Don't Miss in Tomorrow's Edition of The Paper: Morganton's Odor Fight, Higher Utility Bills, & Election Upset

Residents demand action on Morganton’s recurring odor. Utility customers face higher bills. And one of North Carolina’s biggest election surprises played out in Burke County’s congressional district. Here are five stories to watch for in the Saturday, Nov. 7, edition of The Paper.

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RESIDENTS WANT ANSWERS — AND A DEADLINE

A grassroots campaign over Morganton’s recurring odor is escalating. Clear the Air Morganton has launched a petition, documented complaints and asked city leaders for an investigation and a public timeline for fixing the problem. State regulators still have not identified a specific source. 

MORGANTON WATER BILLS ARE HEADED HIGHER

The question is no longer whether water and sewer rates will rise, but when — and by how much. Morganton is planning for more than $300 million in possible infrastructure needs over the next 25 to 30 years, and City Manager Sally Sandy says rate increases are inevitable as the city prepares to pay for them.

AN UPSET FEW SAW COMING

Democrat LaKesha Womack entered the final weeks of the campaign as a long shot. She emerged with a stunning victory over Republican incumbent Tim Moore as a nationwide Democratic wave reshaped North Carolina’s congressional delegation. We examine what happened in the 14th District and what voters decided across Burke and Caldwell. Pages 1A and 9A.

A NEW GENERATION PUTS DOWN ROOTS

Small-scale farming is drawing renewed interest in Burke County, but making a living from the land remains difficult. At Black Berry Farm in Berrytown, Raymon and Lanette Trowery are raising hogs, growing produce and building a neighborhood farm store while balancing agriculture with income from outside the farm. Their story reflects a broader wave of new local growers. 

TWICE AS NICE FOR LADY DRAGONS

Last year, NCSSM-Morganton became the first Burke County tennis team to win a state championship. This year, the Lady Dragons did it again. Their 5-0 win over Chatham Charter secured a second straight 1A dual-team state title and capped another remarkable postseason run. 

Read the full stories in tomorrow’s Paper.

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