Morning Minute: Wednesday, August 12, 2020

News About Town: A series of earthquakes shook North Carolina Saturday and Sunday. The sixth and strongest of the quakes registered at a moderate 5.1 magnitude originating near Sparta, NC, shaking homes in Matthews just after 8 am on Sunday morning.

News Around Town: Matthews Artist Guild is currently exhibiting in the Novant Matthews lobby. Though the show is only open to employees, patients, and their families, it can be viewed online here. The exhibit features the artwork of 30 MAG members, including several new members.

Morning Minute: Tuesday, August 11, 2020

News About Town: During the Monday, August 10 Board of Commissioner’s meeting, the Board authorized Chief of Police Clark Pennington to establish and move forward with a Matthews Police Advisory Committee. According to the memo on the agenda, the focus of the Committee will be to continue the process of building trust and legitimacy with the Matthews community through an audit of policies, protocols, and practices.

News Around Town: Last week, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that it would be ending its in-person operations earlier than expected, but will increase staff to compensate for the difference in census-taking hours. The program will end on September 30, for households to self-respond to the Census by mail, email, or phone, a month earlier than previously cited. 

Currently 59.4% of North Carolinians have responded to the census; in Matthews 74.7% of people have responded.

One Good Thing: It’s getting hot out there and the summer heat can be serious when there’s no relief in sight. The Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services - Services for Adults is providing free fans to qualifying seniors (ages 60+) and adults ages 18-59 who receive disability income. Limit one per household, while supplies last.  For more information, please contact Yvonne Brown at Yvonne.Brown@mecknc.gov.    

Morning Minute: Monday, August 10, 2020

News About Town: Don’t forget the Board of Commissioners meeting is tonight at 7 pm. Watch on YouTube or Zoom. Several advisory board meetings are coming up. The Matthews Committee on Education meets remotely on Tuesday at 6:30 pm, then the Environmental Advisory Committee meets at 7 (also remote). The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Committee will meet Wednesday, August 12, at 6:30 pm via Zoom. 

One Good Thing: The City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and The Housing Partnership have are collaboratively providing options for rent, utility, and mortgage relief to those who have been impacted by COVID-19. Applications are available for property owners as well as tenants, and may take 48 hours to process once all information has been provided.

Morning Minute: Friday, August 7, 2020

News About Town: As the first day of school draws closer, the Town of Matthews wants to know about parents’ needs. Parks and Rec is busy developing programming for the 20/21 school year and recognizes there will be families with differing childcare needs. Fill out this survey to help the department make decisions about fall offerings.

News Around Town: Yard Art Day is coming up September 7 (Labor Day). Created by Charlotte photographer Deborah Triplett, Yard Art Day engages the public in the realm of art in a COVID-compliant manner. To participate, there are a few rules: someone in the household must be the art maker, it should be viewable from the street, it can be any medium (performance and music included), and no selling. Registration is now open, and Matthews residents are welcome to participate.

One Good Thing: Although we’ll be away from each other tomorrow, it’s an important day for every community: August 8th is National Zucchini Day. How does one celebrate? By sneaking some zucchini onto your neighbor's porch, of course. It’s Zoodle time, y’all!

Morning Minute: Thursday, August 6, 2020

News About Town: The Board of Commissioners meeting agenda is available online. Once again, the meeting will be conducted remotely. To watch live, the meeting is available via Zoom (link here, meeting starts at 7 pm, Monday, June 8). A livestream of the meeting will also be available via the Town of Matthews YouTube Channel. To listen live, call toll free 888-788-0099 and enter meeting ID 925 6543 2799. For more information, including the process for public comment, visit the town website.

News Around Town: Matthews seniors (ages 60 and above) are entitled to one free COVID-19 Home Disinfecting Service, sponsored by Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services and Bio-One. 

Bio-One will complete a one-time COVID-19 disinfecting service, applying a Centers for Disease Control/EPA approved chemical to surfaces within the home including doorknobs, handles and light switches. The chemical is safe for children and pets, but residents are asked to leave their homes for a three hour window. With many variables in home settings, this disinfecting service can not guarantee coronavirus eradication but may help reduce the spread.

For an appointment (required), call 980-314-6800, or email SFA-Events@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, August 5, 2020

News About Town: If you’re not familiar with Town Advisory Boards, these boards provide an opportunity for community members to play a role in the creation of town-wide policy. Advisory Boards discuss relevant topics and provide a consensus opinion to the Board of Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners takes the consensus under consideration for their decision-making. The Citizen Participation Handbook gives the who/what/where. If you are interested in serving, submit an application to Town Clerk Lori Canapinno before end of business on August 21, 2020.

News Around Town: Opioid use doesn’t limit itself to city or town boundaries and Matthews is not immune to the crisis. This Thursday, August 6, at 8:30 am, Mecklenburg County’s Substance Use Disorder Task Force will participate in the Opioid Response Project, an online forum sharing the methods local communities are using to address the opioid epidemic. The task force is one of ten agencies statewide to participate and will aid in developing a countywide policy and response to the opioid epidemic. For additional information call (919) 966-4414.

One Good Thing: So far 2020 hasn’t been so fun, so if you have a good thing or fun thing we should highlight, let us know. We’re ready to shine a light on all that is good and fun in 28105!

Morning Minute: Tuesday, August 4, 2020

News Around Town: Mystery seeds from China are making their way to mail boxes across the US, including right here in Matthews. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investigating this and asks that you DO NOT plant the seeds. Also, contact either the State Plant Regulatory Official or the State Plant Health Director. Here in Matthews, also share the info with local police on their non emergency phone line.

One Good Thing: Missing the bounties of summer but can’t make it to the Farmers’ Market? Stop by Renfrow’s this week. They’ll have tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, potatoes, beets, carrots, okra, garlic, and flower bouquets. Plus, Renfrow’s has a well-planned social distancing process for in-store shopping.

Morning Minute: Monday, August 3, 2020

News About Town: The Town calendar shows several advisory board meetings coming up. The Economic Development Advisory Committee will meet remotely on Tuesday, August 4, at 4:30 pm. The public may join via phone or Zoom.  The Silver Line Task Force and the Veterans Advisory Committee will both meet on Wednesday, August 5 at 7 pm. To watch the Silver Line meeting, follow the instructions here. The Veterans meeting details denote an in-person meeting.

News Around Town: It’s National Farmer’s Market Week and we owe a great deal of gratitude for our local market. Though we frequently talk about the Matthews Community Farmers’ Market, how much do you know about their history?
Started in 1991, after Matthews had undergone an enormous shift from being less of a centralized agricultural community to more of a Charlotte suburb, the market founders created the market to support local farms and operate as a community hub.
Now the Matthews’ market is the largest producer-only farmers' market in the greater Charlotte area.  according to their website, “All market products, except fish, are grown, raised or made within 50 miles of Matthews.​  Fish is caught on the NC coast and brought to market by the fisherman.”
For sixteen years the market operated chiefly through the summer, and in 2007 the winter market was added. Now a year-round Farmers’ Market, the only Saturday the market is closed is the one after Thanksgiving.

Morning Minute: Friday, July 31, 2020

News Around Town: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education had an emergency meeting yesterday and discussed reopening plans for the 20/21 school year. The hour and forty+ minute meeting covered plans for students with IEPs and 504s before Board members presented their own thoughts on whether schools should move to all-remote learning. Most members stated COVID numbers are still too high for in-person learning. Superintendent Earnest Winston explained 70 members of the transportation department self-quarantined in July due to COVID-19. He also pointed out a CMS shortage of more than 40 nurses and explained the initiatives to fill those vacancies. District 6 Representative Sean Strain felt reopening was not possible simply because the school system was not prepared and that area COVID cases are stable or improving.

News Around Town II: Autobell Car Wash has announced scholarship recipients for the 2020-21 academic year. Applicants were from throughout the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, and Maryland.

With consideration for exemplary character and academic achievement, the scholarships were open to current Autobell team members employed with the company for a continuous 12 months. The following Matthews seniors received scholarships: Marshall Hildebrand (University of North Carolina Charlotte), Alexandra Lee (University of North Carolina Chapel Hill), Hunter Rast (Appalachian State University), Kaitlyn Rast (Central Piedmont Community College), Nicole Viebrock (Carolinas College of Health Sciences), Adam Ward (North Carolina State University).

Morning Minute: Thursday, July 30, 2020

News Around Town: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education may reconsider school reopening at a meeting later today (July 30). The Board is holding is a remote emergency meeting at 2 pm and will also discuss the calendar for middle and early college programs. Currently over 50,000 students are enrolled in the Full Remote Academy, which is about a third of the student population. which is about a third of the student population. Watch the meeting on the BoE’s Facebook page.

One Good Thing: It’s time again for the Habitat for Humanity Sandy Marano Memorial Women Build. Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity is seeking sponsors for this build. If your business or group is interested, email sarah@matthewshabitat.org.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, July 29, 2020

News About Town: From tentatively scheduling two Food Truck Fridays in August, to summer camps for elementary-aged kids, the Town of Matthews Parks, Rec, and Cultural Resource Department is working hard to continue fun and important programming while taking safety precautions for all summer camps and programs. For classes in Town buildings, expect daily health screenings, constant cleaning, and staff wearing masks. Want to know what they’ve got planned? Check out the newsletter for more info.

News Around Town: Seattle-based MOD Super-Fast Pizza Holdings recently purchased 13 existing MOD Pizza locations in North Carolina. This purchase includes the Matthews location, which was previously owned and operated by SD Holdings, a Matthews-based multibrand restaurant franchisee that filed for bankruptcy just before COVID-19 struck earlier this year.

One Fun Thing: Not quite 60% of Mecklenburg County residents have filled out the 2020 Census.  The 2020 Census deadline has been extended to October, though, so there’s still time. The process online is pretty quick, but responding by phone or mail are other options. Visit MeckCounts2020 for all your burning census questions. 

Morning Minute: Tuesday, July 28, 2020

News About Town: Last night, the Board of Commissioners voted to extend remote meetings through the month of August. Those meetings will be August 10 and 24.

News Around Town: Area schools are holding their own information sessions to answer questions related to the Opening of Schools for the 2020/21 school year.

• Crown Point Elementary has a central website for distance learning. Contact the school at 980-343-6535 for upcoming informational sessions.

• Elizabeth Lane Elementary started question and answer sessions yesterday, but more days are available. The PTA recently shared information about how to sign up.

• Matthews Elementary will hold sessions by grade level on August 3: Kindergarten at 4:00 pm, First and Second Grade at 5:00 pm, and Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade at 5:00 pm.  Visit this link to find out more information and how to submit questions.

• Crestdale Middle hosted a parent meeting on July 23. The recording can be viewed here. If your child attends Crestdale, hotspot requests must be made by July 31.

• On July 24, Principal Golden, from Butler High School, recorded a Live Stream session addressing questions regarding the upcoming school year. Butler students can learn more about the online learning program through this tutorial. The school also has a dedicated tech helpline; submit a ticket here.

One Fun Thing: If the season got too hot for gardening, but you’re looking for a reason to get outside, Renfrow’s is offering three gardening courses. Check out the offerings and extend your knowledge-growing season with Matthews’ favorite agriculturalists.

Morning Minute: Monday, July 27, 2020

News About Town: This week there is a Planning Board meeting on July 28 at 7 pm. This meeting will be held remotely. There is also a remote Cultural Diversity Committee meeting at the same time. The July Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting has been postponed until August 4.

News Around Town: Since the beginning of Safer At Home measures, Mecklenburg County has seen a reduction in traffic counts by nearly 40%.  This decreased traffic is associated with lower air pollution readings at the County’s near-road monitoring sites. Learn more about the County's Air Quality Monitoring Program online. Want to monitor Matthews’ air quality? Check it out.   

Morning Minute: Friday, July 24, 2020

News About Town: In keeping with the spirit of the Governor’s Executive Order, which limits bars from opening while allowing restaurants to serve alcohol, restaurants are now prohibited from serving alcohol after 11 pm. A recent joint proclamation between Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, and the towns of Davidson, Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville added this restriction to slow the spread of COVID-19. The restriction prohibits restaurants that also sell alcohol to close between 11 pm and 5 am. Restaurants that do not sell alcoholic beverages may stay open later. The restrictions also prohibit sitting or standing at bars for food and beverage consumption at restaurants.

News Around Town: It’s that time of year to celebrate the glut of tomatoes. There’s no better place in the ‘105 to pick up a variety of locally grown heirloom ‘maters than the Matthews Community Farmers’ Market. While you’re there, pick up a watermelon, peaches, blueberries, and blackberries. Not a fan of fruit? Charlotte Fish Company will have line caught fish straight from the ocean, while several vendors will have jams, salsas, and preserved delights.

One Fun Thing: Wipe it down. Wipe. (Also: Gross, McGuirt. Gross.)

Morning Minute: Thursday, July 23, 2020

Matthews During Phase II

Happy Wednesday, neighbors! The heat is on, but the thunderstorms have been watering the garden, so there's a nice little weather balance going on these days. What's new?

News About Town: The agenda has been posted for the Monday, July 27 Board of Commissioners meeting. Watch via Zoom or on the Town of Matthews YouTube Channel. You may also listen by phone by calling 888-788-0099 (Toll Free) or 877-853-5247 (Toll Free) and entering meeting ID 953 0971 2009. Public comments should be directed to Town Clerk Lori Canapinno by 5 pm (3 pm for budget comments) the day of the meeting.

News Around Town: In March, Governor Cooper signed an Executive Order prohibiting utility companies from turning off utilities as part of COVID-19 response. In June, that Executive Order was extended through the end of July. It is not expected for the Governor to extend the order again. The moratorium included a ban for late fees, penalties, and other charges for failure to pay; and an extension for repayment plans at least six months.