The capacity for astonishment: Why worship still matters to me By MATT MATTHEWS For The Paper 8 hrs ago Columnist Matt Matthews writes about the centering role of worship in his life.
+2 The summer we found Whirligig Wilson in Kentucky By MICHAEL RENO HARRELL For The Paper Jun 6, 2026 Columnist Michael Reno Harrell reflects on the day he and his family met an amazing artist along a Kentucky backroad.Â
Poetry by day, bull riding by night By JACOB CHRISTOPHER jacob@thepaper.media Jun 6, 2026 Jacob Christopher writes about bridging two cultures in a single day.Â
When seniors struggle, Burke County suffers By JOHNNIE CARSWELL For The Paper Jun 6, 2026 Former County Commissioner Johnnie Carswell urges local governments to take a more active role in assuring our senior citizens can continue to…
Trump pardoned violent criminals; now he seeks to make them rich Jun 6, 2026 This letter writer accuses the Republican Party of rolling over to the illegal schemes of President Trump.Â
+2 When Gen Z speaks, this uncle needs a translator By ALLEN VANNOPPEN allen@thepaper.media Jun 6, 2026 Talking to a member of Gen Z? You may not understand all that much.Â
+2 Should Valdese increase debt to pay for public safety building? By GLENN HARVEY For The Paper Jun 6, 2026 Former Valdese Town Councilman Glenn Harvey says all options should be considered before going into debt.
Featured Budget work belongs in public Jun 6, 2026 Every year, local governments in Burke County go through a ritual that many residents never see, and few fully understand. That ritual is crea…
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+2 People, planes, and limitless possibilities By MATT MATTHEWS For The Paper Jun 6, 2026 The view from 30,000 feet is oftentimes not as interesting as the view at the airport gate waiting area.Â
Valdese municipal workers deserve significant raises Jun 3, 2026 This letter writer supports significant raises for Valdese municipal workers.Â
Memorial Day: The long walk of remembrance By TAD ELLIOTT For the Paper May 30, 2026 Tad Elliott reminds us of the debt we owe to members of our Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our liberty.Â
+2 The time for celebrating our nation's 250th birthday is near By LARRY CLARK For The Paper May 30, 2026 Columnist Larry Clark reminds us of the importance of our nation's upcoming 250th birthday.Â
+2 The Big Beautiful Bill comes with a price for Burke County By JOHNNIE CARSWELL For The Paper May 30, 2026 Former County Commissioner Johnnie Carswell warns about the hidden costs contained within President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill."
The Battle of the Fork had Revolutionary War significance By W.F. BROWN III For The Paper May 30, 2026 Although it has been largerly forgotten, the Battle of the Fork in Burke County did have an impact on the Revolutionary War.Â
Strong recreation department benefits the entire community May 30, 2026 Ed Jost explains how everyone in a community benefits from a strong recreation program.Â
In 'I Am Not a Robot,' AI gets weirdly, wonderfully personal By ALLEN VANNOPPEN allen@thepaper.media May 30, 2026 The new book, "I Am Not a Robot," is favorably reviewed by The Paper's Publisher, Allen VanNoppen.Â
+2 Graduation cards and reality checks By KEN CORN For The Paper May 30, 2026 Columnist Ken Corn, who moonlights as a high school bus driver, reflects on the passing of another school year and of the lessons which life teaches.Â
When public money loses public accountability in education By KELLY J. FAUST For The Paper May 30, 2026 Local writer Kelly Faust examines the need to ensure that public tax dollars truly fund public education.Â
Why The Industrial Commons matters May 30, 2026 More than a decade ago, The Industrial Commons started with a mission that might have sounded overly ambitious for a county still feeling the …
+3 Keep taxes reasonable, build more housing, better deal from data centers By JOHNNIE CARSWELL For The Paper May 23, 2026 Former County Commissioner Johnnie Carswell writes about how Burke County can secure the future by establishing certain priorities.Â
+2 How Cassels' Bridge became Castle Bridge By BILL POTEAT bill@thepaper.media May 23, 2026 For the past 70 years, it's been Castle Bridge. But before that, it was Cassels' Bridge. Editor Emeritus Bill Poteat explains why.Â
Valdese should think 'outside the box' for budget solutions May 23, 2026 Alternative ideas are offered for the Valdese municipal budget.Â
+3 Memorial Day at the Netherlands American Cemetery By TAD ELLIOTT For The Paper May 23, 2026 In honor of Memorial Day, columnist Tad Elliott writes about how The Netherlands makes a special effort to honor and remember the World War II…
Valdese has the public's attention now May 23, 2026 Budget decisions have a direct impact on residents and demand transparency. When Valdese chose not to livestream the budget retreat held in Ap…
IDEA meant to protect students -- not bureaucracies By KELLY J. FAUST FOR THE PAPER May 23, 2026 Local writer Kelly J. Faust reminds readers of the true purpose of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.Â
+2 Seeking the precise location of where the Council Oak stood By WILLIAM F. BROWN III For The Paper May 23, 2026 Local historian Bill Brown writes about his search for the exact location of the historic Council Oak.Â
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