“I’ve been able to hire proactive police officers who are community policing constantly. … These are approachable officers.”

— Chief Sharon Hovis, East Spencer Police, on changes to the department since she took charge

“You had to eat smoke or you weren’t a fireman. You had to know how to breathe.”

— Marvin Yost, retired Salisbury fireman, on the days before air packs

“The reopening of this building is our commitment to economic development.”

— Dr. Carol Spalding, president, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College,

on the college’s updated health and science building

“I wish I had really known how good I was.”

— Darryl Strawberry, retired baseball star, on struggles during his career

and bad decisions he made