The Pineville Pilot

Home Sales in Pineville

2015 Signing Day page 19

Crystal O’Gorman/Pilot photo

page 7 Volume 3, Number 2 • February 2015

Modern changes arrive in downtown Pineville New properties, townhomes, roads coming to Main Street

by Crystal O’Gorman crystal@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

With nine storefront properties available for purchase or lease, a new four-way intersection at Church and Main streets in development and a new townhome community set to break ground over the summer, Pineville residents can expect change in downtown Pineville.

President of the Downtown Pineville Merchants Association Jennifer Fagan said she’s optimistic about the changes taking place in Downtown Pineville.

“We’ve got a lot of foot traffic now, some upcoming events taking place here and new shops are getting leased out – all these factors are definitely good for the area,” she said.

Fagan has two businesses in suites at 315 Main St. – Fluffs of Luv pet supplies retail and pet grooming store and Fluffs of Luv pet sitting and dog walking company.

Her neighbors at The Yarn Shop are going out of business and three suites are currently open for lease by Goode Company, a property management firm.

Change on Dover, Main streets Bill McConnell, secretary of the Downtown Pineville Merchants Association, said Pineville has really taken shape as a modern, family-friendly retail shopping experience ver the last five years.

McConnell, married to Laurie Yandell of W.A. Yandell Rental & Investment Co., helps coordinate the management of the Yandell’s properties along Main Street, including All-American (see Downtown on page 4)

Locally Owned & Operated www.PinevillePilot.com

Council modifies weapons code, term lengths

by Courtney Schultz news@pinevillepilot.com

The Pineville Town Council unanimously passed two changes to the town’s code and charter that will affect the town’s operations, at its recent meeting on Feb. 10.

The town held two public hearings at its Jan. 13 meeting, with one concerning a text change regarding weapon discharge in the town. The text amendment would change the town code from reading “discharging of firearms” to “discharging of weapons” to include bow and arrows under the ordinance and to increase the length of councilmember terms.

No one spoke at the public hearing regarding the amendment to the weapons discharge ordinance, but town manager Haynes Brigman explained at the Jan. 13 meeting the change would give the Pineville Police Department authority to fine and assign penalties to violators who are not at least 300 feet from any occupied structure, public roadway, sidewalk, park, church, school or other areas frequented by the public, when discharging weapons – including bow and arrows.

Law enforcement recommended at the Feb. 10 meeting the town increase the distance from 300 to 500 feet because crossbows often have the ability to shoot farther than 300 feet.

“This could be a safer guard for property owners,” Brigman said.

Mayor Pro Tem Melissa Rogers Davis voiced concerns at the Jan. 13 meeting regarding the 300 feet distinction from

(see Weapons on page 8)

INDEX: News Briefs, 6; Scores, 7; Home Sales, 7; Crime Blotter, 11; Education, 14; Faith Notes, 16; Calendar, 17; Sports, 18

Page 2 • February 2015 • Pineville Pilot

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News

Pineville couple launches “The Little Free Library”

by Hannah Chronis hannah@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

Bill and Judy Phillips have called Pineville home for 38 years.

A year and a half ago, Bill read an article about a free, neighborhood library operating on a donation system. Neighbors could donate books and take books at their leisure, all for the purpose of bettering the community.

“The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea,” Bill said. “I thought, ‘That’s something anyone can do,’ and I kept thinking about what that could look like in Pineville.”

Bill took things into his own hands and decided to launch Pineville’s own “Little Free Library” with the help of his wife.

The library, located outside The Phillips’ home at the intersection of Cone Avenue and Edin Circle, is a large, weather-resistant box shaped to look like a house, the couple constructed by hand. Residents can borrow and return books for personal use and the structure occupies 2 to 3 feet of the town’s right of way. Pineville Town Council unanimously approved construction at its Jan. 13 meeting.

The couple began collecting gently used books for all ages and setting them aside

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in their home until they collected enough to launch the library on Feb. 11. It currently holds over 50 books.

“We’re on the corner at a four-way stop so I think our location is ideal,” Judy said.

“We’ve lived in the same house for 38 years and every time we thought about moving, we realized we wouldn’t find anywhere better than here. It really is a wonderful community, so we liked the idea of giving something to the community.”

The library currently holds different genres of books, from John Grisham to Danielle Steele, Judy said, and the couple hopes to continue growing their collection. They said that since starting the project, they’ve already noticed positive feedback from the Pineville community and their next-door neighbors.

“People used to come down the street and wouldn’t look up,” Judy said. “Now, they come down our street, slow down, wave and say ‘Hello.’ It’s been wonderful.”

Judy, whose favorite author is Arthur Conan Doyle, designed the artwork on the side of the library herself. She used spray paint to provide decoration that wouldn’t fade in extreme heat or rain.

“I loved watching my wife put the drawings on the side,” Bill said. “I enjoyed

Photo courtesy of Judy Phllips

building it and she enjoyed painting.

We’ve really enjoyed doing it together…

The town of Pineville has given so much to my family and me and I thought it would be nice to give something back. I’m not a rich person, but this is one way I can give back to my neighbors and say, ‘thank you.’”

Pineville Mayor Pro Tem Melissa Rogers Davis said she’s been in support of a library in town limits for years.

“I was in support of it from Day 1,” Davis said. “I have fought and tried to get a public library here for many years…

There hasn’t been a freestanding library

built from ground up in many, many years.

I’m in full support.”

Davis added she thinks the Little Free Library is a step in the right direction for Pineville and hopes it will continue generating interest for a larger, freestanding library in town limits in the near future, adding residents want a library of their own.

“I think the community is in support of a library in Pineville,” she said. “Anything we can do to promote reading and promote kids to read is a good thing. (The Little Free Library) is great and I would still like to see another library in the town.”

Pineville Pilot • February 2015 • Page 3

News

Crystal O’Gorman/Pilot photo

Downtown (continued from page 1)

Barber Shop at 319 Main St. and continuing down to Two on Earth Bakery Café at 333 Main St. He also manages all the stores on Dover Street.

McConnell said new developments are coming to some of his managing properties.

Two shops on Dover Street, Modern Mosaic Gallery – soon to be known as M3 Gallery – and Focal Point Chiropractic will move their offices to 323 and 325 Main St. Transformation Interiors, located on Main Street, will be closing and McConnell said prospective buyers are interested in opening a restaurant in the 2,200 square-foot space.

After M3 Gallery and Focal Point Chiropractic move, Yandell Rental & Investments Co. also are looking to lease the properties on Dover St. Yandell is working with Hopper Communities, to build a townhome community behind the storefronts, and hope to break ground in the summer.

“As a family, we are careful about what type of businesses we lease to … We are making a conscious effort to showcase our storefronts to a diverse mix of businesses,” McConnell said.

Saying ‘goodbye’ to history Kitty Fairley, 47-year-old Charlotte resident, said selling her family’s properties on Main Street has been bittersweet.

“The best part of my childhood was spent in Pineville,” she said. “It’s kind of sad how much things have changed, but I hope it makes the town stronger.”

Fairley, her sister Elizabeth Lois FairleyHepler and her aunt Amelia Delaney Ardrey, are selling storefronts at 326 and 328 Main St. in Downtown Pineville. Formerly the Pineville Gun Shop, leased to and operated by the late Sam Long and family for more than 20 years, the property has been in the Ardrey family since the 1920s.

Fairley’s Grandfather Joseph Alexander Ardrey II first purchased the property after returning from World War I. Their family ran the shop as a beauty parlor, World War II ration center and dress shop.

Combined, the 1,092-square-foot Page 4 • February 2015 • Pineville Pilot

properties at 326 and 328 Main St. were just purchased by John and Candace Aldrich. Candace Aldrich.

“After much research, my father and I grew very interested in the history of Pineville. … This property is the perfect fit for us, letting our luxury concepts explode,” Candace said.

They plan to open a holistic health and beauty services business. Renovations will begin in March and they plan to open this year.

Mike Sullivan, broker for The Nichols Company, negotiated this sale on behalf of the Ardrey family. He said four serious parties were interested in the property and the back-and-forth even included a bidding war.

“The historic district has really picked up. Three properties have sold in the past 6 months and another is under contract. Each new sale has commanded a new record sales price, and the prices are up 30-percent in the last 6 months,” Sullivan said, who also spoke at the Downtown Merchants Association last week.

Development of ‘untouched potential’ Pineville Mayor Jack Edwards also said he’s excited to be a part of Pineville’s growth, especially the efforts invested in by the town council to restructure the traffic patterns at Church and Main streets and Johnston Drive and Main Street.

“We are a small community, 5.7 square miles limits what we can do, but there’s lots of untouched potential in the historic downtown area,” Edwards said.

Edwards is also in agreement with Fagan and McConnell, who hope for a family dining restaurant.

While businesses change hands and new developments are in the works, Sullivan believes Downtown Pineville is getting back to its roots as a pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining community.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission reports that the first businesses were opened there at the beginning of the 20th century. These brickfront properties have housed grocery stores, doctor’s offices, beauty and barbershops, a gun shop, antique stores, a post office, a bank and a theatre, with more to come. news@pinevillepilot.com

News

Extra lanes on I-485 through Pineville become area of contention

by Ryan Pitkin ryan@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

While the recent Interstate 485 expansion has created some rush-hour relief on the southwestern part of the highway that runs through Pineville, extra lanes built by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to be opened in the future have created unrest among some drivers.

When the NCDOT opened a lane on each side of I-485 between Interstate 77 and Rea Road in December 2014, the department actually built twice that amount, with another lane saved for use as a toll lane that won’t open for at least another five years.

Adding the toll lane during the most recent expansion project saved the state $18 million, according to the NCDOT, and prevented another construction slowdown in the future.

However, the sight of the fully finished lane, blocked off by orange barrels until it can be used as a toll lane, has disgruntled some drivers as they continue to sit in traffic during peak hours on weekdays.

Union County resident Tim McCulla recently addressed the issue in an

news@pinevillepilot.com

open letter to state officials, urging them to immediately open the lanes to resolve traffic issues that still plague the interstate.

In the letter, addressed to North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory and U.S. Sens. Thom Thillis and Richard Burr, McCulla calls on state officials to open the completed lanes on I-485 and cancel future plans to make them toll lanes.

“To leave that existing lane unused for years will certainly cause further frustration, which will translate into political problems for those who choose not to perceive this (as) an issue,” McCulla wrote.

McCulla added he hoped the state representatives would “immediately act upon the will of the people and not the dictates of an inept organization like the NCDOT.” Federal laws, however, restrict options for highways built with federal money. These highways are not allowed to switch a regular lane to a toll lane, meaning the NCDOT could not legally open the lane for regular use now and convert it to a toll lane later. (see i-485 on page 10)

Pineville Pilot • February 2015 • Page 5

News

The Pineville Pilot

News Briefs Council holds public hearing regarding lewd conduct, massage parlors The Pineville Town Council held a public hearing, during its recent meeting on Feb. 10, regarding an amendment to the town code concerning massage parlors and lewd conduct in Pineville.

The amendment seeks to fill in some loopholes in North Carolina law regarding the specific acts that can be performed at a massage parlor, Pineville town manager Haynes Brigman said.

Brigman said Pineville has had problems with criminal acts being committed in Pineville massage parlors, but police were unable to step in because of the vagueness of state law.

The proposed amendment regarding massage parlors would specify what specific acts could be performed there, Brigman added.

Mayor Pro Tem Melissa Rogers Davis had concerns regarding how police would become aware of improper acts performed in the parlors.

Town staff said code enforcement officers and law enforcement can check on parlors, but most enforcement will be complaint driven.

Regarding lewd conduct, the town’s current code that addresses sexual acts in public only allows law enforcement to take action against those acts if skin or genitalia is exposed and the enforcer is of the opposite gender of the offender.

The proposed change would give law enforcement the authority to take greater action against any lewd acts, regardless of exposure to skin.

The proposed amendment would make such acts a violation of the code of ordinance, and offenders would face a misdemeanor criminal prosecution.

The ordinance will be placed on the docket for the March 10 meeting, Brigman said, when the council could adopt the ordinance and make adjustments to code language.

The meeting will take place at The Hut, located at 413 Johnston Drive, at 6:30 p.m. on March 10, a Tuesday.

Council reappoints Yarber to board of adjustment The Pineville Town Council reappointed Joseph Yarber to the town’s board of adjustment after his term expired last year, at the council’s meeting on Feb. 10.

At the Jan. 13 meeting, all vacancies to the town’s board were filled with the exception of an expired seat on the board of adjustment.

Yarber was slated as wanting to be reappointed, according to a memo from town manager Haynes Brigman, but the town was unable to establish contact with Yarber before the January meeting to confirm.

The town made contact between the January and February meetings, and Yarber confirmed his interest in reappointment, Brigman said.

Yarber’s appointment completes all the necessary appointments for the year.

The board of adjustment meets the fourth Thursday of each month, at 6:30 p.m. at The Hut, located at 413 Johnston Drive.

T-Mobile asks for taller cell tower in Pineville Town planner Travis Morgan told the Pineville Town Council T-Mobile, a cellphone company, requested to increase the size of the cell tower, located at 12109 Lancaster Hwy., behind Waldhorn Restaurant, at the council’s meeting on Feb. 10.

The company is seeking to increase the height of the tower from 156 to 176 feet to accommodate new equipment.

The town will hold a public hearing at its March 10 meeting to hear residents’ opinions and concerns regarding the tower height increase.

The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. at The Hut, located at 413 Johnston Drive.

Pineville signs on to livable communities plan The Pineville Town Council signed on to the finalized Mecklenburg Livable Communities Plan at its recent meeting on Feb. 10.

The plan is based on seven guiding principles that describe specific strategies to fulfill the principles with the hope of growing economic stability in the county.

Pineville’s council received two presentations about the creation and implementation of the plan.

The county and its contractor, Foundations EDITORIAL Managing Editor Courtney Schultz

News Writers Hannah Chronis

Features Editor Josh Whitener

Crystal O’Gorman

Ryan Pitkin

10100 Park Cedar Drive, Suite 154 Charlotte, NC 28210 Phone: 704-849-2261 • Fax: 704-849-2504 news@pinevillepilot.com

Carolina newspaper group

Page 6 • February 2015 • Pineville Pilot

Advertising: adsales@carolinaweeklynewspapers. com

Layout Editor Liz Lanier A&E Editor Dee Grano

Sports Writer Ben Doster Faith Columnist Rev. Tony Marciano

of the Carolinas, requested all municipalities support the plan by adopting the proposed resolution to sign on the plan. The resolution does not commit the town to funding any projects, and is only intended to offer a vision for how partnerships, strategies and community engagement can help the county grow, according to a memo to the council from town manager Haynes Brigman.

“I think this is more of a collaborative effort,” Brigman said. “These are strategic goals to actively participate with (the county’s) vision through the town’s goals, administration, growth … things we support, transportation and education initiatives.”

Find more information at livablemeck.com.

Town could soon approve roads in Traditions subdivision

Town manager Haynes Brigman said town staff will bring forward a recommendation in March or April to accept the roads in the Traditions subdivision.

The town is working with town public works director Chip Hill to ensure the roads, sidewalks, storm drains and any other infrastructure are up to town standards, Brigman added, and the roads will eventually become town roads, rather than private roads, in the future.

Councilmember Debbie Fowler questioned whether the town had recruited an engineer to look at the plans for the roads.

Brigman said the town hired a town engineer on a contractual basis.

“Nothing is imminent in terms of a longterm contract, but we do have someone in place we can use as the need arises,” he said regarding the engineer’s contract.

Councilmembers had concerns whether town staff was insuring roads were built to proper standards.

Town planning director Travis Morgan said the past bond money available for road repair was not enough to repair the road to 100 percent, which caused a shortcoming with the road. The current road repairs will be reviewed based on the bond available for the road, which may not be 100 percent, he added.

“What I’m hoping to have at the next meeting is a statement that says we were able to maximize the fullest extent of that bond money for all the crucial elements (for road repair),” Morgan said.

Town staff will continue to evaluate road conditions and discuss road plans at future council meetings.

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The Pineville Pilot is published by the Carolina Weekly Newspaper Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

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News

Home Sales in Pineville

A breakdown of recent home sales

Jan. 2015 Jan. 2014 Homes Sold Average Sales Price

5 $258,535

6 $212,374

Jan. 2013 5 $154,300

Editor’s note: Information provided by the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association and www.sales.carolinahome.com

Address

Date sold

Sale price

buy or sell a house?

28134 Carolina Village 11503 Wilson Mill Lane Jan. 30

Danby 12318 Delcorte Lane Jan. 29 12409 Danby Road Jan. 20

Mccullough 1114 Cedar Park Drive Jan. 16 15407 Country Lake Drive Jan. 9

news@pinevillepilot.com

Best time to

$223,500 $156,000 $132,900 $323,800 $456,473

December and January tend to be slow months for home sales because of the delay caused by holidays and vacations. Unsurprisingly, this makes it an ideal time to buy a house and the least desirable time to put your home on the market.

The Pineville Pilot Restaurant Scores The Mecklenburg County Health Department inspected the following dining locations from Jan. 16 to Feb. 11.

Lowest Score: • TLC Wings & Grill, 9101 Pineville-Matthews Road – 86 Violations included: No certified food protection manager on duty; no signed employee health policy agreement for employees; interior of microwave collecting residue; large mixer collecting on surfaces above the mixing bowl; large red strainer collecting residue; sausage, pasta, cut green peppers, ranch dressing and American cheese unlabeled; bottle containing degreaser and bottles with sanitizer store above the dish-washing sink and hanging on the shelf to the left of the dish washing sink, repeat violation; chemical nozzles in contact with large clear mixing bowls; sauce bowls stored and stacked wet in the back dish-washing area, repeat

violation; utensils in the dishwashing area stored in containers that are collecting debris; bins containing sauces collecting debris; many surfaces collecting debris, repeat violation; vents in fryer area collecting residue; and general cleaning needed.

All Scores: 28134 • Applebee’s Grill & Bar, 10921 Carolina Place Pkwy. – 97.5 • Bi-Lo Restaurant, 9101 Pineville-Matthews Road – 94.5 • Corner Café/Fish Fare, 11200 Nations Ford Road – 96.5 • Dorchester, 12930 Dorman Road – 95 • Mama’s Coffee House, 716 Main St. – 98 • Subway, 529-B N. Polk St. – 99 • TLC Wings & Grill, 9101 Pineville-Matthews Road – 86 About the grades Restaurants are given grades of A for scoring at least 90 percent, B for 80 to 89 percent and C for 70 to 79 percent. The state revokes permits for restaurants that score below 70 percent.

Pineville Pilot • February 2015 • Page 7

News

Weapons (continued from page 1)

an occupied structure rather than the property line. Brigman said the 500 feet distinction would be enough a buffer to not cause a safety issue.

Councilmember Les Gladden said law enforcement officers are having trouble concerning hunters who don’t have the required permits to hunt in Pineville. He said Pineville residents who have permission from property owners to hunt near their properties bring other hunters with them who don’t abide by the distance standards set by the town’s code.

“Police are having issues where someone (from Pineville) brings (a non-Pineville resident) with them (to hunt), they don’t care how close they are to the property,” Gladden said.

Gladden wanted the amendment to require all hunters to have individual written permission from property owners to hunt on the property.

The council unanimously voted on Feb. 10 to approve the amendment with the specified changes.

Pineville’s council also approved an amendment to the town charter to change the term length of councilmembers from two-year terms to four-year terms on a staggered

Page 8 • February 2015 • Pineville Pilot

schedule. The amendment was the focus of the other public hearing held on Jan. 13.

The current councilmembers and mayor will be up for re-election during the 2015 municipal election. The two councilmembers with the highest votes in the election will serve the first four-year terms; the other two will serve two-year terms, with fouryear terms beginning after the 2017 municipal elections.

“It is often difficult for councilmembers to enact any change in a two-year timespan,” Brigman said at the Jan. 13 meeting.

Town staff felt the change would bring “continuity” to the board and greater long-term change.

The mayor position will remain as a two-year term in the town. One resident asked during the Jan. 13 public hearing why the mayor’s term would not change, as well.

In North Carolina, mayors typically serve two-year terms, Brigman said at the hearing, and, since the mayor is a nonvoting member, he recommended the mayor’s term remain as such.

Contact Hayes Brigman at hbrigman@pinevilledsl.net or 704889-4168, for more information.

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news@pinevillepilot.com

Pineville Pilot • February 2015 • Page 9

News

I-485 (continued from page 5)

Another obstacle in opening the lane lies in the bottleneck that already exists on the outer loop of I-485 at Rea Road, where the interstate returns to a two-lane highway. Opening a fourth lane could clog traffic further at the Rea Road exit.

The NCDOT said McCrory and NCDOT Secretary Tony Tata will meet with area leaders and transportation officials “to consider all options” for the southwestern section of I-485, in a release addressing residents’ concerns.

“I am committed to having our team sit down with local leaders as soon as possible to discuss solutions for inadequate design, infrastructure and funding issues that were created years ago, which have been causing serious traffic congestion on I-485,” McCrory said in the release. “We are open to reviewing and considering all viable options.”

One option, raised by Charlotte Mayor Dan Clodfelter in January, would be to turn the existing lane into a carpool lane until it is ready to be used as a toll lane.

During a presentation to Charlotte City Council at its Feb. 9 meeting,

Page 10 • February 2015 • Pineville Pilot

Tata discussed the viability of creating a carpool lane, opening the lane for general use or keeping it closed until it is made a toll lane.

Tata said a carpool lane would add only six seconds of relief and could cost the NCDOT up to $1 million to repaint the road and add signage.

Ed Driggs, District 7 representative on Charlotte’s city council, said, although the city is not part of the decision-making process, he has been studying the issue and how it affects his district, which covers the Ballantyne area.

Driggs said before the council meeting he hoped the lane could be opened in any capacity to relieve drivers, but now thinks the best option may be to leave the lane closed.

“Public perception would be a lot better if we could open it, but it turns out the smart thing might be to keep it closed until it can be incorporated into the project it was intended for,” Driggs said.

Currently, the toll lane is not expected to open until the next I-485 widening project is finished. This project aims to continue the widening that was finished in December with an extra lane on each side of I-485 between Rea Road and U.S. 74.

The project has been approved for

Ryan Pitkin/Pilot photo

funding through the State Transportation Improvement Program, a new prioritization process used by the NCDOT, according to Warren Cooksey, NCDOT spokesperson. If the NCDOT Board of Directors approves the project during a vote in June, it is scheduled to receive funding beginning in 2017 and ending in 2020.

When that project is finished, the NCDOT can begin work on opening the toll lanes.

The schedule for the next leg of I-485 is subject to change depending on availability of funds, Cooksey said.

The extra I-485 lanes will be an item of discussion at the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Pineville Mayor Jack Edwards sits on the CRTPO’s Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The Pineville Pilot will continue to cover this story as it progresses.

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News

The Pineville Pilot

Crime Blotter The following people were arrested in Pineville between Jan. 19 and Feb. 8, according to the Pineville Police Department.

• Tasha Rochelle Grant, 9931 Lee St.: Expired inspection; driving while license revoked; expired registration; no insurance. Jan. 19 • Kelvin Eugene Bunch, 11819 Park Road: Possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia. Jan. 20 • Daven Obryant Harris, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting. Jan. 20 • Walter Jamaha Lyons, 11040 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Possession marijuana. Jan. 20 • Andrew Franklin Young, N.C. 51: Driving while impaired. Jan. 20 • Clyde Preston Chappell III, 9100 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Simple physical assault; obtained money by false pretense; larceny; worthless checks. Jan. 23 • William Blake Rothmel, Park Vista Circle: Driving while impaired. Jan. 24 • Fernando Gallardo, South Polk Street at Towne Centre Boulevard: Possession of identified drugs; possession of drug paraphernalia. Jan. 24 • Savon Harris Riddick, 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Shoplifting. Jan. 24 • Jefferson Estuardo Garcia, 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Shoplifting. Jan. 24 • Johnell Devontay Grant, Dillard’s, 11041 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Unlawful concealment. Jan. 24 • Terrell Anthony David, 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Trespassing. Jan. 24 • Trevor Sean Porrata, Childers Lane: Possession of drug paraphernalia. Jan. 25 • Gabriel Ryan Bishop, I-485 onramp by Carolina Place Mall: Driving while under the influence.

Jan. 26 • Mia Tashione-Dania Gause, 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Shoplifting; damage to personal property; drug violations. Jan. 27 • Richard Michael Murray Jr., 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Aid and abet larceny.

Jan. 27 • Ruby Christina Charleston, 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Aid and abet larceny. Jan. 27 • Christopher Bryon Bowman Jr., 10400 block of Centrum Parkway: Simple physical assault.

Jan. 27 • Taylor Maria Galloway, 8900 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia. Jan. 27 • Trevor Sean Porrata, 930 block of Lakeview Drive: Misuse of 911; false police report. Jan. 29 • Nolan Laque, Belk, 11009 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting. Jan. 30 • Shantel Lynette Smythe, Pineville Police Department: Hit and run. Jan. 31 • James Salley Jr., N.C. 51/I-485: Possession of marijuana. Jan. 30 • David Ryan Lohnas, N.C. 51: Possession of drug paraphernalia. Jan. 31 • Michael Vancleve Jones Jr., 250 block of Eden Circle: Warrant for driving while license revoked. Jan. 31 • Jamal Sidney Harper, 400 block of Town Centre Boulevard: Possession of schedule VI drug; news@pinevillepilot.com

possession of drug paraphernalia. Jan. 31 • Stephanie Marie Brown, 1000 block of Blythe Boulevard: Driving while under the influence.

Jan. 31 • John Leroy Partee, 100 block of South Polk Street: Possession of marijuana. Jan. 31 • Subhi Mohamed Elmasharawy, Oakbrook Drive and Johnston Road: Possession of unidentified drug. Feb. 1 • Eric Raul Truesdale, Oakbrook Drive and Johnston Road: Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Feb. 1 • Eddi Giovani Rodriguez, Oakbrook Drive and Johnston Road: Red light violation; no operator’s license; simple possession of schedule VI drug; possession of drug paraphernalia. Feb. 1 • Spencer Kim Mann, Park Road near Kingfisher Drive: Possession of stolen property. Feb. 1 • Taqula Charmane Lowe, 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Failed to report accident.

Feb. 1 • Earl Ka-Rel Jaimes, Circle K, 8925 PinevilleMatthews Road: Expired tag; driving while license revoked; driving with a revoked tag; no liability insurance. Feb. 1 • Eric Hosa Jaimes, 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Unlawful concealment. Feb. 1 • Kelly Gabriela Quintanilla-Zaldana, 11000 block of Carolina Place: Disorderly conduct. Feb. 1 • Holmes Gordon Hall, 10200 block of Feldfarm Lane: Possession of drug paraphernalia; simple possession of marijuana. Feb. 2 • Tyler Joseph Murphy, Onramp to I-485 by Carolina Medical Center-Pineville: Simple possession of marijuana. Feb. 3 • Bartholomew Devoe Gregory, 8400 block of Habersham Pointe Circle: Possession of drug paraphernalia. Feb. 4 • O’Brien Misean French, 8400 block of Habersham Pointe Circle: Warrant. Feb. 4 • Eyma Tercia Howard, 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Larceny; damage to personal property; possession of stolen property; trespassing.

• Charles Frederick Wing III, 320 block of South Polk Street: Driving while under the influence. Feb. 4 • Melanie Kay Howington, 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Shoplifting, trespassing.

Feb. 5 • Adrian Lorenzo, 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Assault by pointing a gun. Feb. 5 • Joseph Frederic Wrighman, 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Larceny. Feb. 6 • Leanna Marie Chafin, 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Shoplifting. Feb. 6 • Javier Jamies Rodriguez, 10900 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Driving while under the influence. Feb. 7 • David Jon Keaveny, 8200 block of Trail View Drive: Possession of drug paraphernalia. Feb. 7 • Heber Manuel Velasquez-Guerra, 10300 block of Osprey Drive: Warrant. Feb. 7 • Gadji Temishev, N.C. 51 at Park Road: Possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia. Feb. 7 • Kendall Lexie Valentine, N.C. 51 at Park Road: Possession of marijuana. Feb. 7 • Michael Lee Brown, 200 block of Lowry: Resisting, delay,ing obstructing arrest. Feb. 7 • Andy Iasean Edwards, 9500 block of South Boulevard: Fleeing to elude; all traffic violations, except driving while impaired. Feb. 8 • Eberardo Saldana, 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Shoplifting. Feb. 8 Pineville Pilot • February 2015 • Page 11

News

Fighting cystic fibrosis, one mile at a time Two On Earth owner to participate in 30-mile Xtreme Hike

by Josh Whitener josh@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

Alana Sult’s life changed early last year.

The owner of Two on Earth Bakery Café in downtown Pineville was diagnosed with Stage 0 breast cancer and underwent a lumpectomy and radiation treatments in March 2014. On the same day Sult received her diagnosis, one of her sisters was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer.

“We’ve just been taking it one day at a time” since then, Sult said.

Page 12 • February 2015 • Pineville Pilot

Now that her own health has improved, Sult plans to channel the stress from a difficult year into something positive – helping people with cystic fibrosis.

Sult and a team of four other women, dubbed “These Boots Are Made for Walking,” will participate in the Charlotte Xtreme Hike to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The April 18 event is a 30.1-mile hike along a stretch of the Appalachian Trail. Sult’s team will join about 70 other hikers from Charlotte and beyond for the regional hike, which includes a three-month training schedule, daily workout calendar, weekly team hikes in

and around Charlotte and accommodations for three days and two nights near the trailhead.

Sult and her team have trained since the beginning of January, which has included cross-training exercises, walks and hill repeats in town. The team also has traveled to places, such as Crowders Mountain, located off Interstate 85 in southern North Carolina; Stone Mountain in Roaring Gap; and Linville Gorge in Marion, in preparation for the Xtreme Hike. “(The Xtreme Hike) is something not to be taken lightly,” Sult said. “It’s a 14-hour hike … you go from 3,000 feet to an elevation of about 6,500 (feet) … We’ll start off at four in

the morning with headlamps and just keep trucking.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, or CFF, which heads up the hike, requests each participant raise $3,000. The foundation uses funds raised to search for treatments and a cure for cystic fibrosis.

The Charlotte-area Xtreme Hike has raised nearly $3 million since its inception in 2010, according to Dede Sidbury, associate director of the CFF’s Charlotte Chapter. Sidbury said the goal for the Charlotte-area hike, now held twice a year, is to raise $700,000 in 2015, with goals of $450,000 for the spring hike and $250,000 for the fall event.

“We only started the fall hike in 2012. It’s a newer event, but it’s moving up quite quickly to catch up with our spring endeavor,” Sidbury said.

The Xtreme Hike is now in 18 markets across the U.S., Sidbury said, and continues to raise funds to fight cystic fibrosis, as well as raise awareness about the life-threatening genetic disease.

Cystic fibrosis affects about 30,000 people in the U.S. and 70,000 people worldwide, according to CFF statistics. People with the disease inherit a defective gene that causes a buildup of thick mucus in the lungs, pancreas and other organs, making it difficult to breathe. The buildup also can trap bacteria in airways, which can lead to infections, inflammation, severe lung damage and respiratory failure.

In the 1950s, children with cystic fibrosis were not expected to live long enough to attend elementary school, according to the CFF. The most recent CFF patient registry data states the median predicted age of survival for people with cystic fibrosis is the early 40s, and about half of people with the disease are 18 years old or older.

There currently is no cure for the disease, which is why fundraising endeavors such as Xtreme Hike are so important, the foundation said.

“Xtreme Hike continues to grow nationally each year, as do our research efforts and the progress we’ve made in the search for a cure.

Real progress toward a cure has been made, but the lives of young people are still cut far too short,” CFF said on its website.

Having come face-to-face with her own life-threatening illness, Sult wants her and her team members to do what they can to help others facing medical hardships.

“I don’t know anyone with cystic fibrosis … But I do know I shouldn’t take for granted the health I do have,” Sult said. “That’s why I really wanted to do this hike. I like to hike, and I want to do what I can to raise some money for this debilitating disease.”

Two On Earth Bakery Café will host a dinner fundraiser for the CFF on March 1, a Sunday, from 4 to 8 p.m. Dinner costs $15 and includes baked ziti, salad, bread and a drink. Desserts will be available for purchase to raise additional funds for the foundation.

Dine-in and carryout options are available, and people are encouraged to RSVP to 704889-2253 or Alana@twoonearthbakery.com.

Two On Earth is located at 333 Main St. Find more information and donate to Sult’s efforts at fightcf.cff.org/goto/AlanaSult news@pinevillepilot.com

news@pinevillepilot.com

Pineville Pilot • February 2015 • Page 13

Education

Pineville Elementary pioneers county recycling, composting program

by Courtney Schultz news@pinevillepilot.com

Pineville Elementary School is helping create healthier soil through a new composting and recycling program launched last month.

Mecklenburg County’s Wipe Out Waste Program guided the school on ways for students to divide waste from their lunches into food bins for composting, recycling bins and non-recycling bins. The county supplied information and food waste bins to the school to kick off the program.

“The program is designed to remove food from the waste stream,” said Derrick Andre Harris, environmental supervisor of Mecklenburg County’s Wipe Out Waste Program, who head recycling. “What we encouraged the kids to do is to have the understanding the diversion of the food waste is good for the environment.”

Pineville Elementary is one of 16 elementary and middle schools in the county volunteering to pilot the program.

Elizabeth Rentschler, child nutrition manager at Pineville Elementary, said the school’s principal, Brian Doerer, wanted a recycling program in the school, so she volunteered the school for the program with the county’s help.

The school decided to participate after discovering statistics that showed one elementary school-aged child generates about one

Page 14 • February 2015 • Pineville Pilot

pound of food waste per week. With 826 students in the school and 36 weeks of school, Pineville Elementary would average about 30,000 pounds of food waste each school year, according to those statistics.

“We showed them how food can be turned back into soil and put back into the environment,” Rentschler said. “We showed them that stuff that’s crowding up the landfill can be used in a different way.”

The program has helped students start thinking about how to dispose of their lunch trays and how their trash can be reused, Rentschler said.

The school’s recycling has tripled since the school adopted the program, and the county now picks up trash only two or three times a week, when it previously would pick up the school’s trash daily, she added.

Pineville Elementary sends its compost weekly to Earth Farms Organics in Dallas, North Carolina, where the food waste is turned into organic soil.

Jim Lanier, owner of Earth Farms Organic, said the organization has a 100-acre farm that collects food waste from area institutions and blends the waste with woodchips.

Once Earth Farms receives the compostable material, they mix the material with a specific recipe of nitrogen and carbon and the composting process takes the company about five months to complete.

Earth Farms’s mission is to recycle food

waste, the largest source of nitrogen gas, Lanier said.

He said soils on farms typically are depleted by chemicals, and he hopes to generate strong, organic soil in area farms.

“Some people think that composting is just throwing food away; they don’t realize the beneficial aspect of it,” said Lanier, referencing how organic soil helps grow healthier food that contains fewer chemicals. “If we can build our soils back up, we can start growing locally again and not importing foods from California and South America.”

He wants students to understand recycling can create new objects for future use, so they understand where their recyclables go.

“If you’re talking (about) recycling at the school, we show them what that milk carton is going to make,” Lanier said. “We show (the students) that it could make a table or a chair and doesn’t just go into a landfill.”

Harris feels students are the biggest advocates of recycling and tend to retain the habits they learn at a young age throughout their lives.

“I think the biggest thing is that they can contribute to the betterment of the environment, but we want to (also) encourage them to seek environmental studies as they get older to become an environmental steward or an environmental professional,” Harris said.

Rentschler said the school has emphasized how students are pioneers of the recycling

Photo courtesy of Earth Farms Organics

and composting movement in the county.

Harris hopes the program can become a system-wide program because CMS is one of the largest generator of food waste.

“We want them to not only see (the benefits) from the diversion of food waste from school, but the decrease of cost for garbage collection,” he said.

Pineville Elementary continues to supply food waste to Earth Farms and will receive a batch of soil in the spring for the school’s ceremonial garden, which Rentschler said the school is looking forward to.

news@pinevillepilot.com

Education

The Pineville Pilot

Education News & Notes

South Meck welcomes writer and retired actor as guest speaker Lisa Jakub, a writer and retired actor, will speak at South Mecklenburg High School on March 3, a Tuesday.

She began her acting career at 4 years old, working consistently for 18 years in films, such as, “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Independence Day,” “Rambling Rose” and “Matinee.”

At 22 years old, she realized she no longer wished to act and left Los Angeles.

She now lives in Virginia with her husband and writes. She recently wrote her memoir, “You Look Like That Girl,” that will be published in June 2015.

Contact the South Meck PTSA, the event’s sponsor, at SouthMeckHSPTSA@ gmail.com.

Quail Hollow students ‘talk it out’ Eighth-graders at Quail Hollow Middle School participated in an assembly last month as part of the Talk it Out campaign, sponsored by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.

Talk it Out is a program that focuses on providing tools to families to help start the conversation with their children about the dangers of underage drinking.

At the assembly, students heard messages from families impacted by underage drinking.

According to the group, the average age for trying alcohol is 13.9 years old, and 91 percent of middle school students feel parents talking with them would help stop underage drinking.

Parents can visit talkitoutnc.org for tools to help with conversation starters and additional support.

Charlotte Catholic Band to travel to Ireland The Charlotte Catholic High School (CCHS) Band will travel across seas to Dublin, Ireland, for a performance in the St. Patrick’s Day parade next month.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke invited the band last year to enjoy a weeklong tour of the islands with performances in two parades and an Americana concert at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The CCHS band program will perform a send-off concert on March 8, before their departure on March 11.

Contact the school at 704-543-1127, for more information. CCHS is located at 7702 Pineville-Matthews Road in Charlotte, near the Pineville border.

South Meck hosts coaches day awards South Mecklenburg High School’s South Meck Sabre Football Boosters will host the 2nd Annual Coaches Day Awards on Feb. 28, a Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The event will take place at Fonti Flora plantation in Farifield County, South news@pinevillepilot.com

Carolina and will feature a lunch of barbecue, beans, bread, banana pudding and beverages.

Activities will include a corn hole tournament, fishing, college basketball, prizes, giveaways and time with Coach Rocky White and his staff.

Tickets cost $149 individually or $199 per couple. Motor coach tickets are available for $175 individually and $249 per couple.

Contact the school at 980-343-3600 for more information.

NC releases school performance grades for Pineville area schools North Carolina released its first School Performance Grades on Feb. 5, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools had a large percentage of schools earn a B or higher.

As required by state legislation, the School Performance Grades are based 80 percent on the school’s achievement score and 20 percent on students’ academic growth. The only exception to this is if a school meets expected growth, but inclusion of the school’s growth reduces the school’s performance score and grade. All public schools, including charter schools, receive grades that reflect on student performance during the 2013-14 school year.

“North Carolina public school parents now have an easy-to-understand letter grade to help them evaluate school performance,” State Board of Education Chairman Bill Cobey said in a news release. “The State Board will be considering how to assist schools that received a letter grade of D or F. We have requested funding from the General Assembly to support school turnaround efforts and professional development for teachers so that we can continue intervention services for the lowest-performing schools.”

Pineville-area elementary, middle and high schools earned the following scores: South Mecklenburg High earned a B, Community House Middle School earned an A, Quail Hollow Middle earned a D, Sterling Elementary earned a F and Pineville Elementary earned a C. “Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is working to prepare every student for a successful future, and the new letter grades do not change our commitment to that goal,” CMS Superintendent Ann Clark said in a news release.

Clark also said the district will work on other strategies to improve teaching and learning district-wide. She said the district’s strategic plan, which sets six broad goals, will continue to serve as the CMS guide to improving teaching and learning.

“Our Strategic Plan 2018: For a Better Tomorrow identifies the key areas of focus for our district,” she said. “We remain committed to academic achievement as our top goal, and the other five goals support that goal as our core business.”

Parents can see individual schools’ scores and district scores at www.ncpublicschools. org/accountability/reporting.

Pineville Pilot • February 2015 • Page 15

Faith

The Pineville Pilot

Faith & Religion News & Notes

Pineville UMC to celebrate Ash Wednesday, sets dates for summer camps Pineville United Methodist Church will celebrate Ash Wednesday on Feb. 18 with a Drive Thru Ashes event from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. for on-the-go individuals who want to commemorate the holiday.

The church also will host an Ash Wednesday dinner and worship service, starting at 6:30 p.m. Call 704-889-2022 for more information.

Pineville UMC also will host several summer camps this year, and the church recently announced the dates for those programs.

The church’s Preschool Music Camp will be held June 15 to 18, and its Elementary Music Camp is scheduled for Aug. 3 to 7.

The church is encouraging people to mark their calendars for its annual vacation Bible school, slated for July 13 to 17.

Pineville UMC also will host an UPWARD Basketball Camp this summer, with the date to be announced soon. Find more information at www.pinevilleumc.org under “Children/Youth” and “Summer Camps.”

Pineville UMC is located at 110 S. Polk St. in Pineville.

Page 16 • February 2015 • Pineville Pilot

South Charlotte Baptist to host Open House Sunday

Children invited to AWANA at GraceLife Church

South Charlotte Baptist Church will host an Open House Sunday event on Sunday, Feb. 22, to give community members a chance to learn more about the church and its ministries.

The event will begin at 9:30 a.m., with coffee and donuts in the fellowship hall.

Sunday morning Bible studies begin at 10 a.m., and the church is offering a nursery and classes for children.

The worship service will take place at 11 a.m., and attendees are invited to stay after the service ends to tour the facilities and meet some of the church staff. Information about South Charlotte Baptist Academy, the church’s pre-kindergarten-through-12th-grade Christian school, also will be provided.

Find more information about the church and Open House Sunday at www.south charlottebaptist.org. The church is located at 12416 Lancaster Hwy. in Pineville.

Children of all ages are invited to GraceLife Church’s weekly AWANA program.

AWANA, which focuses on teaching the Bible to children, meets at GraceLife on Sunday afternoons at 5 p.m. Find more information about AWANA at www.christtheword.com/awana.

GraceLife also offers Sunday school children’s church on Sunday mornings at 9:30 and 10:45 a.m.; Midweek Madness on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.; and a variety of seasonal activities, such as vacation Bible school and kids’ camps. Find more information at www.gracelifepineville.com, or email bwhitehead@gracelifeacademy.com or jschlemmer@gracelifeacademy.com.

Call 704-889-7665 for more information about the ministries of GraceLife Church.

The church is located at 705 Lakeview Drive in Pineville.

Ash Wednesday service at Harrison UMC Harrison United Methodist Church will host an Ash Wednesday service on Feb. 18 from 7 to 8 p.m.

The service will take place in the church sanctuary. Find more information at www. harrisonchurch.org, or call 704-541-3463.

Harrison UMC is located at 15008 Lancaster Hwy. in Pineville.

Pineville Nazarene gearing up for WOW 2015 Pineville Church of the Nazarene will host Women Of Worth, or WOW, 2015 on March 20 and 21, a Friday and Saturday.

The theme of the event is “Source of Light,” and the conference will feature Susie Shellenberger as the guest speaker and Kevin Ferriera as the guest musician.

WOW 2015 will include “uplifting praise and worship, exciting special music and

challenging messages from (the) speaker,” along with “inspirational workshops, delicious lunch, enriching fellowship and the Dollar Boutique,” according to a church announcement.

Registration is $35, and the deadline to register is March 9. Find more information and register online at www.pnaz.org.

Pineville Nazarene is located at 8614 Pineville-Matthews Road in Charlotte, near the Pineville line.

Ebola survivor to visit Calvary Church Calvary Church will host An Evening with Nancy Writebol, featuring the Calvary Church missionary who contracted Ebola when serving in Liberia with Serving in Mission (SIM) USA. The event will take place Feb. 26, a Thursday, at 7 p.m. in the church’s Crown Room.

Writebol is one of the first two Americans who recovered from the deadly virus.

She will speak about her experience serving in Liberia, as well as her “triumphant return to health,” according to a church announcement. The event, free and open to the community, also will feature dessert and coffee.

Find more information and register to attend by Feb. 24 at www.calvarychurch. com. Calvary Church is located at 5801 Pineville-Matthews Road in south Charlotte.

news@pinevillepilot.com

Calendar 3.1.15 Sunday 4 to 8 p.m.

Xtreme Hike Fundraising Dinner The Two On Earth Bakery Café will host a fundraising dinner to support its Xtreme Hike team, who are raising funds for cystic fibrosis research.

The team of six will join 66 others to raise money and awareness for CF and will hike 30.1 miles on the Appalachian Trail in one day for the cause.

The dinner will include baked ziti, salad, bread and a drink for $15, cash or check, at the door.

Contact Alana Sult at alana@twoonearthbakery.com for more information.

Two On Earth Bakery Café, 333 Main St., Pineville 3.6.15 Friday 6:45 to 9:15 p.m.

2nd & 3rd Grade Fun Night

4.9.15 Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Home-school History Day The President James K. Polk Historic Site will host a fun-filled day just for home-school students, who are 7 to 14 years old. Students will experience what life was like for young James K. Polk in the early 1800s in Mecklenburg County. Activities will include hands-on chores, backcountry food presentations and historical craft making. The cost is $5 for children and $3 for adults. Applicable sales tax is not reflected in the above admission price.

President James K. Polk Historic Site, 12031 Lancaster Hwy., Pineville 4.11.15 Saturday 9 a.m. to noon 2nd Annual Health and Wellness Fair

A fun and safe event for kids to spend time with their friends, while parents enjoy some time to themselves.

The event will include food, fun and supervision.

The event will cost $5 for YMCA members and $7 for guests, to be paid at the door.

Contact Cameron Abrams, associate youth services director, at 704-716-6845 or cameron.abrams@ ymcacharlotte.org for more information.

The Pineville Parks and Recreation Department invites residents to join them for a day of fun and health activities. The activities will include classes in yoga, boot camp, self-defense, soccer, dance, cheer, tai chi, gymnastics and cheer, among others, as well as a bounce house, music and local business promotions.

Businesses can call 704-889-2400 to reserve a free space to promote their business and help make the community healthy.

Harris YMCA, 5900 Quail Hollow Road, Charlotte

Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville

3.17.15 Tuesday 6 to 7 p.m.

Outdoor Survival & Nature Education: Nutrition and Field Cooking Trevor Hudspeth, a wilderness emergency medical technician from the McDowell Nature Center, will discuss topics regarding outdoor survival, including camping, navigation, survival basics and woodland wildlife recognition.

He will specifically emphasize specific skills, such as caloric intake, equipment and different stove and preparation techniques.

The program is a partnership with Mecklenburg County Parks & Recreation.

Registration is required and starts on Feb. 15 at 8 a.m. at cmlibrary.org.

Contact Eric Hartman at 704-416-6600 or ehartman@cmlibrary.org for more information.

4.18.15 Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Paws in the Park Black Dog Appreciation and Black Dog Walk presents an event that will feature more than 50 vendors, demonstrations, food trucks, dog rescue groups, dogs available for adoption, a dog walk and the annual Black Dog Walk. There also will be a live performance

by CJ and Brother Max. Black Dog Appreciation is still accepting applications for businesses and rescue groups for the event.

Applications can be obtained by emailing Charlotteblackdog@gmail.com.

All dogs are welcome and admission is free.

Visit www.facebook.com/ BlackDogAppreciationDayBlackDogWalk for more information.

Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville

South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road, Charlotte

Send your events to news@pinevillepilot.com news@pinevillepilot.com

March 1 Pineville Pilot • February 2015 • Page 17

Sports

sports shorts

by Ben Doster ben@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

Local girls’ teams finishing 4A So. Meck 8 play strong South Meck (15-7, 10-3 in So. Meck 8) has won 11 of its last 13 games on its way to a second place conference finish.

The Sabres have an opportunity to improve their postseason position when they hosted Ardrey Kell (21-2, 13-0) on Feb. 13, after Pineville Pilot went to press.

This is the first season South Meck has made the state playoffs since 2006 when Joy Cheek, a former Duke standout, led the Sabres to a state championship crown.

“We have some experience,” South Meck coach Cristie Mitchell said. “I only have one senior, but I have eight juniors. A big core of the juniors have played for me for three years now, so they’ve been in the system for three years. They know what’s going on.”

Ali Fitch (12.6 points per game), Carrington Barnett (7.6 points per game), A’Lea Gilbert (6.4 rebounds per game), Nnenna Okam (6.1 rebounds per game), Courtney Sanderson (3.2 steals per game) and Aja Stevens (8.4 points per game) have played significant roles in the Sabres success this season.

“Nnenna Okam, my sole senior, has really improved over the past four years,” Mitchell said. “She’s gotten so much better. Having a big post player that can help out is huge for us,

Page 18 • February 2015 • Pineville Pilot

we were in November.”

A win over Providence will give Charlotte Catholic a third place finish in conference play, but a loss would drop the Cougars to fourth in the standings.

Carrie Eberle (12.5 points per game), Maggie Dupre (8.7 points per game) and Stephanie Ferraro (7.9 points per game) have been key cogs for the Cougars.

Sabres send 10 wrestlers to regionals Photo courtesy of Cristie Mitchell

because we’ve always had a guard heavy team.

Being able to get the inside, outside game going has really been the biggest difference.”

Charlotte Catholic wins five of six games The Cougars’ girls basketball team (16-7, 8-5 in So. Meck 8) gets the chance to avenge its 37-33 loss at Providence (11-11, 7-6) when they host the Panthers on Feb. 13, after Pineville Pilot went to press.

“It’s been a little bit of a rollercoaster,” Charlotte Catholic coach Bobby Conrad said.

“We had a real lull. We had a four-game losing streak right after Christmas, but I think the kids practiced really hard. Even through that period, I think we’ve been getting better day after day. I think we’re a far better team than

South Meck’s wrestling team will have a strong representation in the state regional matches at Hough on Feb. 13, after Pineville Pilot went to press.

The following Sabres will be competing: Carlos Medina-Lesmes in the 106-pound weight class, Michael Cook in the 113-pound weight class, Collin Stewart in the 120-pound weight class, Eddie Allen in the 138-pound weight class, Chris Moungle in the 145pound weight class, Blake Barber in the 152pound weight class, Jacob Norby in the 170pound weight class, Mason Armstrong in the 182-pound weight class, Ian Jefferson in the 195-pound class and Seth Mann in the heavyweight class.

“Obviously Collin, Chris, Barber, Allen, Norby, Armstrong – those guys I think they’re the ones we’re looking at to see who has the best chance of getting through,” South Meck coach Jeff Keiser said. “If kids wrestle well, everybody’s got a chance, but I would say

probably those six guys are probably our strongest chance of going in. Maybe the other guys will get on a role. We’ll see what can happen.”

South Meck boys’ swim for state title South Meck boys’ swimming team will be competing in the N.C. High School Athletics Association 4A state championship at the Triangle Aquatics Center in Cary on Feb. 14.

“We have about 10 events, and we have someone in every event qualified to go to the state [championship],” South Meck coach Leslie Berens said. “Some of them have two or three swimmers.”

“South Meck has a strong tradition of doing well. I’ve been coaching for eight years at South Meck and five of those years we’ve been second place twice, third, fourth and we’ve been fifth, so we’re always knocking on the door. We’re always in the mix, and you never know what’s going to happen. You hope to do something special and bring it home for your school.”

The Sabres won the So. Meck 8 conference championship and the regional meet, which is the first time South Meck won both in the same year since 1991. The last time South Meck won the state championship in swimming was 1989.

Nathan Murray, Graham Weaver and Jacob Rouch are some of the standout swimmers for South Meck, Berens said.

news@pinevillepilot.com

Sports

2015 Signing Day

Hannah Billiard and Christina Goforth, both seniors at Covenant Day, will continue their volleyball careers at Berry College.

Megan Embry, a senior at Covenant Day, will continue her volleyball at Anderson University.

LEFT: Ardrey Kell had 19 student athletes sign their National Letters of Intent. The Knights following signed NLI: Lindsey Bish, soccer, Lees-McRae; Kanisha Davidson, lacrosse, Limestone College; Kerani Davidson, lacrosse, UVA-Wise; Raven Dean, women’s basketball, East Tennessee State University; Bonte Freeman, football, South Carolina State University; Quiera Gilmore, women’s basketball, Norfolk State University; Maeve Healey, lacrosse, Belmont Abbey College; Javon Hopkins, football, Wingate University; Rhett Huddleston, football, Bluefield College; Ashley Hughes, soccer, Brevard Collage; Allison Kenney, softball, Belmont Abbey College; Connor Long, swimming, Texas A&M; Deja McCain, women’s basketball, North Carolina State University; Brian McLeod, football, Campbell University; Matthew Messler, football, Valparaiso; Jack Eudy, swimming, United States Naval Academy; Twazanga Mugula, football, Duke; Jordan Muhammad, women’s basketball, Princeton University; Steven Santa Ana, basketball, Elon; Trey Smith, football, Averett University; Mason Veal, football, University of North Carolina; Lauren Wallace, women’s swimming, University of Richmond; Raymond Wright, football, United State Military Academy.

Anna Shawley, a senior at Grace Academy, will continue her soccer career at Lynn University.

Charlotte Catholic had 12 student athletes sign their National Letters of Intent. The following Cougars signed NLI: Brendan McDonough, soccer, Georgetown University; Jamir James, soccer, Appalachian State; Jordan Poff, soccer, Wofford College; Price Keough, soccer, San Francisco; Megan Archer, soccer, Presbyterian College; Matt Kowalewski, football, Elon University; Jack Miller, soccer, Washington & Lee; Kevin Lynch, soccer, Colorado School of Mines; Chris Efenecy, soccer, Brevard College; Alex Lapiana, football, Tufts University; Joe Scibelli, basketball, Haverford College; Bridget Wilkinson, volleyball, Belmont Abbey.

RIGHT: Myers Park had several student athletes sign their National Letters of Intent. The following Mustangs signed NLI: Nolan Mills, golf, North Carolina State University; Hoke Carlton, golf, Davidson College; Rydeiah Rogers, women’s basketball, North Carolina State University; Aliyah Mazyck, women’s basketball, University of Southern California; Zaqwaun Matthews, basketball, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Megan Goodling, women’s soccer, Davidson College; Blair Anderes, women’s soccer, University of Mississippi; Remington Frost, soccer, William & Mary; Katie Tylman, volleyball, High Point University; Jackson Smith, swimming and diving, University of South Carolina; Jackson Dean, baseball, Presbyterian College; Will Kobos, baseball, George Washington; Scott Kobos, baseball, University of North Carolina at Asheville; Marcus Chan, baseball, Campbell University. The following Mustangs also signed to continue their athletic careers: Nick Goble, basketball, Randolph College; Parker Fay, soccer, Sewanne University; Clay Norris, football, Georgetown University; Parker Hoffler, football, Baldwin Wallace University; Olivia Larson, swimming, Brandeis University; Anna Habacevich, lacrosse, Wingate University; Evan Todd, baseball, Maymount University.

Providence Day had seven student athletes signed their National Letters of Intent. The following Chargers signed NLI: Sarah Heacock, field hockey, Appalachian State; Justin Kahl, soccer, Stanford University; Nick Linder, cross-country, Harvard University; Lauren Lucas, soccer, Dartmouth College; Cassie Brown, lacrosse, Florida Southern; Alex Cantrell, football, Washington & Lee; Deonte Henderson, football, Campbell University.

Several athletes from Independence will continue their careers at the next level including: Paulus Bonar, football, St. Augustine’s; Pierre Lockwood, football, Mars Hill; Chris Mangum, football, Mars Hill; Will Walton, football, Winston-Salem State; Cordell McMurrary, football, St. Augustine’s; Tim Marshall, football, Guilford College; Natalie Barnett, lacrosse, Presbyterian College; Lizzy Burch, softball, Charlotte 49ers; Cameron Allen, baseball, Surry Community College; Brandon Davis, baseball, Coker College; Jarrett Thompson, baseball, Gardner-Webb University; Dylan Ritch, soccer, Washington & Lee; Alec Anselmo, soccer, Pittsburgh; Brandon Anselmo, soccer, Winthrop; Kelvin Hopkins, football, Army; Adonis Alexander, football, Virginia Tech.

Charlotte Christian had four student athletes sign their National Letters of Intent. The following Knights signed NLI: Brian Chaffin, football Stanford University; Jaylon McClinton, football, United States Military Academy; Jackson VanSickle, football, Virginia Tech; Philip Walton, football, North Carolina State University. news@pinevillepilot.com

Charlotte Latin had seven student athletes sign to continue their athletic careers at Division I schools including: Billy McClelland, wrestling, Davidson; Kanyon Tuttle, football, South Carolina State University; Perry Zollicoffer, soccer, Davidson; Anthony Bilas, basketball, Wake Forest University; Hope Dragelin, swimming, Boston College; Alec Hanff, football, Furman; Toby Okwara, football, Brown.

South Meck had several student athletes sign their National Letters of Intent, including: Alexandra Martelle, swimming, University of Arizona; David Lamb, football, Coastal Carolina; Harris Yett, baseball, North Carolina State University; Axel Rojas, soccer, USC-Lancaster; Milton Espinoza, soccer, USC-Lancaster; Melissa Guerrero, soccer, USC-Lancaster; Joseph Coss, wrestling, Belmont Abbey; Bedrick Yobo, football, Johnson C. Smith; Matthew Cooper, swimming, Kenyon College; Brendan Schaffer, diving, University of the Incarnate Word; Grant Patton, tennis, Anderson University; Chase Scott, lacrosse, Catawba College; Oliver Moncure, football, Guilford College; Mitch Lowery, football, Washington & Lee; Michael Smith, baseball, John Hopkins.

Pineville Pilot • February 2015 • Page 19

Page 20 • February 2015 • Pineville Pilot

news@pinevillepilot.com