Ralph Levering and Jan Blodgett offer a wider-than-ever view of Davidson's history in "One Town, Many Voices." (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

One Town, Many Voices: A History of Davidson, North Carolina; By Jan Blodgett & Ralph B. Levering; Davidson Historical Society, 2012; ISBN: 978-0-615-58311-2; price: $29.95

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson College and the Town of Davidson trace their origins to 1837, when a group of Presbyterians paid William Lee Davidson $1,500 for 469 acres of wooded land along the road between Charlotte and Statesville. In the 175 years since, Davidson has evolved into a unique place with a story to tell, a story about citizens committed to making our town a better place.

It has been more three decades since anyone tried to tell that story in a book, and so much has changed – not only the place, but our way of looking at it. This year, as the college and the town celebrate 175th anniversaries, authors Jan Blodgett and Ralph B. Levering have updated that history with a new volume titled “One Town Many Voices: A History of Davidson, North Carolina.” Read the full story

By CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
DavidsonNews.net

CHARLOTTE - The Red Line Task Force is looking to extend the deadline it set for reviewing plans for a commuter rail line north of Charlotte to give local governments, the state, Charlotte Area Transit System and Norfolk Southern Corp. more time to analyze financial and operational assumptions.

The task force had hoped to get feedback from the seven local governments along the line, CATS and the N.C. Department of Transportation by the end of March. The plan then would be revised and sent to back local governments for approval in June. But recent feedback from Norfolk Southern Corp., which owns the tracks between Charlotte and Mooresville, has thrown a wrench in the original plans. Read the full story

John Woods

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

The lead spokesman for the Red Line Regional Rail Project said Tuesday that the contentious debate of recent weeks is “exactly what we want to see” as officials seek input and revise a business plan for the proposed $452 million rail line. John Woods, who is Davidson’s mayor and chair of the Red Line Task Force, also told a small gathering of reporters at Davidson Town Hall that outside analysis by people from other parts of the country is welcome, but final decisions about the project ultimately must be made by local leaders concerned how “to best enhance our community.”

Listen to Mr. Woods’s remarks and a Q&A with reporters below.

Read the full story

Joann Rautenberg and Dick Cole (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

We love to read about Cynthia Lawing’s Musical Interlude Programs which occur monthly at Tyler-Tallman Hall on the Davidson College campus.  Not everyone can attend the noontime concerts, so Around Davidson decided to bring you today an interlude of music you can listen to at any time: Recordings of two special pianists from The Pines at Davidson retirement community.  We know how much talent resides at The Pines, but for today we’re focusing on two home grown folks who love to play the piano:  Dick Cole and Joann Rautenberg.  We hope you will enjoy getting to know each of them and their music.

Read the full story

Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools has been in the headlines over the past couple weeks week for two different reasons. The district posted school progress reports that included incorrect information about students on track to graduate. Then, on Monday police found the principal of Northwest School of the Arts dead in his garage. Police have confirmed he committed suicide. Psychologists and social workers flooded the school to help students deal with their grief. CMS held a press conference Wednesday to talk about these events. Lisa Miller of our news partner WFAE was there, and talked with local “All Things Considered” host Mark Rumsey about the district’s responses. Read more or listen to their conversation below: Read the full story

Consultant Mark Briggs explained the rail line financing plan Tuesday. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson residents and elected officials at a public hearing on Tuesday quizzed consultants and offered their opinions about the proposed Red Line Regional Rail Project between Mooresville and Charlotte. Some wondered about plans to raise money through special tax districts, and about the business reasons for pitching the project as both a freight and commuter line. Others worried how the system might affect Davidson traffic and affordable housing.

About 50 people including town staff filled the Town Hall board room for the meeting. Speakers came from throughout town, and their questions and comments ranged from deep suspicion to support of the $452 million rail project. Read the full story

The Iredell County Commission’s vote Tuesday withholding support for the proposed Red Line Regional Rail Project came after nearly an hour of questions and discussion among commissioners. We offer audio replays of main comments from commissioners, as well as a reaction to the vote by John Woods, Davidson’s mayor and chair of the Metropolitan Transit Commission’s Red Line Task Force. Read the full story

Lake Norman-area leaders were scheduled to meet in Mooresville Tuesday to hear a new proposal to fund construction of the Red Line Regional Rail Project, which would run from Charlotte to Mooresville. The 25-mile Red Line has been discussed for  years, but lately it hasn’t had much momentum. Supporters are trying to change that.  Scott Graf, the morning host at our news partner WFAE-FM, talked to David Boraks of DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net, in advance of Tuesday’s meeting.

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