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Tolle retires from Kannapolis Parks & Rec
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Tolle
If you have been to an event, parks and recreation program or festival in Kannapolis, you have probably seen Becky Tolle at work. She was the first-ever program coordinator in the department and will now retire as the assistant parks and recreation director.
Tolle has served for over 30 years as a parks and recreation professional in the state of North Carolina, first for the town of Huntersville and then for the city of Kannapolis. During her 23-year tenure in Kannapolis, she began programs and events that have become cherished memory makers in Kannapolis, according to a news release from the city.
Tolle started the Summer Movie Series, Thursdays on Main music series, and the Stories Under the Stars Children's Series. She was one of the organizers of "Kannapolis Christmas," which eventually became the popular Celebration of Lights that happens every holiday season. This event draws over 100,000 annually, and for many families, it is an annual holiday tradition. She was also the leader of Jiggy with the Piggy Festival, an annual barbecue event that drew thousands of visitors from around the U.S. for a decade to Kannapolis.
Tolle aided the department in securing its national CAPRA Accreditation in 2016 and spearheaded the most recent reaccreditation in 2026, the release said.
Most recently, Tolle used her parks and recreation experience when the city's Revitalization Project led to the transfer of both the historic Gem and Swanee Theatres to city ownership. Both are now bustling tourism anchors in the revitalized downtown.
Originally from Galesburg, Illinois, she got her start in parks and recreation by working as a concession operator, lifeguard, and facility attendant while in high school.
"Becky always has a smile on her face. Her personality, care and concern for residents and their health have led her to make hundreds of community connections to advance recreation programming for Kannapolis residents of all ages. She will be greatly missed," said Gary Mills, Kannapolis director of Parks and Recreation.
In her retirement, she is looking forward to spending time with her family, Patrick; children, Jason Tolle & Aleks Tallent; and three rambunctious grandsons, Declan, Cannon and Oaklin Tallent.
Cato Corp. to close 120 stores by end of year
RICHARD CRAVER WinstonSalem Journal
The Cato Corp. announced Friday it has raised the number of stores it plans to close by the end of the year from 50 to 120.
The Charlotte-based women's apparel chain did not disclose which stores would be affected in its news release or on its website.
Cato lists 81 stores in North Carolina, including stores in Hickory, Lenoir, Morganton, Marion, Statesville and Concord.
During the second quarter, Cato closed eight stores. As of Aug. 1, Cato listed 1,057 stores in 31 states, so the planned 120 closings represent 11.3% of its network.
John Cato, the retailer's chairman, president and chief executive, said Friday that Cato annually reviews one-third of its stores "to exercise available lease options or negotiate an extension based on each store's performance, including store sales trend and current and projected store profitability."
"In years past, marginal stores were renewed for an additional year to give the store more time to improve its sales trend and profitability.
"In light of the current economic environment, especially with the negative pressure on our customers' discretionary income, we do not expect these marginal stores to improve appreciably."
Cato mentioned "persistent inflation, higher fuel prices and continued elevated interest rates" as key economic factors on its customer base.
Cato added that "we believe that closing these additional stores will have a positive impact on our operating results in fiscal 2027 and beyond." The company expects to incur between $1 million and $1.3 million in costs to close the stores. Those costs relate primarily to expenses for the disposal of external signage and fixtures, and returning store systems back to corporate.
The retailer said in its second-quarter financial report on Aug. 29 that net income for the first half of fiscal 2026 was $10.5 million, compared with $10.1 million a year ago.
First-half sales were down 2.9% at $333.3 million.
John Cato said in the financial report that "we will continue to tightly manage our expenses and inventory as we anticipate the back half of 2026 to be challenging."
A North Asheville bear, Dolly, captured in 2026 by photographer
Dustin Furlow, will not be euthanized, the N.C. Wildlife Resources
Commission said.
USA TODAY NETWORK
ASHEVILLE — A North Asheville bear, named Dolly by her supporters, was set to be euthanized, but the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission walked back that decision after a campaign to save the bear's life.
Here's what's known about Dolly the bear, and where things stand.
Buncombe County woman injured by bear in her home
The Wildlife Resources Commission announced that on Aug. 18, a Buncombe County resident encountered a female black bear inside her house and was injured as the bear tried to exit the home. The woman was treated at a local hospital and released.
"From our active investigation, the victim was not intentionally feeding the bear, but it had repeated access to pet food inside the home through an unlocked door and unsecured trash outside," NCWRC Black Bear Biologist Jenna Malzahn said in a press release. "That's why we want to remind folks about the dangers and consequences of unintentional feeding of wildlife, as repeated access to human-provided foods rewards bears and will lead to bears viewing human homes and neighborhoods as reliable sources of food."
Bear reportedly broke into additional homes
A day after her initial break-in on Aug. 18, the bear reportedly broke into a second home and tried to get into a third residence. The bear went on to try to break into two more homes in the Asheville area, the N.C. WRC stated. Wildlife officials said that two of the bear's cubs were captured and relocated to an undeveloped area.
"She has learned that all homes have food inside. This bear not only poses a risk to human safety, but she is teaching her cubs the same dangerous and unnatural behavior," the N.C. WRC said in an update on Sept. 2. "She is not afraid of people, causing extensive property damage, and has forcibly entered homes of residents that have no evidence of unsecured trash or other unsecured attractants outdoors."
New plans for 'Dolly' following campaign to save bear
On Sept. 18, the N.C. WRC said in a statement that the bear would be sent to the North Carolina Zoo if captured.
"NCWRC staff have been in contact with the N.C. Zoo and, in the event we can safely capture the North Asheville bear alive, the Zoo has agreed to temporarily care for the bear until an appropriate permanent home is identified," the statement read. "Biologists will continue efforts to safely capture the bear despite limited success thus far. Staff will continue to monitor the neighborhood and respond to reports to the NC Wildlife Helpline."
The public is asked to continue to notify N.C. WRC of concerning or threatening bear behavior and is reminded to contact 911 in the event of an emergency, N.C. WRC said.Communities are urged to follow BearWise guidance and refrain from feeding or attracting bears, the agency added.
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Man drowns in Lake Norman
SARAH C. JOHNSON
A Guilford County man died while saving his sister after her kayak capsized in the Catawba County side of Lake Norman on Saturday.
Dorian Jackson, 21, of Greensboro, was found dead around 1 p.m. on Sunday. Jackson was found about 18 hours after he disappeared under the water in Lake Norman, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission said in a news release.
N.C. Wildlife was called to an area of Lake Norman near Hearthstone Court in Terrell on Saturday. The drowning happened about 30 yards from the dock of a residence, according to the release.
Jackson was kayaking with his sister on the lake. His sister's kayak capsized. As she struggled in the water, Jackson tried to help her. Jackson tried to get his sister onto his kayak, N.C. Wildlife said.
Neighbors who saw the Jacksons kayaking entered the water and brought the sister to shore. The neighbors could not find Jackson after he went under the water, N.C. Wildlife said.
The sister, a minor, was wearing a life jacket. Jackson was not, according to the release.
"As always, we remind boaters to wear a life jacket," N.C. Wildlife said.
Sherrills Ford Fire, Denver Fire and the Catawba County Sheriff's Office also responded to the scene to help search for Dorian Jackson, N.C. Wildlife said.
Sarah Johnson is the courts and breaking news reporter for the Hickory Daily Record.
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