COVID Advisory

Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human services Dr. Mandy Cohen has issued an advisory urging citizens to get COVID vaccines and boosters in the fight against the Omicron variant.

The advisory indicates cases are rising throughout NC due to the Delta variant, but the highly contagious omicron is spreading rapidly and is further expected to cause the highest rates of COVID in the coming weeks.

Cohen states in the advisory with the holidays approaching and people gathering, it is critical and urgent to act now to protect yourselves and others.

According to Cohen, vaccinating and boosting against COVID-19 remain the most effective ways for people to protect themselves from serious illness, hospitalization, and death.

Early evidence shows that boosters provide a significant level of protection against Omicron.

The advisory includes guidelines for those traveling for the holidays and gathering for celebrations.

Visit online covid19.ncdhhs.gov for details.

COVID Update

Locally, Burke County Public Health reports 65 new cases of COVID since Friday for a total of 16-thousand-982.

252 cases are reported to be active and 10 remain hospitalized in Burke.

Burke is currently at a positivity rate of 6-point-02 percent.

McDowell County reports 45 new cases over the weekend for a total of 9-thousand-166.

152 residents are in quarantine.

Fatal Crash

A two-vehicle crash in Alexander County has claimed the life of a Lenoir woman.

On Friday afternoon around 3:20, the State Highway Patrol reports an eastbound driver traveling on US 64 near Caldwell Pond Road crossed the centerline and crashed head-on into a westbound motorist.

The westbound driver identified as 34-year-old Heather Regina Hanck proceeded to run off the roadway and overturned.

Reports say Hanck died from her injuries, while the other driver, 39-year-old Anna Wallace was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.

Troopers are consulting with the Alexander County DAs office concerning possible charges. 

Marion Wreck

A head-on collision in Marion Thursday resulted in two drivers being transported to Mission Hospital in Asheville.

The mishap occurred on the US 221 bypass near the Tate Street intersection.

The Highway Patrol reported 71-year-old Johnny Lister of Marion was traveling the wrong way on the bypass and crashed into another vehicle driven by 30-year-old Josh Lowery of Nebo.

Lister and Lowery both sustained non-life threatening injuries according to emergency personnel.

McDowell EMS, McDowell Rescue, Marion Fire and Marion Police assisted troopers on the scene.

Shoe Donation

Four schools in the Burke County Public Schools system recently received a donation of 120 new pairs of tennis shoes – all thanks to a church youth group.

A press release says the youth of North Morganton United Methodist Church raised more than 6-thousand dollars to purchase the shoes by hosting a bake sale and creating ornaments for sale.

The donated shoes will go to Hillcrest Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, Walter Johnson Middle School, and Table Rock Middle School.

Schools superintendent Mike Swan says ‘to see the generosity from our community brings so much joy not only to me, but to our students that it directly impacts’.

Lincoln Co Missing

Lincoln County detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing teenager.

Deputies were dispatched Sunday to a residence on Hudson White Trail in Lincolnton in regard to a runaway juvenile.

The grandmother told officers her 16-year-old grandson was picked up on a previous missing person report from December 17^th, returned home, and left again approximately five minutes later.

Isaiah Richardson is described as a black male, 5 feet 4, and weighs around 170.

He has black hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a black hoodie, black pants and shoes.

The press release from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office states anyone who harbors a runaway juvenile could be subject to criminal charges.

Anyone having information on Richardson’s whereabouts should call the Lincoln Sheriff’s Office at 704-732-9050.