20
02 – 202
5
INSIDE ▼ Charlotte Restaurant Week is back PAGE 1B Friday, January 16, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 2
thecharlotteweekly.com
@southcltweekly
Charlotte touts work across jobs, housing, mobility & safety CHARLOTTE – Charlotte marked a milestone year in 2025, making progress across top priorities such as jobs, affordable housing, mobility and safety. Safety
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department launched Operation Safe Season in December. The initiative increases police presence and enforcement during peak activity periods. The effort initially focused on Uptown, with plans to expand to other areas experiencing repeated violence and criminal behavior. CMPD also launched the Entertainment District Unit and the CROWN Culture
Initiative to build public confidence, reduce crime and reinforce safe, livable streets. The Entertainment District Unit is a high-visibility proactive policing unit focused on making Uptown and South End nightlife safer. The CROWN Culture Initiative (Center City’s Restoration of Order, Wellness and Nonviolence) consists of elevated police presence, strict enforcement and close collaboration with community partners. CMPD also deployed crime reduction units in the four patrol service areas to identify and target high-crime areas. Prosecutors assigned to these areas prioritize repeat offenders and serious crimes, reinforcing a coordinated approach to public safety.
CMPD recently welcomed Chief Estella Patterson, who has focused on filling vacancies and sustaining violent crime reduction efforts. Mobility
Voters approved a sales tax referendum in November to expand transportation access across the region. The vote marked the largest investment in public transportation and roadway infrastructure in the region’s history. The referendum is expected to generate an estimated $19.4 billion over 30 years to support expanded transit service, improved roadways and enhanced multimodal connectivity. Planned investments include bus and rail improvements, modernized infrastructure
and safer access for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. The city identified 22 Strategic Investment Areas where coordinated transportation projects can be delivered more efficiently and responsively to community needs. Initial funding from a $55 million capital bond investment will support pilot improvements in the Far East-Harrisburg and Arrowood areas, including new sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, lighting and intersection enhancements to better connect residents with transit, schools, parks and neighborhood centers. Story continues, see MILESTONE page 3A
Matthews Playhouse holding auditions for talent contest
South Block opening in Ballantyne this month
Entertainers submit video auditions for a chance to move on to the live showcase.
South Block specializes in fresh, made-to-order smoothies, acai bowls, toasts and cold-pressed juices.
The Matthews Got Talent competition features four different categories: ages 7 to 12, ages 13 to 17, ages 18 and older and multi-age groups. Photos courtesy of Matthews Playhouse
MATTHEWS – Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts is organizing its first Matthews Got Talent competition.
The community theater organization invites performers of all ages and abilities to showcase their skills for a chance to win cash prizes. Singers, dancers, acrobats, comedians and others must submit a video audition (MP4 format, maximum 3 minutes) through Jan. 30. Content must be family-friendly. All acts must be able to set up their equipment in under 2 minutes. Auditions can be submitted by visiting matthewsplayhouse.com/matthews-got-talent. Up to 15 contestants per category will be selected to move on to the live showcase. Selected acts will be notified by Feb. 2. Matthews Got Talent will culminate in a daylong live event on Feb. 28, with four age categories of competition and a grand finale featuring the best performers from each category. The schedule is as follows: • 10 to 11:30 a.m., Category 1 (ages 7 to 12), three finalists chosen
• Noon to 1:30 p.m., Category 2 (ages 13 to 17), three finalists chosen • 2 to 3:30 p.m., Category 3 (ages 18 and older), three finalists chosen • 4 to 5:30 p.m., Category 4 (multi-age groups), three finalists chosen • 7 to 8 p.m., Grand Finale top 12 contestants (all ages) A single ticket grants access to all showcases throughout the day. Tickets will be sold at the door on Feb. 28, starting at 9:30 a.m. Tickets cost $30 for ages 14 and older or $15 for ages 13 and younger. The 2025 judging panel represents a cross-section of regional expertise and influence. “We are honored to convene such a formidable group of experts for this year’s event,” Executive Director Sarah Baumgaerdner said. “By bringing together industry and business leaders, as well as influential media voices, we’ve created a panel that truly understands the heartbeat of our community. Their diverse insights will be invaluable in identifying the very best among this year’s
South Block opened its first location in Arlington, Va., in 2011. The name was inspired by its first location on the south side of a block in the Clarendon neighborhood. Matthews Got Talent
nominees.” Judges include industry leaders, business executives, community leaders and broadcast professionals. The winners will receive $200 for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third place. The winner will also perform at the 30th Anniversary Gala.
CMS school board discusses budget with Mecklenburg leaders CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education and Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners held their first public discussion Jan. 8 to review the 2026-27 budget year.
The meeting focused on the importance of the two boards working together to ensure continued success for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. A key piece of the discussion was teacher pay. The state sets teacher base pay and the county funds supplements to close pay gaps and retain educators. Leaders also discussed using teacher housing as a recruitment and retention tool. CMS and Mecklenburg County are collaborating on a housing project to ensure teachers can work in the communities they serve. Multiple CMS executives gave presentations: • Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer Beth
Thompson reviewed 2024-25 student outcomes and the strategies that supported success. • Chief Financial Officer Kelly Kluttz provided an overview of how teacher salaries are determined and how beginning teacher wages compare to a living wage. • Chief Operations Officer Tim Ivey gave an update on the community-supported 2023 bond. “I cannot understate our gratitude for the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, our strongest partners in ensuring endless possibilities for all our students,” said Stephanie Sneed, school board chair. “We are so excited to work with the county on teacher pay supplement, educator housing and ensuring our students have pathways to higher education and entering the workforce through not only funding efforts but through intentional coordination and shared resources, facilities, programs and innovation.”
County staff also provided information: • Director of Strategy and Innovation Michael Griswold reviewed quality of life indicators for the county’s sustainable future. • Budget Director Adrian Cox gave an overview of the anticipated funding to meet the needs of the county’s citizens, including economic development, health and wellness, and community programs that support nonprofits assisting economically disadvantaged residents. “The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners knows that our community’s long-term quality of life is inseparable from the strength of our public education system,” said Mark Jerrell, chair of the county commissioners. “Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce, innovators and civic leaders, and we are committed to partnering with CMS to expand opportunity and ensure every child can reach their full potential.”
check us out on - line THE
thecharlotteweekly.com | WEEKLY
Photos courtesy of South Block
CHARLOTTE – South Block is opening Jan. 17 at the Bowl at Ballantyne.
Guests can stop by South Block for its handcrafted acai bowls and smoothies made with organic fair-trade acai, fresh fruit and superfood supplements. The shop can become the spot for Ballantyne residents and visitors to get a post-workout smoothie or fully customizable acai bowls with friends and family. South Block Ballantyne plans to donate a percentage of its sales to the local nonprofit, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, and the company's nonprofit, Fruitful Planet. “When I started South Block in 2011, growing and expansion were always the goals, and hitting this milestone of moving beyond the DMV is huge for the whole team,” founder Amir Story continues, see SOUTH BLOCK page 3A