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Tue
29 May La Cage Event: La CageVenue: Belk Theatre at Blumenthal Performing Arts CenterStart: 5/29/2012 7:30:00 PMCategory: THEATRE MUSICAL / …

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Wed
30 May La Cage Event: La CageVenue: Belk Theatre at Blumenthal Performing Arts CenterStart: 5/30/2012 7:30:00 PMCategory: THEATRE MUSICAL / …

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Thu
31 May La Cage Event: La CageVenue: Belk Theatre at Blumenthal Performing Arts CenterStart: 5/31/2012 7:30:00 PMCategory: THEATRE MUSICAL / …

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Concord Area News

Senator calls on airlines to stop making families pay some fees

As the busy summer travel season gets under way, some parents may find it harder to sit near their kids on planes without paying expensive fees.

That's because in the past year some major airlines, including American, Delta and United, have increased the number of seats for customers willing to pay extra, those who want an aisle or window seat or more legroom.  This comes at a time when flights are fuller than they used to be as airlines cut cost.  Fees for the seats vary, but they typically cost about $25 extra each way.

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer's office said US Airways, which operates about 90 percent of the flights at Charlotte Douglas, charges up to $30 for some of its window and aisle seats.

Schumer is calling on airlines to stop making families pay these fees if they want to sit next to each other. 

That was good news to Carla Baublis, who was flying internationally from Charlotte Douglas with her two young daughters.  She said it's important for her to be next to them. 

"My children are going to fly a lot better if I'm there to meet their every need.  Even if they're in front of me by one seat, that's a big hassle,” she said.  

Airlines have added several fees in recent years as they deal with rising fuel costs.   Some charge $25 for your first checked bag and $35 for the second one. You can pay up to $10 for food, and $7 for a blanket and pillow.

Eyewitness News contacted the trade group that represents the airline industry to see if any changes will be made. 

Airlines for America said, “Airlines have always worked cooperatively with their customers to seat parties, including those traveling with children, together, and that has not changed. In a market as intensely competitive as the airline industry, the customer wins—having ultimate ability to vote with their spending on varying products that are priced differently. As with all other products and industries, it is the market that can—and should—determine how air travel is priced, not the government.”

_{Tue, 29 May 2012 17:20:00 -0400}

Officials say preparation important as hurricane season approaches

Anne Cope is hoping the upcoming hurricane season will help show her better ways to build stronger, storm-resistant houses and businesses.

Cope works for the Institute for Business and Home Safety in Chester County.   It's funded by major insurance companies, and houses a massive test room with dozens of fans that can churn up a Category 3 hurricane with the flick of a switch.

The IBHS has tested dozens of full-sized houses against heavy rain, fire and 130 mile-an-hour winds.  The goal is to help discover new and inexpensive ways to prevent damage and destruction from major storms.

"Don't be caught by surprise," said Cope when it comes to the approaching hurricane season.  "High winds are not just a coastal problem."

She showed Channel 9 a mock-up of a roof and pointed to hidden damage that often goes unnoticed until high winds move in.

"Your home's first line of defense when it comes to the perils Mother Nature throws at it is your roof," Cope said.

She urged homeowners to have a roof inspection to look for damage, and make any necessary repairs.  Cope also said if your home has vinyl siding, it should be checked to make sure it's not warped or loose-fitting.

"Know you're property and make sure everything is in good repair," she said.

In York County, Emergency Management Director Cotton Howell is preparing to send out his annual hurricane preparedness guide to emergency crews countywide.  It will go out to EMS, firefighters, emergency operations officials and law enforcement.

Howell said the plan is tweaked every year from experience, but it's aimed at getting everybody working off the same page.

"The bottom line is getting them to plan ahead," he said."

Howell said homeowners need to be doing the same thing.  The most significant impact this far inland from a major hurricane is often a long-term power outage. It's something most people simply don't prepare for.

"That's really my concern, is people not being able to function because they forget their dependence on electricity," Howell said.

He suggested that homeowners turn off their power some time for one hour during prime time when everyone is home.  

"Turn it off at the breaker between, say, eight and nine, for an hour.  I bet that'll be the longest hour ever for most people," he said.

Howell said an endurance test like that would get people to begin preparing for such an outage if it happens, and they won't be caught off guard at the last minute.

Cope said IBHS is busy testing the performance of building materials used in home and business construction.  The institute studies ways to minimize damage by improving building standards.

_{Tue, 29 May 2012 16:59:42 -0400}

Homeowners surprised to learn they need to pay fire service tax

Gaston County discovered a mistake that gave some of its residents free fire protection.

For years, some homes have been hidden from the tax office, just outside the McAdenville city limits.

But Tuesday, many people living in the 87 homes just west of the small town received a notice in the mail, and they weren’t happy.

“I have been living here for 40 years and I have never had to pay a tax like that.  I don't understand really why it started,” Clyde Rayfield said.

Since 1999, homeowners and businesses in unincorporated areas of Gaston County have paid a fire service tax.

Eyewitness News checked on Rayfield's home with the county tax office and discovered from its earliest records, in 2003, he and his neighbors were listed on the McAdenville Fire Department District, but were never charged a tax for the service they received.

Fire Marshal Eric Hendrix said the county didn't catch the oversight until early this year, and now all 87 of those homes will need to pay the tax.

“The entire district is only going to generate about $5,300,” Hendrix said.

Hendrix said they will not ask for back taxes. They will simply start charging on Jan. 1.

“We are trying to make this equitable and even across the county,” he said.

Homeowners can expect to pay $50 a year for $100,000 of property.

Roger Foster said that's too much.

“I think already taxes (are) too high,” he said.

He said he is on disability and that everyone there already donates to the local volunteer fire department.

“I don't think it's right,” Foster said. He plans to fight the tax.

Most people there said they will pay if they have to, but they want to know more about the county's plans.

The county will hold a public hearing about the fire tax next month. It will be on June 28 at 6 p.m. at the Gaston County courthouse.

_{Tue, 29 May 2012 16:52:05 -0400}

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