Mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus and other illnesses.

It’s tick and mosquito season, and with that comes the threat of disease. A report on National Public Radio this week warned that budget problems have forced some states to trim funding for mosquito research and disease prevention.

Here in Mecklenburg County, health experts say there a many things we can do at home to prevent illnesses spread by mosquitoes or ticks. Read the full story

Dr. Kathy Weeks urges parents to ask about vaccines.

Lake Norman Regional Medical Center

MOORESVILLE - One of the top questions new parents ask their family physicians is whether they should vaccinate their infants. To vaccinate or not is a major topic in today’s society. What was once seen as miraculous is now questioned exhaustively. Fear of potential complications has trumped a proven method for preventing diseases. But immunizations in the U.S. have an incredibly safe track record, doctors say. Read the full story

Riders cruise down Shearers Road in east Davidson during the October 2010 Ride for Hope & Housing. (Bill Giduz/DavidsonNews.net)

The Davidson Housing Coalition’s annual Festival for Hope & Housing, including 50k and 100k bicycle rides, is scheduled Saturday, Sept. 10, in downtown Davidson.

The festival and bike rides are a fundraiser for the Davidson Housing Coalition, which preserves and creates affordable housing and provides homeowner education and job search and training services. Read the full story

Homesley & Wingo Law will host the 11th annual Blues & Burritos festival in downtown Mooresville Sept. 16 to aid HealthReach and Serenity House.

MOORESVILLE- Health Reach Community Clinic, a free clinic on East Statesville Avenue in Mooresville, has decided to close its free dental clinic. Meanwhile, the organization says it is in the process of seeking accreditation through the North Carolina Association of Free Clinics.

HeathReach Community Clinic provides free health care to low-income residents of Mooresville, Mount Mourne and Troutman. The clinic also offers free pharmacy prescriptions, education and chiropractic care. In 2010, the clinic recorded 5,000 patient visits and provided care to about 1,800 local residents, according to its 2010 annual report. Read the full story

Register now for the 2011 cross country for youth program

CHARLOTTE – Children ages 9 to 14 interested in participating in cross country this fall can register now through Sept. 12 for the 2011 Cross Country for Youth program. The 10-week program meets Mondays and Wednesdays at Elon, Mallard Creek and Sugar Creek recreation centers.

The Cross Country for Youth program, in partnership with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, aims to introduce elementary and middle students in North Carolina to cross-country training. Read the full story

Kim Bridi

Firmly Rooted Counseling & Consulting, which opened last November in the Davidson Cotton Mill, has added a new twist to its services: A yoga studio. The business, run by Davidson native Annie Seier, has joined forces with The Tree: A Therapeutic Yoga Studio to form Firmly Rooted Wellness Center.

Annie Seier

Ms. Seier treats families and children struggling with autism and related disorders, including ADD/ADHD. She holds effective social skills groups to help children with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. Her clients also include women experienced birth trauma, mothers suffering from postpartum depression and families who need support with mothering and parenting issues.

Kim Bridi of Davidson is a yoga instructor trained in creating trauma-sensitive yoga classes and yoga therapy. She has more than 5 years’ experience working with pregnant women and new mothers. Read the full story

(Photo illustration David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

How safe is that mobile phone? Consumers have been asking that question for years, worrying that electromagnetic radiation emitted by phones might cause cancer. Now, with more than 4.6 billion mobile phone subscribers globally, a new international panel of experts says they might be “possibly carcinogenic.”

The panel, organized by the World Health Organization, compiled results from dozens of previous studies, and concluded that mobile phones could lead to cancer. “Possibly carcinogenic” is not the most serious warning, but indicates a risk.

Mobile phones in recent years have improved, and radiation emissions have been reduced. And the WHO said that “to date, no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use.” Read the full story

The 7th annual Run for Green half marathon, 10K and 5K/run walk are scheduled Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 a.m. over roads and trails through Davidson. More than 800 runners are expected for the annual race, which supports the Davidson Lands Conservancy.  The race comes as part of the conservancy’s Green Day Festival on the Davidson Village Green. Read the full story

The A2S (Access to Success) Foundation of former Davidson College basketball player Andrew Lovedale will host its first “Kicks from ‘Cats: The Andrew Lovedale 5K” on Sept. 10, 2011, at 9 a.m. on the college cross country trail. The event is a fund-raiser for the foundation, which helps underprivileged youth in Nigeria through training in education, faith and sports. Read the full story

Lake Norman Regional Medical Center hosts a Stroke Support Group that meets on the first Thursday of every month from 1-2:30 p.m. at the South Iredell Senior Center in Mooresville. The next Stroke Support Group will meet Thursday, Aug. 4. Read the full story