Filings continued Wednesday for the March primary election. In Burke County, Morganton resident Richard Garrison filed on the Democratic ticket for County Commissioner. In Caldwell County County, Republicans Jeffrey Branch, Randy Church and Robert Wilkie have filed for County Commission. Wayne Rash has filed on the Republican ticket for Caldwell County Register of Deeds. In Catawba County, Republican incumbents Barbara Beatty and Dan Hunsucker  have filed to retain their seats on the County Commission. Troy Sigmon also filed on the Republican ticket for the office of County Commissioner. Donna Spencer has filed on the Republican ticket for Catawba County's Register of deeds. Filing continues until Noon Monday December 21st.

10th District Congressman Patrick McHenry has filed for relection to the U.S.House of Representatives. McHenry, a resident of Cherryville, said in a prepared statement, that these are difficult times for our nation. He said he was committed to advancing common-sense conservative reforms which will reduce the size of government, empower the middle class, and ensure everyone in Western North Carolina has the opportunity to succeed. McHenry filed yesterday.

The North Carolina School Report Cards were released Tuesday and each school in the Burke County Public Schools district received a School Performance Grade of "C" or better. Schools that exceeded growth included Heritage and Table Rock Middle, and Elementary Schools from Drexel, Icard, Mountain Crest, Mull, Oak Hill and W.A.Young.

Burke County Public Schools principals and assistant principals voted on Cathy Williams of Oak Hill Elementary for the principal of the year award. Williams has been principal at Oak Hill for the past three and a half years. She has 29 years experience in education and will retire this month.

Charges have been dropped on a Marion man accused of taking indecent liberties with a child. The District Attorney's office announced yesterday that charges had been dropped on 70 year old Danny Jimison. He was charged in February with taking indecent liberties with an 8 year girl. The incident was reported by the girl's parents. The DA's office says they dropped the charges due to insufficient evidence.