Two Burke County Public School Board members were recognized in Monday night's Board of Education regular meeting. Buddy Armour was honored with School Board member Leadership award and Superintendent Larry Putnam was named the Region 7 Superintendent of the Year. Putnam was also recognized was receiving his Doctorate on Saturday. Armour was recognized with the School Board Member Leadership award and named NC school board association member of the year. There is only one of these awards given out this year. Andrea Gladden of Icard Elementary was recognized as one of the three state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. Gladden has received numerous grants, the latest being worth $3000 which allowed her to purchase microscopes for students to use at Icard Elementary. A state finalist will be chosen to meet the President and become eligible for the national award. John Cort, President of Cort Architectural Group, gave a presentation on the architecture timeline for Mountain View Elementary. Action was taken by board members to allow architects to advertise to receive bids. If a bid is awarded by April 5th, then construction can begin by April 12th. There were 8 items on the consent agenda that were accepted unanimously.

A piece of Morganton's history has been restored known as the "Police Box." Thanks to former and current City employees, the Police Box that sat on the Historic Courthouse Square nearly 80 years ago was restored and placed at the History Museum Annex last month. The restoration was finished in July. According to a press release from the City of Morganton, the Police Box was found at the Daniel Boone Campground on NC 181, 11 miles from the Historic Courthouse Square. Credited with finding the Police Box are former City Councilman and Public Safety Major Larry Whisnant, Claude Huffman, a former City fire captain and a Daniel Boone Campground worker named Pee-Wee. Anyone interested in seeing the Police Box up close can make an appointment at the History Museum.

A Marion man is charged with possessing numerous illegal drugs. 27-year-old Brian Alan Morris faces numerous drug possession charges in addition to maintaining a vehicle to keep a controlled substance. Reports with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office state Morris pulled up to a police checkpoint driving a Chevrolet pickup. Officers at the scene smelled the odor of marijuana. A search of Morris, his truck, and a backpack turned up methamphetamine, marijuana, Xanex, and other drug paraphernalia items.