News About Town: The deadline to Deck the House has been extended to December 13. How many lights and blow up decor will it take to win the grand prize? What will that electric bill look like? Find out firsthand and you may just win a prize. Make things shine, Clark Griswold. Need inspiration? This house at 1010 Elsmore Dr., Matthews, NC 28104 sets the gold standard.

News Around Town: Yesterday, NCDHHS tweeted, “The virus is upon us with a rapid viciousness we haven’t seen before.” The grim statement was reflective of positives hitting record highs three of the last seven days. In Matthews, current congregate living outbreaks include three cases (two staff, one resident) at WillowBrooke Court at Matthews Glen, 27 cases at Carrington Place - Matthews (17 staff, 10 residents, 3 deaths), and school outbreaks include eight cases at Covenant Day (all eight are students). The Governor issued a new Executive Order which will enact a Modified Stay-At-Home Order beginning Friday. This EO requires non-essential businesses (retail, gyms, restaurants, and more) to close between 10 pm and 5 am and alcohol sales to cease at 9 pm. This Executive Order is set to expire January 8.

Our Teacher Appreciation Drive Needs You! We still have spots to sponsor a teacher for the week or donate gift cards for our Teacher Appreciation Drive! Donate a gift card or five days of gifts (we have a schedule of suggested items on the sign up sheet) and delight a C.O.S. Kids teacher this season.