Burke County Manager Brian Epley has likened the development of the industrial megasite at the western edge of the county to a nine-inning baseball game. Right now, he says, we’re only in the …

There is another potential stumbling block in the path of the proposed Great Meadows Megasite: There will be no conditional zoning in Burke County. In a 4-2 vote Thursday, the county’s planning …

Dr. Leslie Dula McKesson has seen a great deal of change, both positive and negative, in her 32 years as a resident of Burke County.  The local educator and historian grows thoughtful when asked …

At a special called meeting on March 25, the Burke County Board of Education decided, in a 4-3 vote, not to censure one of its own.  The deciding vote against censure was cast by the woman …

The Town of Valdese and the historical significance of the Italian sport Bocce have been brought to life in the April edition of Our State Magazine.  Part of the magazine’s  …

A faithful group of regulars met at the corner booth for the final time Friday at Allison’s Family Restaurant. The long-time Burke County eatery, originally a Tastee-Freez before the late Jeff …

As a boy growing up in Mexico City, Daniel Gutierrez was inspired by several good teachers in his life. Today, he is the one providing inspiration to his students at Freedom High School. Gutierrez …

Unassuming Julia Mode walks into the Main Street office and greets everyone with a smile. As she is guided to the office of Main Street Manager Makenzie Hamrick, all await eagerly to see her …

Glen Alpine Food Pantry, Inc.’s Tuesday morning “St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Friends” prepacking team recently enjoyed a “Lunch and Learn” session with Barnhart Crane employee Dave …

You couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather on a pre-spring morning in the middle of March. More than 150 volunteers gathered in the Swim Beach parking lot at Lake James State Park to …

TO THE EDITOR: Home is where your heart is and Morganton/ Burke County has been my heart for 55 years. Attention: Residents of Burke/McDowell and all over North Carolina, we need to be vigilant of …

Six Valdese residents came together  Tuesday night to talk about one of the bigger issues facing the town: drugs and homelessness.  In the conference room of First Baptist Church on March …

Coming together again last Monday for another installment of its monthly agenda review meeting, the Valdese Town Council shaped its April agenda after hearing presentations on various projects and …

Notable quotes from Monday’s Board of Education meeting: Board Member Tiana Beachler: “Could we get a definition of censure?” Board Attorney Chris Campbell: “It’s simply a formal statement …

The City of Morganton is wasting no time getting started on some long-needed water and sewer system upgrades after receiving $11.5 million in state grant funding. Approval of a contract with Highfill …

At Monday’s night meeting of the Valdese Town Council, Assistant Town Manager Bo Weichel presented to council a budget amendment of $30,000 from the General Fund Balance to cover attorney fees …

Morganton's Andrea Kirk prepares a festive Easter meal to share with family and friends. Kirk and her husband David will host more than 50 guests for Greek Orthodox Easter on May 4. Catch a preview …

The Brothers of Hope of Mount Zion Baptist Church and Grow With Drexel are co-sponsoring a community fish fry in downtown Drexel on Saturday, April 20, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $12, and …

The Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale will be held Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20, at the Collett Street Recreation Center at 300 Collett St. in Morganton. Volunteers are needed for …

Glen Alpine Mayor Bob Benfield announced Thursday, March 28, that he is stepping down as mayor halfway through his second term due to family health concerns. His last official day is Sunday, March …

Western Piedmont Community College has been awarded more than $2 million from a Title III grant by the U.S. Department of Education, aimed at enhancing support for students struggling with postsecondary education.

It wasn’t supposed to end the way it did. It was a fairy tale romance. A tale of two young hearts destined to be together until both were well beyond old and gray. But the story didn’t end that …

At first glance, the numbers look bleak. Burke County ranks high in the number of Opportunity Youth, an undesirable distinction for a county whose motto is “All About Advancing.” According to Carolina Demography, there are 9,863 adolescents and young adults, ages 16-24 in Burke County, and 2,019 of them are neither working nor in school...

You’ve seen the North Carolina State Health inspection scores prominently displayed in local restaurants. Most are in the mid-to upper-90 range, numbers that inspire confidence in diners that their …