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Community_news
Burke County Center of NC Cooperative Extension
Lynn joins Burke County Extension office to focus on nutrition, financial wellness
FOR THE PAPER
Taylor
FOR THE PAPER
The Burke County Center of N.C. Cooperative Extension has hired Taylor Lynn as its new family and consumer sciences agent, a role focused on helping residents build practical skills for healthier, more stable daily living.
Lynn started Jan. 2 and is a Burke County resident who has worked as an educator in the county for the past five years, according to the Burke County Center. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Appalachian State University.
In her new role, Lynn will provide research-based education for individuals and families on topics including nutrition and health, food safety, financial wellness and life skills.
Outside of work, Lynn enjoys spending time with her 7-year-old son, hiking, baking and creating art. The Burke County Center said she has spent her first weeks getting acquainted with staff and completing onboarding and training.
N.C. Cooperative Extension is a partnership that provides education and resources through county centers statewide.
Allen VanNoppen is the publisher. He may be reached at 828-445-8595 orallen@thepaper.media.
Morganton
Wright Way Classics revs up Morganton's classic car scene
Owner Kyle Wright shows one of the dealership’s Fox Body
Mustangs to a customer Monday morning. Wright Way Classics offers
Chevelles, Chevy Bel Airs, Novas, Impalas, and Camaros.
LISA PRICE / THE PAPER
From Chevelles to Bel Airs, sparkling from a lot on South Sterling Street and drawing classic car enthusiasts from Burke County and beyond, a new Morganton business is putting vintage vehicles in the spotlight.
Wright Way Classics, a dealership specializing in vintage vehicles, opened Monday at 2019 S. Sterling St. near East Parker Road. Within hours, the colorful lot drew attention from states away, with Owner Kyle Wright selling a vehicle to a customer in Buffalo, N.Y.
Wright is well known in the local car community through his other business, Wright Way Motors, on Burkemont Avenue. His mother Sara Wright helps out with business operations, and she describes Kyle’s father, Sam Wright, as his “right hand man.”
Together, Kyle and Sam focus on sourcing, restoring, and showing vehicles. The lot features an inventory of spruced up Chevelles, Novas, Impalas, Fox Body Mustangs, Camaros, and Chevy Bel Airs. Prices for the vehicles can range from $8,500 to up to $200,000, Sara Wright said.
“They have a passion for cars,” she said. “That’s all they do, all day long Monday through Sunday. It’s a seven day a week job.”
Wright Way Classics
Sara and Sam Wright help run Wright Way Classics, owned by their
son Kyle Wright. The classic car dealership opened on Monday, Jan.
19.
LISA PRICE photos / THE PAPER
The Wright family regularly attends car shows together, specifically the biannual Rod Run in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. They also travel to inspect vehicles in person, often bringing them home to restore for resale or for their personal collections. However, much of Kyle’s time is spent scouring online marketplaces.
“He burns it up from 6 a.m.,” Sara said, adding that the farthest they have ever gone to get a vehicle is Florida. In many cases Sara said they hire shippers to bring the vehicles back to Burke County.
While some arrive in excellent condition, others require restoration, Sara said. With a background in restoration, Kyle and Sam are able to fully restore the cars and make sure each one meets inspection requirements set by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.
As the family’s car collection grew, Sara said it made sense to make it a full-time job. She said they officially purchased the property in September, which was previously the temporary home of Alray Tire, an outdoor building and yard solutions store, and EZ Way Auto Sales.
Kash Wright, son of Owner Kyle Wright, smiles from one of Wright
Way Classics’ Chevy Bel Airs.
Wright Way Classics
LISA PRICE / THE PAPER
So far, interest from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, Sara said. For weeks leading up to the opening, she fielded calls at the other dealership from people seeking information. Now, she said the family is ready to serve the Morganton community with final zoning approval from the city and dealership tags from the NCDMV.
“We’re just a down home, family-owned business,” Sara said. “We treat people how we want to be treated, and we don’t want people to feel like they can’t come and talk to us. We’re here for the public and we’re here for you guys. Whatever the market may be for you, we’ll try to get the perfect car.”
Madison Lipe is the municipal reporter for The Paper. She can be reached at 828-445-8595 or madison@thepaper.media.
Valdese
Valdese Mountain Burrito still closed, but not permanently
Although the Valdese location has been closed since December,
Mountain Burrito’s signage on the window suggests it is operating.
Major’s Supper and Social remains open for its regular evening and
Sunday brunch hours.
MICA BANKS / THE PAPER
Mountain Burrito’s Valdese location was supposed to reopen after its holiday break on Jan. 7, but that never happened.
There is no timeline for reopening, but the restaurant is not closed permanently.
The restaurant announced on Jan. 9 that it would be closed “for a few more weeks,” but gave no specific timeframe. A December social media post announced the temporary closure with, “We are taking a break.”
Valdese Director of Community Affairs & Tourism Morrissa Angi said they closed for the holidays. There is no indication they are closing permanently, she said.
Major’s Supper and Social, which shares a building with Mountain Burrito, is still operating on its normal schedule and doing well, Angi said. Hours are Monday, Friday, and Saturday from 5-10 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. Major’s Supper is closed Tuesday through Thursday.
Mountain Burrito in Morganton remains open.
Mica Banks is the County Government reporter for The Paper. She can be reached at 828-445-8595 or mica@thepaper.media.
Business
UNC Health Blue Ridge physician elected to state board
FOR THE PAPER
Chen
FOR THE PAPER
Eric H. Chen, MD, FAAFP, has been elected to serve on the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians (NCAFP) board of directors as an at-large director for the 2025–26 term.
Chen joins a statewide leadership team representing family physicians, shaping policy discussions, and advancing high-quality, accessible care for North Carolinians.
As an at-large director, Chen will help review and guide the academy’s major policies and plans, contribute to committee work, and amplify the needs of patients and physicians — especially in rural settings like Burke County, where access, continuity, and trust are essential to better outcomes.
His service underscores our organization’s commitment to advancing primary care and elevating the voice of rural communities in statewide conversations.
“Dr. Chen’s appointment to the N.C. Academy of Family Physicians board reflects the respect he has earned as a clinician leader and the impact he has on advocating high-quality care for families across our state,” said Brittany Dobbins, MPH, FACHE, CHES, executive director of the Blue Ridge Medical Group. “We are grateful for his continued dedication to our patients and the profession.”
Chen is a provider at Table Rock Family Medicine in Glen Alpine. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and completed his residency at Mountain Area Health Education Center in Asheville. He is board certified by the American Academy of Family Medicine and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
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