The Union County Chamber of Commerce’s 2013 Excellence in Business Awards will be presented March 6.

In honor of their quasquicentennial year, the company will be holding numerous events for employees and for customers.

Belk invites schools and other nonprofit organizations in the company’s 16-state market area to participate in its semi-annual Belk Charity Sale, Saturday, April 27, from 6 – 10 a.m. The four-hour, in-store shopping event offers an excellent fundraising tool for participating organizations and an opportunity for customers to support local charities while taking advantage of special discounts on purchases during the event.

Today, Joe Abbate enjoys offering pizza and other menu items to customers of Mia Famiglia Restaurante & Pizzeria in Indian Trail.

A dozen years after North Carolina became the first state to outlaw short-term, high-cost payday lending, legislators and lobbyists are pushing for the industry's return, promising protections to prevent borrowers from sinking into a cycle of debt.

While they work to help those in need in Union County, Crisis Assistance Ministry is planning new programs to raise funds and awareness this year.