Inside: See home sales from your neighborhood • Page 3A
Brought to you by Charlotte Media Group Friday, Aug. 13, 2021 • Vol. 14 • No. 32
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Higdon: Get the vaccine
ABOUT US P.O. BOX 1104 Matthews, NC 28106 (704) 849-2261 justin@cmgweekly.com charlottemediagroup.org
WHAT'S INSIDE:
County sees rise in COVID-19 cases by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
55+ housing Mint Hill welcomes new community, 1B
CANCELLED
Better days Entrepreneur helps people through fog, 1B
Matthews Alive will have to wait by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Matthews Alive has been canceled for the second year in a row. Lee Anne Moore, the Labor Day festival’s executive director, emailed stakeholders Aug. 6 to break the news. Moore told them the event’s board of directors was concerned about the Delta variant of COVID-19. Festival organizers made the same call in May 2020, citing the logistics of social distancing and sanitizing common areas shared by potentially more than 125,000 people in downtown Matthews. They announced extra precautions last month with this year’s event, including hand sanitizer throughout the festival, inflatable games instead
Grieving is OK Pepper jar stirs strong emotions, 1B
Jetlagged? Growing firm specializes in IV drip treatment, 4B
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The decision to cancel this year's Labor Day festival as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic stands as a testament to our mission and love for the people of Matthews."
• Julie Bee Matthews Alive chair via statement of bounce houses and not using the was the only correct call,” he wrote. Matthews Community Center. “We consulted our medical partners “Given the percentage of unvac- and got input from trusted sources cinated people in our local commu- to come to this very hard decision.” nities as well as the infectious DelTown Commissioner Ken Mcta variant, we had many concerns Cool suggested to his colleagues about being able to meet our stan- Aug. 9 to reallocate money they dards for public safety,” said Chair- would have donated to Matthews woman Julie Bee in a statement on Alive to a town-organized event, the event’s website. such as Hometown Holidays. Former Mayor Jim Taylor re“Morale is low,” McCool said. sponded to the news on Twitter. “We’re in a second big wave of “This was a very hard decision to COVID again. I want to increase make but as a member of the board the morale of town. This is a good of directors of Matthews Alive, it way to do it.”
Inner Peaks has Olympic dreams by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Inner Peaks has approached the town about rezoning its property at 10715 Independence Pointe Parkway so the climbing center can renovate the space and vertically expand. Brittany Lins, an attorney representing Inner Peaks, told town commissioners during the Aug. 9 public hearing how the cen-
ter wants to capitalize on sports climbing’s inclusion in the Tokyo Olympic Games. Inner Peaks wants to build a 49-foot wall toward the rear of the center, but the building is only 40 feet tall. The building used to be home to indoor batting cages. “They’d love to foster in some future Olympians,” Lins told commissioners. Inner Peaks owner Doug Cosby mentioned recent silver medalist
Nathaniel Coleman was coached by one of the directors at Inner Peaks when he was just 8 years old in Salt Lake City. “We have three years now until Paris,” Cosby said. “Hopefully, the pandemic will be over and we can actually participate.” Inner Peaks only plans to alter a rear portion of the building. They contend the expansion is not going to overshadow neighboring businesses.
Town Planner Rob Will said staff didn’t have any concerns about the proposal. Commissioners are scheduled to decide on the request Sept. 13. Commissioner Jeff Miller requested Inner Peaks share building elevations with textures and colors. “I have no problem with the height in that location,” he said. “We just want to make sure it’s aesthetically pleasing to the eye and attractive.”
Oaklore Distilling Company targets Monroe Road by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Oaklore Distilling Company founder Matt Simpkins hopes town leaders warm up to the idea of allowing distilleries within neighborhood businesses. Simpkins described his concept as a microdistillery that will create a variety of spirits, including moonshine, whiskey, vodka, gin and rum. He envisions his business thriving at 11136 Monroe Road.
Aside from the rezoning, Oaklore Distilling Company has also requested town leaders allow distilleries in the neighborhood business zoning district under certain conditions. Currently, distilleries are only allowed in industrial zones. The company also wants Matthews to reduce the distance distilleries are allowed within dwellings from 500 feet to 50 feet. “The 500-foot designation was because it was thought of as the larger industrial facilities. You don’t want a large industrial plant right next to a neighborhood,” Simpkins said. “The distinction is this is not that. We want to be able
to be closer to other businesses and residences because people will enjoy walking to and from this in the town of Matthews.” Commissioners asked several questions about the emerging industry during the Aug. 9 public hearing. Mayor John Higdon asked Simpkins how the microdistillery was going to mitigate odors. Commissioner Jeff Miller asked about ventilation and exhaust systems. Mayor Pro Tem Renee Garner asked about the potential of noise see SPIRITS, Page 5A
Matthews Military Hometown Heroes Banner Program Please See Page 2A for More!
MATTHEWS – Mayor John Higdon is urging Matthews and Mecklenburg County residents to get vaccinated and wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Higdon said during the Aug. 9 town board meeting that hearing deathbed confessions of peoHigdon ple who thought COVID-19 was a hoax and how they wish they would have gotten vaccinated has become a daily occurrence on the news. “A lot of people unfortunately become true believers when they’re dying from COVID,” Higdon said. “Again, I would encourage anybody in Matthews and Mecklenburg County that’s not vaccinated to do so.” As of Aug. 6, Mecklenburg County reported 121,792 cases of COVID-19, including 1,000 deaths, among residents. During the week leading up to Aug. 4, Mecklenburg County saw an average of 394 lab-confirmed infections per day compared to a 14-day average of 341 infections. During that same week, 166 people were hospitalized. “We are experiencing substantial community spread,” Matthews Fire Chief Rob Kinniburgh told the board Aug. 9. “The interesting thing this time is it is not the elderly that are feeling the effects. It is those 25 to 50 years of age that are the predominant age group that’s affected by COVID.” He said vaccinations in Mecklenburg County had slowed to a crawl but started to pick back up with news of the Delta variant. The health department reports 54% of residents over age 12 are partially vaccinated and 50% fully vaccinated. Between 48% and 85 percent of the population of Matthews is vaccinated, he said, adding the town has a lower-than-average number of cumulative cases per 100,000. The county reported 406 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated residents between March 22 and July 27. This represents less than 1% of fully vaccinated residents, according to the county. Prior to the Delta variant, emergency management’s focus had shifted to preparing for hurricane and undergoing training at nuclear facilities, but the department is returning to COVID-19 response. “Local hospitals are experiencing a general increase in activity before the recent surge. They’re experiencing longer, wait times and bed shortages,” Kinniburgh said. “All of the local hospitals are on diversion status, meaning patients can’t necessarily go to the hospital of their choice.”