Catawba County Commissioners met Tuesday in public sessions to iron out a 2011-12 budget.
Catawba County officials are considering eliminating fire alarm mutual aid funding to the 14 fire departments in the county. The funding, about $2,400 to each department annually, has been around for 40 years and has "no history," said County Manager Tom Lundy.
A public hearing is scheduled for June 2 at 7 p.m. in the 1924 Courthouse. The public is invited to attend.
When multiple explosions triggered a raging fire at a chemical storage facility in Hudson on Saturday, Caldwell County called out for help.
Caldwell firefighters were battling a blaze that was out of control at the RPM Wood Finishes Group plant, so they put out a call to Catawba County firefighters for additional personnel.
In less than an hour, more than 50 Catawba County firefighters and 10 apparatuses were headed to Hudson to assist.
