Catherine Thomas was honored for her time serving on the board and a schematic design plan was approved for the new elementary school in Monday night's Burke County Board of Education regular meeting. Thomas resigned from the board earlier this summer for family reasons, but was recognized for her time and outstanding work while on the board. School board members praised Thomas for her dedication to the students and for her heart as a public servant. The board has already begun taking letters of interest from those currently living in the western district to fill Thomas' seat. Chairman Randy Burns said that the board is looking for applicants who do not have a political agenda, but who are willing to show their heart and value children. A New schematic design for the new elementary school was also approved during Monday night's meeting. The new elementary school will be built in the same location as the previous Mt.View Elementary and construction is projected to start around the end of September. In other news, Chartwells, who partnered with BCPS in the child nutrition program, donated money to Freedom and East Burke High School FFA for their agricultural programs. Chartwells also donated $7,000 to United Way for the build-a-back-pack-program.

A Morganton woman has been charged after her vehicle hit a school bus. The News Herald reports that the accident occurred Monday when Jessica Muill's car struck the bus on Lail Road. No one was injured. Mull was charged with driving left of center. Glen Alpine Police Chief Tony Moses told the News Herald that another bus was brought in to complete the route.

A Marion man has been charged with taking indecent liberties with a child. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office Friday, charged 32-year-old James Gregory Parker. The incident reportedly occurred when the victim was 6, she is now 16. The victim and suspect are acquainted.

Funding is available to Hickory low income families with urgent home repair needs. The City of Hickory currently has funding available to assist qualified low income families needing urgent home repairs. Assistance up to $7,200 can be made available to qualified homeowners to alleviate housing conditions posing a threat to the life or safety of the resident, or to provide accessibility modifications and other repairs necessary for those with special needs. Qualified applicants must also be 62 years old, handicapped or disabled, be a single parent with at least one dependent child in the residence, be a family of five or more, or have a child age 6 or younger with an elevated blood-lead level. The home must be located within the Hickory city limits. The program is sponsored by the City of Hickory with funds provided by the state Housing trust Fund. For more information call 323-7414.