Briefs from Around Burke

Morganton Annual Fire Hydrant Testing

The City of Morganton will begin its annual fire hydrant testing program on Wednesday, Sept. 16, with testing continuing through Saturday, Sept. 26.

Hydrant testing will take place nightly starting at 10 p.m. in various areas throughout Morganton. Testing is conducted to ensure that the city’s fire hydrants are operating properly and are available for use by emergency personnel when needed.

Residents in and around the testing areas may notice temporary discoloration or cloudiness of their water while hydrant testing is being completed. Although the water may appear discolored, it is generally not harmful. Residents are encouraged to avoid doing laundry during or immediately following testing in their area, and if discolored water occurs, running the cold water tap for several minutes can help clear the lines.

The 2026 hydrant testing schedule is as follows:

• Sept. 16 (East McDowell Street, Valdese Avenue)
• Sept. 17 (Center Street, Vine Arden Street)
• Sept. 18 (Kirksey Drive, Amherst Road)
• Sept. 19 (Hogan Street, East Fleming Drive)
• Sept. 20 (East Union Street, Burke Drive),
• Sept. 21 (Bethel Street, Knollwood Drive, Inglewood Drive),
• Sept. 22 (Bethel Street, Woodlawn Drive, Willowbrook Drive),
• Sept. 23 (South Sterling Street, East Parker Road),
• Sept. 24 (Bethel Road, Stonebridge Drive),
• Sept. 25 (East Fleming Drive, Dugout Circle, Sequoyah Circle)
• Sept. 26 (reserved for completion of testing and any areas requiring additional testing).

Testing schedules may be adjusted as necessary due to weather, emergency operations, or other unforeseen circumstances. Residents can contact the City of Morganton’s Water Resources Department at 828-438-5276 with questions or for additional information regarding hydrant testing.

Burke County Blood Drives

The American Red Cross recently held a blood drive at the North Carolina School for the Deaf, and three more blood drives are scheduled to take place in Burke County before the end of the month.

Dates and times for the upcoming blood drives are as follows:

• Friday, Sept. 18, from 3-7 p.m. in the Morganton Moose Lodge banquet hall (2722 Moose Lodge St., Morganton)
• Friday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Room 200 of the Waldensian Presbyterian Church Educational Building (109 Main Street E., Valdese)
• Monday, Sept. 28, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on a Red Cross bus in the Glen Alpine Elementary School parking lot (302 London St., Morganton)

To make an appointment or to learn more, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire is encouraged to help speed up the blood donation process, and a blood donor card, driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Charity Benefit for ABLAR

Silver Fork Vineyard & Winery in Morganton will be the site of the “Sit! Stay! Drink!” charity event, which is open to both humans and leashed dogs, on Sunday, Sept. 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All proceeds from entry fees ($25 advance tickets, $30 at the door for adults; $10 advance tickets, $15 at the door for children), raffles, donations, and Adopt-A-Row (plaques that can be purchased for loved ones — family or pets — that will be displayed at the end of each row of the vineyard) will benefit A Better Life Animal Rescue (ABLAR), which is based in Morganton. The entry fee includes a food plate, a desert, and a glass of wine.

The event will also include a silent auction, an obstacle course for humans and their dogs, a meet-and-greet with ABLAR, a “blessing of the pups” by the Rev. Logan Lovelace, and music performed by the acoustic duo known as Southern Style.

Visit tinyurl.com/bd3a4836 to register for the event, where donations of towels, blankets, sheets, food, and toys will also be accepted.

Additionally, donations can be given online at abetterlifeanimalrescue.com for those who are unable to attend.

— JM