News reports late Monday afternoon said one person was wounded in a shooting outside Northlake Mall, in north Charlotte. WCNC-TV reported the man’s injuries were not life-threatening. WBTV said the shooting was a drive-by.
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Guinness World Record certificate for the Davidson group paddle ball record of Sept. 3, 2011.

Were you one of the 356 people who bounced paddle balls on the Davidson Green last September shooting for a world record? Pat yourself on the back. It’s now official: You are a Guinness World Record holder. Organizer Steve Langley of Hutnersville, who calls himself the Paddle Ball King, got the word Monday.

“It’s a relief,” Mr. Langley said Monday afternoon. “Although it was success by any measure of the fun … To get the official Guinness certificate is very satisfying. It was a pretty monumental effort and we had to jump through a lot of hoops.”

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Operation Respect's Mark Weiss leads a bullying prevention workshop. (Foundation for Respect Ability photo)

The Cornelius-based Foundation for Respect Ability is offering a free anti-bullying workshop for parents, school administrators, staff members and community leaders Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Aquesta Bank in Cornelius. Read the full story

Alex Phillips (left) of Restaurant X serves Davidson resident Margaret Goode. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Eight area restaurants brought their best soups Davidson College Saturday afternoon for the eighth annual Souper Bowl, a soup cook-off among local chefs that raises money for the Davidson Housing Coalition‘s HAMMERS emergency home repair program.

More than 400 diners were there, tasting the soups and picking winners in a variety of categories from most creative to best vegetarian. There also was a silent auction of pottery, jewelry and other art objects. And the Rusty Knox, Sands of Tyme, and Davidson College acapella groups provided musical accompaniment. Read the full story

Updated Monday, Feb. 6
By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Growth plans at both the Learn Works after-school program and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Charlotte are bringing changes at the Ada Jenkins Center on Gamble Street. The Boys & Girls Club’s lease for two classrooms at the center is ending, and officials say they’re looking for a new location where they can expand. And Learn Works plans to take over the space as it tries to meet demand for its services for kids in grades 1-5. Read the full story

Georgia Krueger speaks at Thursday's reception. At left is Natisha Rivera-Patrick, and second from left, Ada Jenkins board chair Lisa Estes. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

There was lots of hugging at Ada Jenkins Center Thursday morning, as volunteers, staff and supporters formally welcomed executive director Georgia Krueger back to work. Ms. Krueger had taken a medical leave last fall as she battled Lyme Disease. Read the full story

Carol Quillen

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Five years ago Davidson College became one of the first colleges and universities nationwide to eliminate loans from student financial aid packages. The decision now drives fundraising and recruiting as the college strives to stay affordable and diversify.

On at least one level it appears to be working: Davidson is enrolling more minorities and students from other “underrepresented” groups. And 44 percent of this year’s freshman class qualified for need-based financial aid, up from 33 percent four years ago.

This week, Davidson is being held up as an example. President Carol Quillen was on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, testifying with a group of other education leaders at a Congressional hearing on “Innovations in College Affordability.” President Quillen spoke at midday to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions about the college’s grant and work-study program that promises to let students graduate without loans.

Video coverage of President Quillen’s remarks, CLICK HERE». Read the full story

Updated Feb. 2, 2012 at 2:50 p.m.

Petrona Jarvis (Huntersville PD photo)

Police on Thursday afternoon located an elderly Huntersville woman who had been missing for about 6 1/2 hours. Petrona Jarvis, 85, suffers dementia and went missing from her Huntersville home around 8 a.m. Thursday. Read the full story