The Cornelius Police Department and the District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday that the state did not have a strong enough case against Robert Joseph Prevatte. District Attorney Andrew Murray and Cornelius Police Chief Bence Hoyle agreed that while evidence establishing probable cause to arrest and indict Prevatte does exist, it is insufficient for success at trial.
That doesn't mean Prevatte doesn't remain a suspect, however. A press release issued by the CPD read, "In order to preserve the potential ability to prosecute these crimes in the future upon additional substantial evidence, the state is entering this dismissal. The investigation will continue and new indictments will be sought if that investigation is successful."
The 31-year-old Prevatte was charged with two counts of first-degree arson, two counts of second-degree arson and two counts of burning personal property. Prior to the dismissal of the charges, he had been held in Mecklenburg County Jail on $210,000 secured bond. Three houses were set on fire on the street, fires that also caused damage to neighboring homes. All were set late at night, one of them a second time.
Online news sites DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net reported Tuesday that Prevatte may be headed for Davidson. He had remained in contact with the woman he was living with on Meadow Crossing Lane, and she is thought to be living in Davidson. Other tenants are now renting the house in which Prevatte and the woman were residing in Glenridge, on the same street as the multiple house fires.
Love Valley hosts veterans benefit
In a continuing salute to Veteran's Day and United States troops serving overseas and at home, the residents and merchants of the Old West town of Love Valley in Iredell County will host a day-long disabled veterans benefit Saturday, Nov. 19.
Activities will begin with horseback and motorcycle charity rides. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. and both rides will leave at 11 a.m. After the rides, dinner, a live auction and a bake sale will be held indoors.
Throughout the day there will be live music, vendors and kids games throughout the town. All proceeds raised will be donated to the local chapter of "Homes for Our Troops," a non-profit organization which helps to build quality, independently livable homes for disabled vets.
Donations to take part in the day's events — either to participate in the ride or secure a vendor table — are $10. Organizers are also actively soliciting and accepting any donation items to add to the live auction and bake sale.
For the benefit rides, horse riders will register and leave from Caruso Farms off Fox Mountain Road and motorcycle riders register and leave from Rock Hill Baptist Church on Mountainview Road. All riders are welcome.
There are plenty of activities for non-riders as well as the street will be lined with vendors, live music with Rusty and Friends and dancing with the Carolina Girls and trick roping demonstrations. There will be wagon rides, activities for kids, as well as the opportunity to participate in the live auction. Advanced registration for the rides is recommended but not required.
Homes for Our Troops is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2004. The organization is committed to helping severely injured service men and women and their immediate families by raising donations of money, building materials and labor to coordinate the process of building a home that provides maximum freedom of movement and the ability to live more independently.
For more information call Donna Younts, 336-250-0465.
Rural Hill ends year with more than wimper
In a tail-wagging send-off for a busy year of events, Historic Rural Hill in Huntersville hosted the 17th annual Sheep Dog Trials last weekend.
Two days of demonstrations and competition featuring some of the world's best and brightest border collies combined with an assortment of other events and activities at the trails to entertain the people and animals in attendance.
Along with the sheep-herding and other dog competitions, Rural Hill staff members and volunteers provided an antique tractor display, re-enactments, assorted animal exhibits, hikes through some of Rural Hill's 265-acre expanse, kids games, tours of the historic cabins and demonstrations of the way life used to be on the 250-year-old farm off Neck Road.
Pumpkin Chunkin', hayrides and a variety of food and beverage vendors were also part of the two-day competition that marked the end of Rural Hill's official 2011 calendar of events. The traditional New Year's Day "first footin" walking of the grounds — enhanced this year by a five-mile race — will initiate 2012 activities.
Holiday food drive
Sunday at DUMC
A collection of items to help others through the holidays will be held Sunday, Nov. 20, at Davidson United Methodist Church. The annual Harvest Procession at the church, 233 S. Main St. in Davidson, will provide community residents the opportunity to donate food to be distributed to area families.
Suggested donation items include canned vegetables and fruit, canned soup, muffin and bread mixes, dessert mixes, stuffing, instant potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie filling and rice. Contributors can also donate money that be will be used to purchase gift cards to be distributed to area families
In addition to donations, volunteers are also needed to help load groceries at the church after the morning worship service and unload items at the Ada Jenkins Center. Volunteers are also needed to distribute items on Tuesday, Nov. 22, between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
For more information about donations, or to sign up as a volunteer, contact Kelly or Dirk Baker at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 704-787-8526.
Sunday Thanksgiving service in Davidson
A community Thanksgiving service will be held Sunday, Nov. 20 at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Davidson. The public is invited to the service, which will begin at 5 p.m. at the church, 565 Jetton St.
Various musical groups and choirs from the north Mecklenburg area and beyond will take part in the program.
