Burke County Health Department is raising awareness among local women that heart disease is their #1 health threat and is asking Burke County residents to wear red tomorrow-National Wear Red Day-to support and inspire women to take action to stop this killer. Heart disease is largely preventable, but kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. For more information visit online hearttruth.gov, or contact Burke County Health Department at 764-9150.

The City of Morganton Human Relations Commission is accepting nominations for the Citizens of the Year awards. The awards recognizes adult and youth citizens for outstanding volunteer service to the community, school, or neighborhood. Nominees must be a current resident of Burke County. Nominations must be submitted to the Human Resources Department or to an HRC member by 5PM Friday, March 18, 2016.

Catawba County budget office wins its' 27th consecutive national award. The 2015 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award - recognizing Catawba County's Fiscal Year 15-16 bidget, was recently presented by the Government Finance Officer's Association. Catawba County reportedly was one of the first in North Carolina to apply for and receive this award 27 years ago. Catawba Commissioners formally recognized the budget office at its' board meeting Monday.

A former Catawba County sheriff has been reappointed to a statewide commission. The Office of Governor Pat McCrory Wednesday, announced the appointment of David Huffman to the North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission. Huffman is the Director of the Governor's Crime Commission and has over 42 years of law enforcement experience.

11th District Congressman Mark Meadows introduced the Educational Freedom Accounts Act (H.R.4426) on Tuesday, which creates a school choice program in Washington, D.C. This legislation was originally introduced by Senator Ted Cruz in the Senate. The Educational Freedom Accounts Act would create an innovative school choice program built around establishing Education Savings Accounts for students in the District of Columbia.