COVID Update  

Burke County reported 6 COVID-related deaths on Friday, with the

individuals in their 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. That brings the total deaths

in Burke to 239 since the panademic began. Active cases number 951,

with 74 new cases reported on Friday.

In McDowell County, 28 new cases of the virus reported Friday, with

1 additional virus related death. 419 McDowell County residents are in

quarantine.

Caldwell County reported 161 COVID cases on Friday since Wednesday.

25 Caldwell residents are in the hospital.

BCPS Principal of the Year  

East Burke Middle School Principal Keith Recker has been named the

2021-22 Burke County Public Schools Principal of the Year. Recker came to

Burke County in 2015 as the assistant principal at Drexel Elementary and

then principal at the school. In 2019 Recker was named principal at East

Burke Middle.

August Unemployment Figures  

The August unemployment rate for the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metro

area was 4.1 %. Area county rates include Burke, McDowell and Catawba

at 4.1, with Caldwell County’s rate at 4.4 %. Avery and Ashe were two of

the four lowest counties in August with an unemployment rate of 3.4%,

according to figures released last week by the NC Department of Commerce.

LJSP Scam  

The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation is warning residents

of a flyer scam. The flyer is advertising an event at Lake James State Park

October 23^rd and 24^th, billed Octoberfest. The scammer is requesting money

for small business owners, artists, etc. to set up a booth at this “festival”,

which is not actually scheduled at Lake James at all. You are advised to not

engage with the scammer in any way.

PACT  

The Hickory Police Department’s October traffic enforcement, will be

located on Highway 70 SE from Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard to 10^th Avenue

Drive SE. Enforcement will focus on following too closely, distracted

driving, speeding and other traffic violations.