Morning Minute: Thursday, March 21, 2019

News About Town:  Work will begin on the addition of the Weddington Road/I-485 Interchange soon. The project is fully funded and is being bundled with the I-485 Express Lane project. Express lanes are toll lanes for those who, as NCDOT phrases it, want “more reliable travel times.” Construction includes an auxiliary lane on both outer and inner I-485 as well. The contract for the project was awarded on September 20, 2018 to Blythe Construction, Inc., construction is expected to begin this summer, and open to traffic in 2022.The Town of Matthews is contributing funds for a 10-foot wide multi-use path and 8-foot planting strip along Weddington Road inside of I-485 and a 7.5-foot wide path along Weddington Road past I-485.

News Around Town: House Representative Rachel Hunt and County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez McDowell will be at Matthews Town Hall(232 Matthews Station St.) this Sunday, March 24 from 3 to 5 p.m. Representative Hunt and Commissioner McDowell have invited constituents to come and share the important issues concerning the residents of Matthews.  

One Good Thing: This Friday (March 22) join Arts Delivered!, KidzArt, and Abrakadoodle at the  McDowell Art Studio (123 E. McDowell St.) for a free open house. If your kid is at Matthews Elementary pick them up and swing on by. Get a peek into the spring class line up and summer camp offerings. Give your kid a chance to try out some art activities to see if they’re a good fit. Art demos will be available for all ages, just stop in anytime between 3:00 and 4:30 p.m.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, March 20, 2019

News About Town:  On Monday, March 11, the Town Board of Commissioners voted to initiate the rezoning of three commercial properties, all of which are currently zoned for light industrial. Bob Henderson, lawyer and representative of the Brigman family (owners of two parcels), spoke against the motion to begin the rezoning process. Mr. Henderson stated the family wasn’t made aware of the vote prior to the Town Council meeting and explained the downzoning does not reflect the focus of the Entertainment District plans. Mr. Henderson further explained that downzoning devalues the property, and as a result, may interrupt current arrangements for the sale of the Brigman properties. According to county documents, the Brigman family purchased the property in the 1940s from the Bost family, a prominent family in what was then known as Morning Star Township (now Matthews). The Board unanimously approved initiating the process of rezoning each parcel to Single-Family Residential.

News Around Town: This past Friday, March 15, an antique Shell Gasoline sign was stolen from Vintage Keepers, the antique and vintage store at the corner of Matthews Street and Trade Street. The sign is worth approximately $700. Anyone with information regarding the theft is encouraged to contact Matthews PD.

One Good Thing: Join the Matthews Historical Foundation to hear about the Matthews Heritage Museum’s exhibit, “Tank Town: A Good Place to Live.” Museum Director Barbara Taylor will present the history of the churches, the shot-gun schoolhouse, and the Matthews Colored School. The presentation will be held at the Woman's Club (208 S. Trade Street) Tuesday, March 26, at 7 p.m.
The event is free to Foundation members, and $5.00 for non-members. For more information, call Becky (704-846-6693). 

Morning Minute: Tuesday, March 19, 2019

News About Town: This week is National Poison Prevention Week. In an effort to prevent unintentional poisoning the Matthews Police Department will be hosting Operation Medicine Drop this Wednesday, (March 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the police station, 1201 Crews Road). The event creates awareness to the proper disposal of unused and/or expired medications. Keeping medications out of the wrong hands is the first step in preventing accidental poisoning. In fact, unintentional poisoning is the leading cause of injury death, surpassing motor vehicle deaths. 
The Police Department asks that you bring all medications to this event that are no longer being used or are expired. Items include: Over-the-counter drugs, prescriptions, sample medications, and pet medications. NO SYRINGES – Here’s how to dispose of syringes.

Mittens is a 1-year old male available for adoption through the Greater Charlotte SPCA.

News Around Town: Some parents dropping their kids off at Matthews Elementary yesterday morning were surprised by the enforcement of traffic rules. According to the MES Parent Handbook, distributed at the beginning of year, car riders must enter on the south side of the school where staff assist with getting children to their classrooms. McDowell Street is then left with clear flow-through for CMS buses transporting MES children. School administration will continue to monitor traffic patterns for enhanced student safety.

One Good Thing: If you’re a cat lover, the Greater Charlotte SPCA has the volunteer gig for you. The GCSPCA takes care of the kitties up for adoption at PetSmart in Windsor Square and they need a few loving volunteers to help. Volunteers feed cats, clean their enclosures, and help socialize the felines while they wait for their furever home! Let’s be honest, "socializing" = self serve cat therapy! One shift takes an hour (or more if you really want to help those kitties). Find more information at charlottespca.org/volunteer. Kids are welcome to volunteer with an adult present.