Archive - 2011
January 12th
By
By Jordan-Ashley Baker
Soda machines in Conover might feel neglected during January, or at least that's what the city's mayor hopes.
Conover is participating in an initiative to elminate soda and encourage healthy hydration in North and South Carolina. Conover Mayor Lee Moritz Jr., city officials and staff committed to 30 days of no soda. Instead of fizzy drinks, participants drink at least 60 ounces of water a day to remain hydrated.
The Mayor's Challenge is part of NoFizzCLT, a nonprofit organization designed to educate the public about the dangers of drinking too much soda and not enough water.
Hard work from schools' maintenance departments and area public works departments isn't enough to get all students back in school Thursday.
Catawba County Schools and Hickory Public Schools canceled classes for students Thursday, after surveying roads Wednesday afternoon. Newton-Conover City Schools will operate on a two-hour delay Thursday.
"Our maintenance department has been working, since the snow and sleet stopped falling, to clear walkways and partial areas of the parking lots for staff," said CCS interim superintendent Glenn Barger in an e-mail to staff Wednesday.
January 11th
Library closings
All branches of the Catawba County Library will close at 5 p.m. Tuesday because icy roads expected tonight.
Catawba County Library branches are located in Newton, Claremont, Conover and Maiden, and in the Sherrills Ford, Southwest and St. Stephens areas of Catawba County.
Patrick Beaver Memorial Library will close at 6 p.m. Tuesday, and the Ridgeview Library will close at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Recreation
Highland Recreation Center will close at 6 p.m. Tuesday and all evening classes are canceled.
Ellis Roy Pugh, 78, of Conover, died Monday, Dec. 20, 2010, at Catawba Valley Medical Center.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011, in the Chapel of Drum Funeral Home in Conover.
Joey Lynn Keller, 48, of Hickory, went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, at Catawba Valley Medical Center. The Keller family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Conover.
Everyone knows winter preparedness is critical before, during and
after a winter storm strikes.
This week's snow and ice was the second major storm of this winter but Catawba County residents continue to purchase emergency items and services needed in light of adverse weather conditions.
According to the National Weather Service, people should compile emergency preparedness kits to use during winter storm events.
The NWS says these kits should include the following items:
-A flashlight and extra batteries.
Newton-Conover wrestler Andrew Tremain is pinned to the ground.
He isn’t down on the mat, but rather it was his life off the mat that changed. Tremain, 19, was ruled ineligible to compete by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) on Oct. 15 because of his age.
Now, the defending state champion in the 285-pound weight class is trying to keep focused and look ahead to his future.
Tremain’s age issue was created when he was held back in kindergarten after moving to the area from New York. He also started late in school.
Newton wants to make one of its windows to the world more "modern and professional" looking.
At the same time, however, the city wants to also "keep it simple."
"We are looking for ways to redesign our website. The current site has been here for about five years, and there have been no significant changes to the design," said Jason Clay, Newton Information Systems director. "We set the objective of making it more modern and professional looking. It doesn't take much to recognize a professional looking website."
Roads in Catawba County were covered in ice Tuesday after freezing
rain blanketed snow already fallen across the region.
This layer of ice not only creates hazardous driving conditions, but
it also complicates cleanup procedures for area public works crews and creates additional costs for already-strained budgets.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation budgeted $30 million for snow and ice removal this fiscal year and spent $26.2 million so far. According to the NCDOT, any extra money required for winter-weather cleanup will be drawn from the general maintenance budget.
School officials cancel classes for Wednesday.
Officials with the three Catawba County school systems plan to announce make-up days as they are decided.
As the North Carolina Department of Transportation clears roadways, residents are asked to stay inside and only drive if it's necessary.
The winter weather in Catawba County had an effect on the Tuesday sports schedule as expected in the area.
The Bunker Hill-West Caldwell basketball games scheduled for Tuesday have been postponed until Wednesday. School officials said they will re-evaluate the situation tomorrow.
Also, the wrestling match scheduled between Bunker HIll and West Caldwell has been postponed until Wednesday.
The Draughn-Newton-Conover basketball games will be played if both schools systems are in session on Wednesday.
