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INSIDE ▼ CMS names top teacher finalists PAGE 3A Friday, April 25, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 17
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Mint Hill hospital makes top 100 list, wins Everest Award MINT HILL – Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center received national recognition for patient care and outcomes.
It is one of 17 hospitals in the country to receive the 2025 Everest Award for achieving the most significant long-term growth over five years, according to an independent quality analysis provided by Premier. Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center was also named to the 100 Top Hospitals list in the small community hospital category. Premier researchers analyzed nearly 2,600 hospitals in the United States, evaluating each on several measures, including inpatient and extended care quality, operational efficiency, financial health and customer experience. “At Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center, the well-being of our patients and their families is at the center of everything we do. We have
long been dedicated to consistently delivering high-quality and safe healthcare so they can focus on living healthier lives,” said Joy Greear, president of Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center. “Being recognized as one of the 100 Top Hospitals in the country and among the few to be awarded the prestigious Everest Award is a testament to the commitment and compassion of our hardworking teams.” The Premier’s 100 Top Hospitals program is designed to inspire hospital and health system leaders to pursue higher performance and deliver added value to patients and communities. The Everest Award recognizes those who drive the highest rates of improvement. Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center was previously recognized by Vizient in the 2024 Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Study as the top community hospital.
Photo courtesy of Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center
MARA welcomes new executive director MATTHEWS – The Matthews Athletic and Recreation Association has hired Brenton Blaskie as its new executive director.
Brenton will oversee daily operations, work closely with MARA’s board and volunteers, and lead strategic initiatives focused on program development, community engagement and facility improvements. Officials said Brenton brings a background in sports leadership, coaching and program development that aligns with MARA’s mission to serve young athletes and the Matthews community. “His experience, vision, and leadership will be a tremendous asset to our organization as we continue to grow our programs and enhance the MARA park for future generations,” said Justin Vandergrift, MARA board president.
Brenton Blaskie
With over 49 seasons of coaching experience across multiple sports, Brenton has spent his career designing and leading camps, clinics and development programs. Most recently, he served as the lead development coach for the
Columbus Blue Jackets Hockey League, where he spent three years mentoring young athletes and fellow coaches. Brenton’s background also includes past roles with nationally respected organizations such as Little League Baseball International and IMG Academy. Brenton is a Certified Coach Developer through the United States Center for Coaching Excellence, a Certified DISC in Sport Consultant and a graduate of Major League Baseball Scout School. “I believe our greatest successes are driven by people, and the spirit of teamwork and dedication in the MARA community truly stands out,” Brenton said. “It's an honor to help carry forward MARA’s proud legacy and continue using sports as a platform to teach meaningful life lessons well into the future.”
Matthews extends welcome to hotel project by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Epic Hospitality received the approvals from the Town of Matthews necessary to build a 104-room hotel on Council Place.
Town commissioners voted April 14 to approve the project, contingent on a post construction ordinance, which representatives of Epic Hospitality said was waiting for approval. “The applicant has been working diligently to address concerns that were raised during the Dec. 9 public hearing,” Senior Planner Rob Will told town commissioners April 14. The company agreed to several changes to its plan, including reducing the hotel’s room count from 120 to 104, increasing the tree save from 0% to 12%, increasing stormwater standards and paying $20,000 toward traffic mitigation. Epic Hospitality also agreed to a zoning note that occupants can’t stay more than 30 days,
a common criticism of extended stay hotels. Both staff and the planning board recommended approval. Planning Board Chairman Howie Labiner provided commissioners with his group’s rationale. “The requested zoning action was found to be consistent with the land use plan because services are listed as potential uses in the retail designation and the site is directly adjacent to the I-485 exit ramp,” Labiner said. “The application was reasonable because it allowed for expansion of hotel options within the town.” Commissioner Ken McCool was the lone vote against the project. Other actions
During their April 14 meeting, commissioners closed public hearings on the following zoning-related actions: • Zoning Application 2023-781/ BrookeChase: 4420 Margaret Wallace Road; Tax Parcel 193-051-20; R-15 to C-MF. • Motion 2025-1/text: Text Amendment to
UDO Section 155.608.2; Signage for Police and Fire. • Motion 2025-2/text: Text Amendment to UDO Section 155.806; Revision of PCO Ordinance to Remove BMP Acceptance. • Zoning Application 2025-809/Buckley Terrace: 409 & 421 East John Street; Tax Parcels 215-014-07 and -27; R-12 to C-MF. Commissioners continued these agenda items to May 12: • A public hearing on Zoning Application 2025-810/Four Lakes Veranda: 1201 Four Lakes Drive; Tax Parcel 193-282-16; B-1(CD) to SRN. • A public hearing on Zoning Application 2025-811/Four Oaks Builders: 409 West John Street; Tax Parcel 227-026-11; R-20 to O(CD). • A decision on Zoning Application 2024801/John Street Townhomes: 1700, 1720, 1724 E John Street; Tax Parcel 227-501-63, 64, and a portion of 227-501-62; R-12 to R-VS.
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Union County-area transportation projects awarded funding CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization approved $35,332,319 in federal discretionary grant funding for 20 projects on March 19.
The CRTPO oversees long-range transportation planning and ensures Federal Highway Administration transportation funds are allocated and spent appropriately. In collaboration with the N.C. Department of Transportation, CRTPO administers federal discretionary funds to help jurisdictions implement transportation projects, programs and studies that might otherwise lack funding. Projects approved in the Union County area and their price tags are as follows: • Indian Trail: Indian Trail-Fairview Road/Younts Road/Stinson Hartis Road intersection improvements, $5,231,384. • Indian Trail: Indian Trail Road improvements (Liberty Lane to Gribble Road), $1,321,600. • Marshville: U.S. 74 right turn lanes at Marshville Lake Park, $1,613,180. • Matthews: Moore Road sidewalk (Chambers Drive to Royal Commons Lane), $374,819. • Matthews: Sam Newell Road multi-use path (Crown Point Elementary School to Williams Road), $397,672. • Mineral Springs: N.C. 75 and Potter Road sidewalk and pedestrian improvements, $804,439 • Union County: Union County Critical Intersection Study, $160,000. • Waxhaw: Helms Road extension (Waxhaw Parkway West) (WaxhawMarvin Road to N.C. 16), $4,923,274. • Wesley Chapel: N.C. 84 & Potter Road/Wesley Chapel Road intersection improvements, $3,101,533. On the web: crtpo.org