… Kathryn Rusher: School goes beyond academics

A cheering note of compassion in a world often cast in darkness!

— Gerrie Blackwelder

Congratulations, Kathryn, as you set out to find your calling in this world. God has great plans for you! Our prayers are with you on these new adventures.

— Rita and Leonard Bolick

Wonderful, caring comments from a mature thinking young woman. Follow your dream

— Carol H. Dunkley

Very well said, Kathryn! I love to see kids standing up for their public education. Nothing is perfect and it is all what you make of it! Good girl!

— Leah Campion

Kathryn, you just voiced everything that I believe about public education and everything I want for my children. Tears! Overton is a blessing in our lives, and I am so proud my children also see the value of their PS experience as well. Thank you!

— Kari Hippert

… Grace Steinman: You, too, can help fight hunger

I am blown away by the selflessness of our wonderful young adults!

— Kathryn Dunn

…Man dies of injuries from Friday motorcycle accident

To Todd’s family, a void that can’t be filled but a legacy that can’t be forgotten. Truly a great person with a heart of gold. Always able to make a person smile and feel like they were his best friend. One of the really good guys in this world.

Missed, yes. Forgotten, never.

— Pat Phifer

Had a beautiful smile and soul. Praying for his family.

— Tammy Hammond

We’re all gonna miss you, Todd. You were an amazing person to be around. Gonna miss seeing your goofy face at Tamarac.

— Aaron Odom

Todd was a great person, would do anything for you. He had a smile that would light up the world; he will be missed by all who knew him. R.I.P. Todd. Fly high, my friend!!!

— Terri Bollenbecker

… Downtown businesses need better mail service

If any service should become auxiliary, it should the silly catalogs and college propaganda flyers I receive at my residence in the county almost daily. Downtown should get prompt, reliable, daily service since it’s largely comprised of businesses.

— Cathy Mahaffey

… Huckabee shows hidden strength

I stand with Kim Davis and I stand with Gov. Mike Huckabee. Huckabee was RIGHT!

The Supreme Court cannot write law, only interpret law. Law must be written by the legislative branch and approved by the executive branch. Mike Huckabee is who America needs for such a time as this.

— Jackie Bryant

…Dr. Ada Fisher: Unhand the 14th Amendment

Dr. Fisher has very eloquently laid out the problem before us; we cannot keep running up an unsustainable debt forever.

Even if we could, the idea of burdening future generations with outrageous interest payments, just because we can, is unforgivable. This idea that we are a racist, evil country that just happens to be prosperous, so we must grant citizenship to as many people as possible who sneak across our porous borders, is devastating our economy and our future.

And when people who are here illegally are given the right to protest against anyone who speaks out against illegal immigration, the problem is obviously out of control.

Not to mention that illegal immigration is against the law, but of course liberals only demand obeying the law when it suits their agenda. Otherwise, laws are something to be ignored, ridiculed, broken; subsequently, anyone who even mentions the law is criticized as being bigoted or racist.

— Steve Pender

According to an April 2015 report of the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy and The American Immigration Council, undocumented immigrants are paying billions in taxes to state and local governments.

If allowed to work in the country legally, their state and local tax contributions will increase significantly. The increase could cover the current deficit between service costs and revenues collected through their payroll, sales, excise, and property taxes. Undocumented immigrants also contribute to Social Security which is an earned benefit.

Undocumented human beings cannot be blamed for the strangling of our entitlement system. It’s the government corporate ideologues who are trying to balance the budget on the backs of the poor who are responsible, in my humble opinion. Let’s not blame the victims. We should help them gain legal status so that everyone can benefit.

— Reginald Brown

… School system will dismiss early for Southern Rowan Christmas Parade

But if I want to take my granddaughters out for a family trip, it’s an unexcused absence. Something is not right with this picture.

— Vicky Hau-Slusser

They are making an exception for the entire school system, not one individual child.

— Melissa
Plattenburger-Tabor

… Rembrandt raccoon one of many animal artists at Dan Nick

I can’t wait to see these! What a great idea for the park and the animals. Dan Nicholas is really thinking outside of the box to keep the animals stimulated.

— Janie Kluttz

I’ve seen some of the earlier paintings of the DNP critters and this is very exciting, that they will be sold to benefit these wonderful animals and reptiles. My husband, Michael Lambert, is the naturalist at Dan Nick, and is known as the “snake guy.” The paintings created by the snakes are some of the best. Can’t wait until Autumn Jubilee!

— Gaynell Lambert