McKinney Academy has about 70 students in a converted factory off Armour Street. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

McKinney Academy, a private elementary school on Armour Street in Davidson since 2007, is closing its doors at the end of the school year after struggling to build enrollment. Founder Andrea McKinney is undaunted, and is hoping to for approval to open a new charter school in Huntersville next year. Read the full story

By CHUCK McSHANE
Davidsonnews.net

Davidson commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved scrapping the town’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance and also hinted at support for a zoning change that would allow an auto repair shop on Davidson Gateway Drive, near the Harris Teeter. Read the full story

The Rocky River Road Club Polar Bear stopped by Ada Jenkins Center Friday to deliver a $10,000 check to director Georgia Krueger. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Warm temperatures meant this year’s Polar Bear 100K and 50K bicycle rides on Jan. 12 weren’t very polar. But the weather boosted turnout to a record 660 riders, and that meant a record $10,000 check for the ride’s main beneficiary, the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson.   Read the full story

Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx gave the keynote speech at a Black History Month event Tuesady at Ingersoll Rand in Davidson. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Black History Month recognizes the advances that African Americans have made on the road from slavery to freedom, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx said in a visit to Ingersoll Rand in Davidson Tuesday. But, he added, there’s still a ways to go.

“We’re not done yet,” the mayor said. “When I go into the urban centers of our city, I see (high) schools where there are 50 percent (graduation rates). I see use mployment lines, long lines of people of every race, background, persuasion. When I think about some of the challenges we face with health disparities, and going on down the list, there are plenty of issues for us to keep working on.” Read the full story

Students at Community School of Davidson have joined forces with the Town of Davidson to test a new crosswalk safety tactic: Brightly colored flags pedestrians can use to get the attention of passing drivers. Eighth graders in a CSD Friday “practicum” course designed the flags and installed the first ones on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at Griffith and Watson streets, near Sadler Square. They supplied this public service announcement video to explain how the flags work.

Can’t see the video? Go directly to the clip on YouTube, http://youtu.be/ZqgpE5KM_KM

Proposed retirement residence on Peninsula Drive.

The Davidson Planning board meets Monday, Jan. 28, with an agenda that includes discussion and possible recommendations on signage for MSC Industrial Direct and a master plan for the Davidson Retirement Residence, on Peninsula Drive in the Exit 30 area. The board also will review plans for a “pocket neighborhood” on Delburg Street. See the full story in REAL ESTATE & HOME»

Firefighters investigated a number of potentially hazardous conditions and managed multiple traffic accidents over the holidays, including one incident in which a tractor-trailer ran into the woods alongside I-77. In another, power lines went down during a thunderstorm, creating an electrical hazard in the backyard of a Concord Road residence. Read the full story

Police investigated several house break-ins over the holidays, including one case on Davidson-Concord Road that resulted in the arrest of an 18-year-old male suspect on burglary, assault and other charges. Meanwhile, someone stole a copper bowl fire pit from a house on Shorecrest Drive, and a thief or thieves made off with two bicycles from Concord Road and Jetton Street. Two Davidson residents also reported being the victims of debit card fraud after unknown suspects stole a combined $1,500 from their accounts. Details on these stories and more (along with a tally of recent arrests, citations, and traffic enforcement) may be found below. Read the full story