ANALYSIS | Dave Yochum May 20. It’s the most logical thing in the world: Assessing impact fees for new commercial and residential developments that place new burdens on infrastructure like schools and roads. Thing is, in North Carolina, they’re illegal. The NC Supreme Court disallowed impact fees after rulings in two cases. Municipalities were abusing […]
May 20. By Dave Vieser. It was a quick, quiet town board meeting on Monday evening. With Mayor Woody Washam away, Mayor Pro Tem Scott Higgins ran the meeting in front of a small audience. Proposed budget: Only one citizen asked to speak about the proposed 2026 budget, which would hold the line on the […]
May 20. As migratory birds return to the slopes and valleys of western North Carolina this spring and summer, conservation leaders are encouraging birders to return with them. Across the region, communities are eager to spring back in the wake of Hurricane Helene. By returning to enjoy migration hotspots, birders can help bolster local economies […]
Monday, May 19 Golfing for Good 9 am | May 19. The day will feature: 18 holes of golf; breakfast sandwich and coffee, lunch and beverages; contests, raffle prizes and giveaways. Benefits Ada Jenkins center. Must register. Mooresville Golf Club, 205 Golf Course Dr., Mooresville 28115. Tuesday, May 20 Armour After Dark: Now Are the […]
May 19. By Dave Vieser. Tonight will be the first time residents have an opportunity to tell commissioners what they think about the proposed $39.4 million 2026 Cornelius town budget. First blush shows some good news for taxpayers: The tax rate would stay 17.31 cents per $100 valuation. That amounts to approximately $865 in local […]
May 19. Mecklenburg County’s “Sundown Sounds Music Series” returns to three Mecklenburg County parks, including Ramsey Creek Park on Nantz Road on June 20, July 18 and Aug. 15. The free, family-friendly concert series is hosted at Eastway Regional Recreation Center, Pearl Street Park and Ramsey Creek Beach. Music begins at 7:30 pm each night. The line-up: […]
NEWSMAKERS BREAKFAST | Mark Washburn May 16. Two dog bites and a game of pickleball were the unexpected sparks that led to two new local businesses, participants learned at the Newsmakers Breakfast April 24 at The Peninsula Club. Speaking on entrepreneurship, Robin Salzman and John Bradford detailed the quirky inspirations that led each into a […]
May 16. The 250th Anniversary of Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence will be observed May 17, starting at 10 am with a parade from Tanner’s Creek in Huntersville to Hopewell on Beaties Ford Road. Mecklenburg County patriots declared their independence from King George in Great Britain more than a year ahead of the rest of the […]
Dear EarthTalk: Which U.S.-based Fortune 500 companies are turning their backs on previous climate commitments, and which are forging ahead toward carbon neutrality? – L.J., via email May 16. Many Fortune 500 companies have pledged ambitious climate goals, including net-zero emissions and investing in renewable energy. But while some are making meaningful progress, others are […]
May 15. By Dave Yochum. Mecklenburg County Manager Dena R. Diorio is proposing a $2.5 billion budget with a 1.6%, or $39 million, increase over the current budget which ends June 30. It would mean a county tax rate of 49.27 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, or a 0.96-cent increase in the county tax […]