officials Wednesday reported 2 new cases, for a total of 4-thousand-909 positives.

39 people in McDowell remain in quarantine.

Meth Found

Deputies in McDowell County detain a man with drugs while assisting state wildlife officers.

On March 17^th, a deputy and a resource officer with NC Wildlife were working together on Black Bear Landing on Lake James Road whenever the wildlife officer spotted a truck parked in a no parking zone.

Authorities searched both occupants of the vehicle and located drugs on one of the men.

24-year-old John Conner of Marion was charged with possession of meth and possession of a schedule 4 controlled substance.

Assault on Jailer

A man already in custody in the McDowell County jail now faces additional charges after assaulting two detention officers.

Reports say on the morning of March 12^th, an inmate 42-year-old Benny Phillips of Spruce Pine became combative and refused to be handcuffed further leading to the assault.

Phillips is charged with two counts of assault on a government official or employee, and one count of resisting a public officer.

Felony Drug Arrest After Traffic Stop  

A man faces multiple drug charges after a traffic stop in Morganton.

Just after 9:30 p.m.Monday, a Public Safety Officer initiated the vehicle

stop on Burkemont Road near Walker Road for an expired registration

plate. After a vehicle search, the passenger 61-year-old Bruce Allen Hanna

was arrested for Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell or Deliver

Schedule III, along with Simple Possession of Marijuana and Possession

of Drug Paraphernalia. He was taken to the Burke Jail under a $25,000

secured bond. The driver, 47-year-old Brian Ted Carswell was arrested

on an outstanding warrant.