The 09-19-2025 Edition of The Charlotte Weekly South Charlotte
CHARLOTTE – Wegmans Food Markets plans to break ground soon on its new location on the Ballantyne campus at 11550 North Community House Road.
e 110,000-square-foot store will be the company’s rst location in Charlotte when it opens in fall 2026.
Company o cials said the store will feature an abundant produce department; a wide variety of seafood, meat, bakery, deli and cheese options; and a large selection of wine and beer.
CHARLOTTE – Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital has been awarded a $100,000 grant from Hyundai Hope on Wheels to support a research initiative aimed at improving outcomes for children diagnosed with aggressive sarcomas.
The announcement was made during a celebratory “handprint ceremony” hosted by Atrium Health Foundation. Together, a young cancer patient and his family and care team dipped their palms in paint and pressed their handprints onto the Hyundai Hope on Wheels vehicle.
e grant builds on the work supported by the 2024 Hyundai Hope on Wheels gift to Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital, which helped establish advanced tools for analyzing pediatric tumors.
Dr. Kaitlyn Smith will serve as the principal investigator of a study to identify early markers of treatment response, metastatic potential and relapses in pediatric sarcoma patients. Her
CHARLOTTE – South Charlotte educators Marc Angerer and Christy McCauley are among 11 finalists for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools 202526 Principal of the Year.
Last week, principals across the district were surprised by Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill along with their Performance Area Assistant Superintendents with the news of their selection.
“ ese visionary educators exemplify excellence in school leadership, fostering inclusive learning environments, empowering sta and students and driving academic success across their communities,” said James Garvin executive director for educational leadership development.
Angerer has led South Mecklenburg High School since 2021. He represents High School Performance Area B, which includes Ardrey Kell, Ballantyne Ridge, Butler, Independence, Providence and Rocky River.
McCauley joined Hawk Ridge Elementary School as assistant principal in 2018 and was given the opportunity to take the school under her wing as principal in 2019. She represents Elementary School Performance Area A, which includes several south Charlotte schools.
Other nalists for CMS Principal of the Year include:
• Frederick Mohrien, Mint Hill Elementary, Elementary School Performance Area B
• LaTresha Wilson, Tuckasegee Elementary, Elementary School Performance Area C
e store will also have a market café with indoor and outdoor seating for customers to enjoy Wegmans restaurant foods.
“ is groundbreaking is a pivotal step forward as we prepare for opening day,” said Dan Aken, vice president of real estate and store planning for Wegmans. “ e store design has been nalized, we’ve received all the necessary approvals and construction is underway. We can’t wait to welcome the Charlotte community into their new Wegmans.”
Wegmans has a reputation for giving back to local food banks. e company recently
work will emphasize Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, which for decades have experienced stagnant survival rates.
“ anks to Hyundai Hope on Wheels’ continued support, this research has the potential to transform how we detect and treat pediatric sarcomas,” Smith said. “ is study will allow us to track how tumors and immune pro les evolve throughout treatment, potentially leading to earlier detection of relapse and more personalized therapies.”
e research will leverage a unique biological sample and data repository study at Levine Children’s, which collects tumor, blood and other specimens from pediatric cancer patients over the course of their treatment. is approach enables the team to study how tumor subpopulations and immune responses shift over time and across metastatic sites.
“We’re deeply grateful to Hyundai Hope on Wheels for their vision and generosity,” said Kellie McGregor, associate vice president of Atrium Health Foundation. “ ey’re keeping
• Wendy Harris, Lincoln Heights Montessori, Elementary School Performance Area D
• Kiesha Pride, Westerly Hills Academy, Elementary School Performance Area E
• Toni Perry, Albemarle Road Middle, Middle School Performance Area A
• Patrice McCauley, Wilson STEM Academy, Middle School Performance Area B
• Stephanie Hood, North Mecklenburg High, High School Performance Area A
• Erik Turner, Central Piedmont Early
Construction starting on Wegmans store
connected with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina to learn about its services.
“As we’re breaking ground on our future store, we’re also focused on breaking bread with our future neighbors by supporting Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina,” Ballantyne Store Manager Patrick McGuinness said. “We’re thrilled to present the food bank with a $5,000 donation to help ght food insecurity in the Charlotte area.”
Wegmans has long-standing partnerships with Feeding America food banks and its agency partners built on food donations,
Hospital gets boost from Hyundai Hope on Wheels
the wheels in motion for advances in pediatric cancer and making their own handprints in the lives of our patients and care teams.”
Over 27 years, Hyundai Hope on Wheels will have awarded more than $27 million in pediatric cancer research grants, bringing its total donations to $277 million. Atrium Health Levine Children’s has received over $1.1 million in support from the organization since 2010.
South Charlotte leaders among top principals at CMS
College, High School Performance Area C
• Beth Marshall, Druid Hills Academy, K-8 School Performance Area
Each finalist represents dedication and excellence in leadership within their performance area and has demonstrated a deep commitment to student success, sta support and community engagement, according to CMS.
The district will announce a winner in October.
customer giving campaigns, and direct nancial support aimed at strengthening hunger relief e orts across every community it serves. e new development will also create jobs for hundreds of locals. Wegmans plans to hire approximately 450 people to sta the store. e project will also generate more than 250 construction jobs between site development and building construction. Wegmans has partnered with local general contractor, Frampton Construction Company, to assist with building the new store.
CHARLOTTE – SouthPark Community Partners announced that SouthPark’s largest employers have collectively pledged $1.1 million to support the creation of a signature public green space in the district.
Albemarle Corporation, Amwins, Coca-Cola Consolidated, National Gypsum and Nucor Charitable Foundation have each made six- gure contributions to the capital campaign to renovate Symphony Park.
“ anks to the business community’s shared excitement and generous support for this project, we are even closer to realizing the community’s vision for an extraordinary park that will be an asset for all of Charlotte,” said Adam Rhew, president and CEO of SouthPark Community Partners. “These major employers recognize the importance of public space as a driver for quality of life and talent attraction, and we’re grateful for their investment in this transformational project.”
After this latest round of pledges, the capital campaign is 90% complete, approaching $19 million in commitments.
Earlier this year, Simon Property Group, the City of Charlotte and TowneBank made signi cant commitments to the public-private partnership. SouthPark Community Partners is leading the $21 million project, which is currently in advanced design development, with groundbreaking expected next summer.
“In addition to our biggest companies, many of SouthPark’s small businesses and neighborhood associations have contributed, ensuring TowneBank Symphony Park will re ect the values and spirit of everyone who will bene t from this public space,” Rhew said. “We are asking our entire community to help us close the remaining funding gap so we can make this project a reality.”
TowneBank Symphony Park will include:
• Two permanent anchor restaurants to drive daily activity
• Enhancements to the bandshell and better integration for regular use
• A SouthPark Loop trail segment along the park’s Carnegie Boulevard perimeter
• Two bridges to connect the Loop directly to the park
• Permanent public restrooms
• Micro-retail space to support emerging entrepreneurs
• Flat and terraced lawn areas for small and large events
• Interactive areas for children
• Public art
SouthPark Community Partners will steward the new park through an agreement with Simon Property Group that ensures community programming and events that are accessible to all. e project timeline calls for construction to be completed by late summer 2027.
Businesses and individuals interested in supporting the capital campaign can find more information at southparkclt.org/symphonypark.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools named (clockwise from top left) Marc Angerer, Erik Turner, Christy McCauley and Patrice McCauley among 11 finalists for Principal of the Year. Photos courtesy of CMS
Dr. Kaitlyn Smith stands with a young cancer patient who dipped his hand in paint to put his handprint on a Hyundai Hope on Wheels vehicle.
Photos courtesy of Atrium Health Hospital and Hyundai leaders celebrate the awarding of a $100,000 grant toward pediatric cancer research.
Chase, a cancer patient at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital, participated in a handprint ceremony to celebrate a $100,000 grant from Hyundai Hope on Wheels.
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Auditor weighs in on council, chief argument
By Alan Wooten Contributor
(The Center Square) – Disclosure of how it used one-quarter of a million dollars in taxpayer money to prevent a police chief from ling a lawsuit against the nation’s 14th largest city because of a councilman’s comments on bulletproof vests was not transparent and has been eshed out by the state auditor.
“ is is the people’s money, and it shouldn’t be kept behind closed doors,” said rst-term Republican Auditor Dave Boliek. “Our report
Reactivating
By Alan Wooten Contributor
( e Center Square) – Finding a route to reactivating the death penalty and tighter oversight of magistrates is expected in legislative proposals when the North Carolina General Assembly returns the week of Sept. 22.
Leaders of the chambers spoke on Sept. 11 about their plans, o ering no speci cs other than a commitment to dive into and nd solutions in judicial processes related to the stabbing death on a Charlotte light rail train on Aug. 22. e case in which the accused had 15 years of criminal history and diagnosed mental health issues has been gripping the nation’s attention after police released video of the incident.
“We need leaders at every level to acknowledge there is a crime crisis here in North Carolina and across the nation brought on by soft on crime policies,” said Michael Whatley, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2026. He joined Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, in sharing information.
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Spectrum awards $2,500 to Stolen Lunches
CHARLOTTE – Spectrum has awarded a $2,500 Employee Community Grant to Charlotte nonpro t Stolen Lunches.
Funding will provide necessities such as clothing and hygiene items for the housing insecure.
“Spectrum Employee Community Grants support local nonpro ts that hold a meaningful connection to the Spectrum employees who nominate them, and to the communities they serve,” said Rahman Khan, Spectrum community impact group vice president.
Charter Communications, which operates the Spectrum brand, has committed to awarding $2.5 million over the next ve years to nonpro ts through Spectrum Employee Community Grants.
CAMS manager earns credential
CHARLOTTE
– Community Association Management Services announced that Community Manager Pamela Sages has earned her Association Management Specialist designation.
Sages has seven years of experience in community management, three with CAMS, and previously worked a decade as a paralegal for an HOA attorney.
She has managed a diverse portfolio including high-rises, single-family communities and condos.
Adam Soccorsi, regional vice president, praised her dedication.
“She has been a valued professional in our industry for many years,” Soccorsi said. “It’s been a privilege to see her continued commitment to growth and excellence.”
brought transparency to the City of Charlotte. However, as shown in the mayor’s response, City leadership doesn’t share our interest in being open and transparent about spending the people’s money.”
Democratic fourth-term Mayor Vi Lyles’ response to the auditor’s report and recommendations said the settlement was considered personnel information, and thus not for public consumption. She said the release of closed session minutes quarterly will continue and be added to agendas “for public inspection.” She also said the city would revisit
Berger and Hall said they had met with first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein in the last 24 hours, a time that included the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Respectful references to his death in Utah were sprinkled from the start and throughout.
We need leaders at every level to acknowledge there is a crime crisis here in North Carolina and across the nation brought on by soft on crime policies,”
– Michael Whatley, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate
e leaders of the Legislature said they would put together a bill package ending cashless bail; increase oversight and training for magistrates; and consider changes to how crimes tied to people with mental illness are handled. On the latter, a reference was made to how domestic violence
Warby Parker opening fourth store
CHARLOTTE – Warby Parker will open its fourth Charlotte store Sept. 20 at Commonwealth Plaza Midwood.
The location will carry the brand’s full optical and sunglass assortment, including the Fall 2025 and Strato Series collections; kids’ frames for ages 4-8, contact lenses, accessories; and in-store eye exams.
Customers can receive 15% o two or more pairs of prescription glasses or sunglasses with the Add a Pair and Save promotion. Opening day shoppers will get a complimentary tote bag with purchase while supplies last.
Muralist Emmy Star Brown will have art at the store, 1710 Commonwealth Ave., Suite 126.
On the web: stores.warbyparker. com/us/nc/charlotte
Foundry to guide expansion of pizza brand
CHARLOTTE – Foundry Commercial will guide the national expansion of Brixx Wood Fired Pizza + Craft Bar.
Founded in Charlotte in 1998, Brixx operates more than 20 restaurants in the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia.
Foundry’s Charlotte retail brokerage group will identify sites that meet Brixx’s criteria, focusing on the Southeast with selective growth in other markets. ey seek high-visibility end caps or free-standing locations with ample parking and patio space.
“With its unique mix of scratchmade recipes, neighborhood-focused hospitality and proven franchise infrastructure, Brixx is well-positioned for thoughtful, sustained growth,” said Rhett Batanides, Foundry senior vice president.
CMS appoints new police chief CHARLOTTE – Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has appointed Jonathan D. omas as the new chief of police.
Thomas launched his law enforcement career with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in 1998. He has held leadership roles in special operations and emergency management.
settlement-related costs and funds from which they are to be paid. When former Police Chief Johnny Jennings said his o cers looked too much like the military if wearing outer carrier vests, Councilman Tariq Bokhari told him in summer of 2024 via text messages he had made a mistake and promised to “cripple his legacy.” In May, in closed session that was not unsealed upon nal execution, the City Council forked over $305,000 so Jennings would not sue. Bokhari was con rmed as deputy administrator of the Federal Transit Administration in March. Five days
decisions are by a District Court judge rather than a magistrate. e death penalty is not prohibited in North Carolina, though the last was Aug. 18, 2006. Samuel Flippen was executed by legal injection following his conviction for murder of his stepdaughter. e unwritten moratorium has existed because of litigation on fairness and methods.
Iryna Zarutska, 23, was killed while aboard the Lynx Blue Line light rail train about 10 p.m. Aug. 22 alongside Camden Road near the East/West station, according to the Charlotte Area Transit System video. Decarlos Brown Jr., arrested a 15th time in as many years, is charged with rst-degree murder on the state level and charged on the federal level with committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system.
While in the local news immediately, the story went viral recently when video was released by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police from cameras aboard the train.
Congressional proposals are in the works; state Republicans in the U.S. House have requested the chief judge in the district remove the magistrate signing o on cashless bail for
He played a key role in planning national events and led CMPD teams in Western North Carolina during Hurricane Helene relief e orts.
Queen City Robotics Alliance has new leader
CHARLOTTE – Robert Hillman, founder and managing partner of RLH Consulting, is the new CEO of Queen City Robotics Alliance and will focus on securing resources, expanding outreach and overseeing operations.
Kaiwen Cheng, who began serving QCRA in 2018, is now chief financial and marketing officer. Cheng will also lead QCRA’s role as Charlotte host of the NASA International Space Apps Challenge on Oct. 4 and 5 at Sullenberger Aviation Museum.
“ is timely transition is a vital step in improving the long-term sustainability of QCRA, ensuring that we can continue providing transformative opportunities for students, families and the community for years to come,” Cheng said.
Twin Peaks donating money to veterans group
CHARLOTTE – Twin Peaks Restaurant has donated more than $530,000 to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation since 2022 and will continue its support by donating a portion of weekday lunch sales from Sept. 11 to Nov. 11.
e foundation, created in honor of FDNY re ghter Stephen Siller, provides mortgage-free homes for Gold Star families and smart homes for injured veterans and rst responders.
\On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, veterans and active-duty service members can enjoy a free lunch with valid ID from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Things are brewing in Fort Mill
FORT MILL – Beignets & Brew will open at South Mill at Elizabeth early next year, according to MPV Properties.
e café, o ering made-to-order beignets with locally roasted co ee and espresso, will occupy 2,058 square feet at the front of the new mixed-use development along Fort Mill Parkway.
“We are beyond excited to bring
after rst-term Republican Auditor Dave Boliek announced a probe into the settlement, Jennings resigned. Bokhari resigned the week after Labor Day, returning to focus on family and business. In the settlement, Jennings got $175,000 from the general fund in severance pay; $45,699 from the general fund in retention bonus; $45,284 from the general fund as the value of vacation days; $25,000 from the Risk Management Fund in legal fees; and $14,017 from the general fund in retroactive pay increase.
Brown in January; and a probe of safety and budget for the transit system is underway by the state auditor. Berger said lawmakers want to stop task forces like the 2020 creation requested by then-Gov. Roy Cooper. He acknowledged the North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice did not lead to laws, but it has served to shape decisions in the judicial process.
“Policing doesn’t need to be reimagined,” Berger said. “It needs to be respected; it needs to be funded.” Berger and Hall took questions, respectively, on whether the federal grant cuts by second-term Republican President Donald Trump were in play on violent crime and if di erent gun policy could help. Each referred to what happened in Charlotte, Berger saying the problem wasn’t having police to arrest because he was more than a dozen times and the judicial process kept letting him back out; and Hall saying the killing was by knife, not gun.
“Everyone must take crime and violence seriously,” Berger said. “Our law and crime processes must re ect that.”
the Beignets & Brew sweetness to the town of Fort Mill and share an amazingly unique, inviting and delicious experience,” franchise owner Kristo er Patrick said. Beignets & Brew joins Riccobene Family Dentistry, Caresway Pharmacy, Town Square Adult Day Center and Reynold’s Orthodontics at the center.
Charlotte Area Chamber events
CHARLOTTE – e Charlotte
Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a members-only co ee event and women’s empowerment conference.
• Members network during Coffee with the Chamber from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Sept. 23 at Alchemy Co-Working, 2459 Wilkinson Blvd., Charlotte. e event is for members only. Register in advance.
• The chamber presents its 2025 Empowering Women in Business Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 25 at The Union at Station West, 919 Berryhill Road, Charlotte. TV personality Molly Grantham serves as keynote speaker. Members pay $199. Others pay $249. Register in advance. Visit charlotteareachamber.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.
Matthews Area Chamber events
MATTHEWS – e Matthews
Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business After Hours.
• Members network during Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at Back Corner Bar at Ames Street Marketplace, 215 N. Ames St., Matthews. A silent auction bene ts the Home Again Foundation. Register in advance. Visit matthewschamber.org to learn more about the chamber and its events.
Mint Hill Chamber events
MINT HILL – e Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business After Hours and ambassadors meeting.
• Chamber ambassadors hold their monthly meeting from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Empire Pizza, 7024 Brighton Park Drive, Mint Hill. Register in advance.
• Members network during a Business After Hours from 5 to
6:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at McLawland Farms, 8632 Reedy Creek Road, Charlotte. Register in advance. Visit minthillchamberofcommerce.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.
Pineville NC Chamber events PINEVILLE – e Pineville NC Chamber of Commerce hosts a social gathering.
• The chamber holds its monthly social gathering from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at Flame Bistro and Bar, 10223 McIntyre Ridge Road, Pineville. Register in advance. Visit pinevillencchamber.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.
Union County Chamber events MONROE – e Union County Chamber of Commerce hosts a workshop.
• Zenitra Perry, of Hundredfold Consulting LLC, leads a workshop, “Leadership Unlearned: Authentically Rewriting the Rules,” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Union County Chamber, 903 Skyway Drive, Monroe. Members pay $20. Others pay $30. Register in advance.
Visit unioncountycoc.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.
Quick Hits
• Waffle House is partnering with DoorDash on delivery nationwide from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
• The Bowlero in south Charlotte (1700 Montford Drive) transitioned to Lucky Strike last month.
• Walmart offered free health screenings, affordable immunizations and other health-focused activities at nearly 4,600 Walmart Pharmacies across the country on Sept. 13.
• Shake Shack has rolled out a French Onion Soup Burger to its menu. e restaurant also offers Onion Rings, French Onion ‘Shroom Burger and French Onion Shack Stack.
• Gov. Josh Stein appointed Deronda Metz, executive director of Friendship Community Development Corporation in Charlotte, to the relaunched Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs.
Spectrum delivered a check to Stolen Lunches on Sept. 6 during the group’s Give Blessing Bags event at McCrorey YMCA. Photo courtesy of Spectrum
Pamela Sages
Produced By Mark Tofano
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Grab your “passaporto” when you enter Ciao Italia Matthews and experience Italy brought to Matthews.
Saturday, September 20, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sunday, September 21, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM Stumptown Park | 120 S. Trade Street | Matthews, NC
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Enjoy exquisite Italian food, wine, gelato and pastries, in the setting of an Italian piazza while listening to strolling musicians playing mandolin, accordion and violin.
Extreme Sculpting Experience
All Day Enterainment
Renowned sculptor Peter Rubino will create a 200 lb clay sculpture live on stage choreographed to music!
Italian Car Show
Frank Sinatra tribute..Traditional Italian folk songs..Singers performing operatic and popular Italian songs..Pianist performing “Italian Ragtime”..a comedic act teaching Italian hand gestures, Italian words and phrases..and more.
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The Finale
for details.
Sunday, Sept. 21 at 7:30 PM – “Viva Italia” Experience a spectacular stage production featuring scenes from beloved operas, along with lively Italian folk and traditional music. A true celebration of Italy’s rich musical heritage!
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Contribute a tax-deductible donation of $5 or more at the gate and save 10% on all vendor items.
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REGIONAL
NOURISH UP RECEIVES
30,000 POUNDS OF FOOD
By Morgan Jepson Contributor
CHARLOTTE
– Nourish Up recently received nearly 30,000 pounds of frozen ground beef and pork roast from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to serve those in need across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.
“We are deeply grateful to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their
extraordinary generosity in donating a truckload of 30,000 pounds of frozen meat,” said Tina Postel, CEO of Nourish Up. “ is incredible gift will help feed more than 10,000 individuals, including hardworking families, seniors living on xed incomes and children who were home this summer without access to free and reduced-price school lunches. Watching the truck pull into our delivery dock felt like a miracle moment. On behalf of all those we serve, thank you for your unwavering commitment to ghting hunger and uplifting lives.”
Nourish Up provides groceries to tens of thousands of Charlotteans each year, including families, children, veterans and seniors experiencing food insecurity. In just the first half of 2025 (January-June), Nourish Up served a total of 82,124 individuals. is support comes at a critical time, as federal cuts to the TEFAP program have reduced available food commodities by 50%, including frozen meat, dairy and fresh produce.
“As followers of Jesus Christ, we seek to
love our neighbors and serve those in need,” said Eddie Norton, a local faith leader for the Church of Jesus Christ in the Gastonia area. “We are grateful for the opportunity to link arms with Nourish Up in providing nourishment and hope to fellow brothers and sisters across our community.”
Community members who would like to support Nourish Up can volunteer, donate food, or give nancially to help provide groceries for neighbors facing hunger. More information is available at https://nourishup.org.
ANSWER Scholarship expands to support more moms
CHARLOTTE – ANSWER Scholarship is expanding.
e nonpro t, which mentors and supports mothers in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties as they earn a college education, has added more opportunities for moms to be part of its program.
ANSWER Scholarship will now o er scholarships toward any remote four-year degree from any accredited, nonpro t college or university in the Carolinas.
“We realized that mothers really wanted, and often needed, the convenience of fully online classes to make their education possible,” founder Susan Andersen said.
e ANSWER Scholarship is open to mothers in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties who have at least one school-age child from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade living at home.
Candidates can seek:
• A first-time bachelor’s degree in any subject;
• An associate degree in nursing from any
community college in the Carolinas; or
• Additional associate degrees at Central Piedmont Community College, including business and accounting, construction and trades, design and architecture, engineering, health care, information technology, and mathematics and science.
Scholarships are up to $5,500 annually for a four-year degree, and up to $2,750 annually for an associate degree.
ANSWER scholar moms receive a mentor.
ese volunteers o er scholars support and guidance on balancing family, work and school. ANSWER Scholarship also o ers training on networking and other essential workplace skills.
More than 150 moms have received a total of $951,502 in college scholarships from ANSWER Scholarship since the organization’s founding in 2006. e next application opens on Nov. 1. Visit answerscholarship.org to apply or learn more.
Susan Andersen, founder of ANSWER Scholarship, sits in the middle of 2025-26 scholars. Photo courtesy of ANSWER Scholarship
Nourish Up receives a truckload of donated food. Photos courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Leaders badly mishandled Charlotte killing
By John Hood Contributor
RALEIGH – Long before the release of a video graphically depicting Iryna Zarutska being stabbed to death on a Charlotte train, state and local leaders should have publicly mourned her death and expressed outrage at so appalling a crime. Now they’re paying the price.
Every homicide is a tragedy. Every innocent victim deserves our sympathy. But within hours of Zarutska’s slaying on Aug. 22, it should have been obvious this case would create more than a one-day story. For starters, Zarutska was a Ukrainian refugee. She’d fled a country subject to nightly attacks by a terrorist state targeting civilians – only to be stabbed to death on her way home from work, in the very country where she thought she’d be
safe.
e man charged with her murder, Decarlos Brown Jr., was well known to local authorities. His long rap sheet included arrests for breaking and entering, burglary, larceny and other crimes. He’d resisted arrest, blown o court appearances and spent time in prison. His history of mental illness and violence led his mother to have him committed to a psychiatric facility, but he’d been released after two weeks.
Furthermore, this incident was only the latest in a series of crimes committed within the city’s transit system. As WCNC-TV reported during its initial coverage of Zarutska’s slaying, another person had been assaulted earlier in the week on a Charlotte bus. As it happens, Mecklenburg County voters will in November approve or reject a onecent hike in the local sales tax for transportation, mostly for transit. at is also general-election day for Charlotte’s municipal o ces.
So far, I’ve described a war-refugee story, an urban-crime story, a mental-illness story, a transit story and a local-elections story. All raised important questions that merited serious, sustained attention from our leaders. It wasn’t until two weeks later, however, that Gov. Josh Stein issued a statement – after a horrifying video of the crime was released and, entirely predictably, went viral.
“I am heartbroken for the family of Iryna Zarutska, who lost their loved one to this senseless act of violence, and I am appalled by the footage of her murder,” he said. “We need more cops on the beat to keep people safe.”
" at’s why my budget calls for more funding to hire more welltrained police o cers. I call upon the legislature to pass my law enforcement recruitment and retention package to address vacancies in our state and local agencies so they can stop these horri c crimes and
CLASSIFIEDS
Finance Project Manager. Compass Group USA, Inc. Charlotte, NC. May telco up to 2 dys / wk frm w/in comm dist of Charlotte, NC office. Mst wrk at least 3 dys / wk in off & be avail on shrt notice for in off mtngs, days in off may flex. Define proj scope, goals & delivrbls that spprt bus goals. M-F 8a - 5p. Reqs Mast in BA, Mgmt, Proj Mgmt, Org Ldrshp / rel / equiv. Reqs 3 yrs: dev cross-funct proc impr initiatives & impl; pres initiatives to sr. ldrs; MS PP & Excel; 2 yrs: fin PM; wrk in lg co (> 3 billn USD sales); MS Proj; create proj doc; 1 yr: SP; Smartsheet; food serv ind exp. Reqs 10% US trav. Apply: res to: shared.talentacquisitionoperations@compass-usa.com & ref #116437.
Software Engineer III, F/T at Truist Bank (Charlotte, NC) Deliver highly complex solutions w/ significant system linkages, dependencies, associated risk. Lead & perform dvlpmt efforts such as analysis, dsgn, coding/creating, & testing. Must have Bach’s deg in Comp Sci, Comp Engg, Electrical/ Electronics Engg or related tech’l field. Must have 6 yrs of progressive exp in s/ware engg or IT consulting positions performing the following: Data engg, w/ a focus on ETL processes & integration; working w/ Informatica PowerCenter for ETL dvlpmt & data pipeline orchestration OR AWS Glue for building, automating & managing ETL pipelines in a cloud environment; dsgng & dvlpg data pipelines & data workflows for large-scale data systems; dvlpg data transformations, data loading mechanisms, & managing data integration at scale; data warehousing, dimensional modeling & dsgng ETL architectures for large-scale data systems; supporting Production apps to fix mission critical production issues, enhance the applications to implmt additional features; applying broad functional knowl in reqmt gathering, analysis, dsgn, dvlpmt, testing, implmtn, & deployment of applications; planning & managing projects & solving complex problems by applying best practice; providing direction & mentoring less expd teammates; proficiency in prgmg/scripting languages, incl Python, Scala & SQL for ETL scripting & automation; Relational d/bases, incl MySQL or Microsoft SQL Server; applying knowl of data storage techniques; working w/ GIT or other version control systems; CI/CD pipeline tools for automated deployment of ETL processes. Position may be eligible to work in a hybrid remote model & is based out of & reports to Truist offices in Charlotte, NC. Applicants must be able to work onsite at Truist offices in Charlotte, NC at least 4 days/ wk. Apply online (https://careers.truist.com/) or email resume to: recruitment@truist.com (Ref Job #R0106237).
hold violent criminals accountable.”
Stein’s rhetorical approach was ill-advised, to say the least. Decarlos Brown has been arrested many times. In almost every case, it seems, the charges were dropped or plea-bargained away. His one stay in prison was insu cient. Attempts to deter him, treat him or at least keep him far away from potential victims had failed miserably. ese were failures by prosecutors and courts, not the police. To most readers and viewers, then, blaming the incident on a lack of o cers – and using it to pressure the legislature for more state funds for a traditionally local responsibility – came across as tone-deaf.
As for Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, her early statement describing the killing as a “tragic situation that sheds light on problems with society safety nets related to mental health care” earned her widespread condemnation. After the video was released, Lyles chided media outlets
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION COUNTY OF MECKLENBURG CASE NO. 25CV033151-590
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., Plainti , v. PRESTIGE CHARLOTTE, LLC, JUAN PABLO LOPEZ, FYSEL MARWAN ELHULU and ZANE ABDULLAH IMREISH, Defendant(s).
NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION
To Defendant: Fysel Marwan Elhulu
for broadcasting it while also decrying the “senseless and tragic loss” of Zarutska and saying she was praying for the victim’s family and friends.
I’m of the belief that leaders ought to o er their “thoughts and prayers” to victims of crime and natural disasters, so that part didn’t bother me. But I also agree with National Review’s Charlie Cooke, who wrote that Lyles’s initial statement made her sound “far more interested in the feelings of criminals than of the people they torment.”
After years of highly publicized, highly politicized homicides, public o cials have had ample opportunity to learn how to handle them. is ain’t it.
John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His books “Mountain Folk,” “Forest Folk” and “Water Folk” combine epic fantasy with American history (FolkloreCycle.com).
Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been led in the above-entitled action. e nature of the relief being sought is as follows: · Plainti seeks judgment against you for breach of contract and breach of continuing guarantees, together with recovery of attorney’s fees, costs, and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than forty (40) days after the rst publication of this notice, exclusive of such date, and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought.
is the 19th day of September, 2025.
Jill C. Walters Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C. 2235 Gateway Access Point, Suite 220 Raleigh, NC 27607 (984) 844-7919 jwalters@bakerdonelson.com Attorneys for Plainti
NEWS BRIEFS
Monroe Police Department makes arrest in shooting case
MONROE – Officers with the Monroe Police Department responded to a report of shots fired at 8:12 a.m. Sept. 10 at City Discount Tobacco and Vape, 2705 Walkup Ave.
Officers determined that a verbal altercation occurred inside the business. Police said one individual retrieved a handgun during the dispute and chased two others outside before firing shots into their vehicle as they fled.
The shooter was identified as Uteak Akale Chambers, 18, of Monroe.
Officers responded to Cotton Street at 2:26 p.m. to serve a warrant for his arrest.
Police said Chambers fled on foot as detectives approached. K9 Narco tracked Chambers to a briar patch, where he was found
LIVE MUSIC
Joshua Radin opens up on tour
CHARLOTTE – Singer-songwriter Joshua Radin will embark on a nationwide tour this fall in support of his latest album, “One Day Home.”
Radin’s 35-city, cross-country trek includes a performance in Charlotte at the Neighborhood Theatre on Oct. 11.
“One Day Home” marks his 10th fulllength LP and first independent release since 2017.
Radin’s latest album offers 13 new songs that highlight his blend of vulnerability and storytelling, making this his most introspective album yet.
“One Day Home is about love and loss,” Radin said. “It’s the journey of a romantic relationship: the ups and downs, the moments you chase and the moments you accidentally destroy. The memories of a partnership can sometimes feel stronger than the actual connection, the ecstasy of finding a like-minded soul and the devastation upon losing them. It’s about discovering what the word ‘home’ actually means.”
Sept. 19
• Amos’ Southend: Savannah Dexter & Brabo Gator
• Char Bar No. 7 (Mint Hill): Savannah Harmon
• Evening Muse: Peter Bradley Adams; J.T. Loux & Arsun
• Home Brew Taproom & Tunes: The Violent Gypsies
• Middle James Brewing (Pineville): Miles Mann
• Moochies Tavern: Matt Coleman; Flashback
• Neighborhood Theatre: Jake Kohn + Low Water Bridge Band
• Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre: Parker McCollum
• Southern Range Brewing: Me and Lulu
• Stooges Pub & Grub: Black Glass
DINING SCORES
hiding and failed to comply with officers’ commands, police said.
Chambers was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for minor injuries sustained during the K9 apprehension. After being medically cleared, he was booked into the Union County Detention Center. He was held on a $5,000 secured bond.
Chambers was arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle and discharging a firearm within city limits.
Mint Hill Madness Pop-Up Market to have 80+ vendors
MINT HILL – The Mint Hill Madness Pop-Up Market will feature more than 80 vendors, offering an array of boutiques,
• The Trail House: U-Phonik
• The Underground: Matt Maltese
Sept. 20
• Amos’ Southend: Mico
• Bojangles Coliseum: Alicia Villarreal
• Evening Muse: Chozen Dee and Lord Vizion w/ Tukool Tiff; Pump Action
• Grapes Bistro and Wine Bar: Josey Wails
• Great Wagon Road Distilling: Coconut Groove Band
• Home Brew Taproom & Tunes: Chad
Thomas Powell
• Local Logic: Nate Randall
• Moochies Tavern: Minutes Past Midnight
• Painted Tree Boutique: Carrie Ann
• Peddlers Paradise Bartique: Jam Central
• PNC Music Pavilion: Alice Cooper & Judas Priest
• Southern Range Brewing: The Stark Reality
• Stooges Pub & Grub: Queen City Siren
• The Fillmore: Pup & Jeff Rosenstock
• The Trail House: Chasing Phoenix
• The Underground: Dark Angel Extinc-
tion Level Event
• Waxhaw Taphouse: Hot Tub Johnny
Sept. 21
• Bojangles Coliseum: Ken Carson
• Evening Muse: Jill Andrews
• Home Brew Taproom & Tunes: Dixie
Electric Duo
• Moochies Tavern: Darren Deese
• Neighborhood Theatre: John Mark McMillan + Citizens
• The Amp Ballantyne: Ziggy Marley
• The Fillmore: Bilmuri
• The Underground: Aidan Bissett
• The Union Exchange: Adam Daniels
Sept. 22
• Evening Muse: Open Mic
• The Underground: G-Flip
independent home sales, small shops, food, arts, crafts and handmade items.
The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4 at Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park, 8850 Fairview Road.
Several food trucks will be available at the festival, including Mister Greek, B Cooks!, The Plated Palette, Mama K’s Kettle Corn, Treasured Treats, Sippin’ Sisters and Lief Café.
• AFC Zenshi (Publix), 5132 Old Charlotte Hwy. – 100 • Benton Crossroads Grill, 6004 Concord Hwy. – 93 • Chili’s Grill & Bar, 2861 W. U.S. 74 – 97 • El Mero Mero Taco Grill, 5432 Pageland Hwy. – 92.5
• Patty and The Dogs, 217 N. Hayne St. –99.5 • Publix (meat), 5132 Old Charlotte Hwy. – 100 • Publix (seafood), 5132 Old Charlotte Hwy. – 100
Executive Committee.
The meeting takes place from 4 to 5 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center (Room 266), 600 E. 4th St., Charlotte.
The coalition connects communities and partners across the I-77 corridor to develop recommendations to the CRTPO board that will improve mobility in the surrounding areas. Its executive committee receives recommendations from the advisory committee and works with staff to prioritize recommendations.
The CRTPO is the metropolitan planning organization for the greater Charlotte urban area, including Mecklenburg and Union counties.
On the web: crtpo.org
• The Fillmore: 820 Hamilton St.
• The Underground: 820 Hamilton St.
Indian Trail
• Grapes Bistro and Wine Bar: 6461 Old Monroe Road
• Tap & Vine: 6443 Old Monroe Road
• The Trail House: 6751 Old Monroe Road
Matthews
• Painted Tree Boutique: 1813 Matthews Township Pkwy.
Mint Hill
• Char Bar No. 7: 7312 Town View Drive
• Stooges Pub & Grub: 13230 Albemarle Road
Monroe
• Franklin Court
•
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra to premiere sonic logo
CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Kwamé Ryan will soon debut a new sonic logo, commissioned from Grammy Award-winning composer Mason Bates.
The reveal will take place at the opening concerts of its 2025-26 Classical Series at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and 11 at the Knight Theater.
The sonic logo is a brief musical signature created to accompany the symphony’s refreshed brand identity unveiled last year. It represents a first in orchestral branding.
Bates, one of the most widely performed living American composers and a Grammy Award winner for his opera “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs,” described the audio logo as an attempt to “capture both the excitement and depth of emotion of Kwamé Ryan and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.”
Sonic logos are familiar in media and technology, from Netflix’s “ta-dum” to NBC’s iconic three chimes. This commission represents a first in orchestral music.
The Charlotte Symphony will use the new audio identity across digital platforms, broadcasts, media communications and in the concert hall.
“From the moment I first saw our new visual logo, I felt it was calling out for its own sound,” Ryan said. “I immediately thought of my friend Mason Bates, whose music beautifully bridges the classical and contemporary. With Mason’s ‘sonic logo’ – written in a style audiences will instantly recognize from over a century of popular culture, starting with MGM’s iconic lion’s roar – we are signaling that the CSO is deeply rooted in tradition while being attuned to how people experience sound today.”
The unveiling of the sonic logo comes as the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra enters its second season with Ryan at the helm.
The series-opening concerts will also feature Bates’s “Attack Decay Sustain Release,” followed by Shostakovich’s “Cello Concerto No. 1, “with soloist Joshua Roman, and Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 5.” The Saturday performance will be broadcast live on WDAV 89.9.
Tickets for the concert start at $40 and are available now at charlottesymphony.org.
