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INSIDE ▼ 32 family-friendly events PAGE 3A Friday, September 5, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 36
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Cotham says medical needs will require her to step away By Alan Wooten Contributor
(The Center Square) – Apologetic for her absence and prayerful for what lies ahead, Mecklenburg County Republican Rep. Tricia Cotham said Aug. 28 she will be away from the North Carolina General Assembly indefinitely.
In a message to constituents, Cotham said the last few weeks have included medical procedures. “Due to serious complications,” she wrote, “I must have a big surgery this week. I know the recovery will be intense and lengthy. I will not be able to make any public appearances or communicate for a while.”
Cotham holds leadership in several committees in the N.C. House. She chairs the education appropriations and K-12 education committees. She is vice chairwoman of the appropriations, health, Rep. Tricia Ann and rules, calendar and Cotham operations committees. The District 105 representative also is a member of three other committees – election law, energy and public utilities, and housing and development. “I apologize in advance for any inconveniences and my inability to communicate,” Cotham wrote. “I do request to not reach out
to my family. I ask for your prayers and well wishes.” As a Democrat, Cotham won the District 100 seat in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014, running unopposed in the primary and general election of the last two. She tried to unseat U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, D-N.C., in 2016, finishing third in the primary. In 2022, she was back with a win in House District 112, easily defeating three primary challengers and Republican Tony Long 59.2%-40.8% in the general election. The following April 5, she switched parties, saying Democrats “picked the wrong chick” to try and control. Cotham, who turns 47 the day before Thanksgiving, at the time called the party
SHINE Musical Theatre presents ‘Matilda Jr.’
“unrecognizable” from when she first served in the House. “If you don’t do exactly what the Democrats want you to do, they will try to bully you,” she said. “They will cast you aside.” Cotham held the seat last November, defeating Democrat Nicole Sidman by 213 votes out of more than 54,000 cast. While the General Assembly has yet to deliver a two-year state budget that was due on July 1, Cotham’s party has also signaled its intent to override vetoes from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. Four Democrats have already helped push eight through in the House. The next sessions of the state Senate and House are each scheduled for noon on Sept. 22.
Mecklenburg County visitor spending increases to $6.4B CHARLOTTE – Domestic and international visitors to and within Mecklenburg County spent $6.4 billion in 2024, marking an 8.9% increase from 2023. This data is from an annual study commissioned by Visit NC, a division of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.
SHINE Musical Theatre presents “Matilda Jr.” on a Charlotte stage. Snook Photo + Co
CHARLOTTE – SHINE Musical Theatre recently staged performances of “Matilda Jr.” at the Parr Center Theater at Central Piedmont Community College’s Central Campus.
The production included musical numbers such as “Miracle,” “Bruce,” “When I Grow Up” and “Revolting Children.” Cast members included: • Gwyn Clark as Miss Trunchbull. • Ayla Lutarewych as Matilda. • Elli Noel Caton as Mrs. Phelps. • Miles Medlin and Ellie Grace Fichtman as the Wormwoods. • Grace Williams as Miss Honey. • Miriam Lee as Bruce. The ensemble also showed their range as vocalists and dancers. The production involved directors, a choreographer, stage crew and a technical team. The cast will travel to Atlanta for the Junior Theatre Festival, where they will perform a portion of the show for a panel of
adjudicators, receive feedback, participate in workshops and attend other performances. SHINE, a division of Charlotte Academy
of Music, will also stage a full-length production of “The Wizard of Oz” this fall.
CMS board reacts to first week, tragedy CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education issued the following statement recapping the first week of school and the Annunciation Catholic School tragedy in Minnesota.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education wants to recognize the first week back to school for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students, families and teachers. As Superintendent Hill discussed this week, we returned this year to serving endless possibilities to the more than 141,000 students attending CMS schools. • The launch of Infinite Campus, which allows families to access an array of data on their students’ learning such as announcements, attendance information, schedules and student grades. • A 98% teacher “fill rate” – 67 fewer vacancies than last year and more than 300 fewer vacancies than the year before. • A fleet of 858 buses that transported students to and from school. • The completion of our final 2017 bond project while we continue to work to improve seven schools around the district. • The successful temporary transfer of students to newer schools with better facilities while older facilities are being repaired or replaced. • And most importantly, a new safety protocol, called “I Love You Guys,” which gives
clear language for a range of urgent school situations. And while the board celebrates a positive first week for our students, we also want to recognize the tragedy that unfolded in Minnesota on Wednesday. We are deeply saddened and troubled by yet another act of violence committed against young students of this country. It is heartbreaking that two students lost their lives and many more of their classmates were injured at Annunciation Catholic School. These children fell victim to a lone gunman's unconscionable actions. This board believes that all student life is precious. We understand that no matter the location of young lives lost, when one child is killed, it affects us all. When survivors of such a tragedy are left to process violent, senseless and traumatic loss of life and injury, it affects us all. “We understand that whenever a family sends their child to school, they pray, ‘Please get my child home safely,’” shares Chair Stephanie Sneed. We want our students, families and staff to know that the CMS team will do everything within our power to make sure your prayers for your child’s safe return home are answered. These are the ways in which we do our best to maintain a safe school environment: • CMS has adopted the Standard Response Protocol for all schools, effective for the
2025-26 school year. The new protocols use new terms to signify the levels of an incident. Please visit the back-to-school website to learn more: https://www.cmsk12.org/families/ school-safety/school-response-safety-protocol. • Each school has emergency and safety plans developed in collaboration with our local law enforcement and emergency responders to guide effective and efficient responses. These plans are regularly practiced and reviewed. • The district has its own police force – something that very few districts in our state and nation have. • School resource officers are in schools and are trained for emergencies, and staff know how to contact law enforcement anytime there is a perceived threat to safety and security. • We have weapon detection systems in all K-8, middle and high schools. • The “Say Something” self-reporting system is a tool where students and families can identify safety-related concerns. As Superintendent Hill shared this week, together, we can create a culture of kindness, understanding and inclusivity, standing against all forms of violence in our schools. The board of education and the CMS team stand with you, Annunciation Catholic School, and all districts across this country who work tirelessly to keep their students safe.
“The record $6.4 billion in visitor spending affirms Mecklenburg County’s position as North Carolina’s top destination,” said Steve Bagwell, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. “Charlotte’s momentum has never been stronger, and the CRVA is proud to lead the region’s visitor economy as a driving force fueling the city’s continued rise.” In addition to the record visitor spending, Mecklenburg County saw a significant increase in employment within the tourism sector. The county boasts the largest number of direct tourism employees in North Carolina. “The visitor economy we build fuels local businesses, supports nearly 38,000 jobs and generates resources that strengthen our community,” Bagwell said. “Every dollar spent by a visitor ripples through our region by creating jobs, driving investment and generating millions in tax savings for residents. Year after year, the CRVA is demonstrating that tourism is not just about welcoming visitors. It is about leading Charlotte’s growth and shaping the city’s future.” The CRVA’s regional footprint includes 11 North Carolina counties (Alexander, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, and Union) along with four South Carolina counties (Chester, Chesterfield, Lancaster and York). While 2024 visitor spending data is not reported for the South Carolina counties, total visitor spending for the region, excluding those counties, amounts to $9.1 billion. Tourism Highlights for 2024
• Mecklenburg County ranked No. 1 in visitor spending, capturing 17.3% of the total visitor spend in the state. • The travel and tourism industry directly employs 37,969 people in Mecklenburg County, the highest of any county in North Carolina. • Total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Mecklenburg County reached $2.09 billion. • State tax revenue generated in Mecklenburg County totaled $219.3 million through state sales and excise taxes, along with taxes on personal and corporate income. Additionally, $200.1 million in local taxes were generated from occupancy, sales and property taxes related to travel-generated and travel-supported businesses. • Tax revenue from visitor spending in Mecklenburg County created annual tax savings of $356 per resident. These statistics come from the “Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2024,” which can be accessed at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics. Statewide, visitor spending in 2024 rose 3.1% to reach a record $36.7 billion. Direct tourism employment increased 1.4% to 230,338.