COVID Update

Late Friday, Burke County Public Health reported the deaths of 7 local residents as a result of COVID-19, bringing Burke’s death toll to 246.

A news release says the individuals ranged in age from their 50’s to 70’s.

Five of the seven victims had reportedly been hospitalized.

Over the weekend, there have been 86 new cases of the virus according to the online dashboard for a total of 15-thousand-633.

Currently, there has been a drop in active cases; Burke now has 649 active cases with 41 individuals still hospitalized.

McDowell County reported 56 new cases over the weekend and 2 additional virus-related deaths.

McDowell’s total is presently 8-thousand-503, with 236 residents in quarantine.

Remains Found

Local authorities discover human remains in a wooded area inside Burke County over the weekend.

A news release from the Burke Sheriff’s Office on Saturday says local residents off Oak Drive in Drexel found what appeared to be human remains.

The Burke County Criminal Investigation Division, the SBI, and the Medical Examiner were called to the scene and the remains were verified as being human.

The release says the remains were recovered by the Sheriff’s Office and SBI officials and will be further submitted for forensic analysis.

Authorities are investigating reports of missing persons in the area.

Truck Stolen

Deputies with the McDowell Sheriff’s Office are looking for suspects involved in a theft from a Marion junk yard.

Reports say a white 2004 GMC Sierra flat bed truck was taken from Ray Roland’s junk yard sometime between September 27^th and 28^th.

The victim is offering a 1-thousand dollar cash reward for anyone that can help to locate the vehicle.

Anyone having information about the theft should call Detective Lambert at the McDowell Sheriff’s Office at 652-2237.

Body Found at Parkway

An investigation is on-going following the discovery of a body near a Blue Ridge Parkway overlook.

Reports say a man’s body was found Saturday below the Yadkin Valley Overlook.

A press release from parkway officials says preliminary information gathered by investigators does not suggest any necessary concern for public safety, and that the incident is not related to any other ongoing investigations.

National Park Service officials along with SBI agents are continuing an investigation.

Siren Tests

A reminder from Burke County Emergency Management – there will be an outdoor emergency siren test at both the Bridgewater and Rhodhiss hydro stations Wednesday at Noon.

The tests are scheduled to last no longer than three minutes.