Police are investigating several home break-ins this week, including one at Davidson Landing where an unknown suspect stole a $200 gas-powered leaf blower from an outside utility closet. Two vehicles were also reported stolen, but both were recovered soon after. And a Davidson woman told police that someone defrauded her of more than $11,500 in a series of wire transfers in 2010. Read the full story

Aidan Murphy

Updated Tuesday, 7:31 a.m.

11-year-old Aidan Murphy was returned home to his family Monday night after going missing for several hours on Monday afternoon.

His mother, Michelle Murphy, said Tuesday he was found curled up, half asleep and shaking, against the wall of a dugout in Smithfield Park, off Catawba Avenue in Cornelius. Read the full story

Updated 4:30 p.m.
By CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson’s Ada Jenkins Center will expand its Learn Works after-school program this fall when it adds 30 students in grades 1-5 from J.V. Washam Elementary School in Cornelius. The regional community services center also plans a satellite program at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church that for the first time will allow Learn Works to serve sixth graders. Read the full story

Firefighters over the past week investigated several natural gas emergencies. Emergency personnel helped PSNC Energy technicians clamp off a ruptured natural gas line on Walnut Street last Friday and investigated an odor of natural gas on St. Alban’s Lane Tuesday. On Thursday, Davidson units provided standby coverage for Cornelius firefighters while they responded to another gas leak, in the Heritage Green neighborhood. On Tuesday, one patient was take to the hospital after a two vehicle collision on I-77 north of Davidson, and steam from a shower triggered a smoke alarm in Davidson College’s Tomlinson Dormitory. Details on these calls and more (along with a tally of the week’s medical calls) may be found below. Read the full story

Abigail Lennox and Earl's Chair, led by Henry Lebedinsky (right) performed at St. Alban's Saturday. (Tom Carroll photo)

Multi-instrumental musician Henry Lebedinsky was back on his old turf at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Davidson Saturday for a concert as part of a “The Deer’s Cry: Music for the Celtic Saints” tour.

Mr. Lebedinsky, who now lives in Minneapolis, is the church’s former organist and music director. His group Earl’s Chair backed New York-based singer Abigail Lennox in a program of tunes, songs and stories from Ireland, Scotland and New England.

Earl’s Chair includes Mr. Lebedinsky on guitar and John Michael Ryan, who was lightning-fast on a button accordian. Ms. Lennox sang the pure, high-pitched tones of the Celtic highlands.

- Thanks to Tom Carroll for the photo and report

Davidson Presbyterian Church on Depot Street will host a community breakfast this Saturday, 7 to 11 a.m. Meanwhile, Davidson College will be hosting a theology conference next Monday to Wednesday, March 12-14, on “Reformed Perspectives in Education.” And St. Alban’s Episcopal Church’s Spirituality in the Arts program presents a Lenten screening and discussion with the Rev. Sheila Ennis on “Images of Resurrection in Film” on Sunday night. Read the full story

On Real Estate & Home today, commentator Chip Dawson offers a primer on homeowners associations and North Carolina law. He tells the tale of Jim Lane, a Huntersville man who nearly lost his home after his threatened foreclosure – in a dispute over pansies planted in a common area.  The N.C. legislature is currently studying the state’s HOA law amid complaints from people like Mr. Lane.  But there are positive examples, too, such as Davidson’s St. Alban’s neighborhood, Mr. Dawson writes. Read more in REAL ESTATE & HOME»

Life can’t get much better than in the Davidson Dog Park. Friends are there, everyone gets along (dogs and humans) and there’s plenty to do with balls and Frisbees and books. Yes, books — there’s a lending library for humans. Leave one, pick one up. Read Chip Dawson’s report on our PETS & ANIMALS page.