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INSIDE ▼ County voters approve 1-cent sales tax 3B SEE MORE ON PAGE 2B
PAGE 2A Friday, November 14, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 46
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SouthPark seat on city council goes to Democrat CHARLOTTE – Kimberly Owens achieved something that many Democrats before her have tried but failed to do – defeat a Republican for the District 6 seat on the Charlotte City Council.
Owens earned 16,239 votes, or 56.45%, in the Nov. 4 election against Republican challenger Krista Bokhari, whose husband vacated the District 6 seat earlier this year to take a federal role. The seat represents the SouthPark area. “I am deeply humbled and forever
grateful to the voters of District 6 who chose me to represent them on our Charlotte City Council,” Owens wrote on her campaign Facebook page. “I am optimistic that for those who did not choose me, I will prove myself to be a pragmatic and skilled voice for the interests of all of District 6.” Owens said her team “knocked on 15,000 doors, wrote 9,500 postcards, sent 100,000 text messages and made 2,000 calls.” Ed Driggs will be the only Republican
left on the council after the election. Driggs, who has represented the Ballantyne area since 2013, did not have an opponent in this election. However, there were 2,677 write-in votes cast, representing 16.2% of the vote. Other district representatives elected to the council were Dante Anderson (District 1), Malcolm Graham (District 2), Joi Mayo (District 3), Renee Perkins Johnson (District 4), Juan Diego Story continues, see CHARLOTTE page 3A
Kimberly Owens (middle) stands with supporters in July after filling out campaign paperwork at the Mecklenburg County Board of Election. Owens will represent the SouthPark area on the Charlotte City Council. CMG file photo
Common Heart, Red Cross to benefit from vending machine
Pineville elects new mayor, council members PINEVILLE – Nick Gallo and Joshua Simelton were elected Nov. 4 to serve on the Pineville Town Council, according to unofficial results from the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections.
Community leaders and volunteers celebrate the official opening of the Light the World Giving Machine in Charlotte during the 2024 ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Giving Machine returns this year in a new location. Visit Carolina Place Mall from Nov. 19 to Dec. 7.
Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
PINEVILLE – The Light the World Giving Machine is returning to the Charlotte area with a new home at Carolina Place Mall.
Visitors can “purchase” meaningful items that provide relief, education and hope for people in need, both locally and globally, from Nov. 19 to Dec. 7. Offerings range from simple necessities, such as laundry detergent for a neighbor in need, to empowering resources like a goat for a family across the world. Donation amounts vary from $5 to $180, inviting individuals, families and community groups of all sizes to participate. “Each year, we’re amazed at how Charlotte shows up to give,” said Kristen Anderson, regional communication director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Every card purchased represents a real act of kindness, whether it’s diapers for a new mother, groceries for senior citizens, school supplies for underserved students, or home heating for a struggling family. It is generosity made tangible, accessible and truly joyful.” This year’s Giving Machine includes the following charities: Story continues, see GIVING page 3A
The Lynes family displays donation item cards representing real gifts, such as hot meals, children’s antibiotics, a handwashing station and a teddy bear for a child in the hospital, that can be purchased at the Light the World Giving Machine. One hundred percent of each donation goes directly to participating charities.
Stone, London among 4 new school board members CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education will welcome four new members to the dais, including two new representatives in southeastern Mecklenburg County.
Election Day saw two sitting school board members lose their seats, including District 5 representative Lisa Cline. District 5 includes Matthews and parts of south Charlotte. Cline is wrapping up her first fouryear term with the school board after working nearly 30 years as an educator and administrator with Story continues, see CMS page 3A
Anna London answers questions from Charlotte media in July after filing for the District 6 seat on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. CMG file photo
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Gallo, who has volunteered his time to serve on town advisory groups, was the leading vote-getter with 871 votes. His campaign revolved around the themes of fiscal responsibility and small-town feel. Simelton won the second and final available seat with 654 votes. Simelton posted on his campaign page on Facebook the morning after the election that his goal was to foster healthy growth and make the town a great place to live. “To the Pineville community, I appreciate your confidence in me and I will do my best to make you proud,” Simelton said. “But this doesn’t just stop at the polls. I urge you to get involved as much as you can because it’s going to take all of us working together moving forward.” Les Gladden, a former member of the town council, finished 156 votes behind Simelton. Challenger Yvette Isaacs finished ahead of Gladden in precincts 129 (Pineville Elementary School) and 231 (Pineville United Methodist Church) but Gladden’s support in Precinct 225 (Belle Johnston Community Center) gave him the boost to finish third. Amelia Stinson-Wesley will succeed David Phillips as mayor. Stinson-Wesley earned 1,199 votes, or 83.32%. “I am humbled by your support for my candidacy for mayor,” Stinson-Wesley wrote on her campaign page on Facebook. “I love this town so very much, and I am grateful for this opportunity to represent our town and serve our community. I am deeply committed to the ideals of democracy, and I am mindful that I stand on the shoulders of all those who have gone before me. Thank you to those who have entrusted me with this responsibility.” One quirk about the Pineville mayor’s race was that 240 write-in votes were cast. While other Mecklenburg County races attracted more write-in votes, the Pineville mayor’s race had the highest percentage of any race in the election at 16.68%. Of the 240 write-in votes cast, 208 came from Precinct 225 (Belle Johnston Community Center). Stinson-Wesley will preside over a Pineville Town Council that includes Gallo, Simelton and Danielle Moore. The council will have to appoint a replacement for the remainder of Stinson-Wesley’s four-year term as a council member. The Mecklenburg County Public Sales and Use Tax passed with 92,251 votes, or Story continues, see PINEVILLE page 3A