State news roundup

Representative Chuck McGrady speaks along with other lawmakers and North Carolina business leaders during a press conference on House Bill 186 at the Legislative Building in Raleigh, Tuesday, February 28, 2017. House Bill 186 would repeal the controversial House Bill 2 and allow cities to pass ordinances concerning nondiscrimination as long as they do not deal with bathrooms in private facilities. (The North State Journal/Eamon Queeney)

Legislators honored by city group

The North Carolina League of Municipalities presented State Rep. Chuck McGrady (R-Henderson) and State Sen. Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus) with its Community Champion Award for their work as champions of local government. The League recognized each legislator for their dedicated support and advocacy of North Carolina cities and towns during the 2017 legislative session.

NC Highway Patrol graduates new class of troopers

The State Highway Patrol welcomed 23 new troopers at a graduation ceremony for the 142nd2 Basic Highway Patrol School last week. The celebration ended 15 weeks of extensive academic and physical training. Next, the new troops head to their duty stations to begin field training.

“My challenge to you on this day is a charge to be an effective law enforcement leader, to carry out your duty to North Carolina with loyalty, integrity and professionalism,” said Col. Glenn M. McNeill Jr. “Remember what you’ve learned, use good judgment, don’t forget that effective communication is key and always apply ethics to your decision-making process.”

Family donates property to LandTrust for Central N.C.

The LandTrust for Central North Carolina announced a donation of 10-acres in Montgomery County from the Blair family. The property buffers the Uwharrie River and adjoins the Badin Recreational Area in the Uwharrie National Forest. This area is home to many recreational activities and uses, including hiking and horse trails.

Triad and Northwest N.C. to receive $9.3 million for clean water projects

The governor’s office reported a total of $9.29 million has been provided to 15 projects in the 14-county region from the state Management Trust fund grants. In the last 20 years, the fund has conserved more than 500,000 acres of land, protected more than 2,500 miles of streambank and preserved 12 historic sites. Grants include $1.2 million for Alcoa tracts at High Rock Lake in Davidson County and $1.2 million for Tuckertown Lake related to Alcoa in Davidson County.

N.C. A&T professor receives patent for cancer-fighting compounds

Shengmin Sang, professor at N.C. A&T State University, has received a patent for combining aspirin and ginger derivatives with anti-cancer properties that have shown promise in preventing and treating colon cancer. Professor Sang is a professor and lead scientist for functional foods at the university’s Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis. This patent supplements a patent Sang received in 2015 for other novel aspirin-derived compounds.