In a 4-0 vote Monday, commissioners approved the $17.6 million town budget for 2013-14, which holds taxes steady and includes money for major projects including streets, sidewalks and park improvements. It also trims some expenses, including eliminating curbside leaf pickups. The board also approved a 1-year renewal of a contract with economic development consultant Don Harrow, and agreed that it will vote on filling the vacant town commissioner’s seat at its next meeting on July 8. Read the full story

Monday was the longest day I can remember.

It was graduation day at Hough High School. But my graduate wasn’t there.

We all probably try to prepare ourselves for days, experiences, encounters or milestones that we know may be difficult. But it’s impossible to predict how something will affect you. Read the full story

Do you text and drive? (David Boraks photo)

First of three articles on N.C. traffic laws

Local officials in the Lake Norman area and around the country are trying to educate drivers about the risks of distracted driving, especially texting or talking while driving. Glancing at your mobile phone for just a few seconds at 55 miles per hour is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field while blindfolded, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Distraction.gov website. In a recent survey of Davidson residents, pedestrians and cyclists identified distracted driving as the biggest safety risk they face.

Distracted driving has become a such a significant public safety concern that 39 states have now outlawed texting while driving. Ten states and the District of Columbia have also banned the handheld use of mobile phones for calls while driving. Read the full story

At 6:37 a.m. the assault begins. Adele’s rich voice fills the entire house, “There’s a fire starting in my heart. Reaching a fever pitch, it’s bringing me out the dark. Finally I can see you crystal clear….”

No response. No movement. No other sound. Aside from Adele.

The lump on the bed that alarm clock is supposed to wake up continues to sleep peacefully, deaf to the soaring vocals of the Grammy-award winning singer. Read the full story

To the Editor:

Dave Gilroy

Let me start by stipulating that I am perhaps Thom Tillis’s biggest fan. I took his seat on the Cornelius Town Board in 2005, when Thom went on to make history in North Carolina. Thom has had astonishing impact in leading the NC General Assembly to a Republican majority for the first time in more than a hundred years. Now, with a Republican Governor as well, Raleigh lawmakers are doing truly great things – unemployment insurance reform; teacher tenure limitations; reduced government spending; economic development restructuring; major tax reform; and, importantly, an historic overhaul of transportation funding in the state. Huge credit to Thom Tillis! Read the full story

Dear friend who chooses to live,

You are brave. I’m impressed by your courage. Whether you survived an attempted suicide, changed your mind at the last minute and saved yourself, or have thought about it but not acted, I want to tell you how amazed I am at your strength to continually choose life.

From speaking to others or reading their emails, I’ve learned that sometimes it is a battle. You are a warrior fighting for your life as you go to Geometry class, sit in your cubicle at work, or do five loads of laundry for your family. Read the full story

Following is a letter to parents from the head of one our local PTAs, Debra Cassidy at Bailey Middle School. It comes as the Mecklenburg County Commission considers its proposed 2013-14 budget, including school funding. The county commission meets Thursday night.

This time of year always brings much discussion and distress as budget decisions are made regarding funding for our schools. Not only do we have the local issues of CMS requesting approval of their budget from County Commissioners, but we also have the State Legislature making budget decisions as well. Read the full story

You can’t bully someone into believing. I spoke with a young lady who says she’s been bullied for her beliefs, or lack of belief, as some people might describe it.

“I am atheist, but not one of those in-your-face-about-it people,” she said. “I understand that people have different beliefs, and I believe that they should be allowed to practice those beliefs freely. I just choose not to have a religion myself.” Read the full story