Month: April 2016

The view from the lookout atop Mount Mitchell is 360 degrees. On a clear day, you can see the Charlotte skyline. (David Boraks/WFAE)

Mt. Mitchell was just the start for NC parks, now 100 years old | WFAE

April 28, 2016

Early environmentalists had some clout. A century ago, state lawmakers designated Mount Mitchell as North Carolina’s first state park. That came after citizens and officials grew worried about increased logging near the peak. Since then, the state park system has grown to 75 protected parks, lakes, beaches, and other natural areas. In my latest feature … More Mt. Mitchell was just the start for NC parks, now 100 years old | WFAE

A cultural divide?

April 12, 2016

I spoke at a Davidson College seminar Monday afternoon. The Multicultural House and other locations around campus have all-gender restrooms.  It got me thinking about the bill that North Carolina lawmakers passed last month. House Bill 2 excludes #LGBT people from protections under anti-discrimination laws. HB 2’s passage and quick signing by Gov. Pat McCrory … More A cultural divide?

Casey Eichfeld (left) and Devin McEwan topped the men's double canoe. (David Boraks/WFAE)

Why Charlotte’s Whitewater Center attracts Olympic hopefuls here | WFAE

April 12, 2016

The nation’s top athletes in canoe and kayak slalom were in Charlotte this past weekend (April 7-9) Saturday competing to represent the U.S. at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio. In interviews for public radio station WFAE-FM, I talked to two athletes with good chances to make the team, as well as a longtime U.S. … More Why Charlotte’s Whitewater Center attracts Olympic hopefuls here | WFAE

janet mcfadden

Driver charged in death of dog walker Janet McFadden

April 1, 2016

Updated Saturday, April 2, 2016, 10:36am Janet McFadden, who owned Davidson Pet Sitters, has been identified as the victim of Friday’s fatal pedestrian accident South Main Street.  McFadden was walking two dogs on the crosswalk between Flatiron Kitchen and Raeford’s Barber Shop when she was struck by a Republic Services garbage truck around 12:15pm Friday. Police … More Driver charged in death of dog walker Janet McFadden

The accident happened in this crosswalk, between Flatiron Kitchen and Raeford's Barber Shop.

Pedestrian killed while crossing S. Main St.

April 1, 2016

Main Street in downtown Davidson was closed Friday afternoon while police investigated the death of a pedestrian struck by a garbage truck.   The incident happened around 12:30pm, as the person crossed South Main Street, while walking two dogs. One of the dogs also died.  The accident happened in the crosswalk between Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse … More Pedestrian killed while crossing S. Main St.