The Catawba County Board of Commissioners has continued public hearings on a proposed Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) until its meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, January 16, 2007, at the 1924 Courthouse in Newton and is expected to take action on the UDO on January 16.

A list of the board's proposed changes to the UDO, cross referenced to the text of the draft UDO, will be posted on the County's web site and will be available at all branches of the Catawba County Library and at the County Office of Planning and Community Development, on Tuesday, January 2, 2007. Full story   More about the UDO

The Catawba County Tax Office reminds all citizens of upcoming deadlines for tax payments and the holiday operating schedules for the Tax Office in Newton.

Catawba County offices will be closed on Monday, January 1, 2007, for the New Year's holiday; and on Monday, January 15, 2007 for the Martin Luther King Birthday holiday. The County has a convenient drop-in mail depository, located to the right of the main entrance at the Government Center, which is available for depositing property tax payment when County offices are closed.

Under North Carolina law, interest accrues at the rate of 2% for January, and three-fourths of one percent for each following month, on all tax bills still unpaid after 5 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2007. Payments sent by mail must be postmarked no later than January 5, 2007 to avoid the added interest.  Full story

Wondering what you'll do with your Christmas trees and other natural decorations after the holiday season is over? 

Catawba County's Landfill staff, in cooperation with Garbage Disposal Service (GDS), has an answer for you. Christmas trees and other natural decorations will be collected at all five convenience centers located around Catawba County from December 26, 2006 through January 31, 2007, and at curbsides during the first two weeks of January 2007. No ornaments, bases or other decorations should be left on trees.  Full story

Catawba County Social Services Director Bobby Boyd has received the Director’s Award for Individual Achievement from the National Association of County Human Service Administrators. 

The award recognizes Boyd for outstanding achievement for the past 28 years, during which time the organization has attracted state and national recognition for innovation and quality of services.  Full story

Catawba County pet owners are reminded of the importance of making sure their pets are properly vaccinated for rabies.

Catawba County has recorded six confirmed cases of rabies, following contact between wild animals and dogs, since November 1, 2006.  Although this rate of cases is far below the number seen in Catawba County from 1999 through 2001, it is a still a reminder of the importance or rabies vaccinations.

The best way to protect your pets from rabies is to have all dogs and cats over four months of age properly vaccinated for rabies. The initial vaccination is effective for one year and must be followed by a second vaccination which is effective for three years. Pets must then be vaccinated every three years and tags showing proof of the current vaccination must be attached to the pet’s collar or chain.  More information on protecting your pets from rabies