+2 Like a tractor, give your gears time to mesh By BRANDI SILVER For The Paper Jun 13, 2026 Columnist Brandi Silver equates the challenges faced on a farm to the challenges of staying grounded in a busy and stressful world.Â
Valdese councilwoman praises value of asking questions By HEATHER WARD For The Paper Jun 13, 2026 Valdese Councilwoman Heather Ward says elected officials must ask hard questions with an eye toward future responsibilities.Â
+2 A morning goodbye and an evening prayer By BILL POTEAT bill@thepaper.media Jun 13, 2026 Editor Emeritus Bill Poteat looks back on a life-changing, gray October day nearly a quarter of a century ago and the lessons that it taught.Â
A marathon sprint between terminals By JACOB CHRISTOPHER jacob@thepaper.media Jun 13, 2026 Not in great shape? Then don't attempt the airport gate-to-gate sprint.
The capacity for astonishment: Why worship still matters to me By MATT MATTHEWS For The Paper Jun 10, 2026 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…
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+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.
+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
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
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
+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
+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…
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
NC General Assembly has lots to do between now and June 15 By JOHN HOOD For The Paper May 23, 2026 John Hood takes a look at the General Assembly is considering so far as new tax policy.Â
+3 Of pimento cheese and a pint of hope By MATT MATTHEWS For The Paper May 23, 2026 The simple act of giving blood gives reason for hope.Â
+2 The family: Where love, gratitude, and grace meet By BILL POTEAT bill@thepaper.media May 17, 2026 Editor Emeritus Bill Poteat reflects on a special moment in the history of his family.Â
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