Friday, Sept. 28

J.R. Munoz-McNally will be reporting from Thursday Night Out in Troutman, as well as find out what Statesville City Council has planned for Monday's meeting.

Brad Norman will have another story about the national skateboarding championships downtown.

Chyna Broadnax reports on Cornerstone Christian Academy, which has finally secured the money to expand to accommodate its at-capacity student population.

Thursday, Sept. 27

J.R. Munoz-McNally will have a feature story on a mother who was told it would be best to not proceed with her pregnancy, but she did anyway and the child turns 1 next week.

Donna Swicegood reports on the first-ever firefighter training academy at Mitchell Community College.

Chyna Broadnax went to N.B. Mills for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a reading corner the Charlotte Bobcats have sponsored at the school.

Bethany Fuller follows up on more anonymous complaints filed against those who oppose the biodiesel plant on Snow Creek Road.

Wednesday, Sept. 26

Chyna Broadnax details a new semester program at Statesville Christian School that allows students to get a glimpse of career paths.
Donna Swicegood has a story about a mother outraged at how a local school reacted after her daughter alleged another student inappropriately touched her.
Bethany Fuller has the latest on voluntary local water restrictions and will also have a story about where you can get your flu shot this fall.

Thursday, Sept. 20

Chyna Broadnax will have a story about Fifth Street receiving a very large donation toward its capital campaign, as well as information about infant mortality rates around Iredell County.

J.R. Munoz-McNally is writing a column about the spelling bee held Tuesday at the Civic Center. He'll also be previewing a health fair sponsored by the NAACP.

Bethany Fuller has the latest on the Iredell County Parks and Recreation Deparment's progress with making Iredell a little bit greener.

Donna Swicegood is previewing a poker run the Statesville Police Department will hold on Sept. 29.

Tuesday, Sept. 18

Here's what we're working on for Tuesday, Sept. 18:

• Jim McNally reports on City Council decisions regarding special events and alcohol.
• Donna Swicegood will have the latest on drug arrests, including what deputies found in a closet after responding to a larceny complaint.
• Donna will also share one family's struggle to find information regarding their missing teen.
• And Bethany Fuller will prepare you for what to expect at the County Commission meeting Tuesday night, including a landfill expansion project.

Have a story idea or lead you'd like the R&L to know about? E-mail it to news@statesville.com.

Thursday, Sept. 7

Here's what we're working on for tomorrow's paper:

• Bethany Fuller is furthering her work with stories on the proposed biodiesel plant. Residents of Snow Creek Road are planning a lawsuit. Pick up the paper Thursday to read more.
• Also coming from Bethany, how hard is it to leave work behind when you go on vacation?
• Jim McNally is headed to the Iredell County Fair to take in the pig racing, bull-riding and fun-having. He'll also take a look at how the scads of people heading into Troutman for the event is affecting the town.
• Chyna Broadnax has the latest on the United Way of Iredell County's fundraising campaign.
• Donna Swicegood will report on the opening statements and maybe some testimony in a sex abuse case.

Tuesday, Aug. 28

Here's what we're working on for Tuesday's R&L:

• Chyna Broadnax experiences the first day back to classes at West Iredell High and Middle schools.
• Donna Swicegood reports on ACE drug arrests.
• Bethany Fuller shares the latest on the county tax administration's computer upgrade, which comes after 12 years on their current equipment.

Have a story idea? E-mail it to news@statesville.com.

Coming this weekend

• Today was the last day to file for candidacy in the 2007 local elections. Find out who's running.
• Megan Sprague has the latest on this weekend's Relay for Life, which kicks off tonight.
• Chyna Broadnax asks, "Do you feel safe downtown?"
• Donna Swicegood reports on the candlelight vigil in memory of Terry Turner.

Have a story idea? E-mail news@statesville.com.

July 20

Here's what we're working on for Friday's paper:

• Donna Swicegood reports on the arrests made in connection with the brutal beating death of Terry Turner last week.
• Donna will also have a story on a deputy who escaped allegations that he fondled a teenager during a traffic stop thanks to his in-car camera.
• Jim McNally has an update on the story of a man's truck stolen by a Tire Kingdom employee when he took it in for service.
• Chyna Broadnax reports on the kickoff of the local United Way's Pacesetter campaign.
• And our sister paper in Concord has the latest on sex charges against Cabarrus County commissioner and Christian activist Coy C. Privette.

Have a story idea? E-mail news@statesville.com.

July 18

Here's what we're working on for Wednesday's R&L:

• Donna Swicegood will report on the vigil planned for fallen officer Quinn Witherspoon, as well as the latest on Barbara Ann Evans' day in court.
• Chyna Broadnax shares how a East Middle School teaches math with Palm Pilots.
• One of our sister publications will have a story on Rep. Patrick McHenry's failed earmark as part of a House battle over pork-barrel spending.
• And read our sister paper in Concord's report on their police department's reaction to the Misty Witherspoon verdict.

Have a story idea? E-mail news@statesville.com.

July 14-15

Here's what we are working on for the weekend. As always, contact us if you have information or other story leads.

For Saturday

• Donna Swicegood will have more on the Witherspoon trial, including closing arguments.
• Megan Sprague will report on the funeral of Jackie Johnson, who died in the head-on collision Sunday night.

For Sunday

• Bethany Fuller looks into a county program that would help lower-income families with housing and bills.
• Fuller is also looking into the railroad business.
• Megan Sprague reports on the benefits of eating organic and locally-grown foods.

Have a story idea? E-mail us at news@statesville.com.

Thursday, June 7

Here are the stories we're working on for Friday's edition:

- Is Troutman Ready? The Field of Steel biker rally gets under way Friday and runs through Sunday. Organizers expect about 15,000 people to roar into the Iredell County Fairgrounds for this event. (To contribute to this story, e-mail Donna Swicegood at dswicegood@statesville.com) We'll have full coverage of the event each day.

- South Iredell seniors graduate: Commencement exercises were moved up at SIHS to accommodate the biker rally. We'll provide full coverage. (To contribute to this story, e-mail Chyna Broadnax at cbroadnax@statesville.com.)

Thanks for reading,

Mike

Tuesday, June 5

Here are the top stories we're working on for Wednesday's print edition:

- LAW AND DISORDER: A pizza delivery driver told police she was struck in the mouth and robbed of $25, but her story unraveled and she was arrested. Also, seven teens were charged with riding through a predominantly black neighborhood yelling racial slurs. (To contribute to this story, e-mail Donna Swicegood at dswicegood@statesville.com.)

- CHANGE IS COMING: The massive project to be located near Exit 45 of I-77 cleared one hurdle Monday night as the Statesville City Council approved a first reading of re-zoning change that would place the whole thing into a single zoning district. (To contribute to this story, e-mail Jim McNally at jmcnally@statesville.com.)

- DETOUR: The city will shut down Center Street during graduation at Statesville Senior High School on Saturday morning.

Also in Wednesday's print edition and online, check out our Tribute to the Class of 2007.

As always, thanks for reading.

Mike

Monday, May 7, 2007

Here are the top stories we're working on for Tuesday's print edition:

- Police looking for 2 suspects: Statesville officers are now looking for two suspects in the early Sunday morning shooting death of 24-year-old Chad Gosa. (To contribute to this story, e-mail dswicegood@statesville.com)

- Lights! Camera! Action! Filming for "Leatherheads" began in earnest in Statesville Monday morning. (To contribute to this story, e-mail jmcnally@statesville.com)

- Standing up for their teacher: South Iredell high School students were planning to protest the suspension of a popular teacher at Monday's Iredell-Statesville Board of Education meeting. (To contribute to this meeting, e-mail news@statesville.com)

Thanks for reading,

Mike

Coming up this weekend

- Chyna Broadnax will share the sights and sounds as children celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Broad Street United Methodist.

- Jim McNally will relay the latest from the Statesville City Council meeting.

- What's happening at the horse show in Troutman.

- Find out more on hundreds of pieces of stolen mail that was recovered Wednesday.

- And what Statesville residents did during the National Day of Prayer.

Have a story you'd like us to cover? E-mail us or call (704) 873-1451.

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Here's a look at the stories we're working on for Wednesday's print edition:

- County commissioners meet tonight. Staff writer Jim McNally will be there to cover all of the fun.

- End of an era: Monticello Elementary School will close its doors for good at the end of the school year. Staff writer Chyna Broadnax will have a report on what that means.

SPORTS
- Iredell championships: Golfers from all six county high schools will battle it out today at Fox Den for the county championship. Sports Writer Brad Norman will be on hand to cover it.

Thanks for reading,

Mike

Monday, April 30, 2007

Here are a couple of stories we're working on for tomorrow's print edition of the R&L:

- Wistherspoon enters plea: Misty Witherspoon, the Mooresville woman charged with murdering her husband, Concord police Officer Quinn Witherspoon, is expected to plead guilty in Iredell Superior Court Monday to charges that she stole money from a church. (To contribute to this story, e-mail staff writer Donna Swicegood at dswicegood@statesville.com)

- United Way teams up with Iredell County Partnership for Young Children: A $10,000 grant will fund a public education campaign encouraging parents to make every minute with their child an opportunity for learning.

TODAY on 5@5
- Jim McNally has some hard-hitting questions for a guy in a hot dog suit. Watch our daily Webcast each day 5 p.m. at www.statesville.com.

Thanks for reading,

Mike

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Here are a couple stories we're working on for Monday's print edition:

- Remembering a legend: Thousands of Dale Earnhardt fans were expected to descend upon Race City Sunday to mark what would have been the Intimidator's birthday. Staff writer Jim McNally was there. (To contribute to this story, e-mail Jim at jmncnally@statesville.com)

- Getting an early start: It's never too soon to start thinking about college. A class of fifth-graders at Monticello Elementary School has been writing to colleges and universities to test the admission waters. Chyna Broadnax reports on this story.

Talk of the Town
- Neal Grose fires off a response to an earlier letter writer. If anyone is impeached, he argues, it should be President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, not Sen. Harry Reid.

Thanks for reading,

Mike

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Here are the top stories we're working on for Friday's edition:

- Valspar trims workforce: Local paint manufacturer trims its local workforce by 12 percent.

- Historic Commission weighs in on Anderson House: J.R. Munoz-McNally reports on the city of Statesville's continuing efforts to force the owner of the Queen Anne-style home to comply with city ordinances.

Thanks for reading,

Mike

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Here are the top stories we're working on for Wednesday's print edition:

- Iredell County commissioners snub light rail: County Commissioner Steve Johnson once said he wouldn't get out of the electric chair to vote for a commuter rail. Apparently, he wasn't alone. What does the future hold for this project after the commissioners denied funding for the project?

- High-tech assignment: Mitchell Community College physics students show off their problem-solving and robotics skills. Look for the video online, too.

Also in Wednesday's edition:
- Meet the contestants in this year's Dogwood Festival Pageant

Coming Soon:
- Iredell's Emerging Leaders: We're putting the finishing touches on a 56-page special section dedicated to introducing you to the rising stars in local business, education, government and nonprofit management. This section will be inserted in the R&L on Friday, May 4.

Thanks for reading,

Mike