The budget for the 2016-2017 FY was proposed and Public Safety Chief Ronnie Rector was awarded the Patriot Award in Monday night's regular Morganton City Council meeting. City Manager Sally Sandy presented the budget and what changes would occur. According to Sandy's presentation, the 2016-2017 budget is $71.1 million dollars, 5% less than the current $75 million operating budget. Changes in the budget include capital projects that expand from one year to the next, including the purchase of new water pipes. Sandy said the City of Morganton has been aggressive in going after grants and the general fund budget has $1.1 million of grant money that will fund one-third of next year's capital budget. A public hearing was scheduled for the proposed budget on June 20th at 6pm. Public Safety Chief Ronnie Rector was awarded the Patriot Award during Monday night's meeting. The Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve, which is an office of the U.S.Department of Defense, selected State Chairman Ron Bogle to present the Patriot Award to Chief Rector. The Chief was awarded the Patriot Award because of the outstanding support given to his department and his service in law enforcement. Rector's employee, Staff Sgt. Roger tate, nominated the Chief for the award.

An early morning accident sends a Burke County Deputy to the hospital. According to the Burke County Sheriff's Office, a deputy was answering a call for service regarding a breaking and entering in progress, when just before 3 o'clock, the deputy's vehicle collided with another vehicle that had apparently had its lights off and was turning around on Highway 18, North of Morganton. The Sheriff's Office reports that the deputy's vehicle had its blue lights and siren on. The deputy was admitted to the hospital with serious injuries. The other driver was admitted with minor injuries. The State Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.

The Upper Creek Fire was reported Tuesday night in the Pisgah National Forest on U.S.Forest Service land in the Brown Mountain area in Burke County. As of Wednesday, the fire was estimated at 25 acres, but is expected to grow with dry, windy conditions in the forecast. 25 firefighters were on the scene from the U,S.& N.C.Forest Service. All trails are closed within the Brown Mountain Off-Highway Vehicle areas. In addition, Brown Mountain Road and Pearcey Creek Road are closed. The cause of the fire is supected to be lightning.

Multiple units at a Hickory apartment complex are damaged as the result of an overnight fire. WSOC reports that the blaze started in a storage and utility building at the Arbor Heights Apartments on Fourth Avenue NW. A couple walking saw flames and began alerting residents. Several units were damaged with no injures reported, although a couple of people suffered smoke inhalation. WSOC is reporting that the Red Cross is assisting 11 people that were displaced.