of him meeting with Putin, saying that it was in America's interest and that he did not see Russia as an adversary, but as a "competitor."

"I think that getting along with Russia, getting along with China, getting along with others is a good thing, not a bad thing," he said.

Trump quipped that his meeting with Putin "would be the easiest of them all," adding that Britain is in "turmoil" following the resignations of Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Brexit Secretary David Davis.

Trump, who called Johnson a "friend," added it would be "up to the people" if May is to remain prime minister, but said they have a good relationship.and hire 49 within three years.

BLOWING ROCK — Garden City, N.Y., resident Gene Raice bought the historic Green Park Inn for $935,000. Raice, who owns a ski resort in Vermont, was the only bidder at a foreclosure auction. Built in the 1880s, the 73,000-square-foot hotel has been closed since May 2009. Raice hopes to reopen it by the end of summer.

MORGANTON — Startup metals recycler VSA will spend $4.5 million to open a plant that will employ 98 recycling catalytic converters within two years. Average pay for the jobs is $30,186. The Burke County average is $28,964.

The Conservation Trust for North Carolina gave nearly 50 acres on the Alleghany/Surry county line to the Blue Ridge Parkway and National Park Service. The property, which the Raleigh-based trust bought last