Dec. 21, 2023 - Jan. 17, 2024
bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since November1996
www.nwobserver.com
Development ‘sweet spot’ elusive for Summerfield DE-
Newly seated council members provide fresh insights, while struggling to find a clear path in the town’s battle with landowner David Couch by CHRIS BURRITT
Adobe Stock image
Two days after being sworn into office on Dec. 14, newly elected Summerfield Town Council members joined fellow members and staff for a special called meeting to discuss a controversial text amendment approved by the council in October and landowner David Couch’s potential efforts to de-annex almost 1,000 acres.
IN THIS ISSUE Your Questions................................... 4 News Briefs.......................................... 6 Oak Ridge TC: Dec. 7 mtg................ 8 Summerfield TC: Dec. 12 & 14 mtg.12 Stokesdale TC: Dec. 14 mtg............ 14 Stokesdale Christmas parade....... 16 Real Estate/Biz: 2023 Top stories..... 18 Commercial rezonings face resistance....................................... 22 Apartments, townhouses on Fleming Road?.............................................. 24 Novant opens new S’Field clinics.24 NWO Kids’ Korner ............................ 26 NWHS cheer team state champs.. 27 Scouts honor veterans.................... 28 Crime/Incident Report ................... 32 Community Calendar ................... 33 Grins and Gripes .............................34 Classifieds ........................................ 36 Onward to 2024................................ 39 NWO On The Go .............................. 39
SUMMERFIELD – As newly seated council members Jonathan Hamilton and Heath Clay dig into Summerfield’s de-annexation fight, they’re confronting the challenge that’s divided town leaders and residents for most of the year. The text amendment passed by the town council on Oct. 5 may be ceding too much to landowner David Couch and his plans to build Summerfield’s first apartments, according to some council members. On the other hand, if the council unwinds its development concessions to Couch, it risks spurring state lawmakers to pass legislation de-annexing his nearly 1,000
...continued on p. 2
Christmas traditions, cherished
memories, part 2
In this issue we bring you more responses we received after inviting our readers to share their Christmas traditions and most memorable Christmases. We again thank those who obliged us with some amusing, touching and inspiring responses. compiled by ANNETTE JOYCE
After it dried, she painted the fingers to resemble snowmen decked out for the holidays. That year, the pair made enough to gift various family members. The next year, grandmother and grandson did it again and a tradition was born.
When Dina Smith’s first grandson, Isaiah, was an infant, the two of them created some special ornaments that were destined to become family heirlooms. Using simple colored glass Christmas balls, Smith had her As more grandchildren were added grandson stick his palm in white paint and then wrap it around the ornament. – twins, Oliver and Tate and
the youngest, Salem – Smith has spent time with each child creating the unique and cherished ornaments. “They’re all different based on the
...continued on p. 30