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LINCOLN
TIMES-NEWS
P.O. Box 40
119 W. Water Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
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(704) 735-3031 Office
(704) 735-3037 Fax
(704) 735-3996 Fax (News)
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Local News - October 2001
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Lincoln unemployment rises
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Oct. 31 - Overall, the report is encouraging.
According to the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina, the unemployment rate dropped during September in 67 of 100 counties statewide — resulting
in a 4.9 percent unemployment rate compared to August’s 5.1 percent.
But then there are the Lincoln County numbers, where the number of unemployed workers seeking employment rose during the same period.
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Concert offers blend of piano, vocals
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Letter scare probed; air traffic curtailed
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Oct. 31 - Lincolnton is having its fits of terrorism nervousness this week.
There was a small scare at the Lincoln County Water Treatment Facility Monday after a
suspicious letter arrived. And some pilots at the Lincolnton/Lincoln County Airport found themselves grounded as new restrictions were imposed.
A worker at the treatment plant who had just picked up the mail noticed the suspicious letter with no return address and postmarked from Trenton, N.J. — the
city linked with anthrax mail.
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Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and Puff the Magic Dragon
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Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and Puff the Magic Dragon took to the streets a day early, seeking holiday treats. The 2-year-old class from
First Presbyterian Day Care Center took to the streets of downtown Lincolnton Tuesday to show their Halloween cos-tumes, and to get candy. The youngsters visited the Lincoln County Courthouse and City
Hall. (Top) Reegan Behles, the young surgeon, shares her lollipops with Henry Saine, the little cowboy. (Bottomt) Jaycie Beam concentrates on every step she takes in her Minnie Mouse high heels.
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Time Travel
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East Lincoln Middle School sixth-graders visited The Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville last week. Characters circulate
the grounds in costume providing entertainment to festival-goers. Shown here trying on medieval flower headpieces are Jake Messner, a festival employee, Alfonzo Lewis and Brittney Miller. The students
were incorrectly identified in Monday's edition of the Lincoln Times-News.
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From Russia with love: Orphan drifter finds a family
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Oct. 31 - Before Bonnie and Lloyd Graham adopted her, 14-year-old Anna Graham bounced from an
orphanage, to a botched adoption and through five foster homes.
“It was bad. I had to move from place to place,” she said. “I had to switch schools. My grades went down.”
Today, Anna’s grades are up and she is happy. She describes her recent adoption as “wonderful.”
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Keep trick-or-treaters safe on Halloween
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Oct. 29 - “Trick or Treat?”
It’s a familiar phrase, and it’s that time again.
Hoards of children will be going around asking for candy.
Gov. Mike Easley said, “Trick-or-treating can be a great adventure for families and kids dressed in scary costumes.”
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Bradley Jamison waits with his mom and dad, Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputy Tim Jamison and Megan Jamison,
while his safety seat gets inspected at Griffin Motors Saturday during Kids Safety Day. Free car seat checks were provided with the help of sponsors Lincolnton Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff's Department, Lincolnton Fire Department, Pepsi, American Red Cross, EMS, John Miller All-State Insurance and Turn 4 Pizza.
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More
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Vale couple helps with New York relief effort
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Oct. 29 - A Vale couple say they are fortunate to have had the chance to help New Yorkers in
the wake of Sept. 11. Don and Candace Besse volunteered in New York through the American Red Cross.
“We are so blessed to have this opportunity,” Candace Besse said.
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Ground broken for new school
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High school to open in 2003
Oct. 29 - School administrators and board members and county commissioners broke ground for Lincoln’s newest school Friday.
Though grading began weeks ago, the official ceremony took place Friday.
“I certainly appreciate those board members who are no longer here who gave their support and current board members and former administrators,” said school
board chairperson Jean Dellinger. “And the citizens of Lincoln County who realized the need for adequate facilities and supported the bond referendum.”
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East students step back in time
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Oct. 29 - A trip back in time is a tradition for East Lincoln Middle sixth-graders.
Last Wednesday class members traveled to Huntersville for an annual field trip to the Carolina Renaissance Festival.
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Burning ban issued in Lincoln County
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Oct. 29 - Don’t even think of burning those autumn leaves.
A complete open burning ban, effective this morning, has been issued in Lincoln County.
“It’s basically no open flames outdoors at all,” said Lincoln County Fire Marshall Mike Futrell. Open burning is never permitted within Lincolnton city limits.
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Lincolnton included in ‘50 Best’ towns book
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Oct. 26 - Educational and recreational opportunities have earned Lincolnton one of the best
places to live in the south, so say authors Gerald W. Sweitzer and Kathy M. Fields.
The co-authors have published a book, “The 50 Best Small Southern Towns,” in which Lincolnton is listed.
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West Lincoln communities stretch
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Union and North Brook cope with crowded classes
Oct. 26 - East Lincoln isn’t the only part of Lincoln County with growing pains.
A building boom in western Lincoln County along with lowered teacher-to-student ratios has created overcrowding at Union and North Brook Elementary
schools.
A school board committee met with administrators and toured the facilities Thursday morning.
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Deputy restores breathing to baby
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11-month old revived by rescue effort
Oct. 26 - A Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy saved an 11-month-old baby Monday.
Deputy Craig J. Fine was riding with Deputy Keith Poovey when a call for EMS came over the radio.
The two officers were in the area and realized they were closer to the scene than EMS and preceded to the home.
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TIME
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Oct. 26 - Get ready to turn back time. Maybe it is only daylight savings time, but it’s a start.
Saturday night is the time to turn all your clocks back, not forward, an hour.
But don’t forget to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors, too.
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Fall flare at the park
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Oct. 24 - Fall is in the air, prompting the golden and red vibrant colors of leaves all around town. (Right) Makayla Littlejohn, 3, plays
in the leaves at Betty Ross Park. (Left) Scottie and Aimee Turner take a walk in the park with their 3-year-old son, Zakari.
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Math teacher named Bench Press champ
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Oct. 24 - When she is not teaching math at East Lincoln Middle, Jennifer Thompson is breaking national
weight lifting records.
In September, she bench pressed 275 pounds, breaking the existing record of 259 pounds in her weight class. The lift also made her the overall National Bench
Press champ.
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Forum gauges terror issues
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Oct. 24 - Haydar Sadig was standing in his Charlotte kitchen holding and singing to his 10-month-old
daughter on the morning of Sept. 11. His happy mood was shattered when the first plane struck the World Trade Center, he told Lincolnton residents Monday during a community forum at the Cultural Center.
Sadig, a Moslem, stood in his kitchen sobbing for the mothers and fathers who would never again hold their children. Based on past attacks, Sadig was sure the
crash was the work of Islamic fundamentalists, people he says do not represent his faith.
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Area schools crown 2001 homecoming queens
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Oct. 22 - Monica Ledford ( left) was crowned East Lincoln High School's homecoming Queen Friday night. The Mustangs were defeated 33 to 0
by North Gaston High School. Emily Gregory (middle)
is the Lincolnton High School homecoming queen. Elizabeth Payseur was crowned West Lincoln High School's homecoming queen. She is escorted by her father Keith Payseur (right). Both West and Lincolnton high schools homecoming games were played Oct. 12.
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Lincoln NAACP holds annual banquet
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Oct. 22 - Lincoln County’s NAACP held its fifth annual banquet Saturday night at the Oaklawn
Community Center.
Rev. Charles Turner, president of Cleveland County NAACP, gave the keynote address, speaking on the
organization’s need for training, innovation, motivation and execution of plans.
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Program highlights domestic violence
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Oct. 22 - Over 150 victims of domestic violence have been helped by Amy’s House Domestic Violence Shelter
this year.
The public can learn more about the problem, the shelter, and solutions Tuesday night.
Sheriff Barbara Pickens will be the keynote speaker. Several women who have left abusive relationships will speak during the 6 p.m. chicken pie dinner.
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CROP Walkers
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Walkers took to the streets of downtown Lincolnton Sunday for the annual CROP Walk. The CROP walk, held each year in Lincolnton, is
sponsored by Church World Services and raises funds for local, national and international hunger efforts.
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Candlelight vigil offers prayer, music
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City police investigating armed theft
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Oct. 19 - A Lincolnton business was robbed at gun point Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred at 11:15 a.m. at First Choice Cash Advance located at 1565 N. Generals Boulevard. A black man in his 20s entered, pointed a
handgun at the clerk and demanded money. He left with an undisclosed amount.
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EM Director: Open mail with caution
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Oct. 19 - The routine job of opening the mail in Lincoln has become, well, not so routine anymore.
So far, no Lincoln County offices have not received any hoax mail or letters containing a powdery substance. But one has received mail that could be considered
suspicious, said Susan Ledford, Lincoln’s Emergency Management Director.
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Community vigil set for Saturday night
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Oct. 19 - Area artists are inviting the community to join in a celebration of life.
The Lincoln Cultural Center will be the site of a candlelight vigil Saturday night.
“It only seemed right to celebrate those people, the law enforcement and firefighters, that gave their lives,” said center director Lyle Back.
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County workers trained on terror
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Oct. 17 - Should I open this envelope? Can I get a smallpox vaccination? Do I need a gas
mask?
These are some of the questions Lincoln County employees are being asked by the public. To make sure the right answers are given out, the Sheriff’s
Department is training all county employees who answer phones.
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Officer Doug Norwood, above, with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department, teaches county employees how to handle calls about bioterrorism
during a seminar Tuesday afternoon. At lower, Josh Wagner, EMS training supervisor, describes the anthrax virus as EMS administrative assistant Jodi Huffman looks on.
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Guidelines issued for dealing with biological agents
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Oct. 17 - RALEIGH — The State Health Director has issued a set of guidelines for those concerned about
possible exposure to biological agents such as anthrax.
These guidelines are being issued to bring perspective to the growing numbers of hoaxes and authentic situations such as the exposures to NBC and ABC
employees.
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Commissioners adopt countywide land-use plan
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Oct. 17 - Lincoln County now has a map for the future.
Lincoln Commissioners adopted a countywide land-use plan Monday that will help pilot decisions on future growth.
“It is one of the necessary tools that can help us guide this county where we really should be going,” said Commissioner Larry Craig, who made the motion for adoption.
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Neighbors show respect to Iranian family
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Denver man grieves over Sept. 11 loss
Oct. 15 - DENVER — After the barbaric attacks of Sept. 11 came reports of backlash against Muslim Americans and those of Middle Eastern descent across the country.
However, one Iranian-born Denver business owner says his community has shown only kindness and concern toward his family.
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Ali, Farzaneh, and Tina Mohseni, a family of Middle Eastern descent, has found their neighbors in Denver warm and friendly. Ali Mohseni
flies an American flag outside of his businesses.
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More
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Water upgrades to begin
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Oct. 15 - Long awaited water system improvements throughout Lincoln County are underway.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners approved three contracts this month with Charlotte engineering firm W.K. Dickson to begin three separate
projects.
Services such as mapping, surveying, and consulting with the design and construction phases will be provided. The firm will receive some $600,000
according to the contracts.
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Tech school needs roof, other repairs
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Oct. 15 - At least $600,000 is needed to repair Lincoln School of Technology’s leaking roof and heating and
cooling system, officials say.
A school board building committee toured the facility Thursday.
“This roof is terrible — it rains in,” Principal Max Houser told committee members.
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Higher state sales tax taking effect
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Opponents say increased tax could hurt future growth by pulling money from the economy
Oct. 15 - RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The sales tax on most goods rises from 6 cents to 6½ cents per dollar on Tuesday, an increase approved by the Legislature
this session to help balance the state budget.
A $2 item will cost $2.13 rather than $2.12 under the new tax.
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Homecoming
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Student council representative Ashley Abernethy waves to the crowd during Lincolnton High School's homecoming parade Friday afternoon. She
was escorted by Andy Acker. The Wolves beat Bunker Hill later that night. West Lincoln High School also played its homecoming game Friday but lost to Newton-Conover High School.
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Flu vaccine available soon
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Oct. 15 - With the
Centers for Disease Control predicting a severe flu season, Lincoln County’s Health Department hopes to have the vaccine in by November.
Some shortage could occur though not of the same magnitude as last year, according to Shannon Alfaro, the department’s immunization nurse.
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Celebrating Autumn
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Oct. 15 - Autumn leaves turn red, orange and yellow. Pumpkins appear at door-steps and the weather turns chilly, signaling the time for
fall festivals. At Iron Station Elementary School this annual tradition took place Friday. Far right, Alyssa Smith sits quietly as her face is painted. At right, volunteer Margaret Phelps helps Michael
Freeman decorate a pot. Both Smith and Freeman are kindergartners.
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Celebrating patriotism
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Justin Joy, an East Lincoln Middle School sixth grader, sings "God Bless America" during a candlelight ceremony Thursday on the
Courtsquare. The music was part of the Lights on Afterschool celebration sponsored by Communities in Schools. Event organizers hope to raise awareness about the need for after school care.
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Lincoln schools celebrate gains in test scores
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Oct. 12 - School administrators congratulated teachers for gains in ABC scores and encouraged more
progress during a celebration Thursday afternoon at the Citizens Center.
“We’re saying thank you to you. We know you worked very hard,” Elaine Jenkins told the crowd of educators. Jenkins is assistant superintendent of curriculum.
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Gym heads wish list at Iron Station
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Oct. 12 - A full size gym is at the top of Iron Station Elementary School’s wish list, Principal Rhonda
Hager told school board building committee members Thursday. The school also needs four or five new classrooms.
The committee was touring Iron Station as part of a district wide assessment of facility needs in anticipation of asking for a bond referendum..
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County chided for SailView sewer problem
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Oct. 12 - DENVER — A sewage problem in one of Lincoln’s most expensive subdivisions
has residents demanding immediate help from the Lincoln Board of Commissioners.
The community of SailView, located
on Lake Norman in Denver, is having problems with sewer pumps. Alarms constantly go off and the pumps are not able to remove sewage from the tanks.
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Students learn safety
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Firefighters offer life-saving tips
Oct. 12 - The first graders coughed, giggled, fanned the air and dropped to floor, crawling toward the door of the
smoky room.
No real blaze roared, instead the children were learning what to do if they are ever caught in a fire. The visit to the smoke house was part of
fire safety day Wednesday at Betty G. Ross Park..
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Lincoln keeps careful watch
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Oct. 10 - Lincoln County is on a heightened alert for terrorist activity as are local governments all
over the nation in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.
“Our biggest concern at this point is watching out for sympathizers,” said Susan Ledford, Lincoln’s Emergency Management Director. “They may not necessarily be
a terrorist or a bin Laden follower, but somehow sympathize with them. Lots of time they (sympathizers) want to disrupt life without causing a major trauma.”
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Patriotic T-shirts
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Oct. 10 - Red Cross volunteers Marsha Helderman and Darrell Williamson sort T-shirts which are now going on sale. Four designs sport
patriotic themes. Proceeds from the $10 shirts benefit relief efforts. The shirts are available at the Red Cross office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office is located on North
Aspen Street behind Century 21 Realty.
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Perfect Picking
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Fall Fun
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Jeans for teens brightens style-conscious Armenians
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Oct. 10 - Youth at Boger City United Methodist Church are reaching across the globe to give their peers
in Armenia something most American kids take for granted – blue jeans.
Josh Belk, an eighth-grader at Pumpkin Center Middle School, is leading the Jeans for Teens drive which continues into next year.
“I felt it was something we needed to do to help those kids,” Belk said.
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Name sought for Lincoln’s new high school
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Oct. 10 - How about Ore Banks High School? Would you consider Benjamin Lincoln High and maybe call your
team the Lions?
Those choices and many others are floating around as possible names for Lincoln County’s newest high school, scheduled to open in 2003.
Board member Sara Miller who lives in western Lincoln County, has not received any community input on names. But she hopes to hear suggestions.
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Theatre Guild presents classic Simon comedy
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Oct. 10 - It’s a social commentary on the 1960s with a lot to offer decades later — including laughs.
Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” asks the question: “Can two divorced men happily live ever after?”
The answer?
In this case, a resounding, “No!”
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Blessing of the animals
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Oct. 8 - St. Luke's Episcopal Church hosted their annual Blessing of the Animals Sunday in the churchyard. People brought their pets to be
blessed on the Sunday closest to St. Francis Day. (Left) Father Barry Kramer offers blessings and treats to Cindy Gardner's two Labradors, Addy and Guiness. (Right) Barbara Plotts enjoys the cool, sunny
day with her dog, Mercy, while waiting for their turn to be blessed.
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Lincoln after school programs to be showcased
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Oct. 8 - After school programs will be spotlighted Thursday at 6 p.m. on the courtsquare.
Students from Communities in Schools’ four middle school-based after school programs, parents, after school workers and local officials will be on
hand to talk about the program. Students will also sing patriotic songs to remember the Sept. 11 attack on America.
The event is part of a nationwide Lights on After School project sponsored by the Afterschool Alliance.
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Most Lincoln schools meet state ABC growth
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Oct. 5 - Five Lincoln County Schools met school of distinction criteria in ABC testing last year and 14
schools reached at least state calculated growth projections, according to data released Thursday by the State Department of Public Instruction.
“We’re very pleased,” said schools superintendent Jim Watson Thursday. “Idealistically, you would like every school to meet their goals; realistically we know
that different schools face different challenges.”
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College faces workforce changes
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Oct. 5 - Gaston College is coping with the high-tech needs of
a more specialized work force while dealing with new cultural trends.
Dr. Linda Greer, Dean of the Division of Continuing Education for the college, outlined some of the new trends to members of the Lincolnton
Rotary Club on Monday.
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Oaklawn soccer fields planned
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Oct. 5 - Lincolnton’s first public use soccer fields may be coming to one of its worst
drug-ridden neighborhoods — Oaklawn.
Leaders are working hard to rid the Oaklawn community of its crime label and want to try on a new identity. Public athletic fields could be a key
to their work.
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School project news is good
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School Site
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Grading crews have begun work at the site of Lincoln County's newest high school. The school, which remains unnamed, will be located at Lee Lawing
Road and N.C. 150 near Pumpkin Center Elementary and Middle schools. Groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 26
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Oct. 3 - Following a construction update Tuesday night, school officials are hopeful that costly rock
removal will not be ordered at Lincoln’s newest high school site.
“So far the news is better than anticipated last week,” Superintendent Jim Watson told the board during its monthly meeting.
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Lincoln test scores climb
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Oct. 3 - The percent of students reaching proficiency on ABC tests has improved at all three high schools
and at seven elementary schools, officials said Tuesday.
Complete ABC testing results will be available Thursday, though Lincoln County School Board members did get some information Tuesday night.
Scores at Lincolnton and West Lincoln middle schools improved over last year, while numbers were down slightly at East Middle.
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Canine sleuth Lucky sniffs out explosives
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Oct. 3 - In 12 minutes, Lucky can check a 727 jet. In 20 minutes, she can search a wide body
plane for explosives.
The same jobs would take a team of people hours to complete.
While Lucky helps keep the skies safe, the job is just a game to the pooch..
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Lucky is ready to go to work. The explosive sniffing dog and handler Mark Stamey keep Charlotte-Douglas Airport safer.
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Wolf-Rebel rivalry draws huge crowds
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Turnout could have been largest in history for Friday’s big game
Oct. 1 - VALE — It was excitement times 2 at the West Lincoln-Lincolnton game.
Fans came out for maybe the biggest game ever between the two rival schools.
There was no love lost here.
“I think we’re going to kick some major (tail) tonight said Rebels fan Eric Stouss. “Lincolnton does not know what they are getting into tonight.”
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Lincoln celebrates Bike Day
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Oct. 1 - Helmet-clad children swished their bikes and scooters between orange cones Saturday
during a community wide bike safety day at Gaston College Lincoln Center.
Sponsored by the Lincolnton Police Department, Lowes Hardware and other area businesses and agencies, the third annual event attempts to put
helmets on riders’ heads and teach them safe biking. The event is timely – a state laws goes into effect today requiring anyone under age 16 to wear a helmet while riding.
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