Morning Minute: Monday, March 21, 2022

News About Town: More than 11,000 Duke Energy customers were without power Friday morning when a mobile transformer at the East John St Duke Energy substation caught fire. Units from Charlotte, Stallings, Wesley Chapel, Waxhaw, and Matthews fire departments as well as Bakers Volunteer Fire Department, Unionville volunteer fire departments assisted in controlling the flames after the fire was initially reported around 7:30am. The Charlotte Fire Department's Hazmat Response Unit, Foam Unit, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management also responded, due to the mineral oil burning within the transformer. The fire was declared under control at approximately 10:30 am. There were no injuries and Duke Energy is investigating the cause of the fire.

Nancy Reid, circa 1920, image courtesy of the Matthews Heritage Museum

News Around Town: The Reid House at 134 W. John Street is an iconically “Matthews" site and is one of the few surviving structures in Matthews from the Victorian era. Matthews Heritage Museum's exhibit: Rediscovering the Reids depicts two Reid families, joined by the marriage of Ellie Reid Bell and Dr. T. N. Reid. With no known relation between the two Reid families, the museum presents new research that explains who they were and how they came to settle in Matthews. The display introduces Ellie's brother, who built the home, explains the role of one Reid in the incorporation of Matthews, and provides insight into the preceding generations of both families who lived in and around the area.  

The exhibit closes June 25, 2022. Open Thursday – Saturday from 10am to 4:30pm. Entry fee: $4 for adults, $2 for children 10 to 17, and Free under 10. The first Saturdays of the month are free.

One Fun Thing: NCWorks and SC Works Career Centers are hosting The Job Fair of the Carolinas, a hybrid job fair, this Thursday, March 24 both online and in-person at the NCWorks Career Center, 8601 McAlpine Park Drive, Suite 110. The centers are working in unison to link the 44,200 unemployed individuals to the 71,498 jobs that are in the Charlotte Metro Area with the goal of meeting job seekers where they are. To attend, register through Eventbrite for the virtual hiring event. Hybrid attendees where attendees will be able to visit booths, provide resumes, and chat with employers online. The in-person portion will be at the NCWorks Career Center, 8601 McAlpine Park Drive, Suite 110, Charlotte on Thursday, March 24, 2022.

Morning Minute: Friday, March 18, 2022

News About Town: Earlier this year, two female suspects were caught on the Matthews Lowe's store video surveillance using a stolen credit card to make fraudulent purchases; those same individuals were suspected of committing other fraudulent transactions elsewhere totaling over $37,000. Matthews Police released pictures (view them here) of the suspects with a call for help identifying them. During their investigation, the detectives identified the initial suspects plus two others who were likely involved. With the evidence the police gathered, a total of 22 arrest warrants were issued for four individuals. The four suspects haven’t been found. If you have any idea of their whereabouts, please call the Matthews Police Department at 704-847-5555.

Thank you, Debbie Leblanc Foster, for sharing your photo of a Carolina wren!

News Around Town: After 30 years in the business, Antique Alley (1325 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd) owner Bonnie Henley will retire at the end of this month. Started in 1991, James and Bonnie Henley opened the 5,000 square foot antique store and ran it together until James’ death in 2016. Bonnie continued to run the shop in the years since. Loyalist fans may recognize the new owner Katie Hardister, who will take over the helm April 1. Stop by the Alley, sit on The Bench, and tell Bonnie one last lie before she starts her retirement adventures.

One Fun Thing: The annual Annual Earth Day/Kids in Nature Day event returns to Squirrel Lake Park, 1631 Pleasant Plains Rd, on Saturday, April 23rd. Habitat and Wildlife Keepers (HAWK) need your help to set up and clean up the event as well as tend some tables. Sign up here; shifts are between 8am and 2pm. For more information email HAWKNCWF@gmail.com.

Morning Minute: Thursday, March 17, 2022

News About Town: Toward the end of 2021, Town Manager Hazen Blodgett announced his retirement. Having served the Town of Matthews for 18 years, Blodgett provided six months to complete the hiring process. The Board of Commissioners worked with Developmental Associates to conduct a nationwide search, resulting in a decision to promote Assistant Town Manager Becky Hawke to the seat.

Hawke earned a B.A. in Communication Studies (Hollins University), an M.S. in Corporate and Professional Communication (Radford University), and a Masters Certificate in Human Resources Management (Cornell University). She is currently completing a Master of Public Administration degree through the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. 

Mayor John Higdon expressed confidence in Hawke’s ability, “Becky has demonstrated her ability to lead and inspire staff, solve problems creatively, and improve organizational effectiveness. We are very fortunate to have someone with her talent and skill set leading our organization.”

Blodgett will retire on March 31, 2022; Hawke will begin her new role as Town Manager on April 1, 2022.

Let us show off your photos of Matthews--send in your photo!

News Around Town:  Art students from Butler High School have their work on display in the upstairs gallery of McDowell Arts Center, 123 E McDowell St. Matthews Artist Guild partnered with the local high school to provide space and support for the show. The galleries are usually open during the day but call in advance of visiting to make sure they’re open (704-321-7275). The show ends on March 31, 2022. 

One Good Thing: The Matthews Free Medical Clinic is busy planning its Annual Golf Tournament for April 25, 2022, at Raintree Country Club. In order to swing the event, sponsorships are needed and are available in a range of costs from $200 up to $10,000. Contact Amy Carr at 704-841-8882, with questions or for full details regarding sponsorship packages. 

Morning Minute: Tuesday, March 15, 2022

News About Town: The Matthews Police Department now has an Assistant Chief of Police. Roy Sisk, a member of the department since 2003, was recently promoted to the rank of Major/Assistant Chief. 

Throughout his career, Major Sisk has served in a variety of capacities from Patrol Officer to team leader within the department’s Special Response Team (SRT); he has served as the commander of every division of the Matthews Police Department as well as Interim Chief. Major Sisk is certified as an NC Law Enforcement General Instructor, has a bachelor's degree from Wingate University, and a Master’s in Executive Leadership from Liberty University. He is a graduate of the 26th class of the North Carolina Justice Academy’s Management Development Program and a graduate of the 275th class of the FBI National Academy.  

Let us show off your photos of Matthews--send in your photo!

News Around Town:  The Painted Tree is now open in what was formerly Stein Mart (1813 Matthews Township Parkway). Self-described as “an Etsy marketplace and Pinterest catalog come to life,” The Painted Tree was started in Arkansas and now has more than a dozen locations throughout the country. The store is filled with individual stalls of vendors, many offering handmade, one-of-a-kind items, and is open daily from 10am to 8pm.  

One Fun Thing: The Matthews Hometown Hero Banner Program has opened applications for its second year of the display. Honor a loved one who served and has connections to Matthews by nominating them for the program. Banners will be displayed in downtown Matthews during Veterans Day and Memorial Day every year. Applications are due April 4, 2022, to be displayed during Memorial Day. Click here for the application.

Morning Minute: Monday, March 14, 2022

News About Town: The March 14 Board of Commissioners meeting agenda is available online. The meeting is in-person, and viewing is available via Zoom (link here, the meeting starts at 7 pm). 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 873 3815 3311. For more information, including the process for public comment, visit the town website. 

Interesting items during the regular meeting include:

• Several public hearings for rezoning items as well as two action items (approve or deny) for rezoning applicants;

• Consideration of a recruitment and hiring bonus for the public works, police, and fire departments;

• Consideration of a landscaping plan along Trade St beside the form Exxon station lot;

• Consideration of a contract for the next town manager.

Peaches are in bloom—spring is on the way.

News Around Town:  Friday, March 11, Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners Chairman George Dunlap presented the State of the County Address. Dunlap’s 30-minute speech touched on big issues from 2021, including COVID, affordable housing, the county’s Pre K program, and economic development. View the speech in full online.

One Fun Thing: It’s Pi Day! Multiply your Pi appreciation (despite the additional “e”) and enjoy a flaky-crusted baked good while admiring the mathematically essential constant value sometime today. While celebrating, singing a round of Happy Birthday to Albert Einstein is also appropriate on March 14.