Bill Poteat

Mar 27, 2025 | gofoothills.com | Bill Poteat

for THE PAPERA Drexel man was arrested Tuesday and charged with communicating a threat against a local school. Brandon Dean Johnson, 40, of 609 S. Main St., was officially charged with communicating a threat of mass violence on education property. The Drexel Police Department seized firearms, cartridge magazines, ammunition, a ballistic vest, and other items on the property, according to information provided by the police. The residence at 609 S.

Aug 16, 2024 | thepaper.media | Bill Poteat

Travel and tourism continue to mean big bucks and big business for Burke County. The county, which is home to two state parks, the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, numerous municipal trails, the Fonta Flora State Trail, as well as vibrant downtowns in Morganton and Valdese, saw visitors pump $137.75 million into the local economy in 2023.

Jul 26, 2024 | thepaper.media | Bill Poteat

Dr. Benjamin Umbel, who joined EmergeOrtho’s Foothills practice as a foot and ankle specialist just under a year ago, succinctly sums up the organization’s appeal to Burke County residents. “We treat people right,” the young doctor said in an early-morning interview before he began seeing his patients for the day. “We provide that small-town feel, that small-town service, that small-town courtesy. It really is a family-to-family organization.

Jul 19, 2024 | thepaper.media | Bill Poteat

Responding to questions from the Rutherford College Town Council, the N.C. Department of Transportation has provided more details about its plan to replace the current Castle Bridge with a new bridge. That project, now in its right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation stage, is expected to be put out for bid about a year from now. No timetable has been set for completion of the $23 million construction project.

Jul 11, 2024 | thepaper.media | Bill Poteat

Evicted. Foreclosed. Kicked out. There are many reasons why there are homeless people and families in Burke County without permanent homes. The enormous sinkhole in the parking lot of the Morganton Post Office was a ticking time bomb with the potential to spark an ecological and transportation disaster.