Dark blue shows suggested no-wake zones on Lake Davidson. Click map to download a larger image, PDF.

Davidson’s Town Board will take up a variety of issues at its monthly meeting Tuesday, from Lake Davidson to cable TV matters to planning ordinance amendments, including a proposal to establish a Natural Assets and Tree Advisory Board.

A public hearing and vote are planned on a resolution supporting state House Bill 771, which would give the town more power to regulate tree removal. The board will hold a graduation for citizens who attended this year’s town-sponsored “Civics 101″ classes.

And it will hear a presentation on last month’s North of Griffith Area planning workshop, which looked a potential future uses in the northwest part of town. Read the full story

Updated Monday, April 13, 2009, 2 p.m.
Updated Thursday, April 8, 2009, 6 p.m.

The chairman of the MI-Connection cable system board said Thursday he plans to write a letter to state legislators opposing a bill he says would hinder MI-Connection’s ability to compete. The so-called Level Playing Field bill, pushed by the state’s private cable TV companies, is an attempt “to make it impossible for us to do business,” chairman Evan Webster said.

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Merrill-Jennings Galleries building is for sale. See below.

Cable operators like the town-owned MI-Connection system are facing a new expense: payments for carrying the signals of local broadcast stations. A dispute over the charge nearly led two Charlotte stations to be dropped by Time Warner Cable, until it was resolved Tuesday. Also in business news this week:

• The local Harris Teeter has a new manager after a year in business.
• Merrill-Jennings Galleries are trying to sell their yellow South Main Street home and move down the street to adjust to the weak economy.
• A Davidson woman has started an online store called 1U to sell eco-friendly wares.

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Davidson firefighters put out the blaze in the truck bed. (David Boraks photo)

A landscaping truck caught fire on Concord Road at the entrance to Davidson College’s Baker Sports Complex around 3 p.m. Monday, halting traffic for a short time. Read the full story

MI-Connection workers install new high capacity cable lines on a Davidson street last month. (David Boraks photo)

System now offering phone service, new channels in town

MI-Connection, the cable and internet system owned by the towns of Davidson and Mooresville, is now offering local phone service and more TV channels to its customers in Davidson.

Company officials told DavidsonNews.net they completed a major upgrade of cable lines and equipment in Davidson earlier this month. The change means improved TV picture quality, faster internet speeds, more standard and high-definition TV channels, and new products, including local telephone service delivered over your cable line, the company says. Read the full story

A new networking group is forming at South Main Square for Davidson-based professionals and services. The first monthly meeting will be Thursday, Feb. 26, from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Also, check below for upcoming events at South Main Square, which includes shops, restaurants and offices off South Main Street in Davidson. Also in this column:

• Southern Bella boutique closing.
• A name change for Home Economist, plus dates for a series of health and nutrition events.
• 2009 board election at MI-Connection cable system.
• Lake Norman Chamber awards for Forrest, Bilodeau.
• Divorce workshops for women.

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Fitness Together, a chain of personal training studios, has opened its second location in this area, in the Davidson Commons (Harris Teeter) shopping center off Griffith Street.

Also in this column: the MI-Connection cable system board of directors meets Thursday, Jan. 29, at 7:30 a.m. in Mooresville ; Lake Norman Chamber invites Olympic gold medalist skater Dan Jansen to speak at annual meeting; Market Properties broker graduates from Realtor school; winter hours announced at Hatties Fresh Market; used tack and riding equipment sale this weekend at Bradford Store. Read the full story

This is part 2 of our 2008 year in review feature. Return to part 1, CLICK HERE>

Go on to part 3, CLICK HERE>

Public Safety

BB&T robbery suspect is caught on camera, Feb. 21.

The high point – make that low point – for police news last year has to be the Feb. 21 armed robbery at the BB&T bank branch on Main Street. Security cameras captured images of a man in camouflage jacket and sunglasses taking money from a bank teller. He escaped on foot. Afterward, news and police helicopters circled overhead. Police later said the man may have also robbed a Mooresville bank branch the same day. A man was later charged with the Mooresville robbery. Read the full story