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What North Carolina's homeless camping bill could mean for Burke
Courts and Crime

What North Carolina's homeless camping bill could mean for Burke

  • By JACOB CHRISTOPHER jacob@thepaper.media

Although Burke County and several of the municipalities within it already have ordinances against public camping, advocates for the unsheltered say a proposed statewide homeless encampment ban would only strain a community that’s already struggling — should lawmakers override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto.

The Studio by Uneek Tree aims to add creative space in Valdese
Business

The Studio by Uneek Tree aims to add creative space in Valdese

  • Allen VanNoppen

A new fine art photography studio and community creative space is preparing to open in downtown Valdese, bringing photography, workshops, exhibits and collaborative arts programming to Burke County through Drexel filmmaker Justin Turner’s latest venture.

Burke County Municipalities Police Chiefs

Burke County Municipalities Police Chiefs

  • LISA PRICE / THE PAPER

Glen Alpine Police Chief Kirk Penley has been able to raise the starting pay for officers in Glen Alpine with approval from the board of alder…

Burke County Municipalities Police Chiefs

Burke County Municipalities Police Chiefs

  • LISA PRICE / THE PAPER

Drexel Police Chief Stephen Ritchie is on his second year of sending a candidate to Basic Law Enforcement Training through a paid sponsorship.…

Burke County Municipalities Police Chiefs

Burke County Municipalities Police Chiefs

  • LISA PRICE / THE PAPER

After struggling to retain officers due to low pay, Valdese Police Chief Marc Sharpe has now bumped starting pay from about $41,000 to above $…

Burke County Municipalities Police Chiefs

Burke County Municipalities Police Chiefs

  • LISA PRICE / THE PAPER

When Kirk Penley took his position as Glen Alpine police chief in 2024, his mission was to fulfill residents’ requests for 24/7 police protect…