Firefighters responded to a several alarm malfunctions over the past week, as well as an oven fire on Pine Road and a two-vehicle collision on I-77. Emergency workers helped clear a large tree limb that was blocking North Main Street, and a kitten was rescued from a storm drain on Kiser Corner Lane in Summer’s Walk. The kitten was left with Davidson Police. Read the full story

In observance of National Safe Boating Week May 19-25, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary flotillas around the country will host special events to raise awareness of the importance of safe boating, including two events in our area this weekend. Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson’s Town Board voted 4-1 Tuesday night to revise the town’s development approval process in a move some town officials said would make it “more predictable” for developers. The vote came after a lengthy debate and discussion with citizens, some concerned that it would reduce public involvement in planning decisions.

The 4 hour and 47 minute meeting included a presentation and public hearing about the $9.3 million town budget for 2012-13 and a presentation by Carolinas HealthCare System officials about a planned mental health hospital off N.C. 73. The board also adopted a new ordinance limiting and regulating the use of golf carts and utility vehicles in town. Read the full story

Firefighters struggled to contain a large outside fire May 6 that started in a collection of about 80 large hay bales of East Rocky River Road. Nearby fire companies all provided firefighters and water-supply vehicles. Also over the past week, firefighters removed four Davidson College students from a stalled elevator and helped police search for the 11-year-old boy who went missing. Details on these stories and more (along with a tally of the week’s medical calls) may be found below. Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson police officer Melvin Waller hasn’t been bicycling regularly in recent years, but recently he found a cause that inspired him to get back to it. The 37-year-old officer and about 65 other riders, including colleagues from area police departments, are in the midst of a grueling 4-day, 500-mile ride from Charlotte to Washington, D.C., to honor officers who have died in the line of duty.

The Bike to DC ride includes officers ranging from hard-core cyclists to new and returning riders with a passion, including Officer Waller. The 5-year Davidson police veteran is riding in part to honor the memory of Mark Swaney, who died on Christmas Day 1997 in an exchange of gunfire that also killed a suspect on Davidson’s West Side.

The ride as a whole has been dubbed “500 Miles for Fred,” in memory of the late CMPD officer Fred Thornton, who died Feb. 25, 2011. This year’s ride comes just before National Police Week, May 13-19.

Riders left from Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department headquarters on Wednesday morning. They’ll arrive in Washington on Saturday. On Sunday, they’ll join a candlelight vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial, where Officer Thornton’s name will be added.

Davidson’s Waller plans to take a rubbing from the memorial of Mark Swaney’s name.

Officer Waller said he was motivated to join the ride by the desire to honor fallen officers like Thornton and Swaney. “We’re giving blood, sweat and tears to remember officers fallen in the line of duty,” officer Waller said Thursday night, after a 118-mile ride from Asheboro to South Boston, Va.

Officer Waller was an “avid rider” about 10 years ago, but hasn’t spent a lot of time on a bike recently, he said. So he’s been training for the past three months with the help of John Finney, of Davidson’s Spirited Cyclist bicycle shop, which also has donated supplies for the Ride to DC. Mr. Finney also is along on the ride. (He’s from a law enforcement family: His dad is a retired state trooper.)

Riders have collected sponsorships to help pay for the cost of the ride, overnight stays and support. A portion of the money raised also will go to the Charlotte’s Finest Legacy Foundation, which provides scholarships for law enforcement students.

Officer Waller has raised more than $1,000 from local businesses and individual sponsors, and he’s still raising money as he rides.

“I just want to bring awareness to the sacrifice we give as police officers, and to the danger we go into every day,” Officer Waller said. “I’m in a lot of pain, but at the same time, those officers who lost their lives have sacrificed a lot more than what I’m sacrificing right now.”

WANT TO HELP?

To donate to the Ride to DC, click on the “donate” button on the web, at http://www.tricharlotte.com/images/policebikeride/howyoucanhelp.htm. Mention Officer Melvin Waller. Or make a check payable to Charlotte’s Finest Legacy Foundation with Officer Waller’s name in the memo line. Mail it to:

Bike to DC
c/o Ron Horton
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
601 E. Trade St
Charlotte, NC 28202-2940

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

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

A pair of wrecks on I-77 northbound on either side of Exit 30 was slowing traffic around midday Thursday. Neither accident appeared serious. Read the full story