| The Salisbury Post

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

Tonight's games

West Rowan vs. R-S Central, 1st Qtr

Havelock vs. East Rowan, 1st Qtr

Shelby vs. Salisbury, 1st Qtr

Cardinal Gibbons vs. Carson, 1st Qtr

A.L. Brown vs. Asheville Erwin, 1st Qtr

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

City crews have been busy dressing up downtown for the upcoming holidays and in advance of the Christmas parade next week.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

By Kathy Chaffin

kchaffin@salisburypost.com

Harvey Gantt, the first African-American mayor of Charlotte, spoke at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Thursday for a program sponsored by the Men Inspiring Success Through Education and Role Modeling (M.I.S.T.E.R) Club.

Gantt talked about motivation, leadership and success.

"A leader has to have some kind of grandiose notion that they can make the world better," he said, encouraging M.I.S.T.E.R. members, advisers and guests to look around them and see what they can do to make a difference in someone's life.

Gantt's appearance was just one of several activities planned by M.I.S.T.E.R., which was started last year with a Male Minority Mentoring program grant from the N.C. Community College System, according to Gary Bigelow, dean of industrial and engineering technologies at the North Campus off Jake Alexander Boulevard and one of the program's advisers.

When the state budget shortfall did not allow for continued funding this year, he said, the program was placed under the Student Government Association as a club.

Last year, there were only two or three participants. But this year, the club has 37 students on the roster and 12 active members who attend every meeting.

Bigelow said M.I.S.T.E.R. provides a collaborative learning group for minority males. Because of their environments, he said minority males have different pressures than other males.

Some stem from the historic discrimination that still exists in today's world, he said, while some come from growing up in homes without a father figure.

"We're finding more than anything that these students have a lot of frustration but never really have an outlet," Bigelow said. During the Civil Rights movement, there were lots of arenas were they could discuss issues, he said, "but since then, we really don't have an avenue for minorities."

Members of the club have bonded and offer support to each other. When one member who had lost his job and was on the verge of dropping out of school didn't show up for a meeting, Bigelow said, another member went to his house and talked him into discussing his problems with the club.

The student ended up sharing with his fellow members and advisers about losing his job and not having enough money to repair his car to get to classes. Another member who is in the automotive program offered to have his car fixed. "We pooled together $60 or $70 to buy the parts," Bigelow said.

Another student offered to try to get him a job where he worked, and he ended being hired. "The manager told him that one of the reasons he was selected was because he had the M.I.S.T.E.R. program listed on the application," he said.

The program "pulled together a team that is actually motivational for each other to keep them in school," Bigelow said. When one student needs a ride, for example, he'll call one of the advisers, who will send out a text message to the other members to see if anyone can pick him up.

"It's building a brotherhood," Bigelow said, "and we're expecting that to continue to grow and get larger."

Bigelow said the club even took in a man from the homeless shelter as a member and helped secure the funds for him to go to school.

M.I.S.T.E.R meets every two weeks, though members have decided they want to meet weekly. Bigelow said he and the other advisers took 10 members three weeks ago to a Minority Male Mentoring conference at the Research Triangle Park.

There were about 700 people there, he said, and the Rowan-Cabarrus members got really motivated to do more community service projects.

"They're wanting to go out and feed the homeless during the Christmas season," he said. Another project they're considering is helping elderly residents with chores such as raking leaves.

Some of their past projects include helping build a Habitat for Humanity house in Concord and playing basketball with members of the Boys Club in Concord.

Bigelow said the idea to invite Gantt to speak came from fellow adviser Fred Loving, an air conditioning, heating and refrigeration instructor. Loving grew up with Gantt's children, he said, and the former mayor offered to do it pro bono.

To show their appreciation, Bigelow said, his father, artist Willie R. Bigelow of Durham, did a painting of Gantt and donated it to the club to present to him.

Other M.I.S.T.E.R. advisers include Kao Vang, head of the construction management program at Rowan-Cabarrus, and Larry Davis, an instructor in the electronics engineering technology program.

Contact Kathy Chaffin at 704-797-4249.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

KANNAPOLIS — Kannapolis City Schools Superintendent Dr. Jo Anne Byerly announced today that she will step down at the end of the current school year.

Byerly has served the public schools of North Carolina for 39 years and has been with Kannapolis City Schools since 1976. Her last day will be June 30, 2010.

"I have been truly blessed to be a part of Kannapolis City Schools for 33 years, and I'm so proud of what our students and staff have accomplished," Byerly said in a Kannapolis City Schools press release announcing her retirement.

"I love this school system, and I'll always be a part of it. But after almost 40 years in education, I feel it's time for me to spend more time with my family and to let someone else have the chance to lead this wonderful school system," Byerly said. "We've got an outstanding school board, and I know they'll choose an excellent person to take my place."

See Saturday's Salisbury Post and www.salisburypost.com for full details.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

Travis Allen, a Rowan County Sheriff's deputy, has filed papers to start the committee to elect Travis Allen sheriff with the Rowan Board of Elections.

Allen, of Salisbury, was a Salisbury Police officer from 1994 to 1998, and has been with the Sheriff's Office since 1998, serving one year as a reserve deputy.

In an e-mail sent to the Post, he lists 14 years in law enforcement. His current title is patrol master deputy.

He has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Pensacola Christian College and a master's degree in administration of criminal justice and security from the University of Phoenix.

He was appointed by the Rowan Board of Commissioners to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Advisory Council in 2009.

The filing period for the 2010 election is Feb. 8-26.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:01:00 GMT

Staff reports

One of three people shot in a South Jackson Street house Thursday night is in very critical condition in a Winston-Salem hospital.

Dennis Alexander, 24, of Gold Hill Circle, is at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center with multiple gunshot wounds.

Salisbury Police Chief Mark Wilhelm said the shooting occurred at 729 S. Jackson St. around 11:45 p.m.

At this point police believe Alexander went into the house shooting a .22 handgun.

Two people who were in the house pulled their guns — a .45 and a .357 — and returned fire.

Darryl Sylvester Price, 19, 1210 W. Horah St., and Raylin LaShawn Woodruff, 18, 1333 Standish St., both sustained wounds and were taken to Rowan Regional Medical Center. A hospital spokesman said this morning that Price is in the hospital in stable condition. Woodruff was treated and released.

Apparently, in the confusion, Woodruff shot Price with a .45-caliber handgun as he ran down a dark hallway.

At this point, police aren’t sure what sparked the shooting. Wilhelm said it may be connected to some other incidents that have occurred recently.

He said it did not appear to be gang related.

In a search of the house, police recovered the guns and will do ballistic tests.

Both Price and Woodruff have prior arrest records. Woodruff was walking with Tyrone Angle Jr., 16, when Angle was shot to death May 5 during an exchange of gunfire in the 900 block of West Horah Street.

At that time, Woodruff said he lived in Winston-Salem.

Police were unsure who owns or rents the house where the shooting occurred.

Statements from Price and Woodruff indicated they knew the occupant and were visiting, although he was not there.

More information will be published as it becomes available.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

A Mount Ulla resident has reported to the Rowan Sheriff's Office that he was ripped off at an area antique business.

Leo Vincent White of 1127 Hazlenut Place told deputies that he placed $3,500 worth of antiques and collectibles at the business in May for sale.

White said the items were sold but he did not get the money.

Reports of incidents from Nov. 17:

- Lisa Turner Holshouser, 8525 Bringle Ferry Road, reported the theft of a peace pipe valued at $500 from her residence between Nov. 13 and 17.

- Diana Hunt Wolford, 312 Brandi Drive, Lexington, reported losing a 9 mm Luger semi-automatic handgun in a vehicle accident in Rowan County.

- Rockwell Truck Service of 1940 Phaniel Church Road, Rockwell, reported the theft of $4,000 worth of vehicle parts and accessories between Nov. 13 and 17.

- East Rowan High School at 175 St. Luke's Church Road reported students fighting in class.

- Virginia Earlywine, 360 Meadow Lane, Mooresville, reported the theft of more than $2,500 in goods between Oct. 30 and Nov. 17.

Items taken included a laptop computer, ladder, pushmower and GPS unit. The items were taken from the house and vehicles.

- Duke Energy reported the theft of $1,550 worth of copper-coated steel wire taken between Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Nov. 17 from a substation at 700 East Ritchie Road.

- Christopher Todd Webb, 560 Deck Lane, reported the theft of $1,400 worth of items from his home between Nov. 15 and 17. The items included tools, a push mower, ladders, childs' swing and truck windows.

- Vandals cut the hydraulic lines on a truck owned by Billy Odell Payne of 355 Tree Limb Drive. The incident occurred between Nov. 10 and 17.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

By Lee Barnes

lbarnes@salisburypost.comThe East Spencer Police Department has added a new wrinkle to its Crime Stoppers program — police tips via the internet.

Law-enforcement agencies have been using Crime Stoppers programs for decades — the first one dates back to 1976 — but they've traditionally handled tips over the telephone. East Spencer now accepts tips via e-mail and a form found at its new Web site, www.EastSpencerPD.net.

The program came about after Ronald Hines joined the force as chief a year ago. Police were gathering information on suspected drug dealers and gang members, and Hines wanted a way to protect informants.

With the internet, said department spokesman Floyd Baldo, people who are afraid of being seen talking to police have "another avenue to contact us."

The way the system is currently configured, only the chief and Baldo have access to the information generated by the website.

The only glitch in the system is one that's common to other police department e-mail setups — clicking on an individual officer's e-mail address sometimes sends you to e-mail Neverland. For that reason, "You may want to copy and paste the officer's e-mail address into your e-mail account rather than just clicking the officer's e-mail address," Baldo said.

"We've had several instances where citizens have asked why we didn't respond to their e-mails, and it was because we didn't receive them somehow," he said.

Baldo said incoming information so far has led to felony arrests and the seizures of drugs and firearms.

Over the last several months, Baldo wrote in a press release, the East Spencer Police Department has seized more than $8,300 worth of cocaine; more than $1,400 worth of marijuana; and more than $200 worth of Ecstasy, Valium and Xanax.

Police have also seized nearly $2,000 in drug money and 12 guns, he said.

Those seizures have led to the arrests of eight people on drug-related offenses, Baldo said. They are:

- Henry Lee Wilder Sr., 47, charged with trafficking cocaine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver cocaine; felony maintaining a dwelling for drugs; and possession of drug paraphernalia;

- Melquan Shammell Torrence, 20, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana; felony maintaining a dwelling for drugs; and possession of drug paraphernalia;

- Robin Otto Worth Jr., 26, felony possession of ecstasy; possession of marijuana; and possession of drug paraphernalia;

- Anthony Jermaine Rankin, 33, felony possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana;

- Brordrick Demon Sullivan, 25, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine and obstructing an officer;

- Andre Rynaell Bognuda, 18, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia;

- Timothy Jermaine Chawlk, 30, possession of valium and possession of drug paraphernalia;

- Antonio "Tony" Rashad Lee, 17, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana.

One of the best things about the program, said Baldo, is its expense — or lack thereof.

"It's not costing the town, or the police department, a penny," he said.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

By Jessie Burchette

jburchette@salisburypost.com

Salisbury Police officers, with a little help from firefighters, caught a would-be robber coming out of Wendy's Wednesday night.

In something akin to a TV script, the plot featured a chase and a fight in the middle of East Innes Street. The good guys won.

Around 9:30 p.m., a firefighter at Station 1 — across the street from Wendy's — saw a man walking in with a gun.

He immediately got on the radio and alerted police and other firefighters.

Inside the restaurant, police say, the robber held what appeared to be an automatic weapon to an employee's head and threatened her.

Police officers patrolling East Innes Street responded so quickly to the report of a robbery in progress, they arrived on the scene before the man got any money. Officer Jeremy Cable who was on patrol in the area, arrived in seconds.

Deputy Chief Steve Whitley said the gunman, later identified as Steven Michael Jones Jr. , saw the patrol car arrive and ran from the restaurant.

Cable commanded the robber to drop his gun. But police say Jones pointed his pistol toward Cable and then attempted to run across East Innes — one of the busiest streets in town.

Jones slipped on the rain-slick street, fell and dropped the gun.

Cable continued the pursuit as several firefighters watched.

Whitley said the officer holstered his gun and tackled Jones near an insurance office adjacent to the fire station.

"It was a hand-to-hand fight," Whitley said.

At that point, firefighters decided to help and quickly put an end to the fight.

"They sat on him É until help arrived," Whitley said.

At that point, police got a close look at the robber's pistol. It turned out to be a pellet gun made to look like an automatic weapon.

Steven Michael Jones Jr., 20, of the streets of Salisbury, is charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault on a government official, injury to personal property, kidnapping and assault by pointing a gun. He was in the Rowan County jail Thursday with bond set at $125,000.

And it wasn't an accident that police were in the immediate area.

Whitley said police analyze data and chart the time when incidents happen. "It's a logical approach to address the problems," he said.

The East Innes Street area is one police saturate with multiple units at key times.

"Sgt. Lee Walker and his officer did a great job. The firefighters were great," Whitley said. He praised Cable, a rookie officer, for using his training.

The events happened so quickly other officers arrived about the time Jones was taken into custody.

Whitley said the incident could have been deadly for Jones. Police had no way of knowing the handgun he carried was a pellet gun.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

The Dr. Josephus Hall House opens for weekend holiday tours beginning Dec. 5. Regular tours will be held 1-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Dec. 5-20.

A special candlelight tour will be held 6-8 p.m. Christmas Eve. Admission for the weekend tours is $5 per person or $3 for members of Historic Salisbury Foundation. The candlelight tour is by donation.

Although built about 1820, the Victorian elements added by Hall in 1859 dominate the architectural and decorative style. The house provides a backdrop for the Victorian Christmas d cor.

Swagged greenery, fruits and berries, antique toys, heirloom quilts and coverlets transform the house and transport visitors back in time.

Each room will delight young and old and many have made the tour part of their family holiday traditions. Christmas tours have been held every year since Historic Salisbury Foundation purchased the house in 1972.

The Hall House is located at 226 S. Jackson St. in downtown Salisbury. For more information call the Historic Salisbury Foundation office at 704-636-0103.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

A Salisbury teenager was charged with first-degree kidnapping and robbery with a dangerous weapon in an arrest made Thursday by the Rowan County Sheriff's Office.

Reports said William Harley Hodges, 18, of 135 Dunnsview Drive kidnapped a Rockwell boy under the age of 16 and robbed him of $60 with a handgun.

The juvenile was transported by Hodges from one place to another without his or his parents' consent, leading to the kidnapping charge.

Hodges was placed under $40,000 bond. The incident occurred Sunday. C.M. Brown of the Sheriff's Office made the arrest.

In other reports from the Rowan County Magistrate's Office Thursday, Brad Terrence Simpson of 311 N. Long St., Salisbury, was charged with possession of 2.7 grams of cocaine and simple possession of marijuana.

He was placed under $25,000 bond.

China Grove Police charged Nelson Joel Atkinson, 31, of 142 Third Ave., China Grove, with resisting a public officer and failure to appear in court in Bertie County for non-support.

Atkinson allegedly fled on foot from Officer N.J. O'Brien of the China Grove Police Department while he was trying to arrest him on the outstanding warrant for non-support.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

LEXINGTON — Davidson County Community College has provided the three daughters of Tricia and William Creasey, benefactors of the recent "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" build, with tuition-paid, two-year DCCC scholarships.

The Creasey's daughters are Brittany, 12, and 5-year-old twins Makenzie and Makayla.

The DCCC Foundation will pay for the scholarships when they reach college age.

DCCC President Dr. Mary Rittling presented the three Creasey children with a large coupon good for scholarships during a press conference Wednesday.

"The college is a major part of the Davidson County community, and we are blessed to be able to play a small role in helping this deserving family with their childrens' education," Rittling said.

"Our entire college community came together to do what we could to help, and we all agree that the opportunity is one we will never forget; it reminds us how good it feels to give to others."

DCCC students, the Student Government Association, faculty and staff volunteered at the building site 24 hours a day Nov. 12-16, working under a food and beverage tent serving snacks and drinks to approximately 1,500 community volunteers.

The DCCC STORM men's basketball team donated their muscle power to the furnishings and accessory moving effort as the home was completed Monday and Tuesday.

Students in DCCC's therapeutic massage program worked on-site under the Thomasville Medical Center tent, giving neck, head and back massages to the builders and volunteers who constructed the home from start to finish in less than a week.

Guided by DCCC instructors Tiffany Hemrick and Alycia Parsons, 16 therapeutic massage students worked on 120 volunteers, including a few "Extreme Home Makeover" designers such as Paul DiMeo.

They gave massages from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Many DCCC Maintenance Department staff members also helped with the "Extreme Makeover" effort, including Eric Spencer, who worked as a trim carpenter. Other DCCC maintenance staff drove college volunteers to and from the site in vans running around the clock.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

COOLEEMEE — The rush of the Christmas holidays draws near. Especially for working families, it can easily become a blur. That is why residents in this small town enjoy slowing down on the first Sunday of December to gather as neighbors and remember the holiday's meaning.

For the 18th year, Cooleemee's Old-Time Christmas will be held at the Zachary House at 2 p.m. on December 6. It will be a "celebration of community, family and faith," a town press release said.

"This sort of begins the Christmas season in Cooleemee," Mayor John Chandler said. "We get to see old friends, meet new neighbors and create memories for our children and grandchildren. It has really become a tradition here."

There will be plenty of singing Christmas carols and popular songs, a reading of the Biblical story from the book of Luke, the annual Fudge Contest and plenty of hot coffee, punch and homemade cookies.

Chandler says he has received word that Santa will pay a visit during the program, so he asks that parents not only bring their children but also their cameras.

A new Christmas tradition will come to Cooleemee this year. Good Shepherd Episcopal Church will invite all those gathered to join in "Las Posadas," accompanying Mary and Joseph in their search for a place where the baby Jesus can be born. In Spanish, "Las Posadas" means "The Inns." After stopping at three houses on Church Street, the procession will end at the historic church where a pi ata filled with candy will be there for the children along with more refreshments in the parish hall.

The Mill House Museum on Cross Street will be open free to the public 3-5 p.m., decorated as it would have been in the early 1930s.

"Everyone is welcome. We hope that Cooleemee elders will utilize the mill house to tell their own grandchildren about Christmas in the old days when money was scarce as hens' teeth," Bonnie Byerly, one of the museum's creators, said in the press release. "We want our children to know that Christmas is all about family, faith and neighbors."

Do you make awesome fudge? Enter the Fudge Contest! Leave a message at Town Hall for John Chandler at 336-284-2141. Leave your name and phone number so your participation can be confirmed. Plan to make a big pan. Drop it off at the Zachary House on Saturday or bring it no later than 1:30 p.m. on Sunday before the event begins.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

The Salisbury Police Department reports a number of vandalisms occurring between Nov. 13 and 16 at various businesses and residences in the city.

Incidents were reported at 613 Cedar St., 612 Mocksville Ave., Triangle Grading at 2130 Harrison Road, 320 W. Harrison St., Southern Motors at 1605 S. Main St., the city of Salisbury at 900 Locke St., and 715 Hall St.

A number of break-ins and robberies were also reported to the police.

- Raymond Pierre Jones reported a burglary at 410 W. 15th St. between 10:35 a.m. and 11 p.m. Nov. 14.

- Rock Bottom Saloon reported a break-in and burglary at 723 Klumac Road Nov. 16.

- Rowan Regional Medical Center reported a break-in and theft of two computer towers between 6:05 p.m. Nov. 16 and 6:37 a.m. Nov. 17.

- Fred Mumar Campbell reported a break-in and theft at 712 N. Church St. between 12:40 p.m. Nov. 10 and 12:40 p.m. Nov. 17.

- Brandee Reid reported a break-in and burglary at 100 Clancy St. on Nov. 17.

- Kenneth Yunkil Chung reported a theft at 1328 S. Jake Alexander Blvd. between 10 p.m. Nov. 16 and 5:03 p.m. Nov. 17.

- Edward Bayer reported a theft at 528 S. Fulton St. between 9:30 p.m. Nov. 17 and 7:30 a.m. Nov. 18.

- Forest Village reported a break-in and burglary at 331 Woodson St. Nov. 18.

- Charles Shuler reported a break-in and theft at 2201 S. Merritt Ave. between 12 p.m. Nov. 4 and 4:23 p.m. Nov. 18.

- William B. Davis reported a break-in and burglary at 304 Richmond Road between Nov. 13 and 12 p.m. Nov. 14.

- Patrina Lynn Kenney, 30, was arrested Nov. 18 on charges of possession of drugs at 825 S. Jake Alexander Blvd.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

Staff report

The Elizabeth Hanford Dole Chapter of the American Red Cross is accepting donations for a family left homeless after a fire Wednesday on Dunn's Mountain Road.

A spokesman for the Red Cross said donors should specify their gifts go to the Benita Trotter family. They may drop off checks or cash at the Red Cross at 1930 Jake Alexander Blvd.

At this point, the family's primary need is a place to stay. The Red Cross provides a hotel for two nights.

Trotter and her 2-year-old son lost most of their belongings in a fire Wednesday afternoon. The rented single-wide mobile home on Dunn's Mountain Road burned. Firefighters suspect an electrical wiring malfunction caused the blaze.

Anyone who has appliances, furniture or larger items to donate may call the Red Cross at 704-633-3854, Ext. 106. While the Red Cross doesn't have facilities to store furniture or appliances, the agency compiles a list and will give the information to the family.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

Carolina Mall is holding its grand reopening celebration and ribbon cutting today starting at 11 a.m.

A press conference will kick off the celebration, with John Gibson, president of Gibson Companies LLC, and a special guest at 11:30 a.m. for the ribbon-cutting.

The celebration will take place in and around the center court area of Carolina Mall.

Tickets will be sold for prize drawings to benefit Cooperative Christian Ministry for Cabarrus County.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

Camp Bow Wow, located on Derita Road in Concord, is giving back to local pets and owners by hosting a food drive through Saturday.

Anyone who brings an unopened bag of dog or cat food to camp that week will receive a free day of day care at Camp Bow Wow. Camp Bow Wow is partnering with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Control unit for the food drive.

The donated food will be given to needy families with pets.

The 8,000-square-foot camp accommodates day care and boarding dogs, and all overnight campers. The camp features live "camper cams," where anyone with Internet access can see what's going on. For more information visit www.campbowwow.com.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

Staff report

KANNAPOLIS — A woman ended up in the hospital after fighting off a robber who tried to shoot her. The gun apparently misfired.

The woman, who lives on Crescent Street, and her 9-year-old child were returning home Sunday around 8:15 p.m. when a man with a gun approached them.

Kannapolis Police Sgt. Chris Nesbitt said Hobson refused to give the man her pocketbook and packages, resulting in a struggle.

During the struggle, Hobson told police, she was forced toward the side of the house.

Hobson also told police the man pointed the gun at her and pulled the trigger. But the gun did not fire.

Nesbitt said Hobson told police the man later pointed the gun in the air and pulled the trigger multiple times. The gun fired.

The man struck Hobson in the head with the gun, possibly multiple times. She sustained lacerations and lost a tooth. She was taken to Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast for treatment.

Nesbitt said the area off South Main Street is quiet and hasn't had any similar incidents.

The suspect is described as a black man in his 40s, approximately 5-foot-7 and weighing 165 pounds. He had a salt-and-pepper beard. He wore a grey hoodie.

Although police have a suspect, they are asking for anyone with information to call 704-920-4001.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

Big Buck Contest begins today

Atwell One Stop is now a wildlife registering agent, and is hosting a big buck contest beginning today and ending Jan. 1, the last day of deer season.

The entry fee for the contest is $20, and deer must be harvested in Rowan County and measured and registered at Atwell One Stop.

The winner of the contest will be announced January 2 at 2 p.m. Second place prize is $50 cash, and first place will receive the remaining pool amount from total entry fees.

Atwell One Stop is located on N.C. 152 West, 6.5 miles from downtown China Grove.

For more information, call Atwell One Stop at 704-857-0625.

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Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

LEXINGTON — Davidson County has always had its share of great personalities, folks such as Bob Timberlake and Sheriff Gerald Hege

But for the past week, its biggest celebrity has been a little bit of a teacher named Tricia Creasey.

She protested Wednesday afternoon that she doesn't feel like someone famous.

"I'm just an everyday person," she said in the driveway of the house her community had built for her family, thanks to its selection for an "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" episode.

"It's kind of hard to be in the spotlight all the time."

Before the Creasey family could finally settle in for a first night in its new home Wednesday, the show arranged for one last media interview and a parade of people who had more gifts for them.

Each driveway presentation took about a minute and involved some choking back of tears.

Catawba College and Davidson County Community College combined to offer the three Creasey children — Brittany, 12, and 5-year-old twins Makenzie and Makayla — free tuition when they are of college age.

Lexington Federal Credit Union said it had established college savings accounts for the girls at $2,500 each.

Lowe's Foods gave the family a year's worth of free groceries; Wilco-Hess, a year's supply of free gasoline.

Time Warner Cable delivered new televisions and laptop computers and free service for a year. The Greensboro Coliseum presented five tickets to its next Miley Cyrus concert.

I think the concert is this coming Sunday.

Cricket had three telephones and a year's worth of unlimited service for the Creaseys.The Ryan Newman Foundation offered up a free cat or dog, spaying or neutering and a year's worth of food.

Center Street Pharmacy gave the family gift certificates worth $2,000.

Dressed in pink and wearing hideous false teeth, the Sunshine Sisters handed over $338.88 they had collected while entertaining the crowd at the house's "reveal" Tuesday afternoon.

The N.C. Zoo came through with a lifetime membership.

Grady Hedrick, a neighbor, said he would give the family a one-year maintenance contract and plenty of free advice on their newly sod, beautifully landscaped yard.

"You'll have to show me how to take care of the flowers," Tricia said.

"She kills flowers," Brittany explained.

The Creaseys also received a bright orange lawn tractor from Sink Farm Equipment; free use of a truck, storage and moving expenses (much of their old stuff was packed away) from Two Men and a Truck; and a scrapbook full of photographs documenting the whirlwind construction of their home.

That's not all. Jason Hedrick, owner of Hedrick Creative Building, said donations are still coming in.

"We will have a large monetary donation to set up a trust fund to take care of the house and kids," said Hedrick, who oversaw the home's construction. "It's not from us, it's from the community. It was a beautiful thing and a great experience, and I loved being a part of it."

Chemotherapy

Tricia teaches seventh grade at E. Lawson Brown Middle School in Thomasville. She has been fighting colorectal cancer for three-and-a-half years through chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries.

To get through the experience of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and the vacation the family was sent on to Disney World, Tricia skipped her scheduled chemotherapy. She said she was surprised that she was able to keep up with the rest of the family in Florida, which included an overnight stay in Cinderella's Castle.

This Friday, she will have a new scan, showing the status of her cancer.

William looked up at the sky and crossed his fingers.

"Pray for her," Brittany said.

Tricia plans to return to work Monday. Ironically, she will be moving into a new classroom that day. For the past three years — the same period she has fought her disease — she has been teaching from a small trailer.

Details secret

The show, which will be aired in February 2010, has forbidden the family from giving a lot of details about the inside of their new home.

Tricia revealed Wednesday that the designers built a dining table from planks saved from the old house. Her favorite thing, she added, was the living room fireplace, which she described as "incredibly beautiful."

"If I could choose to build a home, this is what it would look like," Tricia said. At the press conference, the family invited Hedrick to a private dinner at their home.

"All the rooms are amazing, and we can't wait to share that with the community," Tricia added. "We're going to find a way to share that with everyone."

William said the house "is us," and they can't wait to start living in it, begin new memories and make it the place where Tricia recovers.

The Creaseys' former 1930s-era house was tiny and drafty, with every room connecting to the other. To reach the lone bathroom, family members had to go through the master bedroom, and it was always difficult for Tricia to rest when she was trying to deal with her latest chemo treatment.

Three fellow teachers and Chris and Denise Gallimore nominated the Creaseys for the "Extreme Makeover" show. The family was in the running with four other nominees in the Triad.

The days leading up to her family's being chosen were stressful and exhausting for Tricia, Brown Middle School Principal Randy Holmes said Tuesday.

"The anticipation of all this was an enemy," he said.

Teacher friends

Holmes and Tricia's three teacher friends — Christy Slate, Christy Sarver and Crystal Sexton —did a lot of interviews for the show. The teachers also worked on the back-yard playground and had a sneak peek inside the house.

"She is well taken care of," Sarver said of her teacher friend.

Tricia tries to be a trooper in front of her students, her colleagues reported.

"It's very difficult," Sexton said, "because she's tired when she comes back (from her regular chemo treatments)."

Tricia said Wednesday that being a teacher "means the world to me," and she was overwhelmed to see her students in the crowd Tuesday.

As for Davidson County and beyond, Tricia said her family knew long before "Extreme Makeover" that they lived in a loving community. To everyone, they say thanks and thanks again.

It's still hard to put into words, Tricia said.

Davidson County, your Cinderella has a new castle.

•

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

KANNAPOLIS — A woman ended up in the hospital after fighting off a robber who tried to shoot her. The gun apparently misfired.

The woman, of Crescent Street, and her 9-year-old were returning home Sunday around 8:15 p.m. when a man with a gun came up to them.

Sgt. Chris Nesbitt of the Kannapolis Police said Hobson refused to give up her pocketbook and packages, resulting in a struggle.

Hobson told police that during the struggle she was forced toward the side of the house.

Hobson also told police that he pointed the gun at her and pulled the trigger but the gun did not fire.

Nesbitt said Hobson told police that later the man pointed the gun in the air, pulled the trigger multiple times and it fired.

She was struck in the head with the gun, possibly multiple times, sustaining lacerations. She also lost a tooth.

She was taken to CMC- NorthEast for treatment.

Nesbitt said the area off South Main Street is a quiet area and hasn't had any similar incidents.

The man is described as a black in his 40s, approximately 5 foot 7 inches, weighing 165 pounds. He had a salt and pepper beard. He was wearing a grey hoodie.

Although police have a suspect, they are asking for anyone with information to call 704-920-4001.

•

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

Staff report

A Church Street resident turned the tables on a would-be scam when she started asking questions.

Salisbury Police report the woman got a phone call on Monday from a man who had a sad story and needed help.

The man claimed he had a relative in South Carolina who was in a wreck and needed money to get there.

The woman started asking questions and the caller hung up.

She then reported the attempted flim-flam to police.

"The scam is not isolated," Deputy Chief Steve Whitley said. "This type of scenario plays on people's emotions. We hear about them routinely."

Whitley said it's not related to the economy, it's about people who make a living trying to bamboozle people.

Such scams end up hurting people who really need help.

Police ask that anyone getting similar requests to contact law enforcement.

•

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

Salisbury Police, with a little help from firefighters, caught a would-be robber coming out of Wendy’s Wednesday night.

Police officers patrolling East Innes Street responded so quickly to the report of a robbery in progress, they arrived on the scene before he got any money.

Inside the restaurant, police say he held an employee at gunpoint, putting what appeared to be an automatic weapon against her head.

And he was taken into custody within a minute or so after he slipped and fell in the middle of Innes Street, dropping his gun.

Firefighters at Station 1 called in the report of the robbery when they saw a man go into Wendy’s with a gun. They watched the action and joined in as an officer was attempting to subdue the robber, with a half dozen piling on the man who was fighting the police officer.

At that point police got a close look at the gun which turned out to be a pellet gun made to look like an automatic weapon.

•

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

"You don't know someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes." — Anonymous

By Shavonne Potts

spotts@salisburypost.com

Velva Carter, a prophetess and member of Outreach Christian Ministries in Salisbury, is organizing a Thanksgiving meal for the homeless at the West Horah Street church Nov. 26.

Carter, of Charlotte, was once homeless and now wants feed those who may be hungry just as she once was.

This is the first organized Thanksgiving meal through the church, which is located at 722 West Horah St.

The meal will be served from 12 p.m.-4 p.m. or until the food is gone.

A few years ago, Carter was living out of her car in Florida and trying to escape her marriage.

"I remember when I was homeless and in an abusive relationship," she said.

Carter said she feels her ministry is to see people who are hungry get fed, because she was in the same position.

"Maybe those people experienced what I went through," she said.

Each Saturday, she and other church members prepare meals at the church to raise money for local programs and feeding programs Africa.

"I love serving," she said.

It was Carter's violent marriage that eventually led her to flee Florida. She said she endured years of abuse. One day she decided she could not take it anymore, and she left.

She found herself homeless and "trying to make it." She lived out of her car for about three months.

Her husband died in an automobile accident. She later remarried in 2000 only to find herself in another destructive marriage.

She left her home in North Florida, which was, "in faith ... a blind journey," to come to North Carolina.

A church member, Donncella Thomas, of Gainesville, Fla., provided money so that Carter could drive to North Carolina while she left her daughters, LaTisha, now 14, and Alayah, now 12, with a family friend.

"Even in this, the Lord blessed me," she said.

She stayed in a hotel for a few weeks until she was able to find an apartment and return with her daughters.

"I didn't know how I was going to make it," she said.

Donncella Thomas also provided the apartment.

Carter knows what it means to struggle without food or money.

"A lot of people misjudge homeless people. The best of us have a problem, not because we mismanage but because it just happens," she said.

"We should respect a person who is homeless, especially if you've never been there."

During her family's first Thanksgiving in Charlotte in 2008, they found themselves with no food. Apostle Deborah Gibson, who fellowships with Outreach Christian Ministries, invited Carter's family to Thanksgiving dinner.

"I do have a heart, a love and compassion for those who are experiencing the same situation," Carter said.

This holiday season, she thought back to when someone gave her food to eat.

Her ultimate desire is to provide a home for battered women and men, jobs for the unemployed, a rehabilitation center and therapy for people in need of counseling.

She met Apostle R.E. Taylor, pastor of Outreach Christian Ministries, in 2005 through a church service in Gainesville, Fla.

"I thank God for his compassion, understanding, his love for the people of God and his leadership," she said.

"I am grateful for God establishing Ray Taylor in Salisbury. In my days of ministry, I've found him to be the greatest leader of all time," Carter said.

"This is my dream. This is what I live for," she said of the Thanksgiving meal.

"I'm doing this because it's a God thing," Carter said.

For more information about Outreach Christian Ministries' Thanksgiving meal, contact Carter at 704-900-8541 or the church at 704-637-9955.

Others serving on Thanksgiving Day

The following are also feeding the homeless on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26:

- Providence Baptist Church, 620 Andrews St., East Spencer, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

- Salisbury Gardens Assisted Living and Pub 1504 are co-sponsoring an event for families or Rowan County residents that may be in need. Food will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Pub 1504, 1504 W. Jake Alexander Blvd., Salisbury. For more information, contact Margaret Cabell at 704-636-0588.

- Nazareth Children's Home will provide lunch for Rowan Helping Ministries on Nov. 26-Nov. 29 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.. Other churches and organizations are providing breakfast and dinner at the shelter that day.

For more information, contact Rowan Helping Ministries at 704-637-6838.

- Love Christian Center, 102 N. Long St., East Spencer, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For those people who are homebound, contact Edith Downs at 704-267-8648 for delivery.

If your church or organization is providing a Thanksgiving meal, please contact Salisbury Post reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.

•

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

Staff reportLocal police departments combined with the Rowan County Sheriff's Office to catch dozens of speeders and other traffic violators.

Local law enforcement agencies conducted the "No Need for Speed" campaign on Wednesday.

Capt. John Sifford of the Rowan County Sheriff's Office said the campaign was designed to reduce speed and accidents in and around school zones.

Rockwell, Granite Quarry, Salisbury, China Grove and Landis Police departments participated along with deputies.

The campaign snared 34 speeders, along with other violators: one each, seatbelt, no operator's license, stop sign violator, move over violation; three registration violations and three inspection violations.