The Paper Media

07/22/2025

Sitting in the quiet strip of downtown Drexel, there’s a new pop of color. A welcome sign sits out front, inviting in those with a touch of curiosity. Each wall has an array of different items, which to some may seem unrelated, but they’re all part of one woman’s passion to support local creators.

In her 15 years of working in retail, Kim Dawson said she always wanted to feel like she was making a difference, but corporate rules and procedures kept her from fully helping the community through her passion for creating.

Now, with a storefront in downtown Drexel, Dawson said she hopes that her store, Don’t Blink 3D Curiosities and Supplies, will serve as a place for people to come together and sell their creations. The store currently features 12 different vendors that range from unique artwork to custom T-shirts.

“I just wanted somewhere where I could make a difference, not just for myself, but for the community,” Dawson said.

Having moved into the location at 114 S. Main St. around two months ago, Dawson said she hit the ground running. Her store’s vendors offer books, home decor, coolers, key chains, hats, unique art, and cups, many of which can be customized by the vendor.

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Don't Blink 3D Curiosities and Supplies, a new business in downtown Drexel, offers handmade goods from a variety of local vendors.

07/22/2025

A newly signed North Carolina law is hitting the pause button on large-scale transfers of surface water between river basins — a move that could have important implications for the Catawba River and Burke County communities that depend on it.

House Bill 850, or “Interbasin Transfer Moratorium/Study,” ratified on June 30 and signed into law on July 9, imposes a moratorium on the issuance of new certificates for surface water transfers that exceed 15 million gallons per day between river basins. The moratorium will remain in effect until March 21, 2027.

The North Carolina Senate Agriculture, Energy, and Environment Committee approved the House proposal. Primary sponsor Rep. Jay Adams (R-Catawba) said that in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, he spent a lot of time at the Hickory Regional Airport. Flying along on some rescue missions, he said he was able to observe the displacement of water around Lake James and the Linville Gorge.

“Lake James had kind of a caramel look to it, whereas it’s normally one of the most pristine lakes in the Catawba River system, so that was very alarming for me to see,” he said.

The bill reflects growing concern among lawmakers that the state’s decades-old surface water transfer laws need an overhaul in light of North Carolina’s rapid population growth, increasingly severe natural disasters, and rising demand on water systems.

According to the bill, the General Assembly finds that surface water transfers — especially large ones — can have significant effects on overall water flow, future water storage, and the long-term needs of both people and ecosystems in source river basins.

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Burke County communities could benefit from the newly signed House Bill 850 imposes a moratorium on large-scale surface water transfers between river basins, aiming to protect water resources and guide

07/21/2025

East Burke's Braelyn Stilwell (far left) and Freedom's Peyton Caldwell (far right) warm up prior to this evening's East-West All-Star Game in Greensboro. Both 2025 graduates will represent the West squad in the game, which is moments away ...

07/21/2025

Dale Hamby, a Caldwell County native with more than 35 years of legal experience, has announced his candidacy for Superior Court judge. He’s running in the March 2026 Republican primary to succeed retiring Judge Robert C. Ervin.

“I’ve argued before judges so much and now I want that experience from the other side,” Hamby said when visiting the offices of The Paper on Monday, July 14.

When asked what motivated him to run, Hamby said the retirement of Judge Robert C. Ervin helped solidify his decision. He called Ervin “highly respected” and said his departure created an opening that aligns with Hamby’s own desire to serve. One other candidate, Republican Tim Rooks, has also declared his candidacy for Superior Court judge in the 36th judicial district. Rooks is a Morganton-based trial attorney with 32 years of experience.

Hamby has practiced law for 35 years with his wife, attorney Penelope J. Hamby. He has extensive civil trial experience in Superior Court, in cases involving personal injury, contract law, rights of way issues, boundary line disputes, and land title issues.

Hamby represented clients before the Industrial Commission, the North Carolina Court of Appeals, and the North Carolina Supreme Court. He also served as an expert witness for real property issues in Superior Court cases brought by other attorneys.

Hamby said Superior Court candidates often come from criminal law backgrounds, but his experience in civil and real estate law offers a different perspective and allows him to be “totally impartial.”

“I enjoy the research side, listening to arguments, deciding what evidence to let in, and instructing jurors,” he said. “The cases being heard at the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the North Carolina Supreme Court show that our district needs another judge with a strong background in civil litigation, particularly in real property issues.”

He added that he prefers the complexity of Superior Court cases, which range from felony criminal trials to high-stakes civil disputes involving more than $25,000.

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Dale Hamby, a Caldwell County native with more than 35 years of legal experience, has announced his candidacy for Superior Court judge. He’s running in the March 2026 Republican primary

07/21/2025

Round and round on the merry-go-round, sitting up high on the Ferris wheel, many longtime Drexel residents don’t remember a summer when they weren’t waiting for the fair to come to town. For Drexel resident Don Deal, summers revolved around the fair and now, as the fair approaches its 75th anniversary, they still do — just in a different way.

Deal, president of the Drexel Community Fair Board, said he remembers having to check in with his father at his Brinkley Lumber Company booth in the exhibit hall before heading to the rides.

His work with the fair began in the 1980s when he would help set up. He joined the fair board in 1992. In 2003, he became the president of the board and has remained in that position ever since.

“Somebody put it (the fair) on for me so it kind of gives you a good feeling that you’re able to put it on for someone else because it’s fun to watch these kids get excited about the rides,” Deal said.

The fair started in 1950 and was originally located in the playground of the old Drexel Elementary, which is now home to the Hallyburton walking track. Around 1954, the fair moved to its current location at 700 S. Main St.

For the Yount family, the fair has always been a big deal. Drexel Alderwoman Jennifer Yount, who stepped into the role of her late father Terry Yount, can remember her childhood summers attending the fair.

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Year after year, residents and visitors return to ride the classics: the ferris wheel, the merry-go-round and the Tilt-A-Whirl.

07/20/2025

Good news for Morganton families, outdoor enthusiasts, and weekend wanderers: Catawba Meadows Park and an expanded stretch of the Catawba River Greenway will finally reopen to the public at noon on Monday, July 21.

It’s been a long road back since Hurricane Helene battered the area, leaving behind considerable damage that forced months of intensive cleanup, repair, and safety inspections. But now, according to a city news release, visitors will once again have access to favorite attractions such as the Beanstalk Playground, beach volleyball court, disc golf course, picnic shelters, and bathrooms.

However, visitors should note a few exceptions: the softball and baseball fields, along with Beanstalk Ziplines and its associated parking lot, will remain closed for now. City officials haven’t yet provided a timeline for these areas but promise to share updates.

The reopened section of the greenway will be from the entrance at the River Village Access, going toward Catawba Meadows under N.C. 181, all the way to the wooden platform overlook approaching the Rocky Ford Access.

“After Hurricane Helene, our community was devastated with the damages done to our parks and recreation facilities. We faced loss, uncertainty, and a long road to recovery. Today, as we reopen Catawba Meadows and another portion of the Catawba River Greenway, we’re not just restoring a green space; we’re reclaiming a place of connection, healing and hope,” said Parks and Recreation Director Bryan Fish in a news release.

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The openings come after months of assessments, cleanup, repair and inspections.

07/20/2025

In the hospital’s announcement of the Level III Trauma Center designation, it was noted that it was received “after more than a year of preparation.” Could you give the specifics of what that preparation entailed?

Pittman: Achieving the Level III Trauma Center designation was the result of over a year of rigorous preparation, strategic planning, multidisciplinary collaboration, and commitment from all service areas across UNC Health Blue Ridge.

The N.C. Office of Emergency Medical Services (NCOEMS) mandates that a trauma program be fully operational for at least 12 months before applying for designation.

Prior to being operational, there were many barriers to overcome.

This journey began with building a robust trauma infrastructure, including the recruitment of a trauma medical director, trauma program manager, trauma registrar, performance improvement nurse, and establishing 24/7 trauma surgeon coverage.

Developing trauma-specific policies and procedures required extensive research, benchmarking with other trauma centers, and close coordination with our multidisciplinary teams.

A cornerstone of our preparation was comprehensive staff education and training to ensure our clinical teams were equipped to deliver high-quality, evidence-based trauma care.

Additionally, we implemented a rigorous performance improvement process, including regular case reviews, data-driven analysis, and continuous quality enhancement initiatives. This designation reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in trauma care.

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UNC Health Blue Ridge is now an accredited Level III Trauma Center. Trauma Program Manager Kaylee Pittman, RN, explains the genesis of that accreditation process and what it means to

07/19/2025

On the heels of earning five national press awards, The Paper received 21 N.C. Press Association (NCPA) honors for excellence for its recent work across all divisions — news, sports, editorial, advertising, special sections and community service.

The NCPA recognition brings to 26 the number of state and national awards won by The Paper in 2025 and jumps the total number of awards earned in its two-and-a-half years of publication to 60.

One of the largest press contests in the country, the NCPA receives thousands of entries annually. Of this year’s NCPA awards, The Paper won 10 first-place, five second-place, and six third-place awards. Judges were from the Nebraska Press Association who focused on print and digital submissions from April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025.

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The Paper recently won 21 NC Press Association (NCPA) honors, in addition to five national press awards, for its outstanding work across various divisions including news, sports, editorial, advertising, special

07/19/2025

Morganton’s 51 planting areas, 34 planters, 32 hanging baskets, and three water features create a sense of place that can only be accomplished through the vision of a skilled gardener who loves his work as much as his community.

That person is Jim Pless.

Instead of accepting praise, he highlights the work of his crew. Pless is as humble as they come.

The lifelong resident of Morganton said gardening is in his blood. Many days of his childhood were spent with his father and grandfather in the garden. As supervisor of cemetery and grounds for the city, he oversees thousands of plantings each year, and with a yellow legal pad in hand, he’s always on the lookout for areas of improvement.

Now, he is a Morganton Downtown Development Association winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“It’s an honor,” Pless said. “I never dreamed of anything like this, I just come to work every day, and I always thought it’s my job to do the best I can and be informed and educated the best I can be.”

Pless credited the beauty of Morganton to his staff, who are outside every day, often working in rainy or hot conditions. “I still try to get out there because if I’m going to ask them to do it, even though I’ve done it a whole lot, I still try to be present,” he said.

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Downtown Morganton, North Carolina

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Growing up in the garden, Pless has dedicated a lifetime of service to make Morganton beautiful.

07/19/2025

The Trump administration’s withholding of $165.6 million in federal grant funds that had been approved by Congress for North Carolina is costing Burke County schools more than $1 million.

The state’s Department of Justice released funding totals that showed $1,043,352 is not flowing to Burke County Public Schools as expected. Funds were originally scheduled to be released July 1.

Without the funds, jobs are also on the chopping block: 2.25 FTE (full-time equivalent) English language learner positions; one instructional technology facilitator; one school nurse; two school resource officers, and four secondary instructional coaches, according to BCPS officials. Nearly 1,000 positions are at risk statewide.

“In Burke County, we are feeling the impact of this federal funding freeze, funds which we were counting on to help us provide school resource officers, a school nurse, instructional coaches, and services for our English Language Learners,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Mike Swan. “We appreciate the state’s efforts to restore these funds as quickly as possible, and we remain committed to finding solutions that keep our schools safe, staffed, and supportive for every student.”

More than half the withheld funds in BCPS are Title II (Part A), typically used for ongoing training for teachers, principals, and instructional staff. More than $382,000 is allocated from Title IV (Part B), which are funds districts can use for before-school, after-school, and summer programs. Almost $147,000 is used for supporting the district’s 1,485 English Language Learner students under Title III (Part A).

Burke County Public Schools

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For now, all impacted agencies and organizations are in a wait-and-see mode. Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced on Monday, July 14, that North Carolina is joining more than 20 other

07/18/2025

Growing up on Drexel’s Settlemyre Road, Dan Hoyle’s fondest memories range from getting a haircut and listening to some fine bluegrass at the downtown Barber Shop to riding The Scrambler at the annual Community Fair.

As he reminisces about his childhood in the town that was once known worldwide for being a leader in the furniture industry, he says it’s the people in the community who were its greatest resource. Hoyle, now 72 years old, has a name and a face attached to each memory.

Mrs. Hudson at the little public library downtown; Coach Shull on the football fields on Friday evenings in the fall; Hilda McNeely, Julia Pittman, Clyde Shuping, Ann Denton, Reynolds Hollifield, Maude Stover, Ruth Sutton, Ralph Abernethy, Mary Parrish and Garnie Brendel all in the classroom providing students with an excellent education.

Those are just a few of the leaders that many long-time Drexel community residents remember. But Hoyle doesn’t just ruminate on the past. As an active member of Grow With Drexel, he is working in collaboration with many Burke community members to make Drexel a destination once again.

His newest stained-glass project, “A Community of Hands,” will accompany one of the latest efforts to bring more people into Drexel. The Burke River Trail, which is spearheaded by Beth Heile and the Burke River Trail Association, will connect communities in Burke County through a 40-mile walking trail.

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Drexel community member Dan Hoyle created 'A Community of Hands," a stained glass public art project.

07/18/2025

Rutherford College’s slogan is, “Feels Like Home,” and that down-home spirit should prevail at the town’s second annual Summer Celebration.

The celebration is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, from 6-9 p.m. in the Municipal Park at 950 Malcolm Blvd.

“We want folks to just come out, relax, and enjoy a summer evening,” said Town Clerk Terra Brieno who serves as events coordinator for the town. “It’s basically a block party — for the whole town.”

No need to cook supper that night, Brieno said, as there will be several food options to enjoy.

The entree? How about a hot dog made your way by the folks from Lucky Dogs. Their menu features more than a dozen specialty dogs and if none are to your liking you can always build your own.

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Rutherford College's annual "Summer Celebration" is coming up on Saturday, July 19. Here's what you need to know.