Community Owned. Local News. Burke County, NC.
Top story: A Monumental Decision

Did monument honor Confederate veterans or symbolize white supremacy?

A bitter and brutal, four-year civil war that rips a nation apart finally, mercifully, ends, and in its aftermath, the losing side raises monuments to the soldiers who fought for its cause.  Seems like a simple, cut-and-dried scenario, but in the case of the American Civil War, it’s anything but that …
History
The clash between opponents and supporters of the Confederate memorial on the Historic Courthouse Square in Morganton in 2020 was an ugly scene. That wasn’t the darkest moment in the monument’s history, however...
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Community
The Paper asks passers-by downtown about the Confederate Monument on Morganton’s Historic Courthouse Square ...
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More local news
Tuesday, Nov. 7, is Election Day in Burke County. Some key changes have been made in 2023’s “off year” elections including which offices are up for grabs and what ID is required at the polling …
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More than 40 guests gathered in the Morganton Community House on a recent September evening to participate in the Common Ground community engagement series, organized by The Industrial Commons (TIC). …
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Sinkhole Watch: Week 11 — The hole is being filled with concrete

Significant progress is evident with repairs of the sinkhole at the Morganton Post Office. Trenching for the main pipeline continues, and the main center of attention, the sinkhole beside the car …

School board eyes turning old Chesterfield campus into teacher, first responder housing

Could the campus of the old Chesterfield Elementary School be transformed into low-cost housing for public school teachers and first responders? The Burke County Burke Board of Education certainly …

Crystal Reed named Town Administrator for Glen Alpine

Crystal Reed, has been named as the new town administrator for Glen Alpine. Reed comes to the position with more than 20 years of municipal government experience, including more than 17 years with …

Patton High School's 2023 Homecoming Court

Grace Caroline Arrowood Grace is the daughter of Brian and Susan Arrowood. Grace is escorted by Richard “Brian” Arrowood. During four years at Patton, Grace has been a member of the Patton High …

East Burke High School's 2023 Homecoming Court

Grace Chapman Grace is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chapman. Tonight, she is escorted by her father, Don Chapman. During Grace’s time at East Burke, she has participated in Cheer Team, Student …

Around Burke

Leaf collection schedules, drop-in invitations for public feedback on the IMAGINE  2040 plan, and an announcement of the Morganton Arts Design and Engineering competition highlight the …
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Pets of the Week

Burke Animal Services: Meatloaf wants to take you for a walk

Burke Animal Services is located at 425 Kirksey Dr., Morganton. The shelter is closed on Sundays and Mondays, and open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on …

Obituaries
Verenese Wilson
Verenese Wilson, of Morganton, passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at Carolina Caring, after a period of declining health. Mrs. Wilson was born in Burke County, a daughter of the late Thomas …
Julie Doster
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” - Psalm 116:15  Julie Doster, a wonderful wife and mother, stepped from this life and into eternity with her Lord and Savior …
Shirley McGalliard
Shirley Ingram McGalliard, 86, of Morganton, N.C., formerly of Glen Alpine, peacefully passed away Sunday, September 24, 2023. Born July 19, 1937 in Avery County, she was the daughter of the late …
Walter Kozma
Walter Kozma, 95, of Morganton, N.C., passed away Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on November 30, 1927, he was the son of the late John Kozma and Olivet Kozma. Walter was a veteran …
Jean Forhan Berry
Dorothy Jean Forhan Berry (Jean), 93, of Morganton, died Sunday, May 28, 2023, at Grace Ridge Retirement Community after two years of declining health. Jean was a loving mother, grandmother and great …
Sports
Western Burke County was filled with the roar of engines and excitement on Sept. 23-24 as the Mid East Hare Scramble (MEHS) off-road racing series took to the Hillbilly Smash course at Chapman Farms …
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The Patton boys soccer team gained its biggest win in Mountain Foothills 2A Conference play to date on Monday and ran its unbeaten streak to 15 matches with another win Wednesday before its first …
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Knights claim football, girls soccer unbeaten matchups

The Liberty Middle School football team sent a statement to the rest of the Foothills Athletic Conference on Wednesday. The host Knights shut out rival Table Rock at home, 32-0, for their first win …

Queens University of Charlotte announced earlier this month that Blake Childers has been named the head coach for men's golf. Childers, a 2018 Lenoir-Rhyne University graduate and Granite Falls …
Bryan and Michael Cates were the overall winners of Mimosa Hills Golf Club’s 2023 parent-child tournament, which was held Sept. 24. Other winning teams included Kelly and Grey Snipes (youth ages …
The Draughn football team’s first seven carries had netted just 22 yards, including just 15 yards combined from senior studs Nigel Dula and Eli Tillery.  Those seven attempts had produced one …
Brayden Crump, a Morganton native who attended Liberty Middle School,, announced he had verbally committed to the Elon University men’s basketball program …

Dragon Boat Festival returns after a three-year hiatus

Teams of paddlers will gather on the banks of Lake James, awaiting their turns to race their 40-foot dragon boats. The festival is a test of speed, but it is also about racing to a cure for breast cancer...

2023-2024 Bluegrass at the Rock Season Returns to the Old Rock School

Bluegrass patrons eagerly await the sound of banjos, fiddles, and mandolins to echo throughout the beloved Old Rock School. Bluegrass at the Rock has hosted countless legendary acts …
An exhibition featuring the works of five artists is now open at the Rock School Arts Foundation. Their work will hang in Galleries I and II  through Nov. 3. The artists are Jennifer Cline, …
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The members of Damn Tall Buildings (Max Capistran, Sasha Dubyk, and Avery Ballotta) blend elements of bluegrass, blues, roots-rock, and vintage swing to create a captivating, high-energy sound.  …
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Friday, Oct. 6: Acoustic Show

Kendra Hope is performing her acoustic show at Twin Brothers Pizza Co., 719 Main St. E in Valdese.  Showtime is from 7 to 10 p.m. Readers of The Paper recently voted Twin Brothers as having the …

The hunt for the best fall colors begins

You would be forgiven if you missed the exact moment summer gave way to fall. The autumnal equinox passed through the skies at 2:50 a.m. this morning. The season of corn mazes, football, and all things pumpkin has arrived...

Glen Alpine celebrates the season with second annual Fall Festival

Downtown Glen Alpine is hosting its second annual Fall Festival. The festivities begin as fire trucks, food trucks, bands, and over 30 vendors fill historic downtown. Bring your lawn chair...

Calendar of events

Sweet to savory, charcuterie boards offer something for everyone

Cocktail weenies simmering in a slow cooker, rolled-up ham slices, and cubes of cheddar stabbed with toothpicks have graced many tables during parties and holiday gatherings, but things have changed a bit over the last few decades...
Burke Countians are serious about their livermush. The Paper’s Paper Plate division completed an informal community survey titled: “Which local restaurant serves the best livermush?” Our readers responded by the hundreds. First, a little background for the uninitiated...
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I’ll be the first to admit, the name is difficult to get past. LIVERMUSH. Don’t know which of those words conjures up more horrible images – LIVER or MUSH ? Tasted liver only once in my life. A …
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Sweet dream comes true

Tim Michaels had a successful career in construction for 30 years, but all that time, he had the recipe for a successful food service business right in his back pocket. Tim and his wife Robin …

Don't automatically blame the sulfites for your wine headache

One of the wine world myths I find myself constantly debunking these days is the attribution of a tough morning after drinking wine to the now much-maligned sulfites that were in that wine. Let me unburden you …

Opinion
Columns

Trailer parks home to both dreams and despair

Trailer parks, and by extension, the people who live in them, are easy targets for all manner of societal derision and scorn.  The soul-crushing — and ever-burgeoning — dichotomy between the …

Tubular jellyfish, my momma, and brain gizmos

My mother (may she rest in sweet peace)  was a sucker for brain health potions. Nooceptin, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, bourbon. All of them I am right there with her. I’ve been known to imbibe in …

North Carolina's native son, Thomas Wolfe, captured the essence of October

Fifty years ago this month, a wise and wizened old English professor assigned his class of slack-jawed freshmen the reading of what he said was his favorite novel, “Look Homeward, Angel” by North …
Editorials

Go Vote! Freedom and responsibility are pillars of democracy

Six municipalities across Burke County will be selecting leaders in the upcoming “off-year” elections – Glen Alpine, Morganton, Drexel, Valdese, Connelly Springs, and Rhodhiss. The  …

Letters to the Editor
General Columnists
First fall: Impressions of Morganton in autumn in the late 1960s
Dark and silent late last night…Geese in flight and dogs that bite.  Signs that might be omens say I’m going…going…gone to Carolina in my mind. James Taylor As related previously, I …
Just what were the requirements for that esteemed Betty Crocker Award?
In the autumn of 1972, my sister Cindy was a senior at Glen Alpine High School, and I was a young whippersnapper of 9. I was under the impression she was in the running for a prestigious Betty …
My brother's life, though short, was rich and filled with goodness
Camping in the great outdoors is not my idea of fun. Communing with mosquitoes and creepy crawlies is certainly not on my bucket list, plus restaurant fare is much preferred to beanie-weenies warmed …
The jury is still out on the benefits of year-round school
Last week I wrote about four-day school weeks vs. five-day school weeks. This week, we’ll look at the year-round school schedule vs. the more traditional, summer break schedule. With nearly 3 …
Glorious October warms the heart and soothes the soul
There are a multitude of reasons to love autumn: bright, colored leaves, crisp mornings and cool evenings, and brilliant blue sky days, when it’s hard to stay parked at my desk.  Autumn …
Burke Business
Local business

Hospitality and hushpuppies in equal measure at Tex's Fish Camp

At Tex’s Fish Camp, in Connelly Springs, the Burns family is as well-known for their giving hearts as they are for their perfect hushpuppies. Tom and Bernese, who built the fish camp 51 years ago in the dirt parking lot of the family’s lumber company, raised their 10 children to give back to the community...
Honesty, integrity, and trust. Those are the hallmarks of Gregory Jewelers, a downtown Morganton mainstay for 75 years. Owners Darwin and Debbie Wilder plan to mark the store’s milestone …
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At a time when many retailers have given up on storefront businesses in historic small towns, Victoria Malato sees promise. She’s betting her future, and her daughters’, on Drexel’s …
The Foothills Regional Airport is a business that often does not receive much attention in Burke County, but its economic and recreational contribution to the community is greater than many people …
T he Settlemyre family’s roots run deep in the soil of their Drexel nursery. Three generations of men have worked the land, growing the family enterprise into a thriving retail nursery and …
Special sections & reports

Who's in charge in your municipality?

Check out our profiles of local mayors and community leaders and learn about the people who manage your local government in Burke County, Morganton, Drexel, Valdese, Rutherford College and Glen Alpine.

Beautiful Burke County
Burke County home to a host of state parks and state trails
I first visited Burke County many years ago as a young lawyer, sent here on a legal project by the law firm I then worked with in Charlotte. As I drove north up Highway 18 to Morganton, I was struck …
Beth Heile seized the opportunity to build a lasting treasure for Burke County
Picking out a favorite spot at Valdese Lakeside Park can be quite the conundrum. Is it Meditation Point, which provides a stunning view of Lake Rhodhiss with the summit of mighty Table Rock …
The magic of Daffodil Flats
Late each winter, a magical wonderland appears at the bottom of Linville Gorge -- the yellow and green beauty of Daffodil Flats. Literally thousands of the heralds of spring bloom in the rich bottom …
Foothills Conservancy takes step toward protecting Johns River headwaters
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 …
Celebrate the outdoors at Discover Burke Trails Day
There is no doubt that North Carolina is rich in trails and walking paths from coast to coast but no other county in the state has a more diverse and verdant trail community than our very own Burke …
Learn about The Paper

Welcome to The Paper!

We are delighted to introduce The Paper, a full-fledged community newspaper that is dedicated to only local news. Published on Saturdays, The Paper is owned locally, managed locally, written locally, and wholly dedicated to Burke County’s people, places, schools, businesses, sports, activities, entertainment, governments, and celebrations. READ MORE  

Meet our experienced team at The Paper

With the goal of providing Burke County with comprehensive, fresh, thorough, and responsible local news, The Paper has staffed its reporting and advertising teams with a fantastic blend of …

After too long an absence, it feels mighty good to be home

BILL POTEAT: The last column I wrote for a strictly Burke County audience was published on the morning of Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9, 1999. The piece was a loving tribute to my mother, Beatrice Poteat, and to my then mother-in-law, Patty Tarler. …

Morganton memory: A lesson learned long ago

MARTY QUEEN: I’m a McDowell County boy, born in Marion and raised in Nebo.I spent 30 years working at the newspaper in my hometown, so covering Burke County constitutes wading into uncharted waters for me. …

After decades away it's never too late to return home

ANGELA KUPER COPELAND: Back in the land of lighting bugs, magnolia trees, and sweet tea. After living out of the Carolinas for more than 30 years, I have finally made my way back home. Like many people in the world, the COVID pandemic pushed me to reflect on what is important. …

Happy to be back in the game

PAUL SCHENKEL: When after nearly 12 years I said goodbye to Burke County’s sports community in December 2021, it was among the hardest things I had ever done. And it didn’t take all of 2022 before I missed it. Talking sports with all of you, attending games, writing, pursuing one of my lifelong dreams.

Professional journey leads home to The Paper

PAM WALKER: My arrival in Burke County was many years ago although it seems like yesterday (corny but true). My then 2-year-old now has a 2-year-old of her own and in a blink I qualify for senior discounts at restaurants. It was the early ’90s when we uprooted our family of five and left Henderson County ...

After a brief, 30-year detour, this writer returns to her first true love

SANDRA WILKERSON QUEEN: Once upon a time, there was a young girl who believed her second-grade teacher when that teacher told her she was a good writer. The girl had composed a short poem in her second-grade manuscript writing class, and that teacher read the poem, smiled warmly at the girl, and made a statement that set the child on her professional path...

The Paper is the opportunity I've been waiting for

JOSH MCKINNEY: Who says you can't go home? Thankfully, I've been given that opportunity... as the assistant sports editor of The Paper. Some of you may remember me from my days as a freelance sports writer, but now I'm here, reunited with The Paper sports editor Paul Schenkel and one of my favorite teachers from my high school days at East Burke, Bill Poteat, who serves as editor...

Summer intern joins the staff as general assignment reporter

SAYDIE BEAN: "My college career is coming to a close after three long memorable years at Western Carolina University." Bean, who had served as a summer intern at The Paper from May through August, joins the news staff full time as a general assignment reporter focusing on law enforcement news...