The Paper Media

Next Saturday, families can enjoy a patriotic celebration of America’s 250th year as a nation at the Old Rock School in Valdese with crafts, an American history meet and greet, an outdoors movie, and more. monkeylink.co/813caf #America250 #ValdeseNC #828isGreat

A Burke County lawmaker is in the middle of a statewide fight over voting rules after Gov. Josh Stein vetoed a Republican-backed election-law bill that supporters call practical reform and opponents call a threat to voting rights. monkeylink.co/139851 #NCLaw #NCGovernment

Not only could Valdese be the site for Project Arlington, the county’s latest push for economic growth, but Lakeside Park may get a playground next year. monkeylink.co/7b3444 #ValdeseNC #NCParks #NCLakes #NCTrails

For the city’s Electric Services Supervisor Bart Chapman, keeping the lights on for Morganton residents and businesses has been his goal each day for the past 27 years. monkeylink.co/92b52a #MorgantonNC #LocalNews #828isGreat

The dorm shared by Shikara Gangeyula and Dharini Guttula was a flurry of activity as their families and several senior-year students helped the girls set up their room at NCSSM campus. monkeylink.co/5fbaaa #NCSSM #BacktoSchool #NCEducation

Normally BCPS creates a top 10 list. This year, the district decided to play on the “6-7” trend, said Public Relations Officer Cheryl Shuffler, by assembling the “6 to 7 Ways to Win the School Year” list. monkeylink.co/a79afe #67 #PublicSchools #NCEducation

This fall, Wells Fargo plans to close the doors of its Morganton Main branch, creating uncertainty for a corner of downtown that has been home to banking since the early 1900s. monkeylink.co/d0946d #DowntownMorganton #LocalBusiness

While coffee might take only a few minutes to brew, the craft behind it begins long before the first sip. From harvesting and roasting to grinding and brewing, each step influences what ultimately ends up in the cup. monkeylink.co/b28fa6 #LocalBusiness #CoffeeOrder #Barista

Visitor spending increased in Burke and Caldwell counties in 2025, even as the larger Asheville and Foothills region posted a slight decline in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. monkeylink.co/6a177f #NCTourism #828isGreat

Three Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute training programs are among the first in North Carolina to receive state-level approval for the new Workforce Pell Grant program. monkeylink.co/fcd73c #PellGrants #FAFSA #TradeSchool #NCWorks

Two Caldwell County high schools have received $5,000 each through T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights program and remain eligible for larger prizes, including a $1 million football field upgrade. monkeylink.co/d5a1ff #LocalSports #CaldwellCountyNC #PrizeMoney

Through a recently awarded grant, Caldwell County took another step toward the development of sewer infrastructure in the Foothills Regional Airport Industrial Park. monkeylink.co/419d18 #GrantFunding #RegionalAirport #HickoryNC

As Denice Ariztia shuffled through the storage rooms of His Humble Hands in downtown Lenoir, she was flanked by rows of more than 40 Freedom Camper pods. monkeylink.co/99d999 #Donations #Volunteer #GiveBack #NonProfit

Over the next decade, Burke County Public Schools (BCPS) could need up to $93.8 million in renovations to keep its school buildings safe, comfortable, and operational, according to a facility study. monkeylink.co/075d08 #PublicEducation #Spending #NCSchools

July construction activity wrapped up at over $4 million, with a building permit for a popular coffee chain project included in the mix of Morganton’s monthly construction permit report. monkeylink.co/b3defe #NewBusiness #828isGreat #LocalBusiness

The Glen Alpine Board of Aldermen took steps Monday evening to increase surveillance around town, specifically around a town-owned multipurpose building and the Downtown Glen Alpine Park. monkeylink.co/e47566 #Tracking #LocalNews #surveillance

When Gavin Burleson hits the stage, Layne Lethal takes over. monkeylink.co/2f7ce0 #LocalBand #RockBand #LocalMusic

On Wednesday, Morganton will have another new dining option along Burkemont Avenue with the grand opening of Chicken Salad Chick, a casual spot known for its more than a dozen made-from-scratch chicken salad flavors monkeylink.co/f3b9ab #Giveaway #LocalBusiness #MorgantonNC

Local first responders and community members came together Tuesday evening on the Historic Burke County Courthouse Square as Morganton Public Safety presented its second annual National Night Out. monkeylink.co/6c08c6 #828isGreat #CarShow #Festival

On a quiet street along Lake James, about 30 people gathered recently for dinner with something unusual in common: Each had found a way to help Ukraine survive a war taking place more than 5,000 miles from Burke County. monkeylink.co/ebd77d #828isGreat #GiveBack #Service