COVID Update

Sad news, as Burke County Public Health reports 14 people have died recently from COVID-19.

Those who died ranged in age from the 20’s to the 80’s; while twelve individuals were hospitalized prior to their deaths.

With 134 new cases added since Monday, Burke’s total is currently at 14-thousand-557 cases, with 12-hundred-9 cases reported to be active.

Burke has now suffered 229 deaths since the pandemic began.

The dashboard indicates 48 residents remain hospitalized.

McDowell County health officials report 43 additional cases of COVID-19, with five more residents having died from virus complications.

McDowell’s total is 7-thousand-848 with 548 residents now in quarantine.

Bigfoot Fest Change

Organizers have announced more changes for one of the largest events in Western NC.

The Bigfoot Festival initially set to take place in downtown Marion in mid-September this year, was postponed until May 2022 because of rising COVID-19 cases across the region.

Now, event organizers have once again changed the date for next year’s festival so it won’t conflict with Memorial Day activities.

The Bigfoot Festival is now scheduled to take place May 13^th and 14^th in Marion.

Next year’s festival plans to hold some of the traditional events, like the Bigfoot calling contest, Bigfoot hikes, and lots more.

CVCC Manufacturing Program

Registration is now open for the Manufacturing Academy at Catawba Valley Community College, which takes place from Oct. 4 through Dec. 13.

The Manufacturing Academy is an industry-driven program at CVCC and was developed by 25 partner companies from across Catawba County, and designed to prepare students for manufacturing positions currently in high demand by many of the region’s largest employers. 

Students that complete this program will be fast-tracked for open positions with sponsoring companies.

The course introduces students to the basic concepts of manufacturing and careers with local companies.

Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) scholarship opportunities are also available through the CVCC website.

For more information or to register, please contact Jennifer Eversole at 828-327-7000 ext. 4294 or email jeversole@cvcc.edu.

Grandfather Mtn Leaves

As the Blue Ridge mountains begin to burst with fall color, officials at Grandfather Mountain invites leaf-lookers to enjoy the view from one of the best leaf-looking destinations in the South.

Grandfather is home to various species of plants and hardwood trees that range from pumpkin-colored beech trees to blood-red sourwoods and rusty red oaks.

A series of guided walks through the mountain’s most colorful locations called Grandfather’s Fall Color Ramble will be held October 2^nd through the 10^th.

The easy 20-minute rambles are led by members of the park’s naturalist staff and allow guests an opportunity to learn more about color change and to explore plants and trees native to Grandfather Mountain.

The walks are offered daily at 2 each afternoon, weather permitting and are included with admission.

Those planning to participate should inquire at the park’s entrance gate or nature museum upon arrival.

For more information call 1-800-468-7325 or visit grandfather.com to book a trip.

New Gaston Warden

A former Alexander County law enforcement officer has been named the new warden of the Gaston County Correctional Center in Dallas.

39-year-old Christopher Nichols was named to the position by the division of adult correction and juvenile justice.

Nichols had been a captain at Alexander Correctional Institution in Taylorsville.