$46,670,670 budget for fiscal year 2027 that does not include a property tax rate increase.
This marks her first budget since becoming town manager in January.
Cut
“There is no property tax increase,” she said four minutes into her budget presentation May 11. “I probably should have bolded that and capped it. And I can end the presentation now if you want me to.”
BELOW:
The town has budgeted transportation fund revenues at eight months instead of the 12 to be conservative. The tax will be levied starting July 1.
The budget calls for a $38,735,957 general fund, which is the town’s main operating fund. This is a 2.9% increase over last
The budget represents a 13% increase over the one adopted for fiscal year 2026. Driving that increase is $4 million for a new transportation fund, which comes from the proceeds of the one-cent sales tax approved last year by voters.
MATTHEWS – Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts will host a 30th Anniversary Gala on June 13 to not only celebrate the past but ignite a future of arts in the region.
Organizers say every gala ticket sold is an investment in accessibility, funding scholarships for aspiring artists, providing free theater for Title 1 students, leading workshops for people with cognitive or developmental disabilities, and sustaining pay-what-you-can performances for the community.
“While we are incredibly proud of the foundation built over the last 30 years, this anniversary is truly about the stage we are setting for the future,” Executive and Artistic Director Sarah Baumgardner said. “Our focus is on the ‘Next Act,’ ensuring every person who walks through our doors finds a community where they can learn, grow and create together, a place where they belong.”
The 30th Anniversary Gala will take place June 13 at Matthews Community Center at 100 E. McDowell St., Matthews. Tickets are available at MatthewsPlayhouse.com or by calling 704-846-8343
The lineup includes an opening at 6 p.m. of chef-curated hors d’oeuvres, small plates and desserts by Kate Clyde’s Catered Creations, alongside signature drinks and beer/wine. The reception features a silent auction with over 75 items and experiences, and an exhibit of memorabilia spanning 30 years of Playhouse history.
The main event will follow at 8 p.m. with guests gathering in the theater for a variety show featuring familiar faces from the past and present.
Geof Knight (“Scrooge”) and Lindsey Schroeder (“Carole King”) will host the evening.
Gala proceeds help Matthews Playhouse support the community through theater, arts education and programming.
Leaders not considering tax rate hike
year’s adopted budget. Things like police, fire and other town departments are paid through this fund, which is primarily supported through ad valorem revenue (property and vehicles taxes) and local options sales tax.
“This budget does reflect slow and lean growth,” James said.
She is recommending hiring four new positions: senior transportation planner, IT technician, safety coordinator and an in-house staff attorney to support the work of Town Attorney Daniel Peterson. Commissioner Jennefer Garrity asked James about the decision to prioritize these positions over additional public works staff considering they’ve heard the department is understaffed.
productions include "Snow White" (1995), Guys & Dolls (2005), "Wizard of Oz" (2015) and "Scrooge" (2025) Photos courtesy of Matthews Playhouse
30 years of magic
Realtors help Rock the Block
MINT HILL – Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity brought together about 25 volunteers to support homeowners and strengthen community connections during its Rock the Block neighborhood preservation event April 17.
Volunteers completed projects at four homes, working side-by-side with homeowners on exterior improvements including painting, landscaping, pressure washing and seasonal maintenance.
The event was held in partnership with the Town of Mint Hill and in collaboration with the Canopy Housing Foundation as part of its annual Realtors Care Day, a community-wide initiative that takes place each April during National Fair Housing Month.
These efforts are part of Habitat’s broader Home Preservation initiative, which focuses on critical repairs and exterior improvements that address health and safety concerns while maintaining the integrity and affordability of existing housing stock.
and Modern Healthcare, while also receiving the Everest Award for the second consecutive year.
Out of more than 2,500 hospitals evaluated nationwide, Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center ranked second in the country among small community hospitals, placing it among the top performers in its category. It is the only hospital in the Carolinas
24 hospitals nationwide to receive the Everest Award, an honor reserved for medical centers that not only achieve top benchmark performance but also demonstrate the fastest and most sustained improvement over a five-year period.
ABOVE: Matthews Playhouse has been enriching lives in the Charlotte area for 30 years.
Past
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NEWS BRIEFS
Wife arrested on seconddegree murder charges
MONROE – The Union County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal shooting involving a married couple.
Deputies responded to a call about fired shots at about 2:26 p.m.
May 8 at 707 Winding Way in Monroe.
The caller, later identified as 74-year-old Patty Griffin, claimed she accidentally shot her husband, Dennis Griffin, in the shoulder but he had a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators determined Patty had been arguing with Dennis, retrieved a .38-caliber handgun, pointed it at him, pulled the trigger and attempted to discard evidence before law enforcement could arrive, according to the sheriff’s office.
Patty was arrested on charges of second-degree murder.
Matthews Police investigate discharged gun
MATTHEWS – The Matthews Police Department is investigating a shooting into a business on Industrial Drive.
Patrol officers responded to a report of gunshots at about 1:02 a.m.
May 9 at Williams Wrecker Service. They found multiple shell casings in the roadway.
The preliminary investigation determined an unknown suspect fired multiple shots from the street in the direction of the Williams Wrecker Service office building. The Matthews Police Department shared photos on social media of a white vehicle leaving the scene.
Police believe this was an isolated incident with no reported injuries. They encourage citizens to call 704847-5555 with information regarding the incident.
Marshville designates Sturdivant as Juneteenth Parade grand marshal
MARSHVILLE – The Town of Marshville announced that Queen Sturdivant has been selected to serve as grand marshal of the 2026 Juneteenth Parade. “At 92 years young, Mrs. Queen represents strength, grace and a living legacy within our community,” the town posted on its Facebook page. “Her presence at countless events and her quiet, consistent support over the years have made a
lasting impact on Marshville.” The parade takes place from 10 a.m. to noon June 13 through Downtown Marshville. Email communitycoordinator@ marshville.org for volunteer opportunities.
Clinic gets beer exemption for cornhole tourney MATTHEWS – The Matthews Free Medical Clinic has received exemptions to hold fundraising and alcohol sales on town property for an upcoming event.
The nonprofit is planning a cornhole tournament with a beer garden and a food truck May 16 at the clinic, located at 196 S. Trade St. The Matthews Free Medical Clinic leases the property from the Town of Matthews, so it needed to get the exemptions. Registration for the tournament will be available on the nonprofit’s social media.
Septet of poet-themed streets added to network MATTHEWS – The Town of Matthews has accepted seven streets from the Tennyson
Mental health crisis workers play a key role in safety
by Rebecca Peacock
Mental Health Professional
Iwant to start by saying that mobile crisis is not an extra service. It’s not a luxury.
It’s a health care and public safety necessity.
Every day, 24 hours a day, our team responds to people in a mental health crisis across Mecklenburg County, helping to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, incarceration and tragedies before they happen.
Yet many of you may not even be aware of our services.
I’m Rebecca Peacock, and I’m the director of Santé Crisis Response, serving Mecklenburg County.
Mental health touches all of us in one way or another, but it doesn’t often become truly personal until we or someone we love comes face to face with a mental health crisis.
And it’s in those moments that the gaps and the flaws of the system become very clear.
First, I want to thank each of you for your service to the residents of this county. I’ve had the privilege of meeting with several of you over the past few months and hearing just how personal mental health is to many of you. Thank you for your time and really your willingness to engage in difficult conversations.
Since the 1940s, May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, shown by a green ribbon. This May also marks Santé’s 20-year anniversary – 20 years that we have been showing up and doing this critical work.
But our current funding model has made this work increasingly unsustainable. So I want to take a quick moment to highlight the role that Santé plays in the community.
Every county in the state of North Carolina is required to have
a mobile crisis team through their managed Medicaid entity. And our provider is Alliance Health, and so we’ve been the sole provider providing these services across the county.
So when someone’s in crisis, our team responds directly into the community, whether that’s a home, school, parking lot or wherever people need that support.
We work with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal or homicidal thoughts, psychosis, as well as other situational crises.
Last fiscal year alone, we received over 9,000 incoming hotline calls, serving children, adults, seniors and veterans – the residents who live in this county. A significant number of those individuals were able to remain safely in the community.
We also work closely with first responders, oftentimes describing ourselves as the fourth response
REASONS
3.
subdivision into its road network.
The subdivision
“This subdivision was planned and designed with the intent that its streets would ultimately be accepted as public streets,”
– mental health, alongside police, fire and medic. We partner with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and other providers.
Our work reduces strain on emergency departments, law enforcement and the involuntary commitment system, while also reducing taxpayer costs by providing intervention before hospitalization or incarceration becomes the only option.
Mobile crisis has been quietly working for 20 years, but quiet work is often overlooked. This service deserves visibility, support and sustainability so that we can continue showing up.
If anyone ever has any questions about this service, I would be grateful for that conversation.
Rebecca Peacock gave these remarks May 5 during the public comment portion of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commisssioners meeting.
CALENDAR
at Crews Recreation Center. Call 704-708-1289 or via email at csmith@matthewsnc.gov for information. matthewsfun.com Noon-1 p.m.; 1201 Crews Road, Matthews Conversation Club Preteens and teens practice speaking Spanish during Intermediate Spanish
Teams qualify for state tournaments
CHAPEL HILL
– Several teams from southern Mecklenburg and Union counties have qualified for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state playoffs. Several of the brackets feature games pushing up against The Weekly’s deadlines.
Baseball Teams by coverage area
include: Matthews-Mint Hill: Butler, Independence and Providence South Charlotte: Ardrey Kell, Ballantyne Ridge, Charlotte Catholic, East Mecklenburg, Myers Park, Providence and South Mecklenburg
• Union County: Cuthbertson, Forest Hills, Marvin Ridge, Parkwood, Piedmont, Sun Valley, Union Academy and Weddington
8A Bracket
• No. 1 Providence will play No. 4 Ardrey Kell in the quarterfinals. The winner will play either No. 2 Myers Park or No. 3 West Forsyth in the semifinals. Providence defeated No. 8 Jordan, 26-4, in the second round after a first-round bye.
• No. 4 Ardrey Kell will play No. 1 Providence in the quarterfinals. The winner will play either No. 2 Myers Park or No. 3 West Forsyth in the semifinals. Ardrey Kell defeated No. 5 Hough, 5-4, in the second round after a first-round bye. No. 2 Myers Park will play No. 3 West Forsyth in the quarterfinals. The winner will play either No. 1 Providence or No. 4 Ardrey Kell in the semifinals. Myers Park defeated No. 7 Pinecrest, 6-1, in the second round after a first-round bye. No. 9 South Mecklenburg lost to No. 8 Jordan, 4-3, in the first round.
• No. 11 East Mecklenburg lost to No. 6 Northwest Guilford, 6-3, in the first round.
7A Bracket
• No. 5 Marvin Ridge will play No. 13 Davie County in the third round. The winner will play either No. 1 Reagan or No. 8 Lake Norman in the quarterfinals. Marvin Ridge defeated No. 12 East Forsyth, 17-0, in the second round after a firstround bye.
• No. 19 Ballantyne Ridge will play No. 6 Richmond Senior in the third round. The winner will play either No. 10 A.L. Brown or No. 2 Hickory Ridge. Ballantyne Ridge defeated No. 3 Grimsley, 3-2, in the second round and No. 14 Hopewell, 4-0, in the first round.
No. 16 Weddington lost to No. 1 Reagan, 5-0, in the second round. Weddington defeated No. 17 Mooresville, 7-3, in the first round.
No. 4 Cuthbertson lost to No. 13 Davie County, 4-1, in the second round. Cuthbertson had a firstround bye.
No. 11 Butler lost to No. 6 Richmond Senior, 5-0, in the second round. Butler defeated No. 22 Page, 8-1, in the first round.
• No. 21 Independence lost to No. 12 East Forsyth, 5-0, in the first round.
6A Bracket
No. 2 Charlotte Catholic will play No. 7 A.C. Reynolds in the third round. The winner will play either No. 3 T.C. Roberson or No. 6 South Caldwell in the quarterfinals. Charlotte Catholic defeated No. 15 Sun Valley, 3-1, in the second round after a first-
round bye. No. 23 Piedmont lost to No. 7 A.C. Reynolds in the second round. Piedmont defeated No. 10 Mount Tabor, 11-1, in the first round.
No. 15 Sun Valley lost to No. 2 Charlotte Catholic in the second round. Sun Valley defeated No. 18 Phillip O. Berry Academy, 10-2, in the first round.
5A Bracket
• No. 17 Parkwood lost to No. 1 North Lincoln, 9-0, in the second round. Parkwood defeated No. 16 Atkins, 9-0, in the first round. No. 23 Forest Hills lost to No. 10 Hickory, 13-3, in the first round.
3A Bracket No. 9 Union Academy will play No. 1 North Stanly in the third round. The winner plays either No. 4 Trinity or No. 12 Patton in the next round. Union Academy defeated No. 8 West Wilkes, 9-5, in the second round and No. 24 Mount Airy, 13-0, in the first round.
Softball
Teams by coverage area include:
• Matthews-Mint Hill: Butler, Independence, Providence and Queens Grant
South Charlotte: Ardrey Kell, Ballantyne Ridge, Charlotte Catholic, East Mecklenburg, Providence and South Mecklenburg
• Union County: Central Academy of Technology & Arts, Cuthbertson, Marvin Ridge, Parkwood, Piedmont, Porter Ridge, Sun Valley, Union Academy and Weddington
8A Bracket
• No. 1 Providence will play No. 4 Hough in the third round. The winner plays either No. 2 Apex Friendship or No. 3 West Forsyth in the regional final. Providence defeated No. 8 Northwest Guilford, 7-0, in the second round after a first-round bye.
• No. 9 East Mecklenburg lost to No. 8 Northwest Guilford, 7-1, in the first round. No. 7 Ardrey Kell lost to No. 2 Apex Friendship, 3-1, in the second round and defeated No. 10 South Mecklenburg, 9–8, in the first round.
No. 10 South Mecklenburg lost to No. 7 Ardrey Kell, 9-8, in the first round.
7A Bracket No. 1 Weddington will play No. 8 Mooresville in the third round. The winner plays No. 4 Hickory Ridge or No. 5 A.L. Brown in the fourth round. Weddington defeated No. 17 Lake Norman, 5-1, in the second round after a first-round bye. No. 11 Porter Ridge will play No. 3 East Forsyth in the third round. The winner plays either No. 7 Reagan or No. No. 2 South Iredell in the fourth round. Porter Ridge defeated No. 6 Butler, 7-0, in the second round and No. 22 Grimsley, 18-0, in the first round.
No. 14 Cuthbertson lost to East Forsyth, 3-1, in the second round. Cuthbertson defeated No. 19 Hopewell, 14-2, in the first round.
No. 15 Marvin Ridge lost to South Iredell, 107, in the second round and defeated No. 18 Richardmon, 6-1, in teh first round.
• No. 16 Independence lost to No. 17 Lake Norman, 10-2, in the first round.
• No. 24 Ballantyne Ridge lost to No. 9
McDowell, 10-0, in the first round.
• No. 6 Butler lost to No. 11 Porter Ridge, 7-0, in the second round. Butler had a first-round bye.
6A Bracket • No. 8 Charlotte Catholic will play No. 1 Kings Mountain in the third round. The winner plays either No. 5 Alexander Central or No. 13 T.C. Roberson in the fourth round. Charlotte Catholic defeated No. 9 Glenn, 3-2, in the second round after a first-round bye.
No. 3 Piedmont will play No. 6 Central Cabarrus in the third round. The winner plays either No. 2 South Caldwell or No. 10 A.C. Reynolds in the fourth round. Piedmont defeated No. 14 Freedom, 12-1, in the second round after a first-round bye.
No. 17 Sun Valley lost to No. 1 Kings Mountain, 1-0, in the second round. Sun Valley defeated No. 16 Phillip O Berry Academy, 16-0, in the first round.
5A Bracket No. 14 Parkwood lost to No. 3 North Davidson, 8-1, in the second round. Parkwood defeated No. 19 Concord, 9-8, in the first round.
4A Bracket • No. 16 Central Academy of Technology & Arts lost to Lincoln Charter, 7-2, in the first round.
3A Bracket • No. 8 Union Academy will play No. 1 West Lincoln in the third round. The winner plays either No. 4 Pine Lake Prep or No. 5 Draughn in the fourth round. Union Academy defeated East Rutherford, 10-0, in the second round after a firstround bye.
2A Bracket No. 10 Queens Grant lost to No. 7 Highland Tech, 7-1, in the second round after a first-round bye.
Women’s soccer Teams by coverage area include:
• Matthews-Mint Hill: Butler, Independence, Providence and Queens Grant
• South Charlotte: Ardrey Kell, Ballantyne Ridge, Charlotte Catholic, East Mecklenburg, Myers Park, Providence and South Mecklenburg
• Union County: Central Academy of Technology & Arts, Cuthbertson, Marvin Ridge, Monroe, Parkwood, Piedmont, Porter Ridge, Sun Valley, Union Academy and Weddington
8A Bracket • No. 7 Providence will play No. 10 Hoke County in the first round. The winner plays No. 2 Myers Park in the second round.
No. 8 East Mecklenburg will play No. 9 South Mecklenburg in the first round. The winner plays No. 1 Hough in the second round.
No. 9 South Mecklenburg will play No. 8 East Mecklenburg in the first round. The winner plays No. 1 Hough in the second round.
No. 2 Myers Park has a first-round bye. They play either No. 7 Providence or No. 10 Hoke County.
• No. 4 Ardrey Kell has a first-round bye. They play the winner of No. 5 West Forsyth and No. 12 Chambers in the second round.
7A Bracket No. 11 Butler will play
No. 22 West Cabarrus in the first round. The winner plays No. 6 Weddington in the first round.
No. 10 Cuthbertson will play No. 23 Richmond Senior in the first round. The winner plays No. 7 Lake Norman in the second round.
No. 17 Independence will play No. 16 East Forsyth in the first round. The winner plays No. 1 R.J. Reynolds in the second round.
No. 12 Ballantyne Ridge will play No. 21 A.L. Brown in the first round. The winner plays No. 5 Cox Mill in the second round.
• No. 20 Porter Ridge will play No. 13 Page in the first round. The winner plays No. 4 Hickory Ridge in the second round. No. 6 Weddington has a first-round bye. They play either No. 11 Butler and No. 22 West Cabarrus in the
HOSPITAL
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second round. No. 2 Marvin Ridge has a first-round bye. They play either No. 15 Mooresville or No. 18 Davie County in the second round.
6A Bracket • No. 22 Piedmont will play No. 11 Asheboro in the first round. The winner plays No. 6 T.C. Roberson in the second round. No. 10 Sun Valley will play No. 23 Dudley in the first round. The winner plays No. 7 Alexander Central in the second round.
• No. 1 Charlotte Catholic has a first-round bye. They play the winner of No. 16 South Caldwell or No. 17 Western Guilford in the second round.
“This recognition reflects the relentless commitment of our teams to deliver remarkable care every single day,” said Joy Greear, president of Novant Health Mint Hill and Novant Health Ballantyne Medical Centers. “Earning the Everest Award for a second year in a row, along with being
BLOCK
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“Seeing this many volunteers give their Friday morning to serve Mint Hill homeowners is exactly what Rock the Block is all about,” said Natisha Rivera, president and CEO of Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity.
“Canopy Housing Foundation has been a tremendous partner, and together we’re showing that affordable housing isn’t just about building new homes – it’s about
TAXES
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4A Bracket • No. 7 Central Academy of Technology & Arts has a first-round bye. They play either No. 10 Forbush and No. 23 Stuart W. Cramer in the second round.
3A Bracket No. 12 Union Academy will play No. 21 Thomasville in the first round. The winner plays No. 5 West Davidson in the second round.
2A Bracket • No. 19 Queens Grant will play No. 14 Cherryville in the first round. The winner plays No. 3 Murphy in the second round.
5A Bracket No. 21 Monroe will play No. 12 North Henderson in the first round. The winner plays No. 5 Jay M. Robinson in the second round. No. 11 Parkwood will play No. 22 East Rowan in the first round. The winner plays No. 6 North Davidson in the second round.
named a Top 100 Hospital speaks to the culture of excellence we’ve built in Mint Hill, one that is focused on improving outcomes and experiences for every patient and family we serve.”
The rankings are based on independent, data-driven analysis from Premier and are designed to help healthcare leaders identify best practices and drive continuous improvement across the industry.
preserving the ones families already love.”
“The impact of an event like this goes far beyond fresh paint and clean sidewalks,” said Jeffrey Elam, director of housing services. “For a homeowner who has been unable to keep up with maintenance on their own, having 25 people show up and get to work is a meaningful act of care. That’s what keeps neighborhoods strong.”
Launched in 2023, Rock the Block brings together volunteers,
James said staff are continuing to analyze the needs. She suggested an increased need for park maintenance could lead to new positions down the road that could help both the public works and parks and recreation departments. Commissioner John Urban echoed Garrity’s thoughts on public works. He’s heard for 16 years that public works is understaffed but the department has only added one or two positions. He also threw out the idea of possibly outsourcing certain functions, such as IT or transportation planning,
local partners and homeowners for a day of high-impact service focused on neighborhood improvement and beautification.
Organizers said the effort marked another successful event in the nonprofit's ongoing work in the Mint Hill community.
To learn how to request Rock the Block services for your neighborhood or to get involved as a volunteer, contact Liz Sweeney, volunteer and engagement manager, at liz@habitatmatthews.
where an outside organization’s bench depth can benefit the town.
James also recommends a 3% merit pool increase effective Sept. 1, 2026, and a cost-of-living adjustment of 3%, effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Commissioners have until June 30 to approve a budget. They did not have a chance to get too far into the details due to a software issue but the lack of a property tax rate increase makes things a little easier.
“I started this off by saying this is the most contentious time of the year,” Mayor John Higdon told the board. “But it’s much more contentious when there’s a need for a tax increase, so that makes the waters a lot smoother.”
FEATURE IMPACT
Most people don’t set out to ignore their health. It usually slips down the list somewhere between the morning alarm and the last email of the day. Breakfast gets rushed or skipped.
Exercise is postponed until tomorrow. Sleep is cut short to catch up on everything else. By the end of the week, healthy intentions are still there, but the follow-through feels harder than expected. For many, the challenge is not motivation but finding habits that fit into real life. Small, repeatable choices around sleep, exercise, nutrition, mental well-being and social connection can support how the body and mind function over time.
Sleep Well
Sleep is essential for physical recovery, mental focus and emotional balance, but it’s often the first habit to slip when schedules get busy.
Establishing a regular bedtime routine helps signal when it’s time to rest. Limiting screen exposure in the evening, keeping sleep and wake times consistent and creating a dark, quiet sleep environment can support more restorative sleep. Over time, better sleep contributes to improved mood, focus and overall heart health.
Exercise in Manageable Ways
Exercise often falls into the same trap as sleep. When schedules get full, it becomes something to get back to rather than something that fits into the day as it unfolds. A missed workout can quickly turn into a missed week, even for people who value staying active.
Regular movement supports heart health, muscle strength and overall energy, but it doesn’t need to be all-or-nothing. Short periods of activity spread throughout the day can still make a difference, especially when long stretches of sitting are the default.
Walking between meetings, stretching in the morning or adding light strength exercises at home are simple ways to stay active without blocking out extra time.
Eat Nutritiously
Food decisions often happen on autopilot as meals are squeezed into busy schedules and long days, making nutrition one of the most influential daily habits.
DINING SCORES
Meals do more than provide fuel. When built around nutrientrich foods, they support muscle health, brain health and heart health. An overall healthy eating pattern includes a variety of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, helping the body keep up with everyday demands. Protein plays an important role in maintaining muscle and supporting daily movement, especially as people age. High-quality protein from foods, along with a balanced diet and regular exercise, can help support all the muscles in the body.
Choosing protein sources that are easy to prepare and repeat supports consistency when schedules are full.
As part of a balanced approach to healthy habits, nutrition guidance from the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good initiative, nationally sponsored by the Egg Nutrition Center, highlights how everyday food choices can support the body and brain over time. Eggs are an example of a high-quality protein and they fit easily into meals throughout the day.
Eggs also deliver choline, a nutrient many Americans don’t get enough of. Choline is a critical nutrient, among others, for supporting brain development, memory and mood. Along with protein, choline helps support brain health, making it an important consideration across life stages.
According to the American Heart Association, healthy people can include one egg daily, up to seven eggs per week, as part of a heart-healthy diet. For healthy older adults with normal cholesterol, two eggs per day can be included as part of a heart-healthy dietary pattern.
Mind Your Mental Well-Being
The way people eat, sleep and move does not just affect the body. It also shapes how the brain responds to stress and daily demands. When routines feel rushed or inconsistent, mental well-being is often one of the first areas to feel the strain.
Ongoing stress can interfere with focus, sleep and eating habits, making it harder to
maintain healthy routines. Simple practices like deep breathing, mindfulness or stepping away from screens for a few minutes can help reduce tension and restore attention.
Making time for rest and reflection, and setting realistic expectations, can also support emotional balance. What supports the brain often supports the heart as well, reinforcing the value of caring for mental and physical health together.
Socialize and Stay Connected
Mental well-being is shaped by both daily routines and relationships. When life feels busy or stressful, social connection is often the first thing to get pushed aside, even though it plays an important role in emotional health.
short conversations or a quick check-in with a friend or family member can help maintain a sense of connection.
Build Habits That Fit Real Life
Healthy routines are more likely to last when they fit into the
Charlotte wants third-party review of I-77 project
CHARLOTTE
– The Charlotte City Council took two actions May 11 regarding the Interstate 77 South Express Lanes project.
First, the council approved the resolution below that calls for a pause on the project so that it can be reviewed by an independent third-party.
Second, members voted to direct their representative on the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (Ed Driggs) to rescind the city’s support of the project.
While the first action generated prepared statements from members of the council, the second action was met with much more apprehension. Members asked city staff, the city attorney and a state transportation engineer several questions about what would happen to the project’s timelines and funding if Charlotte rescinded its support.
There were no definitive answers, which means this will have to be ironed out some more amongst the city, CRTPO and the N.C. Department of Transportation.
Resolution of the Charlotte City Council requesting a pause for due diligence, a targeted reevaluation, and design analysis with community benefit considerations, related to the Interstate 77 South Express Lanes project
WHEREAS, the City of Charlotte is a duly incorporated municipality organized under the laws of North Carolina under Chapter 160A of the North Carolina General Statutes, and its residents, businesses, and public infrastructure are materially affected by traffic conditions on and adjacent to Interstate 77; and
WHEREAS, the Charlotte City Council, the governing body of the City of Charlotte, is committed to promoting safe, efficient, and equitable transportation infrastructure that supports long-term mobility, economic vitality, and quality of life, while protecting homes, neighborhoods, community stability, and avoiding unnecessary displacement; and
WHEREAS, in October 2024, the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (“CRTPO”) approved advancement of the I-77 South Express Lanes project (the “Project”) — an approximately 11-mile widening from Uptown Charlotte to the South Carolina state line estimated to cost more than $4 billion, to be delivered through a publicprivate partnership (“P3”) and adding four managed toll lanes through a constrained urban corridor; and
WHEREAS, the Project is being advanced through state and regional transportation planning processes, including the State Transportation Improvement Program and CRTPO, pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 136189.11 et seq., and is subject to review under the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”), which requires evaluation of environmental and community impacts, consideration of alternatives, and meaningful public involvement before major federal actions; and
WHEREAS, the CRTPO submitted the Project to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (“NCDOT”) in prioritization cycle P3 in 2014 and has resubmitted it in every prioritization cycle since that time; and
WHEREAS, since P3 approval, NCDOT has advanced procurement and design concepts, including selection of an elevated design in portions of the corridor, while Project acquisition of real property or displacement of residential properties or businesses subject to federal funding or approvals will be governed by the federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (“URA”); and
WHEREAS, historically, highway construction and expansion projects have disproportionately impacted Black communities and underserved populations through neighborhood division, displacement, and long-term barriers to economic opportunity; and county and local analyses indicate that historically Black neighborhoods and disinvested communities may face disproportionate impacts from the Project’s proposed design; and
WHEREAS, as the Project details have emerged, residents, community organizations, stakeholders, and elected officials have expressed increasing concern about displacement of homes and businesses, impacts to parks and greenways, noise, air and water quality, construction disruption, and neighborhood stability, and many residents have expressed that prior public engagement has not meaningfully shaped project decisions; and WHEREAS, NCDOT has acknowledged community concern by extending public engagement and establishing an I-77 South Community Advisory Group, but procurement activities remain ongoing; and the City Council finds that proceeding without additional analysis and communitydriven dialogue risks irreversible harm and
forecloses potentially better solutions for the I-77 South Project; and WHEREAS, the Project design choices — including alignment, cross-section, access points, buffering, multimodal integration, and traffic mitigation strategies addressing diversion, network-level impacts, and equity — can materially reduce the degree and distribution of community impacts and are critical to achieving optimal results balancing congestion relief with community welfare; and WHEREAS, the Charlotte City Council seeks a measured and responsible approach, informed by community input, that reflects the generational significance and effects of this Project.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Charlotte City Council that:
1. Commitment to People-First Transportation Decisions
The Charlotte City Council affirms that transportation investments must be evaluated not only on their ability to move vehicles, but on how they protect residents from displacement; improve safety and health outcomes; support strong neighborhoods and local businesses; and advance equity and opportunity for communities that have historically borne the burdens of infrastructure projects.
2. Request for Targeted Reevaluation and Design Analysis
The Charlotte City Council respectfully calls for an independent third-party reevaluation and alternatives analysis of the I-77 South corridor, including multimodal, non-highway and transportation demand management strategies, and encourages that any draft RFP for a toll lane development be paused until the findings are presented to council and the public.
3. Direction to CRTPO Representative
The Charlotte City Council’s appointed representative to the CRTPO is hereby directed to advocate for targeted reevaluation and expanded analysis of alternatives and design options consistent with this Resolution, and to take any other actions as directed on behalf of the Charlotte City Council.
4. NEPA and Alternatives/Design Considerations
The Charlotte City Council respectfully requests that the Project’s NEPA review, to the extent applicable, include:
• Evaluation of a reasonable range of alternatives, including phased or lowerimpact options, without predetermined presumptions as to outcomes;
• Rigorous analysis of design variations — including alignment shifts, interchange configurations, and context-sensitive solutions — that could avoid or minimize community and environmental impacts;
• Full evaluation of direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts; and
• Advancement to an Environmental Impact Statement if warranted by Environmental Assessment findings.
5. Relocation, Traffic, and Design Impact Analysis
The Charlotte City Council requests that NCDOT, the Federal Highway Administration (“FHWA”), and the Project’s private participants provide, as part of the targeted reevaluation: updated traffic and revenue projections; evaluation of nontoll or hybrid alternatives; displacement impact analysis consistent with URA obligations; design and construction analysis of impacts on adjacent local streets and neighborhoods; and environmental and land use impact assessments.
6. Community Benefit and Design-Based Mitigation
The Charlotte City Council respectfully requests that NCDOT and FHWA identify and assess community benefit and designbased mitigation strategies, including actions consistent with City Council priorities including but not limited to Vision Zero and the City’s Strategic Mobility Plan:
• Roadway design modifications to reduce cut-through traffic and neighborhood disruption;
• Incorporation of multimodal infrastructure (pedestrian, bicycle, and transit elements);
• Noise, air quality, and visual buffering through design treatments;
• Context-sensitive solutions to maintain or enhance neighborhood connectivity; and
• Integration of complementary local infrastructure improvements.
7. Community Engagement
The Charlotte City Council commits to working collaboratively with regional partners to ensure residents have meaningful opportunities to provide input on project design, impacts, and mitigation strategies, with particular attention to historically impacted neighborhoods and communities.
The Charlotte City Council requests that NCDOT and federal agencies conduct engagement of community members at accessible times, locations, and formats; provide clear, non-technical materials; and maintain a publicly accessible platform documenting questions received,
responses provided, and changes made as a result of public input. The Charlotte City Council further requests that the I-77 South Community Advisory Group receive regular project briefings, access to relevant data and assumptions, and serve as a formal channel for community concerns throughout the analysis and decision-making process of the Project.
8. Municipal Engagement and Public Participation
The Charlotte City Council and the City of Charlotte requests formal notice of and an opportunity to comment upon all traffic and revenue study updates, environmental review documents, and mitigation plans before their finalization, and requests that NCDOT hold a public meeting with public comment forum within Charlotte’s municipal boundaries during the public comment period for any associated NEPA or state environmental reviews.
9. City Milestone Commitments
The Charlotte City will pursue a structured series of milestones aligned with the state’s project timeline across key milestones including but not limited to: (1) Engagement –the City will designate a community liaison within the City’s Community Relations Department; (2) Coordination – secure commitments for regular progress briefings from NCDOT, and request the launch a public-facing project dashboard; (3) Construction – Requests that NCDOT publish a community impact mitigation plan prior to groundbreaking, maintain quarterly dashboard updates, convene the I-77 South Community Advisory Group, confirm local hiring and small business tracking mechanisms are in place, and formally transmit emerging resident
concerns to the state; and (4) Closeout – upon project completion, request post-construction performance data, host a final public session, and present a formal closeout report to the Charlotte City Council summarizing outcomes relative to the commitments made to residents.
10. No Assertion of Control Beyond Authority
Nothing in this Resolution shall be construed as an attempt by the Charlotte City Council or the City of Charlotte to exercise authority beyond that provided under North Carolina or federal law. Final decisions regarding project programming, environmental review, and design approval rest with the appropriate state and federal agencies.
11. Severability
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or provision of this Resolution is determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Resolution shall not be affected thereby and shall continue in full force and effect.
12. Distribution
The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to: Governor Josh Stein; the North Carolina Department of Transportation; the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization; the North Carolina Board of Transportation; the Federal Highway Administration; and the City of Charlotte’s legislative delegation to the North Carolina General Assembly.
ADOPTED in recognition that transportation decisions shape lives, neighborhoods, and generations — and that Charlotte’s residents deserve a seat at the table before irreversible choices are made.
CLASSIFIEDS
Credit Karma, LLC seeks the following in Charlotte, NC (May telecommute from anywhere in the US up to 100% of the time): Senior Cloud Security Engineer (11248): Partner with Platform engineering teams to design security-centric cloud solution architectures on Network Security Engineering. Salary: $215,660/yr.
Credit Karma, LLC seeks the following in Charlotte, NC (May telecommute from within normal commuting distance of the Charlotte, NC office, up to 2 days per week): Product Analyst II (83754): Measurement marketing initiatives and provide recommendations based on the testing insights. Salary: $147,487/yr; Senior Test Engineer (14266): Analyze requirements to design and implement manual and automated test cases. Salary: $160,402/yr; Senior Product Manager – Data (18492): Design use-cases and enterprise tools for in-app, email, and push message marketing content. Salary: $215,448/yr; Staff Software Site Reliability Engineer (56882): Designing and building capabilities that enhance Credit Karma’s platform infrastructure. $242,671/yr; Product Analyst III (66448): Leverage internal and external data to develop business recommendations that generate value for Credit Karma and our partners. Salary: $163,127/yr; Software Engineer II (75317): Develop and maintain backend systems and event-driven services that support insurance partner integrations and internal platforms. Salary: $144,100/yr; Product Analyst II (40253): Drive the implementation of product and marketing experiments, then synthesize results with clear recommendations to drive improvements and inform strategy. Salary: $147,487/yr; Senior Test Engineer II (45417): Identify coverage gaps, automate repeated tasks, and build regression test coverage for existing and new infrastructure. Salary: $187,412/yr.
To apply: Submit resume on www.jobpostingtoday.com, using the job # in parenthesis next to the job title. Must reference job title and code when applying. Background checks req’d.
Director – Data & Analytics, Business, PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services LLC, Charlotte, NC. Define and drive the strategic vision and oversee key client engagements in the Financial Services sector. Req. Bach’s deg or frgn equiv in MIS, Data Anlytcs, Bus Admin, Comp Sci or a rel fld + 7 yrs of rel wrk exp.; in lieu of a bach’s deg, the emplr will accpt 2 addl. yrs of rel work exp. 80% telecommuting permitted. Must be able to commute to a designated local office. Dmstc &/or intl trvl up to 80% required. Sal. range: $216,000 - $288,000/yr. Please apply by sending your resume to US_PwC_Career_Recruitment@pwc.com , specifying Job Code NC4864 in the subject line.
Best in student theater
Area schools earn several Blumey Awards nominations
CHARLOTTE – Blumenthal Arts has announced nominees for the 2026 Blumey Awards, scheduled to take place May 17 at Belk Theater.
The awards honor achievements in high school musical theater. Students receive training, mentorship and networking.
Fifty-nine Charlotte-area schools submitted a full-length spring musical produced during the academic year for consideration. Trained judges with industry experience attend each production, with a panel of three professionals evaluating performances using a standardized scoring process and providing notes to the schools.
“With every Blumenthal Arts season,
Nominees
LOUD & LIVE
we’re reminded just how much talent exists in our schools, and how important it is to create space for that talent to be taken seriously,” said Tom Gabbard, CEO of Blumenthal Arts. “This program gives students the chance to be challenged, celebrated and connected to something bigger than their own production.”
The program includes free workshops and personalized training for performers, designers and stage managers. Students selected for the top acting categories also take part in Blumey Bootcamp, a multi-day program led by industry professionals ahead of final auditions and the annual ceremony.
“The Blumey Awards are an
Best Supporting Actress
from area schools
Blonde: The Musical
Kell - Joseph (JJ) Monteleone (Nathan Detroit) Guys and Dolls • Ballantyne Ridge - Michael Dunne (Troy Boton) Musical
• Carmel Christian - James Coleman (Ren McCormack) Footloose
• CATA - Aidan Conway (Leading Player) Pippin
• Charlotte Catholic - Aaron Quintero (Scarecrow) The Wizard of Oz
• Charlotte Christian - Malachi Fair (Prince Topher) Cinderella
• Charlotte Country Day - Charles Dekle (Kristoff) Frozen • Charlotte Latin - Flinn Teichman (MC) Cabaret
• Providence Day - Owen Moore (Vittorio Vidal) Sweet Charity
• Providence - Lyndon Mathias (Fester) The Addams Family
• South Meck - Henry Schmidt (Chip) 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
• Weddington - Thomas LoMonaco (Professor Callahan) Legally Blonde: The Musical
accelerant. It is fuel to ensure that theater in our schools receives the resources, attention and accolades it deserves,” said Andie Maloney, chief education officer at Blumenthal Arts. “It celebrates the hard work and talent of thousands of students and educators. It inspires the next generation of creatives to pursue their dreams, and gives them tools, networks and resources to do so with confidence.”
The Blumeys have served as a springboard for students pursuing careers in theater. Past winners include Bryson Battle (2021), Reneé Rapp (2018) and Amina Faye (2016).
On the web: blumenthalarts.org/ education/blumey-awards.
• Ardrey Kell - Celina Fuller (Benny Southstreet) Guys and Dolls
• Ballantyne Ridge - Leah Ryan (Kelsi Nielson) Musical
• Carmel Christian - Charlotte Scott (Rusty) Footloose
• CATA - Anika Ryder (Berthe) Pippin
• Charlotte Catholic - Amelia Quintero (Glinda_ The Wizard of Oz
• Charlotte Christian - Eden Davis (Madame) Cinderella
• Charlotte Country Day - Tatum Harris (Olaf) Frozen
• Charlotte Latin - Sophia McGirt (Fraulein Kost) Cabaret
• Cuthbertson - Riley Washburn (Tanya) Mamma Mia!
• David W. Butler - Vy Nguyen (Roz Keith) 9 to 5 The Musical
• East Mecklenburg - Zara Taty (Hermes) Hadestown Teen Edition
• Independence - Amerie Weldon (Tanya) Mamma Mia!
• Marvin Ridge - Sam Strong (Bea) Something Rotten!
• Porter Ridge - Andrea Majia (Fate #2) Hadestown Teen Edition
• Providence Day - Kate Reece (Carmen) Sweet Charity
• Providence - Mac Sloan (Lurch) The Addams Family
• South Meck - Zulemma Travieso Gonzalez (Angela) 25th Annual Putnam County
Spelling Bee
• Weddington - Alexander Stetson (3 roles) Legally Blonde: The Musical
Best Choreography Execution
• Carmel Christian – Footloose
• CATA – Pippin (2013 Revival)
• Weddington – Legally Blonde: The Musical
Best Direction • East Mecklenburg - Hadestown Teen Edition • Weddington – Legally Blonde: The Musical
Ensemble
– Pippin (2013 Revival) • East Mecklenburg - Hadestown Teen Edition • Weddington – Legally Blonde: The Musical
Best Student
How Hiring Veterans Can Strengthen the Workforce
very year, about 200,000 service members transition from military service into civilian careers, offering employers access to a highly skilled and mission-driven talent pool. As organizations across industries seek dependable employees who can adapt and lead, veterans bring experience that translates directly to business success.
Veterans enter the workforce with a wide range of technical and professional skills. Military occupations span fields such as logistics, engineering, cybersecurity, aviation and health care, many of which align closely with civilian roles. This experience allows veterans to apply their training to roles across industries, from manufacturing to information technology, using their practical knowledge developed during their service. Beyond technical expertise, veterans are widely recognized for their reliability, adaptability and strong work ethic. Military culture emphasizes responsibility, teamwork and accountability – qualities that can strengthen workplace culture and improve team performance. Additionally, employers that hire veterans with disabilities often qualify for federal tax credits, and many workplace accommodations are available to employers at no cost.
Despite these advantages, veterans transitioning from military service to civilian employment still face challenges. One of the most common obstacles is translating military experience into language civilian employers understand. Although more than 80% of military roles have civilian equivalents, differences in job titles and terminology related to responsibilities and accomplishments gained during service may not align neatly with traditional job descriptions, making it difficult for veterans to clearly communicate their qualifications.
courtesy of DVIDS. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense
