Issuu

CHARLOTTE – The CharlotteMecklenburg Schools Board of Education announced June 17 that it has placed Superintendent Crystal Hill on temporary leave with pay, pending an investigation into matters involving administrative and operational oversight.

The board has asked Deputy Superintendent Melissa Balknight to take on additional responsibilities to ensure the

Open Letter

Budd weighs in on I-77 South legislation, 2A

Try This Dish Ways to elevate at-home cooking, 1B

Giving Back

Nonprofit marks 20 summers of relief, 3B

district has steady leadership during this period.

The board said its responsibility is to ensure appropriate oversight and accountability across the district while supporting the continued operation of its schools.

Because this is a personnel matter, the board is limited in what it can say.

This comes two months after CMS announced Hill had won

by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com

the 2027 Southwest Education Alliance Superintendent of the Year.

"The board of education is proud to see Dr. Hill receive recognition for her commitment to excellence without exception,” board chair Stephanie Sneed said at the time.

“We appreciate her leadership and her continued work in support of the students of Mecklenburg County."

MATTHEWS – Fifteen high school seniors preparing for graduation were named Student Scholars at an award ceremony at Windsor Run, an Erickson Senior Living community in Matthews.

These student employees worked as servers and hosts across Windsor Run’s seven oncampus dining venues.

Their achievements are supported through scholarships funded by generous donations from community residents, helping to position these hardworking students for continued success.

The student employees were each awarded a $4,000 scholarship.

“These students consistently go above and beyond in balancing work, school and service

CHARLOTTE – Monroe City Council member James Kerr didn’t waste any time making his presence known June 17 during the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization meeting.

Moments after being introduced as Monroe’s alternate member, Kerr made a motion that the CRTPO add to its agenda an item to reconsider its May 20 vote that rescinded support of the I-77 South Express Lanes project.

Fifteen municipalities supported the motion but it failed due to weighted votes of Charlotte as well as opposition from Davidson, Matthews and Mecklenburg County.

One factor motivating communities to reconsider their vote is a draft amendment to a bill that would require local governments to reimburse the state for removing projects from regional transportation plans.

Ed Driggs, of the Charlotte City Council, said he didn’t support the motion because he wasn’t sure the outcome of the vote would be different from the previous month.

“I’ve been advised by a source in Raleigh that the towns that voted to change their position would not be included in the recovery process,” Driggs told CRTPO colleagues. “I think it was sufficient, based on what I’m told, that you took the action that you did without the CRTPO having to vote and you having to cast a vote

CMS investigates superintendent

STUDENT SCHOLARS

Residents at Windsor Run champion education through scholarship program

to our residents,” said Jillian Perry, director of resident life. “This scholarship program is only possible because of our residents’ generosity, and the impact it has on our students is truly lasting.”

To qualify for a four-year scholarship, students must work 1,000 hours over a two-year period, remain in good academic and professional standing and plan to attend a college, university or trade school full-time.

Perry said the Student Scholar program is part of the company’s efforts to support team members at every stage of their journey.

“At Windsor Run, we strive to be a community where everyone who lives and works here can grow, learn and thrive,” Perry said.

Monroe attempts to flip I-77 vote

different from your last one.”

Kerr said he thought it would beneficial to the board to have more input on the item.

Leigh Altman, of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, voted against Kerr’s motion to the agenda. Altman believed members would have ample opportunity to talk about the topic without having a vote.

Tony Long, of the Mint Hill Board of Commissioners, said he supported the vote because his board would like to revisit the issue.

“I have been in touch with the people in Raleigh in the last hour and I’d probably respectfully disagree with Mr. Driggs,” Long said. “Mint Hill supports moving forward.”

One thing that really irked me as this came to a head over the last few days is someone in Raleigh said that we made our decision to rescind (support of the I-77 South Express Lanes project) on a whim.

I just want to talk about my own personal history here. I moved to the Charlotte area in 1975. When I was 12 years old, my parents bought a home near Park Road Park, and my brother and I frequently rode our bicycles from Park Road Park to the Tyvola Road/I-77 interchange. In 1976, we stood very near there and watched the WBT SkyShow that was shot off from the NCNB tower in downtown Charlotte.

So I’ve lived in and around this area, and during the ensuing 50plus years, I’ve driven up and down the I-77 corridor from North I-77 to South Carolina hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of times. That equals thousands of miles in that corridor.

I’m not blind to the congestion that’s there or the fantastic growth that we’ve had during that time period.

But I will point out that every single delegate on this board that represents Mecklenburg County, every single municipality, with the exception of the mayor of Pineville, who stepped out briefly but she would have voted to rescind as well, we all said we didn’t want this because we thought it was a bad project.

It didn’t become good in the last month. The project, in my opinion, is not a good project.

Senator (Vickie) Sawyer’s bill, which puts a gun to our head, and I’m sure some of the towns that have decided to flip their stance, I suspect, are doing it because they’re worried about the fiduciary impact to their taxpayers.

If we’re going to make decisions on this board with a gun to our head, we don’t need to have this board. We can have the state legislature decide where the federal money is spent.

Federal law mandates that we have a metropolitan planning organization here. It mandates that the state and us work together collaboratively and cooperatively. I don’t think Senator Sawyer’s bill in any way encompasses that goal.

The only good thing I can say about her bill or her amendment is that it does extend the time that the money would stay in the

CharlotteMecklenburg Schools leader Crystal Hill (right) listens during an AI Data Privacy Summit in May 2025. Photo courtesy of CMS

by John Higdon Matthews Mayor

Fifteen high school seniors were rewarded for their hard work recently at Windsor Run with college scholarships. Photo courtesy of Erickson Senior Living see HIGDON,

HIgdon

Kerr Driggs

ABA is missing from school budget HIGDON

by Roxanna Deshong-Myrie Contributor

’m here tonight to speak for the thousands of children with autism in CharlotteMecklenburg Schools who are being set up to fail because our budget completely ignores that they exist. The classroom is not a doctor’s office. It is a loud, crowded, unpredictable environment, the very same place where these children face their challenges, triggers as well as meltdowns.

Expecting general education teachers or traditional special education staff to manage these acute medical issues or crises

without dedicated behavioral experts is unrealistic. ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is not a luxury. It is a necessary, life-changing medical service. When a child has a meltdown, they are not misbehaving. They are communicating distress. Without a board-certified behavior analyst or behavioral technician to co-regulate or de-escalate and teach functional communication, the school’s default is becoming punitive. Children are suspended, classrooms are evacuated, learning stops, everyone loses. And when you pass a budget that fails to fund school-based ABA therapy, you aren’t actually saving money. You are moving that child, over a period,

from the classroom to the courtroom. Parents will sue, not out of spite but out of frustration and desperation for their child. CMS will find themselves trapped in a cycle of endless, expensive special education litigation that will drain millions of local taxpayer dollars in these legal fees and private tuition payouts. In our urban centers, where families cannot afford to privately pay for behavioral aides out of their own pockets, this funding gap is a crisis.

Roxanna Deshong-Myrie gave these remarks June 2 during the public comment period of the Mecklenburg commissioners meeting.

Budd opposes punishing communities for I-77 vote

Iby Laura Budd State Representative

represent House District 103, a portion of which is included within the proposed I-77 South Express Lanes corridor. Elected officials share a collective responsibility to build and preserve public trust. I want to set out in writing that I publicly oppose any attempt by the General Assembly to punish those municipalities which voted to rescind authority to move forward at this time with the I-77 South Express Lanes project.

While the history of how we arrived at the current moment is important, it is of immediate urgency that those of us in leadership define the values we want North Carolinians to believe that our government stands for. I acknowledge the frustrations on the part of the state-level authorities engaged in this project. I also understand and respect the role of local elected leaders and the significant concerns regarding the project that prompted the Charlotte City Council vote on May 11

followed by the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization vote on May 20. It is the announcement on June 11, however, that demands attention.

A member of the State Senate has asked that language be inserted into the state budget that would single out and punish Charlotte-Mecklenburg and any municipality that voted to withdraw its approval for the I-77 South Project. Such a response should concern anyone in a position of leadership, and we must stand up and speak out against conduct that is not only unlawful, but it is the antithesis of respect for the democratic processes.

As a Charlotte-Mecklenburg resident since 2002, and a State Representative since 2022, I am well-acquainted with the difficulty of developing and executing a strategy that balances the dual objectives

of providing a business and growth-oriented environment while simultaneously preserving a community’s culture, history and way of life. Historically, Charlotte-Mecklenburg has served as North Carolina’s leader in modeling policies of respect and progress while maintaining a strong supportive relationship with its business community partners. This partnership has served us well in that we are North Carolina’s economic powerhouse. It is unfortunate that local governments and the business community were unable to reach an agreement regarding how to address the I-77 South Project. What is unacceptable, however, is responding to that disagreement with punitive and potentially unlawful provisions inserted into an already overdue state budget. Such actions threaten both the state and our local economies, chill free speech and disrespect democracy. It is clear the current situation is emotionally intense for all sides, yet moments of disagreement are precisely when

REASONS

thoughtful leadership matters most. Decisions with longterm consequences should be grounded in sound public policy, not frustration or emotion. North Carolina is watching how we on the state level respond to the situation. Do we reply reactively or do we respond thoughtfully?

The path we choose will shape far more than the future of the I-77 South Project. It will define the relationship between Raleigh and Charlotte-Mecklenburg for decades to come, as well as profoundly influence Raleigh’s relationship with other municipalities. If we are committed to building and preserving the public’s trust in us as representatives of the State, elected or appointed, we must reject efforts to punish local governments for exercising their democratic authority. Leadership requires us to defend the integrity of our democratic institutions, even if one disagrees with the decisions they produce.

Laura Budd represents District 103 in the N.C. House of Representatives.

STIP. I’m all for that. Let’s find a better solution.

But the solution that’s been put forward, elevated toll lanes that are going to destroy lots of very nice historic neighborhoods and do very little to address congestion, that’s not something that I think we should do.

I don’t think we should make sure that everybody that follows us, our kids, grandkids and greatgrandkids, pay tolls, probably to a foreign entity, for the next 50 years to the tune of billions of dollars.

We need to find a better solution.

Frankly, I reject that the P3 is the only way we can go. Other communities have done it without doing P3s. They’ve broken the projects up into smaller pieces and come up with solutions that don’t require their citizens to continually pay tolls.

I heard a story today that I’ll share with you very quickly as I finish.

I was talking to a developer, and he said he hired a young associate that lived in Cornelius, and this person drove to the SouthPark area every day. He said, “Wow, this is great. I can go on the I-77 toll lanes,” not realizing what they cost.

He got his first bill after two months, and it was $1,500 for two months of driving the toll lanes each day.

So that’s clearly not an acceptable solution for workingclass people that live here.

We’ve got to do better, and we can’t do our jobs with a gun to our head. We have to work collaboratively with NCDOT and the state, and I hope we can do that. I hope the money will stay in the STIP and we can find a better solution.

Matthews Mayor John Higdon made these remarks June 17 during the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization meeting.

Budd

Experience nationally award-winning care at Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center.

Only 24 hospitals nationwide earn the Everest Award and Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center is one of them.

In fact, we’ve now earned it two years in a row.

We’re also a 2026 100 Top Hospital, ranking #2 in the nation among small community hospitals.

Out of more than 2,500 hospitals, this recognition comes down to one thing: better care. That means fewer complications, fewer readmissions and stronger patient outcomes.

Get better care from our award-winning team that delivers it every day.

Robert Carney, of the Cornelius Board of Commissioners, supported adding the vote.

“A lot has happened since that last vote took place,” Carney said. “I think there were comments prior that we needed to further investigate and further discuss. I think that is incredibly important.”

Weddington Mayor Jim Bell and Waxhaw Mayor Robert Murray III also supported adding the vote to the agenda.

“One of the comments I made last month was by voting to rescind, we were opening a potential can of worms filled with unknowns,” Murray said.

“In the last month, I think a lot of us have been educated on what some of those unknowns are, and we’re discovering the chickens are coming home to roost potentially, I think a new discussion with a new vote may be necessary.”

Matthews Mayor John Higdon preferred CRTPO members address the issue during the agenda item devoted to the I-77 South Express Lanes update.

“All the information can come out,” Higdon said. “Everybody can speak so there’s no need to vote tonight.”

Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox agreed with Driggs, Altman and Higdon.

“Putting this up for vote tonight has not given us any opportunity for enlightenment or additional information at this time,” Knox said.

David Jones, of the Statesville City Council, reiterated a comment he made last month that the CRTPO made a hasty

decision after Charlotte and Mecklenburg County discussed the project their boards but the other communities did not have that opportunity.

“Here we are coming back and saying we want to reconsider and talk about this vote and the impacts of this vote,” Jones said.

“I think it’s foolish to say, ‘nope, we don’t need to revote this. We need to move on.’ Here we are. We got several municipalities who are coming back to the table saying, ‘Wait a minute. We’ve got some further information that we foresee’ but yet, no we’re not going to reconsider. I think it’s an opportunity for further discussion and deliberation to understand the impacts of a decision that was made last month.”

CRTPO Chairman Brad Richardson, of the Stallings Town Council, had Kerr restate his motion:

“Reconsider the May 20, 2026, vote of this board to rescind its support of the October 2024 resolution passed by CRTPO related to the P3 delivery model of the I-77 South project.”

Kerr’s intention was for the discussion to lead to a vote but Richardson exerted his authority as CRTPO chairman.

“The chair wouldn’t allow that,” Richardson said. “The chair would allow the board to vote to add it to the agenda. That’s what we’re talking about now. The vote later would be to direct the board to reconsider. To Mr. Jones’ point, I’m not sure that anyone comes tonight prepared to speak for their entire board.” Richardson asked that a vote be held on a future date. Kerr accepted that as a friendly amendment.

CALENDAR

9:30-10 a.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Family Storytime Families engage with stories and songs through Family Storytime at Mint Hill Library. Registration starts in person 30 minutes before the event. cmlibrary.org/locations/Mint-Hill

9:30-10 a.m.; 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill

Paws to Read Children ages 5-11 read to a volunteer therapy dog at Matthews Library. Sign up for a 15-minute session upon arrival. Registration opens 15 minutes before the first session. cmlibrary.org/ locations/Matthews 10-11 a.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Chess Club The Family Chess Club learns and plays chess at Mint Hill Library. cmlibrary.org/locations/MintHill 3-4 p.m.; 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill

Family Fun Night Mint Hill Events hosts Family Fun Night at Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park. The festival includes a kids zone, food trucks, games and inflatables. https://www.minthillevents.org/ 6:30-9 p.m.; 8850 Fairview Road, Mint Hill

June 22 Family Storytime

Children ages 0-5 engage with stories and songs through Family Storytime at Matthews Library. Register at the train desk within 15 minutes of the program. cmlibrary.org/locations/Matthews

9:15-9:45 or 10:15-10:45 a.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Baby Storytime Children ages 0-2 build language and socialization skills in Baby Storytime at Mint Hill Library. Register for the event 30 minutes before the program. cmlibrary.org/locations/Mint-Hill

9:30-10 a.m.; 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill

Conversation Club Preteens and teens practice speaking Spanish during Intermediate Spanish Conversation Club at Matthews Library. cmlibrary.org/locations/ Matthews Noon-1 p.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Visit thecharlotteweekly.com for dozens more events

Family Storytime Families engage with stories and songs through Family Storytime at Mint Hill Library. Registration starts in person 30 minutes before the event. cmlibrary.org/locations/Mint-Hill 10:15-10:45 or 11-11:30 a.m.; 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill

Marvelous Math Children ages 3-5 engage in math-themed stories and activities during Preschool Storytime: Marvelous Math at Matthews Library. Register in advance at cmlibrary.org/locations/Matthews.

2-2:45 p.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

June 24 Baby Storytime Children ages 0-2 build language and socialization skills in Baby Storytime at Matthews Library. Register for the event 15 minutes before the program. cmlibrary.org/locations/Matthews 9:15-9:45 a.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Family Storytime Children ages 0-5 engage with stories and songs through Family Storytime at Matthews Library. Register at the train desk within 15 minutes of the program. cmlibrary.org/locations/Matthews

10:15-10:45 a.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Baby Storytime Children ages 0-2 learn literacy skills through Baby and Toddler Storytime at Matthews Library. Register at the train desk within 15 minutes of the program. cmlibrary.org/locations/Matthews

11:15-11:45 a.m. or noon-12:30 p.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Preschool Storytime Children ages 3-5 engage in stories and songs during Preschool Storytime at Mint Hill Library. Registration opens 30 minutes before the program. cmlibrary.org/locations/Mint-Hill

11:15-11:45 a.m.; 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill

Crafternoon Children ages 5-11 create art out of rocks during Crafternoon: Colorful Rocks at Mint Hill Library. cmlibrary.org/locations/Mint-Hill.

3:15-4:15 p.m.; 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill

Reading Reptiles Stevens Creek Nature Center leads a program on reptiles and amphibians during Parks & Recreation: Reading Reptiles at Matthews Library. Register in advance at cmlibrary.org/ locations/Matthews. 3-4 p.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

‘Hairspray’ coming to Matthews Playhouse stage MATTHEWS – Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts will present “Hairspray” as part of its 30th anniversary season.

The musical takes the stage July 10 to 26 at Matthews Community Center, 100 E. McDowell St. Tickets range from $20 to $30. Get them at MatthewsPlayhouse.com or by calling 704-846-8343.

Set in 1960s Baltimore, “Hairspray” follows Tracy Turnblad, a teen with big hair and even bigger dreams, as she fights for her place on a popular dance show. She advocates for inclusion and equality along the way.

The production is directed by Sidney Horton and choreographed by Rachel Peterson. Matthews Playhouse will offer a Pay What You Can Performance at 7:30 p.m. July 9 with a suggested donation of $10 per person.

This production is supported by Kate Clyde’s Catered Creations and Carolina Pets Animal Hospital. Cantina Louie is the restaurant partner.

engage with stories and songs through Family Storytime at Matthews Library. Register at the train desk within 15 minutes of the program. cmlibrary.org/locations/Matthews

10:15-10:45 or 11-11:30 a.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

MODERN, ELEVATED LIVING

Mix up the everyday

FEATURE IMPACT

Mplanning

Club It Up

Joining

For example, this savory, meat-free Lubiyeh recipe just may become a new household favorite. Featuring stewed green beans simmered in a vegan broth with the added kick of Aleppo pepper and sweet red pepper paste, it’s both bright and rich, and pairs well with rice, lavash or thin pita with a smattering of raw onions for a little extra punch.

Simplify Cleanup

Once the cookbooks have been shelved and the plates have been cleared, tackle the cleaning jobs with an option like the new Finish Ultimate Quantum –their breakthrough dishwashing detergent with Finish’s most advanced formula yet – offering an unbeatable clean even on tough stains in hard water (220 PPM).

This grandma-approved technique can help you conquer clean dishes, so it makes sense to switch.

Veg Out If meat is in constant rotation at your house, consider rotating in a Meatless Monday meal like pasta primavera, or celebrate your own version of Taco Tuesday with bean- or lentil-based tacos instead of chicken, pork or beef. Opting for vegetarian or vegan meals utilizing hearty veggies like squash, eggplant and potatoes can help you save money at the grocery store and nourish your body with hearthealthy nutrients.

Grow a Garden

Starting a garden may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. You can begin with a few herbs growing on a windowsill before embarking on a bigger outdoor gardening project, where transforming a small patch of earth for growing vegetables, herbs or berry bushes can be just the thing to elevate eating at home.

To learn more, visit finishdishwashing.com.

DINING SCORES

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

YMCA to sell Morrison property for $42.5M

CHARLOTTE –

The YMCA of Greater Charlotte’s board of directors has approved entering into a $42.5 million Purchase and Sale Agreement for the Morrison YMCA property. The buyer, Moments of Hope Church, plans to redevelop the property into its new home, expanding its ministry through community outreach initiatives such as sports programming and a possible future school.

(continued

The Morrison YMCA will remain open and fully operational through the anticipated closing in summer 2027. All programs, services, camps and member offerings will continue as scheduled during this time. Community partners that lease space within the facility will have the opportunity to continue to operate as usual through the anticipated closing date.

The YMCA said it remains committed to serving

families in Ballantyne and across South Charlotte. Members at the Morrison center will continue to have access to all YMCA locations, including nearby Sara’s YMCA in Ballantyne as well as Brace YMCA, Hemby Program Center and Harris YMCA.

As planning continues, the YMCA plans to offer many of the programs currently available at Morrison through nearby YMCA centers or other

alternative neighborhood locations.

Additional details about how and where those programs and services will be delivered will be shared in the coming months.

Leaders from the Morrison YMCA and the Morrison Advisory Board will play a role in reimagining how the Y can best serve that area.

In addition, a portion of the sale proceeds will be reinvested in a broader South Charlotte strategy that includes expanding program capacity, enhancing nearby YMCA facilities and developing additional communitybased programming for local members and families.

“We know the Morrison YMCA has been a meaningful place for many members, families and staff,” said Sue Glass, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte.

“We are approaching this transition with care and respect for the relationships built there. While this decision represents a significant change, it also creates an opportunity to

strengthen how we serve communities across our region in the years ahead.”

The Morrison sale is accelerating several priorities identified through YMCA’s strategic plan, including projects at the Johnston YMCA, Stratford Richardson YMCA, Harris YMCA and Hemby Program Center, with additional investments planned across its network of centers.

At the Johnston YMCA campus in NoDa, the YMCA is pursuing a redevelopment approach that preserves its presence in the neighborhood while modernizing and strengthening the center.

The Y will continue to own and operate the main facility, and a recently secured $5 million federal appropriation will help support future improvements and further strengthen the campus as a vibrant gathering space for NoDa families and residents, officials said.

“Strong stewardship requires bold decisions and long-term thinking,” said Jeff Brown, chair of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte

Board of Directors and Partner at Moore & Van Allen. “Our board is committed to investing in the people, programs and facilities that make the YMCA such an integral part of our community. As we build on more than 150 years of service to the Charlotte region, we are honoring the Y’s legacy while positioning it to meet the needs of future generations.”

The YMCA is in the early stages of a comprehensive campaign designed to support the next chapter of its mission and impact across Greater Charlotte.

The Morrison sale is an instrumental step toward that vision, officials said.

“Our mission depends on organizational strength,” Glass said. “To scale our impact, we need strong centers, strong teams and strong financial stewardship. This work is about building a YMCA that is ready for the next generation of Charlotte –one that is deeply connected to community need and positioned to deliver longterm impact for families across our region.”

Sr. Sales Representative - SIBP, Continental Tire The Americas, LLC, Fort Mill, SC: Solicit bus. w/ established dealers & end users in the material handling, earthmoving & port segments w/in area of geographic resp. (MI, IN, & OH).

100% telecomm permitted in MI, OH or IN. Domestic travel req. up to 75%.

To Apply, email resume w/ 242519 in subject line to Recruitment.Tire@conti-na.com.

Kaizen Software Systems Inc. (Charlotte, NC) seeks:

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Charlotte Area Chamber events

CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce hosts Coffee with the Chamber and a ribbon cutting.

• Members mingle during Coffee with the Chamber from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. June 23 at Coast Personnel Services, 9813 South Blvd., Charlotte. Members get in free. Others pay $5. Register in advance.

• Members celebrate the grand opening with a ribbon cutting of Fit To Page Marketing and Print from 2 to 4 p.m. June 24 at 322 W. 32nd St., Charlotte. Register in advance. Visit charlotteareachamber.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.

Mint Hill Chamber events

MINT HILL – The Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce hosts Business After Hours and a Women’s Networking Breakfast.

• Members network during Business After Hours from 5 to 6:30 p.m. June 23 at Empire Pizza, 7024 Brighton Park Drive, Mint Hill. Register in advance.

• Adlore Casseus, of The Ascend Revenue Group, speaks at the Women’s Networking Breakfast from 8:30 to 10 a.m. June 25 at Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center, 8201 Healthcare Loop, Charlotte. Register in advance.

• Ambassadors meet up for a meeting from 4:30 to 6 p.m. June 30 at Shep’s Bar & Grill, 8111 Fairview Road, Mint Hill. Visit minthillchamberofcommerce.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.

Pineville NC Chamber events

PINEVILLE – The Pineville NC Chamber of Commerce hosts the Chamber Monthly Networking Social.

• Members mingle during the Chamber Monthly Networking Social from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 25 at Dave & Buster’s, 11049 Carolina Place Pkwy., Pineville. Register in advance. Visit pinevillencchamber.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.

Union County Chamber events

MONROE – The Union County Chamber of Commerce hosts the 2026 Safety Awards Banquet.

• The chamber hosts the 2026 Safety Awards Banquet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 25 at Union County Agricultural Center, 3230 Presson Road, Monroe. Members pay $30. Others pay $40. Register in advance. Visit unioncountycoc.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.

Soft. Engr.: Dev. & maint. web apps using JavaScript, Python, React & Node.js. Agile envt. MS in CS/CE or rel. + 1 yr exp req. Freq. travl. DevOps Engr.: Design & manage cloud infra w/ AWS & Terraform. MS in CS/CE or rel. + 1 yr exp req. Freq. travl. Apply: nirav.patel@kaizensoftwaresystems.com . EOE.

Allspring Global Investments Holdings, LLC in Charlotte, NC seeks Net. Eng. Lead w/ Bach. or frgn. eqv. in Mgmt. Info. Syst., Comp. Sci., or other tech. rel. fld. & 5 yr exp. as a Net. Eng. Lead or sub. sim. pos. 100% telecommuting permitted anywhere in the US (some states excluded). Salary: $149,000 - $160,000/yr. Actual base sal. may vary based upon, but not ltd. to, rel. exp., time in role, base sal., internal peers, prior perf., bus. sector, & geo. loc. In addition to base sal., the competitive comp. pkg. may incl., depending on the role, participation in an incentive prog. linked to perf. (for ex., ann. discretionary bonus prog., or other ann. or non-ann. incentive or sales plans). Send resume to Alison.McGlincy@allspringglobal.com (Ref. No. 3851).

Watch out for rental scams

RALEIGH – Attorney General Jeff Jackson and North Carolina Real Estate Commission Chair William Aceto are warning North Carolinians to be careful when searching for rental housing online.

Scammers are creating fake listings, impersonating landlords or property owners and stealing money from people trying to rent a home or apartment.

“Scammers use fake listings and pressure tactics to push prospective renters to act quickly,” Jackson said. “If you feel rushed or something seems too good to be true, listen to that instinct. Take time to verify the details before sending any money.”

Aceto said scammers are counting on consumers to act quickly, not carefully.

“The best defense is to slow down and verify before you pay,” Aceto said. “If someone pressures you to send a deposit without giving you the opportunity to confirm the property and the identity of the landlord or broker, that is a significant warning sign. A few simple steps – confirming ownership, viewing the property and working with a licensed real estate broker whenever possible – can help prevent devastating financial losses.”

How rental scams work

Scammers often post fake rental listings online and on social media using photos and details copied from real property listings. The houses or apartments may actually exist, but the person advertising the properties doesn’t own or manage them.

To reach more interested renters, they may advertise a property at a lower price than similar homes or apartments in the area.

These scammers usually insist on communicating only by text, email or messaging apps. They often claim they are out of town, traveling for work or use another excuse that prevents them from meeting in person. In some cases, scammers may even provide the correct access code to a property so potential renters can tour the home themselves, making the listing seem more believable.

Once scammers know someone is

interested in the property, they may send lease agreements and other documents that look legitimate. They may also create a sense of urgency by saying multiple people are interested in the property or that the rental will not stay available for long, pressuring renters to quickly send deposits or other payments.

Before you send money or share

personal information

• Verify the Seller’s Identity: Search public property records to confirm the name of the owner matches the person advertising the rental. Be cautious if the name, phone number or email address does not match public information.

• Visit the Property in Person: Tour the property before sending money. Be cautious if the landlord refuses to meet in person or only communicates through text or email.

Ask Questions About the Property: Ask specific questions about the home or apartment to confirm the person knows details about the property. Scammers may avoid direct answers or provide vague information.

Watch for Prices That Seem

Too Good to Be True: Be cautious of listings priced far below similar rentals in the area. Scammers often use low prices to quickly attract interest.

Review Lease Documents

Carefully: Lease agreements and rental documents can look professional even when they are fake. Take time to review documents carefully and verify the landlord before signing anything or sending money.

• Be Careful with Pressure Tactics: Scammers will often pressure you to act quickly so you don’t have time to fully research the listing or verify the landlord. Never send money before thoroughly checking that the property and person advertising it are legitimate.

The Consumer Protection Division protects North Carolina consumers from scams and fraud. Call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or file a complaint online at ncdoj.gov/ complaint if you spot a scam.

Common Heart marks 20 years of summer hunger relief

INDIAN TRAIL – For 20 summers, Common Heart has been providing hunger relief in Union County.

The nonprofit is serving more than 10,000 neighbors each month through 13 pantry locations and expects those numbers to grow over the next few months.

“Summer is one of the hardest times of the year for families already facing food insecurity,” said Keith Adams, executive director and co-founder. “When children lose access to school meals and household expenses continue to rise, many parents are forced to make impossible choices. Add that to our current economic conditions with inflation and high gas prices and it’s just the perfect storm.”

Adams said Common Heart has been promoting ‘a small revolution of kindness’ and the community has responded to help our neighbors facing food insecurity. He’s confident this summer will be no different.

“Our community has been stepping up for two decades and I know that kindness will come through this summer,” he said. “Yes, the need is growing, but so is the opportunity for our community to come together and make a real difference.”

As food supplies tighten and demand continues to increase, Common Heart is calling on the community to support this

year’s summer hunger relief efforts through donations, volunteer service and advocacy.

“Every act of kindness matters,” Adams said. “Whether it’s a financial gift, volunteering, hosting a food drive or sharing our social media posts to spread awareness, our community has the power to ensure that families are fed this summer and hope remains within reach.”

In addition to groceries, Common Heart offers Economic Empowerment programs to help under-resourced families move out of poverty and into stability. The Getting Ahead focus group offers resource-building and provides a $40 Walmart gift card as well as free dinner and childcare for every session. Getting Ahead graduates have the opportunity to enroll in the Emergency Savings Incentive Plan and earn $500 deposited into a savings account. Applications are being accepted online now for the next Getting Ahead focus group which begins June 30 in Marshville. On the web: CommonHeart.org

Want to help?

A $20 donation to Common Heart will provide a bag of food for one child. Donations of any amount can be given online at Donate. CommonHeart.org or mail a check (payable to Common Heart) to: PO Box 2761, Indian Trail, NC 28079.

The community has helped Common Heart meet the growing demand for food donations in Union County. Photo courtesy of Common Heart