Weekly news quiz: Test your nose for local news

Published 12:00 am Sunday, February 15, 2015

1. The Elite Skills Basketball Academy, which tries to prepare its players academically and physically for college-level play, uses what local facility for its home games and practices?

A. Miller Recreation Center

B. Hall Gym

C. Salisbury Civic Recreation Center

D. Hurley Family YMCA

2. The Rowan County Board of Commissioners is considering going back to the Local Government Commission with another request for a loan. What would the $3.4 million loan request be used for?

A. To make a down payment on a new elementary school

B. To pay for technological upgrades in all county departments

C. To replenish the county’s fund balance after its purchase of the former Salisbury Mall

D. To pay for a water-sewer extension along N.C.152

3. From Jan. 28 to Feb. 5, China Grove Middle School students were introduced to the Kindertransport traveling exhibit. What does “Kindertransport” refer to?

A. Having better manners and conduct on school buses

B. More environmentally friendly modes of transportation

C. Learning how to bring, within walking distance, essentials to easy living

D. The series of rescue efforts between 1938 and 1940 to transport Jewish children out of Nazi Germany

4. Mike Stanley of Rowan County now has the distinction of being the top what in North Carolina?

A. The top non-commissioned officer in the N.C. Air National Guard

B. The top lottery winner so far in 2015

C. The top business executive in the state in terms of salary

D. The top over-40 triathlete in the state

5. What has been proposed as the new name for Rowan-Salisbury Schools’ central office?

A. The Fred Stanback Educational Center

B. The Wallace Educational Forum

C. The Cornerstone of Learning Administrative Office

D. The Fulcrum

6. N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory and Cultural Resources Secretary Susan Kluttz were in Salisbury last week to promote restoration of state historic preservation tax credits. Under their proposal, at want percentage rate would the state credits start for commercial projects?

A. 10 percent

B. 15 percent

C. 20 percent

D. 25 percent

7. The late Jack Thomas, whose tireless efforts led to the opening of the South Rowan Y in 1994, had many talents, but two stood out. What were they?

A. Bowling and cross-country skiing

B. Water-skiing and bass fishing

C. Archery and wood-carving

D. Glass-making and arrowhead-hunting

8. Calvin Welch of Cabarrus County donated something to the N.C. Division of Archives and History last week. What was it?

A. A rare 1884 map of Rowan County

B. A tea service used by President Lyndon B. Johnson during a stop at the Yadkin Hotel in 1965

C. The desk Andrew Jackson used while he was a law student in Salisbury

D. Signs used in the Salisbury Woolworth’s store during the days of segregation

9. Rowan-Salisbury Schools Superintendent Lynn Moody recently told community leaders the school system has been on a downward trajectory for the past five to 10 years because of two key factors. What are they?

A. Outdated schools and a lack of parental support

B. Poor academic performance and poverty

C. The loss of teachers and lack of capital funding

D. The demise of PTAs and decline of neighborhood schools

10. Where did Kelly Gainey of Salisbury buy the $10 scratch-off lottery ticket that led to his $1 million prize?

A. Hill Minnow Farm and Sporting Goods

B. Jack’s Grocery

C. S.V. Discount

D. Village Grocery

Answers: 

1. D. The Elite Skills Basketball Academy uses Hurley Family YMCA as its home base.
2. C. The $3.4 million loan would replenish the county’s fund balance, which had been used to purchase the former Salisbury Mall.
3. D. “Kindertransport” refers to rescue efforts for Jewish children, whose parents gave them up in hopes of keeping them alive and free from the Nazis.
4. A. As command chief master sergeant, Stanley now holds the highest enlisted position in the state’s Air National Guard.
5. B. “Wallace Educational Forum” is what local mayors attending a naming committee meeting have recommended. In a land swap with Lee and Mona Lisa Wallace for the the central office’s site last year, the agreement specified that the building be named in honor of the Wallace family.
6. B. The proposed state historic preservation tax credits would start at 15 percent for income-producing properties.
7. C. Thomas was known for his keen interests in archery and woodcraft.
8. A. Welch’s map, hand-drawn by J.J. Newman in 1884, showed locations for all of the gold, copper and lead mines in Rowan County.
9. B. In academic performance, Moody said, only 45 percent of students scored at grade level in the most recent round of testing, and 63 percent of the system’s students qualify for free and reduced lunches. As poverty has increased, academic performance has decreased.
10. C. Gainey bought his winning ticket at S.V. Discount, located at 1621 Stokes Ferry Road.