Classrooms, libraries and parks promised to voters during recent bond campaigns will be built on slowed-down schedules, but commissioners still face tough choices about which projects feel the biggest pinch.

Officials from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Central Piedmont Community College, the public libraries and the Park and Recreation Department told county commissioners and school board members Tuesday how they plan to spread out the debt that voters have authorized over the next three to five years.

County Manager Harry Jones plans to present a recommendation next month on how to dole out just over a billion dollars in debt over the coming years, including only about $150 million in 2010.

Absent from Tuesday's agenda was another big competitor for the money: A new jail, expected to cost $220 million to $240 million. -- Ann Doss Helms

Meck briefs

Queens University of Charlotte officials say they are closely following federal recommendations to limit the spread of the H1N1 flu virus on campus, after six students and a few faculty and staff members reported flu-like symptoms.

Each person with symptoms was asked not to circulate on campus until fever-free for at least 24 hours, Queens spokeswoman Vanessa Willis said in a news release.

Two students recovered at home, and the employees stayed home until they were well.

Four other students voluntarily moved to a social isolation area of a residence hall, where they rested for several days until they were well, Willis said. Meals were delivered regularly, and the students had access to the Internet and cable TV, she said. A nurse checked on them daily until they were cleared to return to class.

The residence hall is beside the campus Health and Wellness Center. -- Joe Marusak

Hawk Ridge Elementary School got a new principal Tuesday.

The school board approved the promotion of Troy Alan Moore, assistant principal at South Charlotte Middle, to lead the elementary in the southern Ballantyne area. -- Ann Doss Helms

Cornelius

Town Commissioner Eddie McNeely has withdrawn his bid for re-election.

McNeely cited increased work commitments and a desire to spend more time with his young family.

McNeely has officially withdrawn from the nonpartisan race with the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections

"I am very disappointed, as Eddie is a valuable asset to our board," Commissioner Jim Bensman said in an e-mail. -- Joe Marusak

Regional briefs

The Humane Society of Lincoln County will hold its annual Adopt-a-Thon from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at PetSmart at Northlake Mall, 10245 Perimeter Parkway.

In addition, the event will feature a raffle, giveaways, a bake sale and pool that dogs can enjoy. Dog owners are welcome to bring their pets to the pool.

The adoption fee is $125 for cats and $150 for dogs and includes all of the animals' shots, medical, the spay or neuter fee, flea treatment and heartworm preventive. The group also holds adoptions at the PetSmart every Saturday and Sunday.

Details: www.petfinder.com, click on the animal shelters tab and navigate to Lincoln County Humane Society. -- Dan Duffey

Police digest

Authorities are searching for a man who robbed the First Citizens branch at 1531 E. Woodlawn Road at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

The man demanded cash from the teller and threatened to use a weapon, said Amy Thoreson of the FBI Charlotte Division.

He may have been seen changing his shirt in a gray SUV near the bank, Thoreson said.

Witnesses described the man as black and about 6 feet, 2 inches and 250 pounds. He is about 40 years old, has short hair with gray in it, and facial stubble with gray in it as well.

Anyone who was near the bank this morning or knows anything about the robbery should call Charlotte-Mecklenburg CrimeStoppers at 704-334-1600 or the Charlotte Division of the FBI at 704-377-9200. -- Joe Marusak

Gaston County

Police have charged a 26-year-old Gastonia man in Monday's shooting death of Christopher Miller, 41, on Edgemont Avenue.

Marcus Witherspoon was in Gaston County Jail on a murder charge Tuesday morning, Observer news partner WCNC-TV reported.

Police found Miller in a van on Avon Street shortly after 5 p.m.

Police believe Miller was shot on Edgemont Avenue and then driven to Avon Street, where the driver ditched the van and ran away, WCNC-TV reported. -- Joe Marusak

A Gastonia man who had been driving while impaired in a one-car fatal wreck early Sunday will now be charged with second-degree murder, police said Tuesday.

Johnetta McLean, a 26-year-old Gastonia resident, died Sunday after the 1995 Cadillac she was riding in flipped over into a creek.

The accident happened about 2:30 a.m. on Garrison Boulevard near Vance Street. The driver, 37-year-old Marcus Wakefield, escaped the car, but McLean was trapped inside and had to be pulled out by emergency crews. Gastonia police charged Wakefield, also from Gastonia, with DWI.

McLean, a mother of three, was taken to Gaston Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The charges against Wakefield were increased from DWI to second-degree murder after police met with the Gaston County District Attorney's Office to review the case. -- Ely Portillo

Lincoln County

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in the trial of Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Barry Taylor, who is charged with helping an acquaintance get out of a drunken-driving arrest in 2007.

The trial, which was moved to Shelby because of pretrial publicity, was originally scheduled for this Monday in Cleveland County Superior Court, but defense attorney Rick Bean was tied up in a murder trial in Gastonia.

A jury returned a verdict in that case late Monday. Meanwhile, another trial began in the courtroom where Taylor's case was to be heard and the jury was being charged by Judge Nathaniel Poovey on Tuesday afternoon.

Assistant District Attorney Gwynn Radeker said jury selection in the Taylor case will begin about 9:30 a.m. Monday and that testimony could begin later in the day.

Taylor, who was charged with felony obstruction of justice, was suspended with pay in July. If convicted he could be sentenced up to 10 months in jail. -- Joe DePriest

North Carolina

A Camp Lejeune Marine charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife had confessed to the killing in a 911 call, police said Tuesday.

Cpl. Cody Daniel Richardson, 22, of Carroll, N.H., was charged in the death of his 21-year-old wife, Jessy, Jacksonville police said. He was held on under a $1 million bond in the Onslow County jail. -- Associated Press

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