May 23 - 29, 2014
bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996
nwobserver.com
U.S. 220 widening means headaches for fire department Medians could result in the need for a fourth fire station, higher insurance and fire tax rates by STEVE HUFFMAN SUMMERFIELD – Longer response times? Higher insurance premiums for area homeowners? The need for an ad-
ditional fire station in the community? The widening of U.S. 220, which will result in a four-lane highway through town with a median, raises several issues pertaining to the Summerfield Fire Department and those it serves in a fire district that encompasses 42 square miles.
The completion of the U.S. 220 widening project could bring higher insurance premiums for homeowners in the area, and possibly create the need for construction of a fourth station
IN THIS ISSUE News in brief............................................. 3 Your Questions ......................................... 4 Summerfield Town Council ....................11 Business Notes • Bits & Pieces ...............14 Founders’ Day Photos ............................18 Community Calendar............................19 Letters/Opinions ................................... 20 Stokesdale Fire Dept 60th Anniversary 22 Crime/Incident Report .......................... 23 Student Profiles ...................................... 23 Grins & Gripes ........................................ 24 Canine Capers/Music in the Park ....... 25 Classifieds .............................................. 27 Index of Advertisers ...............................31
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Party at the Ridge, May 29-31
Ridgefest offers three days of fun by KRISTIN KUBLY OAK RIDGE – The Merchants Association of Oak Ridge and the Town of Oak Ridge are once again partnering to host the biggest party of the year: Ridgefest 2014. The festivities will stretch over three days, with more activities, rides, music, food and fun than ever before. Ridgefest will take place at the Oak Ridge Town Park, corner of Linville Road and Lisa Drive, May 29, 30 and 31. The event is a collaboration that brings together the town, merchants, and citizens, all to benefit organizations within Oak Ridge. Bruce Oakley, Oak Ridge’s town manager, praises the great job done each year by all those involved.
File photo
“The town staff and the Parks and Rec members make sure the event goes smoothly,” Oakley says. “And it’s a good way for the merchants to give back to the community.”
Memorial Day • Monday, May 26 “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” –Joseph Campbell Parks and Recreation director Terry Lannon says his staff is hard at work getting the park ready: “Our parks crew is really busy because we try to make sure everything is trimmed up and looking really top shelf for the event.” The Merchants Association has been integral to the event since the beginning, says Randy Floss, chairman of MAOR’s Ridgefest committee. “We launched Ridgefest in 2009, the year the park was unveiled,” he recalls. “MAOR has since donated over $30,000 back into the community. We’ve worked with well over 100 organizations,
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