Students were recognized for Battle of the Books and the Duke TIP program and a reception was held for the Teachers of the Year during the Burke County Board of Education regular meeting on Monday evening. On February 28th, the Elementary Battle of the Books was held at Glen Alpine Elementary. The first place elementary winner was Oak Hill Elementary. The Middle School Battle of the books took place in March at First Advent Christian Church in Morganton and East Burke Middle took first place. Other students were recognized for their participation in the Duke Talent Identification Program. Candidates of this program are given the opportunity to take the SAT or ACT in 7th grade. Owen Streppa of Liberty received state recognition and Hunter Ensley of Walter Johnson received state and grand recognition. 27 teachers were recognized for being Teachers of the Year, with Lisa Wall of Burke Middle College the overall Teacher of the Year for Burke County Public Schools. Continental was given special recognition for their support of BCPS. The company pledged $2500 for BCPS to start a robotics program.

A Hickory man pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by felon and selling marijuana, and admitted to habitual felon status during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday. 50-year-old Raymond Jerome Alford Jr was given a prison sentence of six to nine years. His sentence was enhanced by his habitual felon status, which included prior felony convictions for breaking/entering (November 1987) larceny after breaking and entering (June 1992) and obtaining property by false pretense (April 2002)
All those convictions were in Gaston County.

The Town of Drexel had a discharge of untreated wastewater from its collection system manhole located 1500 feet south of there and 524 Bryant Road lift station of an estimated 10,000 gallons. The untreated wastewater Sunday afternoon entered Secrets Creek of the Catawba River Basin. The discharge was caused by roots that had grown into the pipeline and caused a partial blockage. For more information contact Don Barker, water sewer supervisor at 828-443-8094.