April 22 - 28, 2016
bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996
Fire destroys couple’s home He cried and cried over her. She was his ‘baby.’” –Darlene Bradshaw, on the loss of her husband’s 8-year-old Chihuahua in a home fire
Power surge blamed for fire that burns mobile home and furnishings by PATTI STOKES STOKESDALE – In their 39 years of marriage, longtime Stokesdale residents Darlene and Lonnie Bradshaw have had their share of life challenges. Darlene, 55, has battled – and survived – breast cancer. Lonnie, 65, has diabetes and two stents in his coronary arteries. Both of them are out of work and live on disability income. But that’s not all. A few months ago, Lonnie got more bad news about his
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IN THIS ISSUE News in Brief ................................................3 Your Questions............................................4 Oak Ridge Town Council ..........................5 Youth/School News .................................10 World cultures celebrated ......................13 Student Profiles .........................................14 Student Artist Gallery ...............................15 High School Sports ...................................18 Community Calendar.............................19 Bits & Pieces ..............................................20 Celebration ...............................................20 Crime/Incident Report ............................21 Letters/Opinions .......................................22 Facebook Posts/Comments ..................23 Grins & Gripes ...........................................24 Classifieds .................................................27 Index of Advertisers .................................31 NWO on the Go ........................................32
HB2 continued: What’s your take? Survey responses compiled by ANNETTE JOYCE In our April 8-14, 2016 issue, we published some of many readers’ reactions to the passage of House Bill 2 (HB2) on March 23. In this issue we share more of those reactions, and thank those who offered their input. “I feel the General Assembly acted in, what it felt was, the best interest of the citizens of North Carolina. This bill establishes the first statewide antidiscrimination policy for North Caro-
lina, which is tougher than the federal government’s. “I have to agree with Gov.McCrory; it’s only common sense that men should use men’s rooms and women should use women’s rooms. It’s not like the bill tells gay and transgender people that they can’t use public bathrooms. Charlotte’s ordinance would have allowed for bad people to legally be somewhere that they shouldn’t be, and then potentially do bad things. I hope that anyone who feels discriminated against by the bill is able to see that this law is for the greater good.
“Local governments should be allowed to act within their rights and responsibilities given to them. As an elected local official I feel it’s another example of overreaching authority by Raleigh; but with that being said, what in the world was Charlotte’s city council thinking? They forced the General Assembly to step in by acting so irresponsibly. “The spirit of the law is good, but the letter has had some unintended consequences. I think there has been too much bad information spread about the bill not only in our state, but nationally as well. I
hope the state is able to better educate businesses, sports leagues and even other states so that some of the misconceptions can be better addressed. Reece Walker SUMMERFIELD “I am responding to this survey for two reasons. First, I am in favor of HB2 and proud of our governor for the stand he has taken. It is unfortunate that some politicians feel they have to attach additional legislation to a bill like this.
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