At the town limits of Drexel, welcome signs proudly display the town’s logo. Bright sunshine gleams over small-town storefronts with a taste of yesteryear and train tracks passing through. This nostalgic scene portrayed on those signs is downtown Drexel as it could and should be . . .

Shirley Sprinkle made me feel like somebody. And she made my momma proud. What more can you ask for?In October of 2003 Shirley asked me if I would publish a book of my newspaper columns. She’d sell …

Rotary Club of Burke-Sunrise President Steve Schoeberle stands with new Rotary member Jennifer Wilcox after a recent club meeting. New members are asked to make a presentation on their personal …

Television viewers know Morganton’s Jamie Buchanan as an ace car detailer capable of bringing decrepit vehicles back to life, but the star of the HISTORY Channel’s Dirty Old Cars has taken on a more formidable adversary in his career …

Tony Glenn, a digital media and communications specialist for UNC Health Blue Ridge, has quite the view looking southeast from his home atop Mineral Springs Mountain south of Valdese. On an exceptionally clear day, the tall towers of the Charlotte skyline are visible in the distance.

Glen Alpine Food Pantry recently received 2,488 pounds of canned foods that were collected from Glen Alpine area schools as part of the annual “Souperintendent’s Souper Bowl Canned Food …

Tou Vang, Western Piedmont Community College’s Dean of Student Services, has released the Fall 2022 President’s List of 415 students and Dean’s List of 240 students.Students who enroll in at …

The long-awaited new visitors center at Lake James State Park is now open. A grand opening ceremony is planned for March. A view of Lake James and Shortoff Mountain can be seen from the bridge below …

Not much more than 100 miles from here, a protest sparked a more widespread campaign to desegregate lunch counters throughout the South. News of the Greensboro sit-in on Feb. 1, 1960, quickly made …

The Burke County Commissioners are set to hear an update on the miniature horses seized by local authorities last month, as well as a report on tax revaluation at their regular monthly meeting …

If you currently hold a Boy Scout Camp Adventure Card from the 2022 season, your card is still valid through Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. Newly improved and renamed Scout Discount Cards for 2023 will begin circulating around Burke County on Saturday. …

The Heritage Middle School Interact club successfully completed their first service project of the year last week. Being one of the largest clubs, they were creative with what they wanted to …

A recent study by the North Carolina Department of Transportation reported that the Foothills Regional Airport generated $21.7 million in local economic development in 2021.The report, titled, …

All cowboys eventually ride off into the sunset. Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, was that day for Dr. James A. “Jim” Richardson. He died unexpectedly at home. From his time playing basketball on a …

After graduating from Freedom High School in 1989, and from Appalachian State University with a bachelor’s degree in business in 1995, and from Western Carolina University with a master’s degree …

Morganton Day School has evolved since its doors opened in 1978, but one thing has remained the same: inquiry-based education.“We want to continue their curiosity,” said Dr. Melanie Mikusa, head …

The Burke County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ meeting room in the Burke Services Building at 110 N. Green Street in …

I’ll admit I’m biased in writing a review of Hillman Brewery. I absolutely love the place and have since the company established its second location in Old Fort.I’ve frequented that venue since …

Jamie Buchanan is an old pro when it comes to the car detailing business. He may be well on his way to the same status as a TV star. Buchanan and his crew at Visual Perfection in Morganton recently wrapped up shooting for the first season of Dirty Old Cars on the HISTORY Channel …

With spring right around the corner, you may be wondering, “How can I grow strawberries when I have a black thumb?!” I am a firm believer that a green thumb is cultivated (no pun intended), so let’s talk about growing strawberries in Burke County …

Coffee delivered by robots? That may not be happening in downtown Morganton yet, but that is the premise behind the challenge posed to Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) students in area elementary and middle schools.  …

After debating early vs. traditional calendars during the Feb. 6 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 …

Morganton’s Chris White has always been fascinated by the weather, even after it nearly killed him. White, 40, is the co-founder of Foothills Action Weather Service, a respected local source of daily forecasts …

The round, flat, stone, dark reddish-brown in color, was just the size of Beth Piercy’s palm. A neat, oval-shaped hole pierced the center of the rock. To a lay person, the artifact, though undeniably interesting, could have easily been dismissed as a naturally occurring formation. …

Elementary School Lunch Menu Monday, Feb. 20 No School Teacher WorkdayTuesday, Feb. 21 Chicken Sandwich Cheese Quesadilla Ham and Cheddar Chef Salad Wednesday, Feb. 22 Cheese Pizza Korean Beef …