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Freedom High Flood

Freedom High Flood

  • SOCIAL MEDIA / FOR THE PAPER

Freedom High School’s football field and field house flooded as a result of Hurricane Helene aftermath.

School closures extended through Oct. 4
Burke County Schools

School closures extended through Oct. 4

  • By CHARDA PEARSON Education and Business Reporter

School closures have been extended through Oct. 4 in North Carolina's Buncombe County. The decision follows a leadership meeting by BCPS, during which the district assessed the condition of 24 campuses facing power outages, water issues, and damaged facilities. Specific schools like Freedom High School suffered significant damage including roof leaks and field house destruction. Evaluation for reopening next week will depend on key factors like water and power restoration. In response to the situation, the Board of Education called an emergency meeting for Oct. 1. Additional closures impacting various institutions such as NCSSM, New Dimension Charter School, and WPCC highlight the widespread impact of the circumstances on the education community.

Hardware stores down to last of emergency items
Business

Hardware stores down to last of emergency items

  • By CHARDA PEARSON Education and Business Reporter

Customers rushed to hardware stores seeking emergency supplies, leaving chainsaws and propane tanks as the only items available. Northwest ACE Hardware in Morganton has been a popular destination for propane tank refills, boasting a stock of nearly 75 chainsaws. While generators are currently out of stock, an emergency truck is set to arrive tomorrow with a variety of supplies including generators, bottled water, gas cans, batteries, flashlights, and more. Prices remain stable and discounted items stay on special, while the Morganton Lowe’s Home Improvement store faces inventory shortages and restrictions. The nearby Rural King store is awaiting deliveries of propane and generators in the coming days.

Empty shelves greet many grocery shoppers
Business

Empty shelves greet many grocery shoppers

  • By CHARDA PEARSON Education and Business Reporter

Grocery stores in Morganton are facing challenges with stock for the dairy, frozen, and refrigerated sections as trucks are delayed due to recent damage. Ingles remains closed indefinitely after severe damage caused by flooding from the Catawba River. Food Matters is low on water but expects a delivery on Thursday, while Aldi's refrigeration systems are operational awaiting a truck on Tuesday. Meanwhile, at the Food Lion on Burkemont Avenue, customers are limited on ice purchases and offered cash back options for debit card transactions.