► Polk commissioners approve new meeting schedule

The Polk County Board of Commissioners recently approved its meeting schedule from July-December 2017. Commissioners regularly meet on the first and third Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. The only meeting in July will be on July 17. Other changes include a Tuesday, Sept. 5 meeting because of the Labor Day holiday.

► Polk trails to host two workdays at new recreation complex trail

Polk Trails is hosting two workdays at the new Recreation Complex Trail on July 12 and July 19. Both workdays begin at 10 a.m. and last until noon. Participants are asked to meet at the parking lot between the baseball fields, adjacent to Polk County Middle School on Wolverine Trail in Mill Spring. Wear long pants and work gloves and bring water. Email trails@polknc.org if participating.

► Road Improvements Coming to Polk, Henderson and Transylvania Counties

Residents of Polk, Henderson and Transylvania Counties will soon experience smoother roads as a result of a $6.9 million contract awarded by the N.C. Department of Transportation to improve about 37 miles of state roads. The contract awarded to Rogers Group of Nashville calls for milling, resurfacing and shoulder reconstruction. Improvements are on the way for nearly eight miles of N.C. 9 in Polk County between N.C. 108 and the Rutherford County line. Work will also take place on about two miles of U.S. 176 between N.C. 108 and the South Carolina state line. Resurfacing is also planned for 14.75 miles of secondary roads in Henderson County, 7.9 miles of secondary roads in Polk County and 4.3 miles of secondary roads in Transylvania County. Work on the project can begin as early as August 1 and will be completed by October 2018.