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Friendship conquers bullying

February 3, 2012

Friendship defeats bullying.

Shuford Elementary School students learned that message all week during programs, contests and lessons that taught them no one has to be a victim of bullies.

"We learned how to help your friends when there are bullies," said fifth-grader Tamiya Artis. "If you do something good, you get something in return — friends."

Daily themes shaped the week's activities. Students wore hats Tuesday to "put a lid on bullying." On another day, students wore tie-dyed shirts and some read quotes about peace on the school's intercom.

The O-N-E Morning Read: Friday, Feb. 3

February 3, 2012

Summer will be two weeks shorter for students and teachers in the Catawba County Schools system - but that might not be such a bad thing, according to some.

More details on next year’s school calendar in the Friday edition of The O-N-E.

Newton-Conover High School received remains from the World Trade Center, and the 110-pound piece of 9/11 history will be unveiled during a community ceremony later this month.

CCS calendar shortens summer

February 2, 2012

Catawba County Schools (CCS) will have a new calendar next year that will shorten teacher and student summers by nearly two weeks.

Some of the system's teachers say they don’t mind the change and are praising the “early-start” calendar that’s more similar to schedules used in previous years.

The CCS Board of Education unanimously approved a new 185-day calendar this week that will start teachers Aug. 2 and students Aug. 7 for the 2012-13 school year. The last day of student classes will be May 23, 2013.

CCS calendar shortens summer

February 2, 2012

Catawba County Schools (CCS) will have a new calendar next year that will shorten teacher and student summers by nearly two weeks.

Some of the system's teachers say they don’t mind the change and are praising the “early-start” calendar that’s more similar to schedules used in previous years.

The CCS Board of Education unanimously approved a new 185-day calendar this week that will start teachers Aug. 2 and students Aug. 7 for the 2012-13 school year. The last day of student classes will be May 23, 2013.

Bridge replacement expected to begin soon

February 2, 2012

Work to replace the N.C. 16 bridge over Interstate 40 in Conover may begin as early as Feb. 27.

N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) awarded a $3.1 million contract to replace the bridge to Blythe Development Co., of Charlotte.
Work to replace the old bridge in its existing location is expected to be completed by Nov. 15.

All lanes of I-40 will remain open during construction, except during short periods of time at night when new girders are set.

The bridge was built in 1957, and transportation officials have deemed it both functionally obsolete and structurally deficient.

Groundhog: Six more weeks of winter

February 2, 2012

Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his oak stump in central Pennsylvania this morning to find shadows awaiting him.

The result of the 126th annual Groundhog Day tradition predicts six more weeks of winter. Although since winter has been unusually mild in western North Carolina, that might not be such a bad thing.

The announcement Thursday morning drew groans from more than 18,000 people assembled at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, a city about 65 miles north of Pittsburgh.

Claremont plans for future growth

February 1, 2012

Claremont is moving full steam ahead.

Over the past several years, things have changed in Claremont. After seeing plants and jobs leave the area like the rest of Catawba County, the city has eyed recent successes that it wants to continue in the future.

New businesses like the Claremont Florist, O’Cup restaurant and Claremont Hardware and Supply, have filled formerly vacant storefronts, and the city's business park is busy with new partners.

New WiFi access downtown and planned updates to existing parks have also connected the community.