Catawba County's first orange ozone action day for the summer was declared on Thursday, July 17.

Knowing when orange or red ozone action days are forecast will help you plan for days when you may need to avoid prolonged outdoor activity.  On Orange Ozone Action days, Catawba County Public Health advises that active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. On a Red Ozone Action day, everyone should limit prolonged outdoor activity and those who are more active or suffer from respiratory disease should avoid prolonged outdoor activity.  See ozone forecast

The Catawba County Board of Commissioners' next meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 21, 2008 at the 1924 Courthouse at 30 North College Avenue in Newton, NC

The Catawba County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on a proposed application to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for a fiscal year 2008-2009 Rural Operating Assistance Program Grant, and consider a request from Garbage Disposal Service for a 4.3% increase to the service portion of the company's rates, due to a new State-mandated $2 per ton solid waste disposal tax and rising costs, primarily for fuel, when the Board meets at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 21, 2008, at the 1924 Courthouse at 30 North College Avenue in Newton.

The Board will also consider a proposed partnership and building lease agreement with Appalachian State University for 1) operation of a biodiesel testing facility that will assist the County in producing biodiesel fuel from its EcoComplex and locally grown crops, and assist emerging biodiesel fuel producers in western North Carolina and 2) construction of a multipurpose building, which will accommodate the university's bio-energy lab and research equipment and the County's White Goods Freon recovery operation; hear a report from the North Carolina Department of Transportation on the Secondary Road Improvement Plan for Catawba County for fiscal year 2008-2009, approved by the North Carolina Board of Transportation; and consider the allocation of funds from Catawba Valley Community College to pay for a Sheriff's Deputy position to provide security at the college's East Campus; a resolution to allow for tax-exempt financing of up to $1.3 million, which will not obligate any County funds, by Sherrills Ford and Terrell Fire and Rescue for the purchase of two fire trucks and construction of a fire station on Burris Road, and a tax refund request. Full agenda

City of Newton again asks for voluntary water conservation, after briefly putting mandatory restrictions back in place in early July. 

The City of Newton has removed mandatory water restrictions, after putting them back in place for a few days beginning on July 7, 2008, and is again requesting voluntary conservation.  Full story

Spotlight on...the Catawba County Permit Centers. 

Catawba County operates two fully-staffed Permit Centers, one on the first floor of the Government Center at the intersection of Highway 321 Business and Radio Station Road in Newton and one at Hickory City Hall, at 76 North Center Street in Hickory.  Permit Center staff assists clients, contractors, businesses, home owners, and other citizens with their questions and concerns regarding permits that are actually handled by several different County departments.  Full story

Catawba County reminds everyone of the importance of protecting pets and family from rabies.

In 2007, 4,120 animals were submitted for rabies testing in North Carolina and 474 of them were found positive. Catawba County has had seven documented cases of rabies in wild animals recorded thus far in 2008. “We encourage the public to protect their health by taking appropriate steps to prevent rabies exposure,” said Doug Urland, Catawba County Public Health Director.  Full story

1000 young Catawba County readers are taking part in the Summer Reading Program

The program, focused on the themes “Catch the Reading Bug” and “Metamorphosis @ Your Library,” encourages reading when school is not in session. Participants log reading time to be eligible for prizes. Sign-ups will continue through July as library programming is planned each week.  Full story                                       

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To learn more about Catawba County Government, go to www.catawbacountync.gov

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