Area COVID and Death

A fourth person has now died in Burke County this week from COVID-19 complications bringing the county’s virus death toll to 169.

Public health officials reports the person was in their 70’s and was not hospitalized.

Burke has a total of 10-thousand-353 confirmed cases, with 124 cases active, and 4 hospitalized.

Catawba County saw an increase of 13 new cases for a total of 19-thousand-350.

10 people in Catawba County remain in the hospital.

4 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Caldwell County for a total of 9-thousand-566.

5 in Caldwell are hospitalized.

McDowell County reportED 2 new cases Wednesday for a total of 5-thousand-169.

The Burke County Health Department is hosting a community COVID vaccination drive-thru clinic Friday June 18^th.

The clinic will be held in the parking lot of Valdese Weavers from 9 till 11 am for first or second doses of the Moderna vaccine.

Register online for an appointment at myspot.nc.gov or walk-ins are welcome.

COVID-19 Variant

State health officials report an increasing urgency for NC residents to get vaccinated as the more dangerous new ‘Delta’ variant is rapidly spreading in the US, and in NC.

The CDC has classified the Delta variant as a ‘variant of concern’ because it spreads faster than current virus variants.

Early studies from the United Kingdom have also shown a possible increased risk of hospitalization in those infected with the Delta variant.

Health experts say getting a vaccine is the best way for people to protect themselves from COVID-19.

More than 140 million Americans have now been vaccinated.

Reward Offered

A reward is now being offered for information leading to the arrest of a man in Iredell County who authorities say is ‘armed and dangerous’.

31-year-old Tyrell Daniels is wanted on murder charges in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in Statesville during the early morning hours on June 8^th.

Investigators have not released the victim’s name nor a motive for the shooting; however, lawmen say the incident may be related to another shooting in Statesville.

Officials say Daniels has a criminal history, including convictions for assault with a deadly weapon.

Reports also say Daniels has made threats against law enforcement officers in the past.

The US Marshal’s Office is offering a reward of up to 3-thousand dollars for information that leads to Daniels’ arrest.

Anyone who sees Daniels or knows his whereabouts should call the Iredell Sheriff’s Office at 704-878-3100.

Truck Break In

A Marion man recently observes his truck being broken into by a homeless man.

The Epley Drive resident told McDowell County officers that he had caught the man while breaking into his truck on May 22^nd.

Deputies later identified the suspect as 62-year-old Gerald Wayne Noblitt.

He was charged with breaking or entering a motor vehicle.

Hickory Paving

As part of the City Walk project in Hickory, contractors will be making crosswalk improvements and doing resurfacing on Main Avenue Northwest and Northeast from Second Street Northwest to the NC 127 bridge.

The work will continue with intermittent road closures until the resurfacing is complete.

Work in this particular area should take several weeks and may temporarily impact on-street parking along Main Avenue NW and NE.

Motorists are urged to use caution when traveling through the work zone.