Robberies leave police looking for suspects

KANNAPOLIS — Police are seeking information related to the Dec. 30 robbery of the BP station at North Cannon Boulevard and East 29th Street.

Kannapolis officers responded at 1:45 a.m. Dec. 30 to a “hold up” alarm activation.

The clerk informed officers that two black males walked inside the business and demanded money.

One suspect wore a blue hooded sweatshirt with a full zipper in the front and blue jeans.

The second suspect wore a black hooded sweatshirt pullover with gray trim around the hood, a yellow undershirt and blue jeans.

The suspects did not display a weapon but implied they had one. The two offenders took an undisclosed amount of currency and fled the scene on foot.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Sgt. Chris R. Nesbitt at 704-920-4022, or report information anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 704-93-CRIME. 

 

Series of robberies at Hot Spot under investigation

 

KANNAPOLIS — The Kannapolis Police Department is investigating a series of robberies which have occurred over the past two weeks at Jordan’s Hot Spot, located at 2500 S. Main St., Kannapolis.

The first incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. Dec. 29 when a white male walked inside the business, approached the counter, displayed a handgun and demanded money.

The cashier complied, and the suspect left the business with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect wore a dark gray, hooded sweatshirt with white designs on the front and blue jeans. The sweatshirt had a full length zipper in the front. The suspect is believed to be about 20 years old, 5 feet, 10 inches tall and about 160 pounds.

Officers responded to Jordan’s Hot Spot again about 1:30 a.m. Dec. 31, to investigate an armed robbery. Three young black males walked inside the business and one suspect displayed a handgun.

The other two suspects demanded the cashier open the register. The suspects retrieved cash and miscellaneous merchandise. 

One suspect wore a blue hooded sweatshirt with a full zipper in the front and blue jeans. The second suspect wore a white hooded sweatshirt pullover and blue jeans. The third suspect also wore a blue hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.

A third armed robbery occurred at Jordan’s Hot Spot about 4:25 a.m. Jan. 6. Officers learned a white male wearing a blue hooded raincoat and armed with an edged weapon walked inside the business, demanded money and left on foot with cash.

The suspect is described as a white male in his early 20s. Anyone with information is being asked to contact Sgt. Chris R. Nesbitt at 704-920-4022, or report information anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 704-93-CRIME.

Home invasion on Pleasant Ave. leads to suspect search

 

KANNAPOLIS —  Police are investigating a home invasion and armed robbery that occurred at the home of a Kannapolis couple at about 6:45 a.m. Jan. 7.

William and Evelyn Davis of 414 Pleasant Ave. telephoned police after a stranger barged into their home and took money.

Reports said William Davis answered a knock at their door, and a white male armed with a knife forced his way into their home.

The suspect is described as 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 180 to 200 pounds and wearing a green hooded sweatshirt. The suspect left the residence with Evelyn Davis’ wallet and an undetermined amount of cash.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Sgt. Chris R. Nesbitt at 704-920-4022, or report information anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 704-93-CRIME.

Annex Avenue man under $150,000 bond on forgeries

Reports from the Kannapolis Police Department:

Arrests

• Timothy Dixon, 46, 519 Annex Avenue; two counts of forgery; $150,000 bond; Jan. 6.

• James Kincey Medlin, 40, 507 Broad St.; communicating threats; Jan. 6.

• Robin Renee Wallace, 45, 924 Haley St.; aggravated assault; $500 bond; Jan 6.

• Valerie Edwards Pethel, 36, 4401 Barber St.; possession of marijuana, failure to yield at stop, possession of paraphernalia; $1,000 bond; Jan. 7.

• Sasha McDowell, 27, 805 Ruth Ave.; driving while impaired (.15 alcohol level), no operator’s license, rear lamps violation; other traffic infractions; Jan. 7.

• Sherrie Rorie, 55, 207 Flowe Ave.; obtaining money or property by false pretenses; Jan. 8.

• Glenn Smith, 20, 621 W. 22nd St.; possession of paraphernalia, drug violations; $5,000 bond; Jan. 8.

• Charles Elliott, 18, 1004 N. Ridge Ave.; traffic infractions, larceny; $500 bond; Jan. 8.

• David Peregord, 18, contempt of court, perjury; $836 bond; Jan. 10.

 • Alicia Powell, 42, 108 Hemlock Ave.; expired inspection, expired plate, fictitious, cancelled or revoked plate, following too closely, no operator’s license, operating vehicle with no insurance; $400 bond; Jan. 9.

• Edwin Rogers, 25, 714 Irene Ave.; other infractions; Jan. 9.

• Robert Gill, 41, 708 Jackson Park Rd.; simple non-physical threat or intimidation; Jan. 9.

• Elizabeth Hewitt, 23, 424 E. 23rd St.; simple physical assault; Jan. 9.

• Timothy Jackson, 29, 424 E. 24th St.; simple physical assault; Jan. 9.

• Myra Whitley, 37, 717 Pleasant Ave.; driving while license revoked, expired or no inspection; Jan. 10.

• Eris Anderson, 48, 1229 Madison Ave.; driving while impaired, .16 alcohol level; Jan. 10.

• Tevin James, 16, 706 Sloop Ave.; assault on a female, injury to personal property; Jan. 10.

• Tammy Palafox, 41, 1117 Kentucky St.; traffic infractions; Jan. 10.

• Christopher Renn, 22, 2495 Faith Rd.; larceny by employee; Jan. 11.

• Mary Shipman, 45, 1513 Lane St.; traffic infractions; $500 bond; Jan. 11.

• Douglas Gibson, 39, 613 Fairview St.; simple physical assault; Jan. 11.

• Kevin Lewis, 30, 1105 Birch St., fraud, two counts; Jan. 12; $1,000 bond.

• Carson Lynch, 43, 1919 Pinebough Lane, unauthorized use of conveyance, simple assault and simple non-physical threat; Jan. 12.

• Clayton Richards, 16, 1224 Milton Ave., simple non-physical threat; Jan. 12.

• Travis Hunsucker, 22, 8473 Medium Drive, lot 1; shoplifting; Jan. 12.

 

Incidents 

• On Jan. 6, Evelyn Davidson reported someone shot into her home.

• On Jan. 6., Jordan’s Hot Spot No. 8 reported someone demanded money at knifepoint and left the store with money.

• On Jan. 6, Evelyn Davis reported someone forced his way into her home armed with a knife and took money.

• On Jan. 6, Melissa Gilmore reported her tires were slashed.

• On Jan. 6, Anthony Belts reported his tires were slashed. 

• On Jan. 6, Elmer Amaya reported someone kicked in the side door of his home and took items. 

• On Jan. 6, Nancy Penaloza reported someone kicked in the side door of her home and took items. 

• On Jan. 6, Olga Rivera reported someone kicked in the side door of her home and took items. 

• On Jan. 6, Oscar Amaya reported someone kicked in the side door of his home and took items. 

• On Jan. 6, Kyra Smith reported someone passed counterfeit money.

• On Jan. 6, James Bennett reported someone entered his home through a window and removed an X-Box.

• On Jan. 6, Christian Ford reported someone shot a gun into the vehicle parked in his driveway.

• On Jan. 7, Best Buy Store No. 1132 reported someone removed items from the store and left without paying. 

• On Jan. 8, Bryan Fisher reported someone broke into his vehicle.

• On Jan. 8, Gerzain Santa Cruz reported someone tried to strangle him with a rope and demanded money at El Tejano Western Wear.

• On Jan. 9, Kay Hardy reported someone took her pocketbook from a shopping cart.

• On Jan. 9, Stein Mart reported someone took items, put them in a bag, and tried to get a refund. 

• On Jan. 9, Cyrus Brooks reported someone took property without his permission. 

• On Jan. 9, Value Village reported someone brandished a weapon and stole cash. 

• On Jan. 11, officers investigated three minors who consumed malt beverage.

• On Jan. 11, Best Buy reported someone took a gift card that did not belong to him. 

• On Jan. 11, Econo Lodge reported an armed robbery. 

• On Jan. 11, Betty Measmer reported someone broke her mailbox off the post and took it. 

• On Jan. 12, Town House II restaurant reported someone broke out a glass door and removed money from the business.

• On Jan. 12, James Engles reported someone stole the trampoline from his back yard.

• Kannapolis City Schools reported Jan. 12 that somone lit paper on fire in a bathroom.

Kannapolis Council hears from supporters of ‘responsible growth’

By Hugh Fisher

hfisher@kannapolis         citizen.com

The Kannapolis City Council held its first regular meeting of 2009 Monday night at the Kannapolis Train Station.

All council members were present. Councilman Kenneth Geathers gave the invocation.

Among items of business before the council:

• Members approved the first round of changes to the 2015 Land Use Plan which reflect growth related to the North Carolina Research Campus.

But residents of areas west of Kannapolis stood up to voice concerns about the city’s continued expansion in their region.

City Planning Director Ben Warren said that a re-examination of the 2004 guide for growth and zoning was called for because of changes that have occurred due to the coming of the Research Campus and the desire to support related growth.

The updated plan shows new roadway connections to N.C. 73 and Kannapolis Parkway, and suggests that larger expanses of land formerly earmarked as prime neighborhood business sites now be thought of as potential mixed-use developments.

The plan also highlights possible paths for new roads. “Our goal is to promote interconnectivity between developments to reduce traffic along Kannapolis Parkway,” Warren said.

Some areas formerly marked as mixed-use developments are now seen as prime locations to receive the Campus Development zoning classification.

Campus Development allows limited multifamily developments as a conditional use, as well as limited commercial and light industrial use.

“Campus Development’s intent is to encourage more job creation,” as opposed to other areas weighted more toward retail development, Warren said.

The designation allows commercial and light industrial applications and limited multifamily developments as a conditional use.

The Research Campus itself is slated to eventually feature these different uses within one site downtown, and the zoning designation will allow such a mix outside of the campus proper.

But residents who live in western Kannapolis and unincorporated areas nearby are concerned by the city’s plans for growth. 

During a required public hearing, four residents spoke to a number of issues, including some concerns not related to the land use plan.

Fred Wally, a community leader who was involved in a failed attempt to incorporate the Odell community two years ago, said he was very disappointed by the city’s actions. According to Wally, the city has cast residents of the area unfairly as opponents of any growth.

“We are not the opponents. We are citizens,” Wally said. “We should be accorded equal rights.”

“We have tried to work with you, we will continue to try to work with you in areas where we think you’re right,” Wally said.

Marilyn Barnhardt, who lives in the Farm Hills community within the western growth area, said she was angry because the city does not offer water and sewer service nearly a decade after annexation.

“I’m disillusioned … I’ve always been disillusioned with the city,” Barnhardt said. “They’ve done nothing for me in Farm Hill since the day we came in,” Barnhardt said.

But Richard Flowe, principal planner with N-Focus Design, called the Land Use Plan “an excellent guide” for those working to develop the area in an orderly way. Flowe spoke to the council in favor of the changes, although he mentioned several potential changes to a map of proposed road connections. City Manager Mike Legg said those would be taken into consideration.

“We have taken a look at this plan, myself and people that I work with, and we feel the city’s on the right track,” Flowe said.

N-Focus’ projects in the region include The Village at Kellswater Bridge, a residential and retail development on Kannapolis Parkway within the Coddle Creek planning area.

The council approved the changes to the plan unanimously.

Possible changes to remaining portions of the 2015 Land Use Plan will be discussed at upcoming meetings.

• The city council approved a measure allowing City Manager Mike Legg to negotiate with Rowan County over money to repair the main road leading to Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium.

Stadium Drive has been closed since heavy rains washed away dirt around a bridge and along the banks of a stream leading into the Fisher Lake reservoir. A section of the road leading up to the bridge was also undercut by storm runoff.

Kannapolis hopes that funds from Rowan County’s stadium fund will provide a quarter of the money – estimated at up to $75,000 – to repair the bridge. State emergency funds are expected to pay the remaining three-fourths of the bill.

Estimates to repair the bridge run around $300,000. But Legg said the actual cost would likely be lower.

“We applied for state assistance, public assistance funding, through the Division of Emergency Management,” Legg said. 

If those funds are approved, the city would just have to come up with 25 percent of the cost of repairs.

Legg said that that money should come from the stadium fund set up by Rowan County using revenues from the facility. That same fund is being used to pay tens of thousands in overdue power payments to Duke Energy after a billing error was discovered in recent weeks.

Legg said he has spoken with Rowan County Manager Gary Page and said he understood that the request for funds should be accepted.

“One, we applied for these (state) funds as a municipality that was affected … and two, we do roads and the county does not,” Legg said.

The council voted unanimously to authorize Legg to negotiate the agreement with Rowan County. 

Legg estimates that repairs will take two to three months after funds are released, followed by two to three more months for inspection and approval.

• Council members also heard reports on the cost of replacing bridges at Orphanage Road at Irish Buffalo Creek and at Eighth Street, among other places. No action was taken.

Cabarrus College has first fall graduation

CONCORD —  Cabarrus College of Health Sciences held its first ever fall graduation ceremony on Dec. 22 in Hamrick Theatre on the campus of CMC-NorthEast.  

Chancellor Dianne Snyder, D.H.A. welcomed the graduates, challenging  them  to recognize the power of their accomplishment; commit to learn everyday; and to work hard with passion and courage.  

Mark S. Nantz, president of CMC-NorthEast, provided greetings from the medical center. Margaret Patchett, dean for academic and student services, presented the candidates for graduation. 

Graduates were presented their degrees by Dr. Thomas T. Long III, chairman of the governing board and Snyder.

Fifty one students were awarded degrees. This graduating class had the largest number of male nursing graduates — six — in the history of the college.

Receiving the bachelor of science in nursing degree were Sherri Leigh Thomas Goss (cum laude), China Grove; April Lauren McLaughlin (cum laude), Concord; Jennifer Marie Pittman, Kannapolis; Keisha Newsome Poplin (cum laude), Kannapolis; and Mari DeAnne Kluttz West (cum laude), Concord.

Receiving the associate of science degree from the medical assisting program were Kelli Renae Crayton, Locust; Sonya Lynn Miller (cum laude), Kannapolis; and Angela Sanders Price (summa cum laude), Kannapolis. 

Christina Upright Garmon, Kannapolis, received an associate of science degree in surgical technology.

Students receiving an associate degree in nursing from the Louise Harkey School of Nursing include: Amanda Dawn Smith Barbee, Oakboro; Sherry Elaine Bartlett, Charlotte; Kevin Ray Barton, Concord; Kimberly Carnell Bell, Concord; Misty Dawn Bowman, Concord; 

Also, Kelly Elizabeth Braswell (cum laude), Winston-Salem; Ashley Elizabeth Cook, Cornelius; Eileen Maria Coradini, Charlotte; Casey Brooke Courtney (cum laude), Concord; William Earl Craft, Kannapolis; 

Also, Jennifer Ann Bullock Davis, Harrisburg; Tianna Nicole Deadmon, Kannapolis; Meredith Blair Farlow, Concord; Chasity Barrett Hammond, Mooresville; 

Also, Jonathan Tyler Hauss, Salisbury; Jamie Alyson Hesson (cum laude), Philadelphia, Pa.; Candace Sheree Holley, China Grove; Kimberly Dawn Reavis Isley, Rockwell; Cortney Dona’ Julian (magna cum laude), Kannapolis; 

Also, Christina Marie Kearns, Albemarle; Jade McCormick Kiger (cum laude), Dobson; Charles Samuel Maulden, Concord; Casey Machel Mull, Harrisburg; Ebony Nicole Parker, China Grove; Kira Diane Parker, Charlotte; 

Also, Amanda Beth Parrish (cum laude), Concord; Leslie Suzanne Peeler, Faith; Juan Pablo Perez, Concord; Lisa Michelle Pigg, Kannapolis; Amy Louise Randall (magna cum laude), Huntersville; Sarah Kilby Richardson, Cornelius; 

Also, Kendra Leigh Sanford Roe, Huntersville; Danielle Nicole Ross, Hickory; Sasha Nicole Rush, Concord; Matthew Scott Sebastian (cum laude), Charlotte; Curissa Love Smith, Concord; Melissa Dawn Roush Straight (cum laude), Concord; 

Also, Mary Ann Tierney-Fry, Concord; Evelin Yohanna Urresti (cum laude), Cornelius; Kam Marie Spencer Waller (cum laude), Rockwell; Jean Tierney Simpson Watson, Banner Elk; and Kelly Eugene Young, Charlotte.

Officers get crisis training at RCCC

Twenty-nine officers began Crisis Intervention Team Training on Monday at the Rowan Campus of Rowan Cabarrus Community College in Salisbury. 

The participants are members of the fifth CIT class and represent law enforcement from all five counties in the Piedmont Behavioral Health catchment: Cabarrus, Davidson, Rowan, Stanly and Union. 

Graduation exercises for officers completing the 40-hour training will be held Friday at 2 p.m.

The training is sponsored by PBH, and is patented after the nationally renowned Memphis Tennessee Police Department CIT Program. 

The CIT Program was first introduced to our area in January 2008 through the collaborative efforts of the Rowan, Cabarrus and Union county affiliates of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, RCCC and PBH.  

Classes were held quarterly in January, April, July and October of last year. The four sessions graduated 96 officers from such departments as Cabarrus, Davidson, Rowan and Union County sheriffs offices, as well as the Kannapolis, Salisbury, Concord, Monroe and Albemarle police departments. 

The goal for the program is to train 25 percent of all area law enforcement as CIT officers.

CIT is an innovative program that offers specialized training to law enforcement officers who may respond to mental health crisis situations. It encourages cooperation among law enforcement agencies, mental health professionals and local community agencies to work together to meet the special needs of people experiencing a mental health crisis.

Participating officers earn continuing education credits to help them meet their annual law enforcement training requirements. They receive training in understanding mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, brain theory, personality disorders, post traumatic stress disorder and the effects of psychotropic medications. 

The program emphasizes safety first and teaches crisis intervention and verbal de-escalation techniques that reduce the risk of harm to officers and people with mental illness in crisis situations.

The highlight of the training is the graduation ceremony, during which each officer receives a certificate of completion from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Criminal Justice Department and a CIT uniform pin which distinguishes the officer as a member of the Crisis Intervention Team within his/her department.

Members of the current class are: 

• Deputy Alesha Poole Mason, Deputy Ted Lister, Deputy Matt Marciano and Deputy Matthew Fisher, Cabarrus Sheriff’s Department. 

• Officer Keith Smith, Officer Adam Atwell and Officer Dustin Wilhoit, Concord Police Department.

• Sgt. Lynn Adcock, Deputy Kevin Plyler, Corporal Denettra Allen and Deputy Stewart Marsh, Union County Sheriff’s Department.

• Police Officer III Jonathan Cranford, Police Officer I Brian Springer, Police Officer III Charlie Lefler and Police Officer III L.D. Fallen, Albemarle Police Department.

• Lt. Steve Belk and Lt. Milton Davis, Kannapolis Police Department.

• Lt. Tommy Hampton and Lt. Mark Sink, Lexington Police Department.

• Officers Monique Holt, Charles Ray, Ryan Caldwell, Vivian Nieves, David McCallister and Daniel Stroud, Monroe Police Department.

• Police Officer II Jason Fox, Master Police Officer Brent Hall, Police Officer I Chris Hamm and Lt. Karen Barbee, Salisbury Police Department.

For more information, contact Shelby Marlow with any questions at (704) 721-7060 or by email at Shelbym@ pamh.com.

Cook to head hospital foundation

CONCORD — Adam Cook has been named the new executive director of CMC-NorthEast Foundation. 

A committee from the Foundation Board conducted a national search to find someone to succeed Jim Monroe, who has headed the foundation since it was established in 1993. Monroe is retiring Jan. 14.   

Cook, who has held the position of foundation campaign director since 2004, will assume his new role Jan. 15. 

“Adam has demonstrated outstanding leadership as campaign director,” said Dr. Linny Baker, chairman of the foundation. “He has built strong relationships in our community as well as with the Foundation Board, the medical staff and the employees of Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast. He also possesses a passion and talent for fundraising.  All of these attributes and talents make him highly qualified for this position.”

Cook said he is looking forward to the challenge. 

“Our Foundation Board has created significant relationships and charitable contributions from our community which have improved our healthcare delivery system,” he said. 

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a major in communications, Cook lives in Concord with his wife, Amy, a social worker in the hospital’s Case Management Department. 

NorthEast Foundation is conducting a three-year campaign to raise $5.5 million to support the Breast Health Program at Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast. 

Previous foundation campaigns included raising $9.3 million to create the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital at CMC-NorthEast and $9.6 million to construct the building for the Cabarrus College of Health Sciences.

King Unity Prayer Service Saturday

The annual Martin Luther King holiday celebration in Cabarrus County kicks off with the MLK Holiday Unity Prayer Service at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Bethel Family Life Center located at 1209 Opal St.

Rev. Donald Anthony, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Concord, will preside over the program, which includes an interfaith prayer service led by members of the Concord-Kannapolis Ministerial Association and Logan Ministers. 

Barbara Thiede and Havurat Olam will preside over prayer for the youth.

The Unity Prayer Service will feature a keynote speech by Bryan J. Pierce, senior pastor of Bethel Baptist Church Ministries. Pierce is an active member of the Board of Directors of Cooperative Christian Ministry, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide immediate assistance to members of the Concord, Kannapolis and Cabarrus County community who are experiencing a crisis.

The event will also include a dance performance by Inner Expressions Dance Company under the direction of Tiffany Lassiter and special guest orator John Price of Concord and several others. 

Laveina Dash will be present from Duke Translation Medicine Institute.

Seven people will be honored with Community Leaders for Change Awards. The awards recognize individuals and organizations who are continuing to honor Dr. King’s legacy of service and also stand out as a “Leader for Change” in the Rowan-Cabarrus County community.  

The recipients are Mike Legg, Joe Littlejohn, Nancy Litton, Cal Morrison, Joslin Goodman-Rainey, Estelle Wiley and Cooperative Christian Ministries. 

The event includes a breakfast buffet and begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.  

Advance tickets are $10 per person.  For additional information, please contact Vanessa R. House at 704-938-8814.

Nutrition classes return

By Emily Ford

eford@salisburypost.com

The popular free nutrition classes at the N.C. Research Campus will return next month.

Leading experts in nutrition and public health will offer two-hour courses on what to feed your toddler, how to eat to fight the flu, how metabolism works and more at 7 p.m. every Tuesday in February at the Core Laboratory Building on the Research Campus.

Last year, organizers had to cut off registration due to overwhelming demand.

The series, sponsored by the UNC Nutrition Research Institute, will feature the latest scientific research presented in an accessible way  during interactive lectures.

• Feb. 3 “The Hand that Rocks the Cradle: Infant and Toddler Feeding and Care for Healthy Growth” by Dr. Margaret Bentley. 

The first foods babies eat can affect their health throughout their life. Which foods build healthier children? Bentley’s presentation will discuss infant and toddler nutrition, both in the United States and elsewhere, and how those diets can harm a child’s health. 

Bentley specializes in women and infant nutrition, infant and young child feeding, and childhood obesity, among other topics.

• Feb. 10 “Fat and Thin: How Metabolism Works” by Dr. Rosalind Coleman. 

Are some people programmed to be fat? Why can two people eat the same foods, yet one be thin and the other heavy? Why is it harder to lose weight as we get older? Unlock the mystery of metabolism.

Coleman is an expert on obesity from physiological disorders, such as impaired insulin signaling and genetic errors.

• Feb. 17 “Can a Healthy Diet Help You Fight the Flu? The Role of Nutrition in the Response to Infectious Disease” by Dr. Melinda Beck.

How important is your diet in protecting you from infection? Does feeding or starving a fever make a difference? Obese people may not respond to the flu vaccine as well as lean people.

Beck studies the effects of obesity on immunity. Her research is showing that obese animals have a much higher mortality rate from influenza infection.

• Feb. 24 “The  World is Fat: The Foods, Trends, Policies and Products that are Fattening the Human Race” by Dr. Barry Popkin.

As the world becomes a global neighborhood, developed countries are exporting their dietary lifestyles and the food that fuel them. This abrupt change is fattening the world. Some predict there will be 2.3 billion overweight adults in the world by 2015. What can be done to stop it?

Popline is an international expert on obesity and physical activity.

To register for one or more classes, contact Lisa Canada at lisa_canada@unc.edu or 704-250-5012. 

Visit www.uncnri.org for more information.

Learn to write grant requests

By Emily Ford

eford@salisburypost.com

As the economy continues to flounder, money from grants becomes even more important to nonprofit organizations.

And applying for those grants becomes even more competitive.

The N.C. Biotechnology Center in Research Triangle Park has launched a program to help Tar Heel applicants write stronger grant proposals.

“Grant writing is a specialized skill,” said Deborah De, Statewide Programs manager at the Biotechnology Center.

Many scientists the N.C. Research Campus, a biotech complex in Kannapolis, will rely on grant money to fund their projects.

The Biotechnology Center encourages organizations across North Carolina to get the training that can help them write successful grants.

Any academic institution or nonprofit organization involved in the life sciences or related economic development activities can apply.

The new program will provide up to $5,000 to help faculty and staff compete for money to fund their various projects.

The Biotechnology Center has a variety of loans and grants designed to leverage additional funding for North Carolina’s life sciences community.

Interested applicants should apply early because money is limited. The program is expected to end when this round of funds is disbursed.

Information is available at www.ncbiotech.org/gtg.

To learn more, contact De at (919) 549-8845 or deborah_de@ncbiotech.org.

The Biotechnology Center is a private, non-profit corporation supported by the N.C. General Assembly.

City to begin code enforcement education campaign

The city of Kannapolis is beginning a new code enforcement initiative that will work to educate residents, merchants and property owners about the various regulations for property appearance in the city.

The city will take a staged approach, targeting individual corridors and neighborhoods for the education campaign. Beginning next week, Kannapolis code enforcement officials will begin working on the Cannon Boulevard corridor and the Carver area.

Once the education campaign concludes for these areas in early February, the city will begin a more aggressive approach to enforcing the code. The program will continue into other areas of the city as 2009 progresses.

“Many times our residents and businesses don’t know what is and isn’t allowable under our city code,” said Kannapolis Planning Director Ben Warren. 

“This new program will allow us to educate various stakeholders while helping to ensure that individual properties are kept up to our appearance and safety standards.”

For Cannon Boulevard, the outreach will include letters to property owners, visits from code enforcement officials to business owners, and public information sessions. 

Additionally, the city is working to create a recognition program that will likely include Intimidator’s tickets and recognition through the team as well as City publications.

The Carver area is the first residential neighborhood for the new program and was chosen because of the larger redevelopment efforts underway. 

The city will hold information sessions for local residents with information about common code violations such as junk vehicles, overgrown vegetation and unsafe residential structures.

Sessions

• Thursday, Jan. 15, Cannon Boulevard merchants and property owners, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Kannapolis Train Station 201 S. Main St.

• Friday, Jan. 16, Carver Community residents and property owners, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Kannapolis Train Station 201 S. Main St.

For more information,  contact Ben Warren at bwarren@cmrplanning.com or 704-933-5999.

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