Sep
11

Viewpoint: We all have the opportunity to make our own sandwiches

BY JEFF CORBETT Journalist Tim McGuire shared a story about an old priest in Seattle who got up early every morning to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and then

Sep
06

Letter to the Editor: NCDOT decision to close West Wilson Avenue demonstrates lack of vision

To the Editor: As was announced at the close of the Mooresville Commission meeting on September 2, on Monday, September 8, NCDOT will publicly demonstrate its lack of vision as

Sep
01

Legislative Update: The reason the N.C. General Assembly has not adopted a state budget

BY REP. TODD CARVER I have been getting quite a few questions this week surrounding the state budget and the process used in North Carolina for funding our state government.

Aug
29

Viewpoint: New organization provides peer-to-peer support for veterans in Iredell County

BY DEREK DeVOS For most veterans, PTSD isn’t about one moment, one mission, or one event. It’s about what comes after. The sleepless nights. The sudden anger. The panic in

Aug
28

Viewpoint: Are you chasing your dream or just living?

BY JEFF CORBETT My grandfather was a young man in Statesville in the early 1900s, and he told me of a farmer who would bring live chickens to folks’ homes

Aug
24

Legislative Update: The goal of HB 67 is to increase access to medical care in N.C.

BY REP. TODD CARVER This week I want to share some information with you about HB 67, The Healthcare Workforce Reform. You probably haven’t heard of it because it was

Aug
22

Pardon Our Mess! Signs of progress visible throughout Statesville

BY RON SMITH Sometimes, progress is ugly, and inconvenient, and frustrating, and expensive. Right now, one does not have to drive or walk far in Statesville to come across a

Aug
21

View from the Hudson: Holy Scripture and cell phones

BY JOE HUDSON I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, thinking that as a member of the Statesville City Council, I sometimes get ferocious

Aug
14

Viewpoint: The sound of silence can help you recharge, reflect and refresh

BY JEFF CORBETT A young man decided to be a monk. His monastery had a strict vow of silence. Twelve months later the abbot called him in and said, “You

Aug
11

Legislative Update: N.C. General Assembly has several more vetoes to consider

BY REP. TODD CARVER The majority of this week’s update is dedicated to discussing the remaining vetoes of Gov. Josh Stein. The remainder will include a short discussion on the

Aug
04

Legislative Update: N.C. lawmakers successfully override eight vetoes

REP. TODD CARVER Last week I had said I hoped to override four of Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes during the week. Instead the N.C. General Assembly completed overrides on eight

Jul
31

Viewpoint: Are your priorities out of kilter?

BY JEFF CORBETT Today’s column has an embarrassing origin. I had just sat down to write it when an interesting news blurb popped up on my computer screen. I took

Jul
28

Legislative Update: Lawmakers return to Raleigh this week to attempt veto overrides

BY REP. TODD CARVER The N.C. General Assembly will be back in session this week. I believe the primary reason for our return is to attempt to override vetoes. There

Jul
19

View from the Hudson: Proud to be part of the herd

BY JOE HUDSON I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, thinking that many people now like to embrace their independent streak like those motivational

Jul
17

Viewpoint: How to use ‘the most powerful drug used by mankind’

BY JEFF CORBETT A tired businessman who wanted to get away from it all went to a retreat at a famous old monastery. As he was signing in, he asked

Jul
15

Viewpoint: North Carolina returns to top of national business rankings, but there’s still work to do

BY REP. TODD CARVER  Just a few words to make sure everyone saw that North Carolina was once again ranked as the best place to do business in America by

Jul
08

Legislative Update: Lawmakers take action to prohibit student cell phone use in schools during instructional time

BY REP. TODD CARVER The N.C. General Assembly took a break last week for the July 4th holiday so no new legislation was passed. That doesn’t mean that nothing took

Jul
03

Viewpoint: Understanding the power of eye contact

BY JEFF CORBETT The May/June 2004 issue of Psychology Today offers a great story on the power of eye contact. It reads like this: “Bill and Hillary Clinton often tell the story

Jun
30

Legislative Update: The long session draws to a close without a budget deal

BY REP. TODD CARVER Last week saw the long session of the N.C. General Assembly draw to a close — sort of. Leadership announced that the House and Senate were

Jun
24

Letter to the Editor: Fear of being sued should not outweigh legitimate safety concerns

To the Editor: I’m not angry because the Troutman Town Council voted to approve the Clontz Hill Road rezoning and annexation requests. I’m angry because of why they approved it.

Jun
23

Letter to the Editor: Community invited to contribute to local history project

To the Editor: If you have ancestors who lived in Iredell County, your help is needed to help celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our country in 2026 by submitting an

Jun
19

Viewpoint: What you need to know to avoid being manipulated

BY JEFF CORBETT I once attended an incredible workshop at Arizona State University taught by professor Dr. Robert Cialdini, an often-quoted expert in all things dealing with persuasion, and today

Jun
16

Viewpoint: Brown Family Bereavement Center will be a blessing to our community

BY REP. TODD CARVER The best part of my week happened in Mooresville — not in Raleigh — last week. I want to use this space to share information about

Jun
15

View from the Hudson: A few words about your love handles

BY JOE HUDSON  I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, appreciative of several things about you that are admirable — pleasant personality, winning smile,

Jun
09

Legislative Update: The North Carolina Border Protection Act would hold sanctuary cities accountable

BY REP. TODD CARVER Last week the N.C. House of Representatives passed a Senate bill entitled the North Carolina Border Protection Act, SB 153. I supported this bill for a

Jun
05

Viewpoint: The power to succeed comes from within

BY JEFF CORBETT I recently watched the film “Ray,” the inspiring story of Ray Charles, and I loved it! If you delve deeper into the making of this film, you’ll

Jun
02

Legislative Update: HB 193 empowers private schools to protect students and staff

BY REP. TODD CARVER Members of the N.C. House of Representatives voted to approve House Bill 193 in May. This legislation has garnered some media attention so I wanted to

May
26

Legislative Update: Inside the N.C. House budget

BY REP. TODD CARVER Last week we saw the introduction and passage of the N.C. House of Representatives budget. This is my first budget experience in the General Assembly, but

May
22

Viewpoint: We can learn a lot from how giraffes treat their babies

BY JEFF CORBETT Gary Richmond spent seven years at the Los Angeles Zoo as a zookeeper, and his book “A View from the Zoo” describes how the birth of a giraffe

May
19

Legislative Update: State budget should encourage economic growth, invest in future of N.C.

BY REP. TODD CARVER This work in the the N.C. House of Representatives has turned to the budget process. Before I say where we are, let me tell you about

May
16

View from the Hudson: It’s a good life … thanks to others

BY JOE HUDSON I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, thinking the birth of a rare Malayan tapir calf — a strange looking short-necked

May
13

Viewpoint: HB 636 promotes censorship and fear, while infringing on parental rights

BY KAREN VAN VLIET In response to Rep. Todd Carver’s recent column, the N.C. General Assembly has taken a misguided step with HB 636, “Promoting Wholesome Content for Students” Act,

May
12

Viewpoint: Is HB 765 a necessary step toward affordable housing or a legislative overreach?

BY REP. JEFF McNEELY North Carolina’s affordable housing crisis has reached a critical juncture. With escalating housing costs and a growing population, the state faces mounting pressure to provide accessible

May
12

Legislative Update: Crossover week in Raleigh  

BY REP. TODD CARVER Last week was crossover week in the N.C. General Assembly. That means for a bill to remain alive it must have cleared either the House of

May
08

Viewpoint: Don’t let FOMO define the life you lead

BY JEFF CORBETT A married couple in their early 60s was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in a quiet, romantic little restaurant. Suddenly, a tiny yet beautiful fairy appeared on

May
08

Letter to the Editor: Troutman Council, town manager have created this mess

To the Editor: This could be one of the most contradictory statements one has ever heard. “Town Manager Ron Wyatt opened the session, saying that being frugal is key while