Local news - The Paper (2024)

Inside the Valdese Police Department’s work to find a missing 27-day-old infant

The work of the Valdese Police Department gets little public recognition, but Chief Marc Sharpe recently praised his officers’ above-and-beyond work in the heart-wrenching case of a missing …

Bruce Hawkins given Long Leaf award for lifetime of service

Bruce Hawkins thought he was headed to a regular meeting of the Western Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees on Tuesday evening.Instead, he walked into an unexpected celebration of his life and his legacy in Burke County as he was presented with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award....

Morganton and Valdese actively interviewing to fill key government roles

Interviews are underway to find successors of Morganton City Attorney Louis Vinay and Valdese Interim Town Manager Bryan Steen…

Volunteers celebrate new bike trail at Valdese Lakeside Park

Thanks to the Friends of the Valdese Rec, the Valdese Lakeside Park now has another outdoor treasure — a 4.2-mile mountain bike trail called Hollipop Trail, a short walk from the VLP entrance. The …

Associate pastor ordained at First Presbyterian

Associate Pastor Lyndsay Beaulieu was ordained and installed at First Presbyterian Church of Morganton, held on Sunday, June 2. During the ceremony, Lyndsay Beaulieu was officially recognized as …

A Pickin' Good Time

Around 125 came out for Pickin' in the Streets, the first community event organized and hosted by the volunteer Glen Alpine in the Street Committee. Local bluegrass legend Bobby Denton led a …

30 banners honor Drexel's men and women armed forces service

Grow With Drexel President Kathy Oliver is quick to give credit where credit is due. No, she did not have the original idea for the “Hometown Heroes” banners which now line Main Street and Church …

Rutherford College celebrates with Founder's Day Festival

Clear skies, low humidity, and comfortable temperatures combined for near-perfect conditions for the Founder's Day Festival in Rutherford College on Saturday, June 1. The event, centered at the Town …

BCPL kicks off summer with party on Courthouse Square

Summer Reading Program Kick-Off The Burke County Public Library is excited to be partnering with the community to host the second annual Kick-Off to Summer Part y, Monday, June 10, 5-8 p.m. on …

Drexel holds property taxes steady, increases pay for town employees in proposed budget

Residents of Drexel will not see an increase in their property taxes, and town employees will have a little more money in their pockets under the proposed budget introduced by Town Manager Bill …

Oak Hill Fire and Rescue opens satellite station

Oak Hill Fire & Rescue Protection Association opened its third fire station in a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 1. Following the raising of the flags by the Honor Guard, the …

Residents won't pay more in taxes, will see an increase for some services

Taxes for Morganton residents won’t go up this year even though the city is embarking on a lengthy list of capital improvement projects. Those were two main takeaways from the proposed 2024-25 …

Valdese Council cuts its health insurance but proposes stipend increase

After 27 years of receiving town health insurance, the Valdese Town Council voted Monday night to give up the benefit while raising its annual stipend, all as an effort to help balance the budget. …

Morganton approves preliminary plans for 7-home development

Some new housing could be headed for Morganton and the city is on board with the plan. City Council approved preliminary plans for a new, seven-home development called Carriage Park Subdivision at …

Couple envisions King Street Cafe as resource in addiction battle

Katie and Corey Olsen freely admit their idea of turning the old King Street Cafe into a community resource to help those battling addiction is a giant leap of faith. But that’s OK: The Olsens have …

BurkeChangers builds ramps to make homes more accessible

Eighteen local homeowners were gifted this week with a ramp to make their houses more accessible. Between June 2 and 5, area teens participating in BurkeChangers worked alongside adult supervisors to …

Quotebook: Valdese Town Council

Councilman Paul Mears on the Utilities Infrastructure Committee. “They would have to go to training, they would have to get certification to be able to give any sound advice. I respect the opinion …

Morganton City Council Quotebook

Tori Annas , speaking during the meeting’s public comment portion about heavy traffic on Morehead Street. She was one of three residents to address the council on the same matter: “I would like …

Around Burke

Two municipal elected boards will meet during the week of June 10. The Glen Alpine Board of Alderman will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 10. The meeting will occur at Town Hall, 103 Pitt St. The …

Glen Alpine Police Captain resigns after accident damages home

Following a May 28 accident that left a gaping hole in a home, Glen Alpine Police Capt. William Max Boliek has tendered his resignation. “I expect him to come in any time with the formal letter,” …

Thinkatorium to revitalize former Belk location in downtown Morganton

The former Belk building on West Union Street in downtown Morganton is the future home of a unique children's museum. The museum, which will feature hands-on learning opportunities, will be called …

Burke's trails system continues to grow

The trails system in western Burke County has grown by leaps and bounds over the last decade, and it’s continuing to expand, according to the county’s Trails Specialist, Sarah Chabaane. The …

Valdese Police Chief Commends Officers for the Rescue of Missing 27-day-old Infant

Valdese Police Chief Marc Sharpe highlighted the department's heroic efforts to locate a missing 27-day-old infant during the town's monthly meeting. The collaborative operation involved all officers …

Valdese Cuts Insurance, Raises Stipends and Morganton Approves New Housing Development

During monthly council meetings, the Valdese Town Council decided to give up town-covered insurance, raising their stipend to offset the budget deficit, and the Morganton City Council approved a new …

Bruce Hawkins Receives State's Highest Honor for Lifetime of Service

Bruce Hawkins, a long-serving community leader in Burke County, received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award during a surprise celebration at a Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) Board of …