Cornelius-Lemley Fire Department responded to 61 calls over the past week, including 12 fire alarms, 4 outside fires, and 3 motor vehicle accidents, one a fatal crash involving a motorcycle. One call involved a small fire along I-77. More information about these and others below, along with a tally of this week’s medical calls. Read the full story

The Rev. Etheleen Jetton is competing in this year’s Our Towns Habitat for Humanity Biggest Cheese in Town contest, and she’s throwing a Smithville Yard Sale on Saturday as part of her fundraising campaign. Sellers and buyers are invited to join in at the Smithville Community Center.  Read the full story

Cornelius-Lemley Fire Department responded to 43 calls over the past week, including two outside gas leaks, four motor vehicle accidents, a bird rescue, and nine fire alarms. Cornelius units were among those responding Saturday morning to a fatal wreck on NC 73 near the Cowan’s Ford Dam. Also Saturday, firefighters were called to a Lake Norman dock where they found a boater injured by a propeller.  More information about these and other incidents below, along with a tally of this week’s medical calls. Read the full story

A 30-year-old Charlotte man riding his motorcycle on Smith Circle near downtown Cornelius died Tuesday night after a crash with a minivan.  Read the full story

By TARA E. MOORE
CorneliusNews.net

Concerns about the 2013-14 budget dominated discussion at Monday’s Cornelius Town Board meeting, as town officials grappled with a forecast of sharply lower property tax revenues as the county revises property values. Read the full story

The Cornelius Town Board will meet Monday at 7pm with an agenda that includes discussion of the 2013-14 budget, a closed session to discuss a real estate acquisition, and a vote on the planned Smithville Community Garden. Read the full story

Cornelius commissioners on Monday night put off a vote on a proposed expansion of Lake Norman Hyundai, expressing reservations about the building’s design and the image of a 338-car parking lot off I-77 at the town’s “front yard.” Read the full story

Cornelius residents listened to music at Saturday’s Celebrate Smithville community festival at Town Hall. More photos below. (Cornelius PARC photo)

Dozens of Cornelius residents came to Town Hall on Saturday, Feb. 23, for the 2nd annual  “Celebrate Smithville” festival, hosted by Smithville CommUNITY Coalition and Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation & Culture.

There was food, dance and music, including performances by the Calvin Edwards Trio Jazz Band and local choral groups. Children’s crafts also were offered, and some residents also worked on a community quilt. Read the full story