COVID Update

New cases of COVID-19 continue to climb in the area and across the state.

The Burke County Health Department’s online dashboard indicates 79 additional cases Wednesday for a total now of 13-thousand-366.

1-thousand-388 cases are reported to be active; while 41 Burke residents are now hospitalized.

McDowell County reported 70 new COVID cases yesterday, and an additional virus-related death.

McDowell’s total is now 7-thousand-183, and 714 residents are quarantined.

NC health officials reported more than 47-hundred new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday statewide, while 3-thousand-790 people are in the hospital.

According to state data, 67-percent of NC’s adult population has received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, and 61-percent is reported to be fully vaccinated.

The State Department of Health and Human services reports seeing a sharp increase in COVID-19 clusters among school sports teams.

From July 1^st to September 2^nd, officials say clusters among school sports teams accounted for 45-percent of all clusters in the state’s middle and high schools; despite most school sports activities not beginning until August.

In a NC news release, health officials report there is an increasing urgency for everyone ages 12 and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Currently, children 17 and younger make up 31-percent of NC’s new COVID-19 cases.

That is the highest percentage since the pandemic began.

Recent studies show that virus spread among teammates often happens off the field; including during practice.

In addition to wearing face masks while indoors, state health officials recommend sports programs practice social distancing when possible, disinfect equipment frequently, and avoid sharing water bottles.

Local Meth Arrest

While checking out a fictitious tag, Burke County deputies nab a Morganton man on drug charges.

On September 1^st, reports say officers were traveling on Spainhour Road when they observed a car displaying a fictitious tag.

Deputies stopped the vehicle being driven by 56-year-old Thomas Joseph Jenkins of Oak Hill Drive.

A news release says an investigation revealed methamphetamine and a 12-gauge shotgun that was seized from the vehicle.

Having knowledge that Jenkins was a convicted felon, deputies placed him under arrest and transported him to the magistrate’s office where he was charged with possession of a schedule-2 substance and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Jenkins received a 20-thousand dollar secured bond and was held at the Burke County jail with a court date set for September 23^rd.

Conover Shooting Update

A Conover woman charged in the shooting death of her husband appeared in Catawba County District Court Tuesday.

31-year-old Brittney McCleave could receive the death penalty or be sentenced to life in prison according to presiding judge Richard Holloway.

Conover police report receiving a call just after midnight Monday from McCleave saying she had shot her husband.

Officers reportedly found 36-year-old Danta Broome with a gunshot wound at a home on Lylehaven Drive in Conover.

Reports say Broome later died at Catawba Valley Medical Center.

A news release states two children under 10 were at the residence during the incident, and were placed in the care of a relative.

The investigation continues; McCleave will return to court September 28^th.

Meth from Check Point

A McDowell County check-point Tuesday evening results in a drug charge for a Marion woman.

28-year-old Leaira Johnson of Benview Drive approached the check-point being conducted in the Pleasant Gardens area.

Reports say Johnson was arrested on outstanding warrants and deputies located meth on her.

In addition, she was charged with possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver meth.

The McDowell Sheriff’s Office also reports the arrest of a Marion man on sex-related charges.

40-year-old Matthew Hughes of Palto Drive is charged with taking indecent liberties with a child.

An investigation showed Hughes allegedly had inappropriate sexual contact with an underage female acquaintance.