Guinness World Record certificate for the Davidson group paddle ball record of Sept. 3, 2011.

Were you one of the 356 people who bounced paddle balls on the Davidson Green last September shooting for a world record? Pat yourself on the back. It’s now official: You are a Guinness World Record holder. Organizer Steve Langley of Hutnersville, who calls himself the Paddle Ball King, got the word Monday.

“It’s a relief,” Mr. Langley said Monday afternoon. “Although it was success by any measure of the fun … To get the official Guinness certificate is very satisfying. It was a pretty monumental effort and we had to jump through a lot of hoops.”

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It was foggy again Saturday in downtown Davidson. (Jay Wilson/DavidsonNews.net)

We’re always looking for good photos of Davidson, people and events. Send us your photos for consideration at editor@davidsonnews.net. Read the full story

Morning sun streams in to Raeford's Barber Shop on Main Street Davidson Friday. (Jay Wilson/DavidsonNews.net)

We’re always looking for good photos of Davidson, people and events. Send us your photos for consideration at editor@davidsonnews.net. Read the full story

Police are investigating two instances of intimidation this week, including one case in which a 52-year-old woman reported that a 46-year-old man has been stalking her in person and via text messages/email since December. Elsewhere, a 55-year-old man was charged with trying to pass a forged check for $978 at Aquesta Bank, and a Davidson Gateway Drive resident’s vehicle window was busted out by an unknown suspect on Tuesday. Details on these stories and more (along with a tally of the week’s arrests, citations, and traffic enforcement) may be found below.  Read the full story

The chapel of Davidson United Methodist Church on South Main Street glowed against dark clouds Friday morning. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

We’re always looking for good photos of Davidson, people and events. Send us your photos for consideration at editor@davidsonnews.net. Read the full story

Davidson College will make changes to the BB&T building's exterior this spring and summer

By AMANDA OTTAWAY
DavidsonNews.net

The BB&T bank branch on Main Street in Davidson will close its corner doors Friday for the last time. But the bank won’t be gone long: BB&T plans to re-open Monday in a new location at 130 Harbour Place Drive, next to Sabi restaurant off I-77 Exit 30.

BB&T’s move is among a series of changes on Main Street brought about by Davidson College’s purchase of the two-story brick BB&T building, at 137 N. Main St. The college bought the two-story building at Main and Depot street in December 2010 for $1.25 million, and plans to move its student bookstore there from its campus location – in part to attract more customers. [As part of the college's takeover of the BB&T building, Bonsai Grill also is closing.]

The loss of the downtown bank and the plans for moving the bookstore off campus have aroused a mix of concerns among some students.

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One boutique on Main Street in Davidson has shut its doors, while another is on the way. La-De-Daa’s on South Main Street closed last Saturday, Jan. 14. Pretty, A Beauty Boutique, is renovating a space next to the Soda Shop. Also, other business comings and goings around the area, including news about the Paddy’s Pour House in Cornelius, new coffee at Ben & Jerry’s and more. Read the full story

Davidson's old train depot at Depot and Jackson streets sits opposite the site that planners have identified for a future commuter rail station. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

A small group of planners, property owners, elected officials and consultants has been huddled in Davidson’s Town Board meeting room this week, drawing on maps and talking about possibilities for development along the Red Line Regional Rail Project in Davidson. The four-day public planning workshop began Tuesday and continues Thursday and Friday from 9 to 5 at Town Hall, 216 S. Main St.

ALSO: Davidson plans public hearing on Red Line Regional Rail Project Jan. 24. See below.

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