The Catawba County Board of Commissioners next meeting is set for 9:30 am on Monday, August 6, 2007 at the 1924 Courthouse, 30 North College Avenue in Newton, NC.

The Catawba County Board of Commissioners will hold two public hearings to 1) receive citizen input on development of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications for the coming year, and 2) on the proposed transfer of funds from a previous CDBG to cover costs of a new house under construction under the terms of the grant; and consider a resolution in support of the creation of a proposed Western Piedmont Regional Transit Authority, when the Board meets at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, August 6, 2007 in the Robert E. Hibbitts Meeting Room of the 1924 Courthouse in Newton.

The Board will also consider the purchase of real property near the main branch of the Catawba County Library in Newton, which would be used to provide additional parking spaces for the library; reconsider a recommendation to the North Carolina Department of Transportation on the abandonment of maintenance of the last 0.26 mile portion of Shuford Road; the sale of surplus property owned by the County off Gross Road in Hickory by the upset bid process; an agreement between the County and the City of Hickory regarding an easement needed to create a secondary entrance road at Catawba Valley Medical Center; and the waiver of normally charged building inspections fees associated with the Greater Hickory Golf Classic and solid waste disposal fees associated with the Lake Hickory Association’s cleanup of Lakes Hickory and Lookout during Litter Sweep Weeks.  Full agenda

The "Big Read" events will go on as planned, even with the passing of author Doug Marlette.

Marlette’s novel, “The Bridge” will remain the BIG Read selection for 2008.
Plans were to bring the author to Newton next April to culminate the annual community-wide reading project, but the loss of Marlette has not changed the organizers’ commitment to share the novel with local readers.  Full story

Catawba County Friends Of The Library will have a book sale on August 10th & 11th.

Proceeds will fund the purchase of additional books and materials for the library system.  Full story

Christopher Johnson has been appointed to serve as the newest member of the Catawba County Board of Social Services. 

Mr. Johnson is a counselor and educator. He has worked with the Salvation Army, Safe-Harbor Board, at-risk youth in public housing and the homeless population.  Full story

Where can you get assistance or find information if you. . .

• are in an abusive relationship?
• have an elderly parent that you need assistance with?
• want to volunteer?
• need help setting a household budget?
• need childcare for a child with special needs?

Find the answers to these questions and many more by dialing 2-1-1 from a land line phone, 1-888-892-1162 from a cell phone, or by visiting www.nc211.org.

Catawba County E-News has won a 2007 Award of Excellence from the National Association of County Information Officers!

Catawba County E-News was honored in the External Publications category among all counties with a population of between 100,000 and 500,000 people.  Full story 

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