New signage was revealed in the boardroom and the revised animal ordinance draft was presented at the regular Burke County Board of Commissioner's meeting Tuesday evening. Oak Hill Iron completed new signage of the county seal for the County boardroom. "Burke County " was placed on the wall behind the Commissioner's panel and the phrase "In God We Trust" was placed on the front of the Commissioner's panel. Dean Kaufmann, Josh Smith and Andy Phillips, who works at the Morganton based company, created the signage. County Manager presented the revised animal ordinance draft that says the overall goal is to protect the Burke County residents and animals residing in the county, regulate the conduct and keep/care of those animals, facilitate adoptions and encourage reuniting owners with impounded animals. According to Steen, another key element in the ordinance is making abandoned or stray animals available for adoption after 72 hours in the county shelter. The ordinance draft will be available on the county website for public viewing this morning for public input. It will remain on the county website until September 30th.

A Marion teenager is charged with break-ins in both McDowell and Rutherford Counties. A 16-year-old male was reported missing from a Rutherford County group home in late June, as a string of break-ins into area businesses occurred. A church and the Marion Community building was broken into shortly after the youth was reported missing. Later, reports show the Glenwood Ruritan Club was broken into with food items taken and $200 worth of damage incurred. The teen has been charged with felony breaking and entering, and felony larceny.

Hickory City Council met Tuesday night. Only 4 council members were in attendance as Mayor Wright, and two alderman were absent. Alden Guess was selected to lead the meeting. 30 citizen volunteers were recognized for their service on 10 city boards, in the "Special Presentations" portion of the meeting. In other business, City Council passes several items including an 18-item Consent Agenda, followed by a Departmental Report presented by city staffer Dave Leonetti, concerning a Memorandum of Understanding with Habitat for Humanity of the Catawba Valley. This item concerns a new partnership between the city and Habitat for Humanity to expand the housing rehabilitation program to benefit more families in the Catawba Valley.