Chesterfield community members were able to voice their opinions and ask questions about how the construction of the new elementary school at Mt.View will affect them, during a community meeting on Thursday. Superintendent Dr. Larry Putnam presented on the history of Chesterfield, sharing that the building was built in 1935 and has had many changes since. According to a capital needs assessment, it was determined that Chesterfield Elementary would cost over a million dollars over the next four years in order to be operational. Chesterfield is currently operating under 47% of the building's capacity with only 187 students. Issues surrounding the older building include security, handicap accessibility, and newest parts of the building were considered only "fair." Putnam also shared some of the amenities that the new Mt.View Elementary School would have. These include a state of the art building, practice fields for sports, an ec0-friendly water reservoir for the sprinkler system as well as a theatre. Issues that were a concern for parents of kids currently enrolled at Chesterfield included the new school's location, district lines, cost in transportation and use of the building if closed.

The Burke County Republican Party will welcome Lt. Governor Dan Forest to the area Saturday evening as they hold their Annual Lincoln Dinner. The Lt. Governor will be the keynote speaker for the evening. In addition, NC Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will be present. the dinner will be held at the Collett Street Recreation Center in Morganton beginning at 6pm. Tickets are still available and are $10 each. Call 828-430-3099 to reserv a ticket. Please leave a message if you reach the voicemail.

Firefighters completed burnout operations on the White Creek Fire burning near Shortoff Mountain in the Linville Gorge. Containment has increased to 80% with the fire estimated at 4,355 acres. Smoke may continue to impact local communities through the weekend.