Burke County Government

09/07/2026

County Offices will be closed Monday September 7th, 2026 in observance of Labor Day.

Convenience Centers and the Burke Landfill will be open as normal.

09/06/2026

Hi all. Apologies for not posting this sooner but our convenience centers and landfill are open tomorrow (Labor Day). Have a great evening. Happy Labor Day

09/02/2026

𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡💜💙

Take the time to check on your friends, family members, coworkers and neighbors.

Be the person who checks in. Be the person who listens. Be the reason someone knows they matter.

You are not alone. You do matter. Your life matters.

September is Su***de Prevention Month


September is a time to raise awareness, break the stigma surrounding mental health and remind those around us that they are never alone.

At the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, we know that sometimes a simple conversation can make a difference. Take the time to check on your friends, family members, coworkers and neighbors. Ask how they are doing, listen without judgment and let them know that you care.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. There is no shame in asking for support and you do not have to face difficult moments alone.

Be the person who checks in. Be the person who listens. Be the reason someone knows they matter.

💙 You are not alone. Your life matters.

You can call 988 if you need help or support.

Or you can call one of the following:

Catawba Valley Behavioral Healthcare - (828) 438-6226

Burke Integrated Health - (828) 624-0300

Frye Regional Medical Center Behavioral Healthcare - (828) 328-2226

BEAR Team – (828) 842-1531

09/02/2026

Applications are still open, come join us for the Fall 2026 Burke County Citizens Academy!

This free, seven-week program gives residents the opportunity to go behind the scenes of county government, meet county leaders, tour facilities, and learn more about the departments and services that serve our community every day.

Apply and learn more:
https://www.burkenc.org/2632/Citizens-Academy

We look forward to welcoming our next group of Burke County insiders!

09/01/2026

Via Burke County Public Health

Burke County Public Health has released an update regarding the August 9 Farm Adventure private event and rabies post-exposure vaccination.

Individuals who attended the event and have questions about vaccination, follow-up care, or next steps are encouraged to contact Burke County Public Health.

Thank you to our community and partners for your continued support and cooperation.

09/01/2026

Scam notice from Burke County Sheriff's Office

SCAM Alert

PUBLIC NOTICE – PHONE SCAM

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of an individual calling members of the public and falsely identifying himself as Major Rodney Norman of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.
While Major Rodney Norman is a legitimate member of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, he is not the individual making these calls.
The individual is reportedly calling from 828-515-4732. When the number is called back, the recorded message identifies the caller as Major Rodney Norman.
Please be aware that the person making these calls is NOT the real Major Rodney Norman.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be Major Norman, hang up immediately and contact the Burke County Sheriff’s Office directly at 828-438-5500 to report the call.
Please do not provide the caller with any personal, financial or other sensitive information.

09/01/2026

𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫!

We are looking for an experienced, collaborative leader with a passion for public service and a genuine commitment to Improving Lives in Burke County.

The Public Health Director will lead the Burke County Public Health Department, working alongside employees, community partners, elected officials, and citizens to strengthen public health initiatives and improve the health and well-being of our community.

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐲: September 25, 2026 at Burkenc.org/jobs

Interested candidates can learn more about the position, qualifications, and application process in the recruitment flyer below.

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲!

08/30/2026

08/30/2026

UPDATE FROM EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 1:50 pm SUNDAY
SHORTOFF MOUNTAIN Rescue
[email protected]

NC HART MISSION ORDERED

Emergency crews are with the patient involved in a significant fall in the Shortoff Mountain area near the Wolf Pit Trailhead. Crews are currently working to safely extricate the patient from the rugged terrain.

This has developed into a significant multi-agency rescue operation. Burke County crews are being assisted by resources from McDowell County, Linville Central Rescue from Avery County, Catawba County, Lincoln County, and Caldwell County.
Burke County resources deployed to the operation include Oak Hill Fire & Rescue, Lake James Fire & Rescue, Glen Alpine Fire Department, Burke County Rescue Squad, Burke REACT, Burke County EMS, Burke County Emergency Management, and Burke County Emergency Communications (911).

All responding agencies are working together under Unified Command to coordinate resources and support the safe extrication of the patient.

Due to the difficult terrain and complexity of the rescue, a North Carolina HART Black Hawk helicopter is en route to assist with the extrication. MedCenter Air is also responding and will be available to transport the patient once the extrication is complete.

North Carolina Emergency Management continues to assist with coordinating resources for the operation.

Wolf Pit Trailhead remains inaccessible and will remain so for an extended period. We continue to ask the public to avoid the Wolf Pit Trailhead and Shortoff Mountain area while emergency crews are operating.

This remains an active rescue operation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available and when appropriate.

08/29/2026

Burke County Public Health is sharing information about a mobile petting zoo that was at a private event on Miller Mills Road on August 9. Several goats associated with the petting zoo have tested positive for rabies.

If you attended the event and had direct contact with the animals, please call (828) 764-1165 with any questions or concerns.

Rabies PEP Guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/hcp/clinical-care/post-exposure-prophylaxis.html