Valdese Lakeside Park has grown through a unique combination of private donations, state grant funding, a host of in-kind donations, and an uncountable number of volunteer hours. A couple that …

The first-ever Burke County Law Enforcement Banquet, scheduled for Saturday, March 4, seems likely to be a resounding success and for that Morganton Public Safety Director Jason Whisnant has a simple explanation …

When John Peter Barus stepped off the train in Valdese in the summer of 1893, he could not have imagined the town as it is today.Arriving by train with the second group of Waldensian settlers, John …

Newly appointed Valdese Town Councilman Tim Skidmore longs for the town of his childhood: a safe town steeped in history, a town rich in community, and a town filled with vibrant daily life. It is …

The Drexel Board of Aldermen will meet for a budget workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 3 p.m. at the town hall, 202 Church St., in Drexel. Among other budget considerations, the board will review …

Only three of five voting members of the Glen Alpine Board of Aldermen were present for their most recent meeting.Seeing the slim attendance, Town Attorney Rob Denton suggested the board make no …

Imagine every time you answer the phone, the person on the other end is having the absolute worst day of his or her life and is expecting you to help immediately.The desperation in the caller’s …

At age 22, Landyn Fleming is a college graduate, a husband, and a father-to-be.All of his life stretches before him.But had it not been for a free sports physical in 2013, provided by UNC Health Blue …

 During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington fought two enemies: The British and smallpox.

Two suspects have been charged with murder in the apparent shooting death of a Morganton woman last Friday and have been placed in the Burke County Jail under no bond after appearing before the magistrate Thursday morning. …

Bill Poteat, editor of The Paper, who goes to bed with the chickens and gets up with them also, captured this view of downtown Morganton just before sunrise on Thursday, Feb. 16.

The North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA) has honored Burke County Public Schools for excellence in communications. Burke County Public Schools earned a total of seven Blue …

Describing the 1960s to a person not old enough to remember that turbulent decade can be a difficult task. How to capture the rising tide of hope which was the civil rights movement, but also to remember the forces of prejudice, hatred, and ignorance …

There is so much to love about February: Black History, Groundhogs, Presidents, Career and Technical Education, School Counselors, Bus Drivers and, of course, our Valentines! Among our February …

Allen VanNoppen, publisher of The Paper, and Editor Bill Poteat, pictured, spoke recently at the weekly meeting of Morganton Rotary Club. The pair explained The Paper's focus on local news and its commitment to customer service.

Rodney Norman, Michael Moody, Brooke Gibson and Marcus LaRoche honored.

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina announced significant progress toward the purchase and permanent protection of a 332-acre parcel of land in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, that contains the …

After debating early vs. traditional calendars during last week’s work session, the Burke County Board of Education decided to go with Plan C. In a 6-1 vote, the board members approved a third option that could be considered a compromise. Dr. Don Hemstreet was the sole dissenting vote.

Ted Pedro has worked as a parent educator at Mountain View Elementary School since 2018. He helps immigrant children and their parents overcome challenges inside and outside of school. As a Guatemalan immigrant himself, he understands the difficulties many face. 

Morganton Public Safety Director Jason Whisnant will have a new recruiting tool at his disposal after the Morganton City Council approved a revision to the department’s take-home car policy during …

Following a lengthy pay and classification study, Drexel employees will soon see the benefits of new job classifications, updated position titles, and salary increases. At their regular meeting …

Not all college graduates have jobs waiting for them upon graduation, but that is typically the case for those earning a diploma or associate degree in Western Piedmont Community College’s Medical …

The Historic Morganton Festival received an award at the North Carolina Association of Festivals and Events. The MADE Competition (Morganton, Arts, Design and Engineering) was awarded as “Best …

Members of the Burke County School Board appear to be split on whether to disregard state law to begin the 2023-24 school year on Aug. 14. During the Board’s Feb. 6 work session, four board …

Late on the evening of Sunday, July 23, 1969, just one week after the first manned landing on the moon, my dad suffered a heart attack. 911 communications did not exist at that time. Instead, …