With the exception of football, the North Carolina State Board of Education is giving LEA's the choice to allow sixth graders to participate in middle school sports. As of August 4th, the board revised the Interscholastic Athletics Policy (HRS-D001) which changes the grade level students may participate in interscholastic competition from grades 7-12 to grades 6-12. Middle school sports affected by the change include volleyball, soccer, wrestling, softball, baseball, track and basketball. Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Larry Putnam believes that the change is a positive one for both the middle schools and students. Putnam said the advantages of allowing sixth graders to play middle school sports include helping smaller schools find enough players to fill team rosters, providing additional opportunities for students to be engaged in the school experience, providing students with access to quality instruction, skill development and positive role models at an earlier age, and the benefit of organized physical activity. Putnam also said the Burke County Board of Education is in favor of this change because they believe in providing students with as many opportunities as possible for them to become involved in leadership roles and extracurricular activities. According to Putnam, participation in sports can lead to better grades as well as better student behaviors and overall student health. Middle schools will have one team level, not junior varsity and varsity levels. Students who wish to participate are reminded to have a physical.

Some Morganton and Burke County residents on the City of Morganton water system may have found a stake in their yard Friday morning with information about water testing. City staff wants residents to know that the test is not from the City. The water is safe, according to a news release from the City of Morganton. The test is from a local company that sells water filtration systems. The City already offers free water tests year-round. Residents can read the City's latest water quality report online athttp://www.morgantonnc.gov/index.php/government/water-resources/water-division or call the Water Resources Department at 828-438-5276.