Vol. 8 No. 50
December 11, 2015 www.matthewsminthillweekly.com
Butler girls start strong
A world apart
Despite losing big names from last year’s roster, Butler girls are off to an impressive 5-2 start. Page 17
Development roundup We take a look back at 2015’s most notable development projects and their expected completion dates. Page 5
Photo courtesy of Covenant Day
The Lakota Indians living on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota face conditions of extreme poverty, unemployment and alcoholism. Students at Covenant Day are helping strangers more than 1,600 miles away through their “ContainIt” project, which will provide an additional living space for those gripped by poverty. by Courtney Schultz courtney@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com
MATTHEWS – On more than 2-million acres of rolling grassy prairie, poverty lingers like a breath on a crisp morning on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The median income of fewer than 40,000 Lakota Indians that reside there is less than $3,500 per year, with most crammed in mobile homes and trailers – many 15 people to a home. Almost 40 percent of the homes do not have electricity and there is only one grocery store in the town. More than 95 percent of the population lives below the federal poverty levels. Alcoholism affects eight out of 10 families on the reservation, despite the sale and possession of alcohol being prohibited since the 1970s.
Years ago, Native American artist Kevin Poorbear visited Covenant Day School and described the poor conditions on the reservation. His conversation motivated students to make a difference. In May 2015, juniors Mackenzie Deans and Renner Murphy and CDS teachers Clifford Chin and Jackie Weigel visited the reservation to see how students could make an impact. “It was an eye-opening experience to see a place like that in America,” said Chin. “You would have thought it was a third world country.” Mackenzie said she was struck by the “heaviness” from the poverty, neglect and abuse that occurred on the reservation, but felt they could deliver “something full of hope.” A group of 12 students decided to transform a used shipping
C-SPAN visits Butler Students at Butler were introduced to politics through a hands on experience with the C-SPAN Campaign Bus. Page 12
(see ContainIt on page 8)
News Briefs 6 | Opinion 7 | Crime Blotter 14 | Education 11 | Faith 13 | Calendar 15 | Sports 16 | Classifieds 19 Charles Garnier 40% OFF
Buy 3 charms... get 4th one FREE (of equal or lesser value)
GOLD & DIAMONDS 1/3rd OFF RETAIL!
LaFonn & Southern Gates 40% OFF
Pendants, Earrings, Rings in Gold and Sterling Silver
RANBECJ EWELERS
New Inventory of Engagement Rings, including Halo Rings at 1/3rd OFF retail!
7114 Brighton Park Dr. | Suite 310 Mint Hill, NC EXTENDED HOLIDAY HOURS