News About Town: This past Wednesday, February 27, the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC), the policy board for the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), approved going forward with the 2030 Plan,which includes the Silver Line light rail. Mayor Paul Bailey represents Matthews on the MTC.

The proposed Silver Line will run from Belmont to Matthews, ending at the Central Piedmont Community College Levine campus. The line will cost at least $1 billion and is projected to be complete by 2030.

News Around Town: In February, the Matthews Free Medical Clinic celebrated their 15th anniversary. Launched in 2004, the free clinic has been seeing patients in their offices on Trade Street since April of 2013.

Initially offering primary care one evening a week, the clinic now offers a full range of services Monday through Friday to low income, uninsured patients in Mecklenburg and Union Counties.

One Fun Thing:  Tomorrow (March 2) , the Matthews Heritage Museum (232 North Trade St.) is hosting open house from 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with free museum admission. This is your chance to learn about the history of Crestdale, an area settled by freed slaves. Though entirely surrounded by Matthews, Crestdale was its own community up until the 80s, when the Town of Matthews annexed it. Learn about the families who built the community, as well as current residents’ plans for the future.