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INSIDE ▼ Get details on Thanksgiving Eve Parade 3B SEE MORE ON PAGE 2B
PAGE 1B Friday, November 21, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 47
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Volunteers support homeowners at Habitat’s Rock the Block MATTHEWS – Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity brought together more than 30 volunteers Nov. 8 to help support homeowners during its Rock the Block neighborhood preservation event.
Over the course of the morning, volunteers completed projects at five homes in a Matthews neighborhood, working side by side with homeowners to make exterior improvements such as landscaping, painting and pressure washing. These efforts are part of Habitat’s broader Aging in Place and Home Preservation initiatives. Through Aging in Place, Greater Matthews Habitat partners with older adults to
complete home modifications that improve accessibility, safety and independence. This helps them remain in their homes and communities they love as they age. The Home Preservation program focuses on critical repairs and exterior improvements that address health and safety concerns while maintaining the integrity and affordability of existing housing stock. “It’s about building relationships and showing that when neighbors come together, we can preserve the places that make Matthews feel like home,” said Natisha Rivera, president and CEO of Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity. “Each project completed represents a tangible step toward ensuring
families can continue living safely and proudly in their homes.” Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity launched Rock the Block in 2023. The day of high-impact service focuses on neighborhood improvement and beautification. “Events like Rock the Block show how small improvements can create big change,” said Jeffrey Elam, housing services director. “When volunteers lend their time and skills, they’re helping to preserve affordable housing and strengthen the fabric of our community.” Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity plans a Rock the Block event in Mint Hill in the spring. Reach out to Liz Sweeney, volunteer and engagement manager, at
CHARLOTTE MARATHON ATTRACTS LARGEST FIELD YET
The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon and its participants have contributed more than $600,000 to support programs at Novant Health’s Hemby Children’s Hospital. Photos courtesy of Run Charlotte
CHARLOTTE – The 21st running of the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon experienced a record turnout.
A record-setting 11,500 athletes entered the marathon, half marathon and 5K events. And for the second year in a row, all events reached capacity. “This event has turned into a big deal,” said Tim Rhodes, managing partner and race director for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. “This is a celebration of everything these runners have worked for – whether they’re setting a PR, qualifying for Boston or finishing for the very first time – they’re choosing to do it in Charlotte.” Runners representing all 50 states and 19 countries made up the field. Knoxville’s Carter Coughlin was the overall winner of the marathon. Jessica Sarnicola of Matthews won the women’s title. In another first, Elisabeth Laseter of Charlotte defended her title in the Chickfil-A 5K event, besting her 2024 finish
time by nearly 18 seconds. Lancaster, South Carolina runner Nathaneal Williams may also have set a new world record for fastest half marathon pushing a double stroller. According to the Guinness World Records site, the fastest men’s time currently stands at 1:14:20. Williams clocked a 1:12:57 on the Charlotte half marathon course. “The last few miles, I was hurting pretty good,” Williams said of his fast finish. “The next steps are to send the results to Guinness to confirm that as the new record.” 2025 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Event Winners
• Men’s Marathon Winner: Carter Coughlin, 2:31:44 (Knoxville, Tennessee) • Women’s Marathon Winner: Jessica Sarnicola, 3:01:48 (Matthews) Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Half Marathon
Events started on South Tryon Street, between Levine Avenue of the Arts and Brooklyn Village Avenue in uptown Charlotte, and finished on Fourth Street, behind Truist Field.
1:04:31 (Yvrech, France) • Women’s Winner: Abigail Herring, 1:16:41 (Parkersburg, West Virginia) Chick-fil-A 5K
• Men’s Winner: Silas Floyd Fair, 15:50 (Charlotte) • Women’s Winner: Elizabeth Laseter, 16:38 (Charlotte)
• Men’s Winner: Alexis Collumb,
Story continues, see MARATHON page 3A
Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity rallied volunteers to fix up properties in Matthews. It’s one way the nonprofit is working toward to making housing more affordable. Photo courtesy of
Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity
liz@habitatmatthews.org to learn how to request services for your neighborhood or how to get involved as a volunteer.
Mint Hill Christmas Parade to honor mayor, first lady MINT HILL – Brad and Renee Simmons will serve as grand marshals for the 2025 Mint Hill Christmas Parade in honor of their contributions to the town.
Brad has served as mayor for the past six years while Renee has fulfilled the role of first lady. Their dedication to Mint Hill extends beyond their official roles, as both have been involved in numerous Brad Simmons local organizations, such as the Kiwanis Club, Mint Hill Women’s Club, Mint Hill Athletic Association and Arlington Baptist Church. They’ve called Mint Hill home since 1984. This is a milestone year for the family as Brad steps down as mayor. “As I depart from office, I am optimistic about the future,” Simmons wrote in a letter to the community posted on the town’s Facebook page. “Our collective efforts have demonstrated the accomplishments possible through collaboration. I have faith in Mayor-elect Dale Dalton and the incoming board of commissioners to continue this progress. Let us remain committed, support one another and work to ensure that Mint Hill continues to develop and prosper.” The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6. The route will follow Bain School Road to Matthews-Mint Hill Road and end at the Mint Hill Library. Parade-goers can expect floats, marching bands, fire trucks and lots of lights. After the parade, activities continue at Mint Hill Town Hall, where attendees will find food trucks and live entertainment at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Entertainment will start at 6 p.m. The tree lighting follows at 7:30 p.m. Santa will be available to visit children. Novant Health is sponsoring the parade and tree lighting. On the web: facebook.com/minthillevents Traffic alert
Matthews-Mint Hill Road from N.C. 218 to Brighton Park Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic starting at 4 p.m.
Charlotte’s Web nets 81 arrests on first day By Alan Wooten Contributor
(The Center Square) – Eighty-one arrests were made by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents during the first day of immigration enforcement in Charlotte on Nov. 15, Commander Gregory K. Bovino said of the operation known as Charlotte’s Web. “Significant criminal and immigration history” was cited for many. People he says are in the country illegally, some with multiple deportations only to return, and with charges like aggravated assault, weapons violations and impaired driving, are pictured on Bovino’s social media feed. President Donald Trump has sent the National Guard to the cities of Washington, Los Angeles and Memphis, with authorizations for Chicago and Portland blocked by judges.
The total arrests as a comparison of cities is not apples-to-apples. For example, the White House said 23 arrests were made the first day in the nation’s capital where the objective was crime reduction. In Los Angeles, protests including blocked freeways followed the beginning of enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; ICE detained 44 the first day. Hundreds were charged related to behavior around protests. And in Memphis, the National Guard, Memphis Police Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol formed the Memphis Safe Task Force. From nine arrests the first day to 93 in the first few days, the volume was spread through the agencies. Border Patrol began operations Nov. 15 in the Queen City. Bovino, in one social media post among multiple Nov. 16, pointed
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out how those being detained are in grocery stores and on the highways despite “arrests for aggravated assault, assault with a dangerous weapon and DUI. He has also been removed from the U.S. twice, so now that he’s here again, he committed a felony by reentering the U.S.” Two others were from Mexico, Bovino said. One, he wrote, “gets deported four times, strolls back to Charlotte, then racks up a hit and run and a DWI? It’s time to go back home.” The other wore the hoody of Fayetteville’s Methodist University, and Bovino said he had three convictions for DWI. State law requires a mandatory minimum 12-month prison sentence that cannot be suspended for a third DWI conviction within 10 years. It is called habitual impaired driving, comes with a fine up to $10,000 and could
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result in forfeiture of vehicle. Bovino’s post did not say if the convictions were within 10 years or if the judicial system waived any element of punishment. On Nov. 16, Homeland Security said a lawman was injured by an American citizen it says, “weaponized his vehicle, driving a large van at law enforcement while they were conducting an operation.” It happened near University City area. Prior to the Border Patrol arriving, Charlotte and Mecklenburg County officials issued public statements about the enforcement. Gov. Josh Stein posted on social media Nov. 14 asking for peace and saying public safety is a priority. U.S. Reps. Mark Harris, Pat Harrigan and Chuck Edwards on Nov. 5 asked Stein to send the National Guard to the city.
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