The Salisbury Post presents a “Year in Review” 

As 2024 winds down, we here at the Salisbury Post are taking a look back on memorable moments of the year, from the stories that made us laugh to those that made us cry. 

What we write at the Post might be called articles, but at their core, they are stories, and not just any old stories — they are your stories. These stories woven together create the fabric of the Rowan County community. Unfortunately, we cannot recount them all, but we wanted to share some of those that stuck out to us.

This three-part series will continue through the New Year. Today’s edition explores highlights from January through April. 

 

JANUARY
A.L. Brown grad Morrison will enter another Hall of Fame (Jan. 2)

By Mike London

A.L. Brown graduate Melissa Morrison Howard, an Olympic medalist, is one of the headliners for the fifth class of inductees for the North Carolina High School Track & Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame. 

 

Century kid: Lonnie Poole turns 100 (Jan. 6)

By Karen Kistler 

SALISBURY — Cheers sounded as Lonnie Poole Sr. entered the living center at the Salisbury VA on Jan. 4 to celebrate a very special day — his 100th birthday — where family and friends were there to help him celebrate.  

Emotions of joy, happiness and love for those gathered could all be seen on his face as he raised his hands to wave to the crowd, and a big smile broke out, speaking volumes.  

“I love you all,” Poole said to everyone, with tears in his eyes as they rolled him to the front of the room.

 

Transportation Museum event offers opportunity to pilot 70-year-old diesel locomotive (Jan. 9)

By Robert Sullivan

SPENCER — Train enthusiasts young and old were allowed to man the controls to an old diesel locomotive on Saturday as part of the North Carolina Transportation Museum’s “At the Throttle Diesel” event.    

Participants were allowed to operate a 1950s-era diesel locomotive around the entirety of the track, following the paths that the museum’s passenger trains typically take. This was the first year that participants were allowed to take the extended trip. In previous years participants drove a shortened path, said NCTM Director of Administration Marcus Neubacher.

**Photo from Robert is a great shot for CP**

 

Tom Kincaid voted back on to the Kannapolis City Council (Jan. 10)

By Brad Dountz

KANNAPOLIS — The Kannapolis City Council voted to reinstate Tom Kincaid back to council with a vote of 3-2 in favor at its Jan. 8 meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Doug Wilson was feeling under the weather and was not there to vote on the matter.  

Kincaid resigned in 2023 from council after mounting pressure due to his involvement as owner of Caremoor Retirement Community, which was being sold to Cooperative Christian Ministry to be turned into a new transitional housing facility. Council had intended to give CCM $3 million of the $9.3 million grant Kannapolis received from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act in 2022, but certain council members would only approve of the funds being transferred if Kincaid resigned. 

 

Remembering Wayne: Colleagues, friends share tales of late Post photographer

By Susan Shinn Turner

Wayne Hinshaw, a meticulous, reliable and dedicated photojournalist who spent his long career with the Salisbury Post documenting every corner of Rowan County and beyond, died Sunday morning at Trinity Oaks Health & Rehab after a period of declining health.  

As the news broke, hundreds of former colleagues, athletes and regular folks who were the subjects of his award-winning photos took to social media, texts and phone calls to express their thanks for his tireless efforts to ensure that each shot was perfect.  

“I’ve got a smile on my face just remembering him and Junior back in the darkroom,” Elizabeth Cook, former Post editor, recalled. 

Deidre Parker Smith, former longtime Post copydesk chief and assistant editor for continuous news, is now working on a project for Rowan Public Library, digitizing the Post files by scanning newspaper clippings. “I have seen Wayne’s photos over and over again, from every era,” she said.

Looking through the clip files, Parker Smith noted that Hinshaw was at every event — major crimes, sports, news, high school graduation — the list goes on and on.   

**Wayne Hinshaw photo here please**

 

Couple comes back home to plant church: Promise City Church launches Jan. 21 (Jan. 18)

By Karen Kistler 

SALISBURY — With a lot of roots in the community, Derrick and Roshonda Hawkins are seeking to plant a church in their native Salisbury with a launch of Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. as the first gathering at Salisbury High School. 

Multiple generations on both sides of the couple have called Salisbury and nearby communities their home, and they are doing the same, along with their children. 

 

Holloway takes office in Cleveland (Jan. 19)

By Chandler Inions

CLEVELAND — The town of Cleveland officially has a full commission for the first time in nearly a year after Wilson Holloway was sworn in at town hall during a special-called meeting to fill the seat vacated when former Commissioner Richard Taylor resigned 2023.

The appointment came a little more than two months after Jeanette Rankin was elected to fill the seat vacated by former Commissioner Danny Gabriel who died in April of 2023. 

 

Music City lights: Rowan County artists jam out in Nashville (Jan. 20)

Getting to play in front of 20,000 people might make most musicians nervous, but for four artists with Rowan County ties, performing in front of a sold-out Nashville Predators crowd just felt like an opportunity to show Music City what they were made of.  

Austin McNeill, Austin Bell, Paul Dandison and Thomas Burke brought the heat to the ice on Jan. 13 in the Bridgestone Arena during the two period intermissions when the Predators beat the New York Islanders 3-1.  

“We played all my original songs,” McNeill said. “Typically, at some shows, we might throw a cover or two in, but being out there and being in Nashville, I wanted to play songs I had written.”  

 

Salisbury restaurateur returns after two-month hospital stay (Jan. 30)

By Chandler Inions

Scott Teeter, of Sweet Meadow Cafe, was admitted to the hospital with a strange illness late in 2023. Upon admittance, the road to recovery was foggy at best, but 54 days later, he was finally released from full-time care.

Throughout Scott’s stay, Heather was a fixture by his side. Despite the hardship, Heather said that her overall experience shone a positive light on her support systems. “Someone asked me the other day if I wished I could have forgotten it, and I said, ‘No,” Heather said. “Even though it was a traumatic experience from my end, it was also an incredibly uplifting supportive community oriented amazing gift from the planet.”

 

Whisenant surprised with Order of Long Leaf Pine presentation (Jan. 30)

By Karen Kistler

Thinking he was there to celebrate the 40th wedding anniversary of he and his wife, retired WBTV reporter David Whisenant, at a surprise presentation on Saturday, received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.  This award, as noted on the society’s website, is the highest honor awarded by the governor that is presented to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to North Carolina.  

 

FEBRUARY

Salisbury buys new fire engine (Feb. 1)

By Brad Dountz

On Jan. 16, the Salisbury City Council agreed to purchase a 2025 Pierce fire engine from Atlantic Emergency Solutions, Inc. for $842,057. However, earlier that same day, the truck was already sold and no longer available. At a special meeting on Jan. 30, council decided to go ahead with ordering a 2026 Pierce fire engine from Atlantic that will now cost $910,000.  

“The only difference between this engine and the previously approved engine is the motor type,” Fire Chief Bob Parnell said. 

 

High school boys swimming: East repeats in dominating fashion (Feb. 1)

By Mike London 

SALISBURY — East Rowan’s boys swim team had a clean sweep at the Rowan County Championships at Hurley YMCA. Four Mustangs swam as solo acts. They could have taken it easy, with the championship long decided, but instead Isaac Cawley, Josh Gardner, Owen Kesler and Cole Humphreys pushed themselves and each other.

“They shaved time,” East head coach Amanda Trexler said proudly. “Swimming by themselves and they shaved time.”  

East enjoyed a breakthrough triumph in the 2023 county meet, the first victory ever for the boys. It was no fluke. East repeated with a dominating performance. There are 11 events, eight individual races and three relays. East went 11-for-11, a clean sweep, a perfect storm.

 

South girls win third straight county title (Feb. 1)

By Mike London

The Raiders piled up points at Hurley YMCA. The small-chunks strategy paid off with a county championship. East Rowan won seven of 11 events and had the co-swimmers of the year, Addie Sechriest and Gracie Lineberger, but South Rowan was deeper.  

South’s depth prevailed as it frequently does in the county meet. The Raiders won their third straight title since COVID emptied the pools in 2021.

 

106! West girls break scoring record against Concord (Feb. 5)

By Mike London 

MOUNT ULLA — West Rowan’s girls basketball team broke scoring records for the school and for the county. West won 106-30 against Concord in a South Piedmont Conference game. The Spiders (7-12, 5-7) aren’t far out of the playoff picture as the No. 37 team in the 3A West RPI rankings, but they were in the wrong place at the wrong time and got hit by a bus.

 

Tearing it down: Knox Middle demolition underway (Feb. 7)

Demolition began at the Knox Middle School campus in Salisbury. The project initially entered the asbestos abatement and demolition phase of the project. Construction is slated to start in 2025.

**Picture to use by Emily Nance**

 

Remembering Terry Holt: An educator, in the classroom and life (Feb. 18)

By Karen Kistler 

In his career and throughout his entire life, Terry Holt was an educator.

He first helped to start a school at Piedmont Correctional Center, and taught there for three years, followed by positions at Erwin Middle School and South Rowan, teaching history at both.

History came to life in his classes as it wasn’t unusual to see Holt come to class dressed in historical costumes trying to “make it real to the folks,” one former assistant principal shared.

Making history come to life extended beyond the walls of the classroom as he could also be seen in costume, taking on the roles of the people he talked about in both the history classes and summer camps offered by the Rowan Museum where Holt served for at least 20 years.

Holt died on Feb. 11. 

 

Facebook fraudster attempts to mislead voters (Feb. 22)

By Chandler Inions

As the political cycle heated up, so did the attack ads, and while that may feel like a part of the process, one attempt to gain an edge took on a sinister countenance.  

For at least a week, Facebook users browsing the site for local stories possibly came across a page called Redmond4Rowan, which presented itself as a campaign page for Alissa Redmond, a Democratic candidate for the Rowan County Board of Commissioners. There’s just one problem — it was not Redmond.

Redmond was not the only local candidate impersonated by a spam account. Former Rowan-Salisbury School Board member Alisha Byrd-Clark, who was running for a general assembly seat, also saw fraudulent impersonations against her. 

In an age where misinformation is so rife online, both instances served as a reminder to check your sources.

 

Two high schoolers stack up well at national bricklaying competition (Feb. 25)

By Brad Dountz

East Rowan High School seniors Wyatt Trexler and Mason Ridenhour started 2024 on one heck of a high note.  

On Jan. 24, the two won the Spec Mix Junior Bricklayer 500 World Championship held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both of them take masonry courses at East Rowan taught by David Payne, who accompanied them to Las Vegas. Payne said seeing the two friends win was one of the “highlights” of his career.  

“They are a good team, they communicate. It’s lovely to watch those two work together. They’re constantly communicating, they’re constantly striving together to win,” Payne said. 

 

No longer a secret: Formerly hidden segregation-era school house opens as museum for next generation (Feb. 29)

By Chandler Inions

CHINA GROVE — Where once students were forced to take refuge in the woods, now those eager to learn about the Historic Neely School can visit the restored building out in the open.  Neelytown Road sits right off Corriher Gravel Road in China Grove. 

After turning down Neelytown, visitors will soon happen upon an old school building that, until just recently, was not visible from the road. The relocation efforts did not happen overnight.

Bringing the school to its current location took a labor of love, as one family member, Derek Tyson, described it, because due to time’s passage and nature’s relentless reclamation of mankind’s efforts, the building had all but been taken back by the surrounding woods.

 

MARCH

Salisbury PD offers wheel locks for Hyundai, Kia owners (March 5)

By Chandler Inions

In response to the high-volume of Kia and Hyundai vehicle thefts, the Salisbury Police Department distributed free wheel locks for 2010 and newer Kia and Hyundai vehicles in an effort aimed at combating auto thefts. 

“Auto theft is a serious issue affecting communities nationwide, and Salisbury is not exempt,” Salisbury Police Chief PJ Smith said. “The Salisbury Police Department aims to give residents an additional layer of security to protect their vehicles from theft by providing wheel locks.”

 

Salisbury officially amends panhandling ordinance  (March 7)

By Brad Dountz

SALISBURY — After having discussions about it at their last two meetings, the Salisbury City Council approved revisions to the existing panhandling ordinance on March 5 that will go into immediate effect.  

These revisions do not make panhandling illegal, since that would hinder the constitutional right of free speech, but it does restrict how and where people can ask for food or money within city limits.  

Examples of changes included that a person cannot panhandle “after dark,” which ranges from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Aggressive panhandling is forbidden if someone causes fear or bodily harm, threatens another person, continues asking after being told no, or makes physical contact without permission.

 

Voicing his gratitude: Kannapolis native advances on TV music competition (March 9)

By Karen Kistler

KANNAPOLIS — Gratitude has been a big part of Josh Sanders’ journey to The Voice, and it’s a message that he would share with those who follow him along the way.  

Sanders, a Kannapolis native, auditioned on NBC’s The Voice at the end of February, performing Nate Smith’s song, “Whiskey on You,” for the coaches, receiving one, then two, chairs turning, and now he’s off to the Battles portion of the competition.  

Sanders’ run on the popular television show ended with a runner-up finish. 

 

A.L. Brown grad dies following brain cancer battle (March 14)

By Chandler Inions

When high-schooler Leonardo Perez Martinez discovered that he had a brain tumor, his family was prepared to do whatever it took, including clinical trials, to try and beat it. Despite his brave fight, Martinez died from his condition in March. He was 18.

Perez Martinez suffered from stage 4 glioblastoma for two years. When it took his life, he was only a day away from his 19th birthday. “Leo was a wonderful young man who we lost too soon,” his mother Antonia said.

 

Back-to-back Champs (March 17)

By Mike London

Several West Rowan senior standouts were able to finish their careers on the bench, laughing and crying and hugging, as reserves polished off a 64-52 victory over Terry Sanford.  

That did not seem like a likely ending scenario with three minutes left, but Terry Sanford (26-6) ran out of gas and hit the wall and West kept getting stronger in Friday afternoon’s 3A state championship game at Joel Coliseum.

** Good photo to use **

 

County grants $1 lease to Project Light for space in West End Plaza (March 20)

By Robert Sullivan

Project Light moved into the West End Plaza after the members of the Rowan County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a lease agreement between the county and the nonprofit.  

The lease agreement is a gift to the organization, as Project Light will only be required to pay one dollar a month in rent. Commissioner Mike Caskey said that the idea to offer Project Light the space came from working closely with the organization on a human trafficking study the county approved back in August (2023). 

While working with representatives from the organization, Caskey learned that they needed more space for their operations than their current office in Rockwell could provide and the county-owned building proved a good solution. 

 

Rowan County native talks at Rowan Chamber’s ‘Salute to Agri-business’

By Brad Dountz

A West Rowan graduate was the keynote speaker during the annual Rowan County Chamber of Commerce event. 

MacKenna Clifton, a junior at North Carolina State University studying agricultural education, was previously a Future Farmer of America officer while she attended West Rowan High School. 

“Whenever I speak about the future of agriculture and how it changes lives, I’m saying that because it changed my life. Agriculture has made me a better person. I am truly a product of agriculture in Rowan County,” Clifton told the gathered crowd. 

 

God boy: A Rowan County Sheriff’s Office K-9 calls it a career

By Brad Dountz

SALISBURY — Rex, one of the K-9s at the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, has retired from duty after six years on the force.  

A retirement ceremony was held in March in the lobby of the sheriff’s office where members of the department came to say goodbye to Rex before his handler, Corporal Patrick Michael, took him for his last ride in a police vehicle.  

“One thing that I’ve greatly had a lot of pride in is the K-9 program,” Sheriff Travis Allen said. “It’s all because of good handlers and good dogs.”

**Great photo to use here**

 

APRIL 

Rowan County Veterans Treatment Court awarded Congressionally Directed Spending project funding (April 4)

By Robert Sullivan 

SALISBURY — The Rowan County Veterans Treatment Court project received $546,000 in funding through recent appropriations legislation that was passed by the Senate and signed by the president in March.  

As one of many Congressionally Directed Spending projects funded across North Carolina, the Rowan Veterans Treatment Court funding received support from Sen. Thom Tillis.  

“We must value our veterans for their selfless service and support them during some of their most difficult times. I strongly support funding for Veterans Courts, most recently with funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act I helped write and pass into law, and I am proud to have fought for funding to serve North Carolina veterans,” said Tillis.

 

Four-peat for East’s Merrell, but Hornets take another team title (April 5)

By Mike London

Landon Merrell’s East Rowan teammates shook his hand and then shook their heads. 

They smiled and declared it wasn’t a legit four-peat golf county championship for the unassuming senior because he’d only tied with Salisbury’s John McCoy for the coveted title in 2023. 

But they were kidding, of course, and Merrell knew they were kidding.  

What Merrell has done is noteworthy. He’s won on three different courses, with a 71 at Crescent as a freshman and with a 75 at the Country Club of Salisbury as a sophomore. Merrell and McCoy shot 72s at Crescent to share medalist honors last year. Merrell proved he also could do it at Warrior on Thursday, winning with a 2-over 73.

 

Rowan Chamber launches new Youth Leadership program (April 7)

By Staff Report

SALISBURY — The Rowan Chamber of Commerce has announced the opening of applications for the charter class of Youth Leadership Rowan. With a rich history of over 30 years in conducting Leadership Rowan for adults, the chamber extended the opportunity to Rowan-Salisbury high school students for the first time. 

Nick Means, of F&M Bank and the distinguished chairman of the Leadership Rowan Steering Committee, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We are excited to launch the new Youth Leadership Rowan program and look forward to helping our students become more involved in their hometown.”  

 

Longtime Rockwell resident appointed as alderman after West resigns (April 10)

By Robert Sullivan

ROCKWELL — The members of the Rockwell Board of Aldermen appointed a familiar face to the empty seat left when former Alderman Fred West resigned his position due to taking a job with the town.  

Bill Earnhardt was appointed unanimously by the other aldermen to fill West’s empty seat on the board of aldermen during the monthly meeting in April. Earnhardt has served the town as a member of the planning board for the past few years and has lived in Rockwell for the past 27 years after being born and raised in Salisbury. Earnhardt also previously served one term on the town’s board of aldermen.

 

Spencer Board approves annexation (April 11)

By Chandler Inions

SPENCER — It looks like the town of Spencer will be getting a little bit bigger after the Spencer Board of Aldermen approved an annexation in April.

The decision to annex property at 1940 U.S. Hwy. 29 was approved unanimously.  

Addressing the board, Spencer Planning and Zoning Administrator Steve Blount said, “This is a 1.69-acre parcel located at that address. We recently rezoned that (to mixed-use) from industrial. There are three existing structures on that property.”   

Those structures include one commercial building and two small residential properties. The building is a pool hall called Smokey Joe’s Pub and Grub.

The annexation is part of the Spencer’s larger vision to make contiguous town limits all the way to the Yadkin River.

 

Tornado damage: Mt. Ulla Elementary School closed after EF1 rips roof off gym (April 13)

By Robert Sullivan 

MT ULLA — A tornado on Thursday caused significant damage to Mt. Ulla Elementary School, causing the school to close for students and staff in April. The winds also caused a tree to fall on a house about a mile away from the school, displacing two residents.  

The damage to the school began at the gym, where strong winds ripped the roof off of the building and scattered pieces of it across the property and beyond. Debris could still be seen on the property, on power lines and on trees in the woods across the road throughout the night.

**Great photo to use here of damage to school**

 

RSS announces Joe Nixon as new district-wide athletic director (April 13)

Staff report

The Rowan-Salisbury School System (RSS) appointed Joe Nixon as the district-wide athletic director in April. 

With more than 20 years of coaching experience, which includes years at West Rowan High School and North Rowan High School, Nixon brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success to his new role.  

During his tenure as a coach, Nixon has achieved notable milestones, including four conference championships and four Coach of the Year awards. His dedication to the development of student-athletes both on and off the field is evident through his involvement with the N.C. Coaches Association Board and the N.C. Football Coaches Association Board.  

“We are excited to welcome Joe Nixon back to RSS in this new role,” Superintendent Dr. Kelly W. Withers said. “His extensive experience and commitment to student-athlete development make him a valuable addition to our team.”

 

In full swing: Woodleaf Park takes over old elementary school site (April 16)

By Brad Dountz

Though Woodleaf Elementary closed its doors in 2017 due to them consolidating with Cleveland Elementary, its legacy will continue as the new Woodleaf Park. 

On April 13, Woodleaf Park had its official ribbon cutting ceremony where citizens and park stakeholders had the opportunity to see their years of hard work finally pay off.   

Rowan County commissioners Jim Greene and Craig Pierce, as well as County Manager Aaron Church, attended the county’s sixth park grand opening. Woodleaf Park includes a playground, swing set, picnic areas, sidewalks, exercise equipment and a sports field. Benesch, a Charlotte engineering firm, designed the project and Randolph & Son Builders were responsible for constructing it. 

**great photos here of kids on playground**

 

Saying yes: Dan Joyner Miller is St. John’s new senior pastor (April 16)

By Susan Shinn Turner 

Pastors Dan and Kendra Joyner Miller are true partners — both in their ministries and in their lives together.   

Pastor Dan will be installed as senior pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church at 7 p.m. April 21 in the Sanctuary. His wife will be preaching, and Bishop Tim Smith will preside. A reception follows in Ritchie Hall.   

It was Pastor Kendra’s work which brought the family to Rowan County in November 2022. She became chaplain of Catawba College after the retirement of Dr. Kenneth Clapp.   

“Dan was great to stay home with the girls so I could get acclimated to my job at Catawba,” Pastor Kendra said. “The beautiful thing is that there’s an overlap of people that we serve. That’s been a joy for us.”

 

You just had to be there: Earth Day Jam provides unique musical experience for Salisbury (April 23)

By Chandler Inions

SALISBURY — The Bell Tower Green in downtown Salisbury came alive for Earth Day Jam, the farm-to-festival event hosted by local nonprofit Happy Roots.  

A day filled with cold drinks, food and friends was enough to make anyone smile, but for the music enthusiasts, the showcase of entertainment represented just what a musical destination that Salisbury is.   

 

Resources shared at inaugural ESL Family Fair (April 25)

By Karen Kistler

The community came together to help provide resources and information during the ESL Family Resource Fair held at the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College North Campus Student Center.  

Held April 18, the event, its first, was a collaborative effort between multiple organizations and agencies including UNC-Greensboro Educational Ignite Grant, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Rowan-Salisbury Schools and additional community partners who offer services that support the ESL (English as a Second Language) population and all community members.