The Old Rock School Renovation Project’s Phase Two got a big helping hand — a $485,700 grant. The N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority announced Friday, April 19, that the Town of Valdese has been …

The City of Morganton’s North Green Street Streetscape Project continues to ease on down the road and may be ready to enter the bidding phase by the end of the year. The city learned last week it …

The installation of an external elevator and utility upgrades are forcing the closure of parking spots and back entrances to several businesses in downtown Morganton. Property owners Table Rock LLC …

The Valdese Town Council has a plan to tackle the general fund’s half-million dollar deficit, but lowering the tax rate has proven to be difficult for staff and council.  Councilman Glenn …

Burke United Christian Ministries is moving. The ministry, which has provided food, support, and services to food insecure and unsheltered people for more than two decades at its home on West Union …

A pair of North Carolina School for Science and Mathematics-Morganton students made quite an impression as volunteer interns for the Historic Burke Foundation, and foundation members offered their …

The ‘interim’ is gone from Kenny Rhyne’s job title, and Burke County has a new Director of Elections.  Rhyne, who had served as interim director since October 2023, was sworn in Friday. He …

The Burke County Board of Commissioners has approved the reintroduction of conditional zoning, previously paused since 2021. This decision, crucial for managing local developments, particularly the controversial Great Meadows Megasite

Valdese resident Jesse Keaton has been looking for the “gift of life” for 10 years. What is that gift? A kidney. Keaton’s life dramatically changed when he was diagnosed with Stage 3B kidney …

Here are some quick updates on soon-to-open businesses in Morganton: Toner’s Irish Pub Your first visit to this authentic Irish pub in the heart of downtown Morganton will make the long wait for …

Needlework in the Morning will be on Friday, April 26, at 10 a.m. at the Morganton Public Library. No registration is required. Mixed-Media Monday will be held on Monday, April. 22, at 6 p.m. at the …

Quaker Meadows Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution recently highlighted two members who are military veterans. The April program, “What is it Like for Women in the …

The first two Burke community forums on the opioid epidemic were impactful and informative, and the third installment promises to be the same — maybe even more so.  The forum, sponsored by …

When Calvary Lutheran Church first opened its doors to unsheltered folks during a bitter cold snap in December 2022, the accommodations were pretty basic: blankets on the floor of the Parish Hall. …

Look up the word “attrition” in a dictionary and you will find the following definition: “a reduction or decrease in numbers, size, or strength.”  But read a little further, and you’ll …

Jessie Peeler loves to read. Now, he’s going to have plenty of time to indulge in his favorite hobby. Peeler retired last week from the City of Morganton’s Public Works Department at the young …

Much of Tuesday’s lengthy regular monthly meeting of the Burke County Board of Commissioners was devoted to the issue of conditional zoning, which the board approved. But there were numerous other …

Medical insurance for town council members and municipal support for the Burke Public Library are among the items on the chopping block as Valdese eyes ways to lower the property tax rate by 10 cents …

North Carolina isn’t quite finished with the primary election process after all. There will be runoff elections for a pair of Republican nominations — Lieutenant Governor and State Auditor — on …

The Town of Valdese is working with the municipal consulting firm, McGill Associates, during the development of its 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan and its financial standing as a town. McGill …

The Malcolm Boulevard bridge that crosses I-40 at the Rutherford College exit, a primary access for  the UNC-Healthcare -Blue Ridge hospital, is closing for extensive renovation. Beginning …

Here is a capsule look at some of the general fund capital requests for Valdese’s departments for fiscal year 2024-25 as presented at the town’s budget retreat. The requests total $527,280, …

Denim, Diamonds and Pearls , a fundraising event sponsored by The Pilot Club of Morganton, will take place Saturday, April 27, from 6:30-10 p.m. at the Morganton Community House. Guests will enjoy …

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein knows he is in for a fight this fall when he squares off against Republican Mark Robinson.  He sure sounded ready to mix it up Wednesday in …

The Valdese Town Council is holding a special closed-session meeting on Monday, April 22, at 4:30 p.m. at Town Hall.  The items discussed are for the following purposes: Consult with an attorney …