Medicaid expansion bill glides through committees in the state House of Representatives

by ROSE HOBAN North Carolina Health News

Often legislative committee hearings are sleepy affairs, attended by lawmakers, lobbyists and the occasional person interested in the intricacies of government.

That was not the case Tuesday, Feb. 14, on the sixth floor of the legislative office building. The size and excitement of the crowd looked more like someone had a small stash of

See BILL Page 6 making him, the chief said, “…a full Fire Marshal.” Chief Wofford continued, “Assistant Chief Colby Heffner and Capt. Nathan Bowman also received their NC Pyrotechnics Operator Certifications, and it is under their licenses we are able to do our fireworks for our July 4th celebration.” years.” He also noted the average time for them to get to a call was four minutes and 57 seconds with an average turnout time of one minute, 40 seconds. Total training hours, according to Chief

Additionally, the CFD has completed 200 inspections.

Councilwoman Jill Parker-Puett congratulated Chief Wofford and his department on a job well done.

Wofford, were 6,159.1, and certifications received by full-time personnel were by Doyle Brown, who received his NC Firefighter Certification; Colby Heffner, who received his Fire Inspector III,

Cherryville’s new Chief of Police, Brandon Hunsucker, took the podium and gave the Police Department’s 2022 End-of-Year Report starting with an organizational chart.

Chief Hunsucker told

See COUNCIL, Page 9

Come

April, the bright blue, orange school colors, and vivid LED screen of the new sign will enhance the school’s look

by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

John Chavis Middle School Principal Matt Rikard said recently the school will soon have a new sign out front, and everyone is excited about it, having seen images of what it will look like.

Rikard said the school’s current sign is “…aged and will no longer light up properly at night.”

He continued, “The school has many upgrades inside and out thanks to GCS and the support of the bond, and we feel like that a new sign will continue to modernize the look of the school. It will also provide us a way to instantly communicate with our parents in a new and dynamic way.”

As for who is going to build it and install it, Mr. Rikard noted a company called Sign Connection out of Gastonia, designed it and will build it. As for the cost, he added, “The cost will vary based on final design.”

When asked if the new sign will be larger or smaller than what is currently out there, Matt said, “The new one will be larger and contain See CHAVIS, Page 2