Firefighters this week started their Job Related Physical Agility Testing (JRPAT), and will continue testing throughout the month. In case you missed it, click here to read more and see photos from Wednesday’s tests. Also this week, firefighters investigated two instances of reported smoke, and helped clear debris from a vehicle crash on I-77. Read below for details of these and other recent incidents. Read the full story

One child tests out his wind catcher at Smithville Park Thursday. (Christina Ritchie Rogers / CorneliusNews.net)

Thursday morning rainclouds parted in time for the Spring Break PARC Day at Smithville Park. The free event, sponsored by the Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture Department, the Cornelius Police Department, CrimeStoppers and Coca-Cola, drew a small but excited crowd to the park.

Families enjoyed food, music, Wii competitions and other games, as well as spring-themed crafts provided by the Community Arts Project. See more photos below. Read the full story

A new manager and 15 players who were drafted by the parent Chicago White Sox in the 2011 Major League Baseball draft highlight the 2012 roster of the ChiSox Class A affiliate Kannapolis Intimidators, who open their season on Thursday, April 5, at home against the Hickory Crawdads. Denny Seitz has a preview of the minor league baseball team season in SPORTS»

A fish swims in shallow water near Half Moon Bay. (Alice Crandall photo)

Half Moon Bay resident Alice Crandall happened to see this fish as he swam in the shallow water near her home. Appropriately, she named him ‘Spot.’

Read below for info on how to submit your photo of the day. And to see previous photos of the day, CLICK HERE Read the full story

Tyler Owens takes the first trip in his new kayak Wednesday. (Lori Owens photo)

Cornelius Elementary student Tyler Owens, 10, is making the most of his spring break this week, spending much of it on the lake. He broke in his new kayak Wednesday, in the water off Blue Stone Harbor. His mother, Lori Owens, captured the fun.

Read below for info on how to submit your photo of the day. And to see previous photos of the day, CLICK HERE Read the full story

Dr. Loucrecia Watson-Collins speaks at a Foundation event. (Foundation for Respect Ability photo)

The Cornelius-based nonprofit Foundation for Respect Ability on April 13 will host the first in a series of “lunch and learns,” from 12:30 – 2 p.m. in the Community Room of Aquesta Bank, 19510 Jetton Road. Dr. Loucrecia Watson-Collins will share strategies that parents and teens can use to help reduce cyber bullying, and will discuss how community involvement is crucial for stopping this behavior. Read the full story

The Mecklenburg County Commission on Tuesday approved the creation of new Fire Protection Service Districts and a new fire service tax on property in the county’s unincorporated areas. The new tax will take effect July 1 and is expected to range from about 4.5 to 7 cents per $100 of assessed value. Read the full story

Click above to watch a video of a Revelation Percussion performance at Concord High School Feb. 25.

By CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
CorneliusNews.net

After a string of first-place finishes, local youth performance ensemble Revelation Percussion took third place in a southeast regional competition March 3 and on Saturday won the Carolina Winter Ensemble Association championships. Now, the nonprofit group is raising money for travel to the World Championships in Dayton, Ohio, later this month. Read the full story