20
02 – 202
24
INSIDE ▼ See upcoming chamber events
6
PAGE 2A Friday, February 6, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 5
thecharlotteweekly.com/mmhweekly
@mmhweekly
Mayor credits staff for John Street grant by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Mayor John Higdon credited staff for their work in helping the Town of Matthews secure a $17.4 million federal grant for John Street improvements.
During his Jan. 29 mayor’s report, Higdon recognized Town Engineer Susan Habina Woolard, Transportation Planner Dana Stoogenke, Senior Planner Nadine Bennett and Public Works Director CJ O’Neill for their
work in the town earning a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant. “The whole county is a little bit envious that we were able to get these funds,” Higdon said. The grant will fund the John Street Safety and Mobility Enhancement Project, which the town said will transform 1.4 miles of East and West John Street into a Complete Street that accommodates driving, walking, biking and riding transit while maintaining an active downtown. The project is an alternative to the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s East
John Street widening project. Town leaders have been in negotiations with the NCDOT for several years to move forward with a widening option that does not disrupt the small town feel of downtown Matthews. NCDOT wanted to install a superstreet but town leaders wanted to see how other transportation improvements would affect traffic through downtown. In late 2024, commissioners voted to remove the NCDOT’s solution to widen East John Street to four lanes from Trade Street to Greylock Ridge Road from the State
Transportation Improvement Program. “We haven’t decided what we’re going to do there yet, but it’s a really exciting thing,” Higdon said of the grant. “I’m so glad that we didn’t buckle and take NCDOT’s four-lane highway coming through downtown. We said we were doing this and we have this other funding mechanism, so I really want to thank staff. They did an outstanding job.” The town is working with NCDOT and the Charlotte Area Transit System on the John Street Safety and Mobility Enhancement Project.
Run Jen Run 5K and Festival returning to region
Matthews elevates Camp to interim leadership role by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Planning Director Jay Camp is taking on a bigger role with the Town of Matthews – at least for the time being.
The Run Jen Run 5K & Festival is the signature fundraiser for the Go Jen Go Foundation, which supports families facing the financial burden of a breast cancer diagnosis. Photos courtesy of Go Jen Go
CHARLOTTE – The Go Jen Go Foundation has opened registration for the Run Jen Run 5K & Festival.
The 14th annual fundraiser takes place from 7 to 10 a.m. March 21 at TowneBank Symphony Park in SouthPark. It will feature a 5K, Fun Run, festival with music and family fun zone with games and bounce houses. There will also be food vendors and sponsors showcasing their businesses. Consolidated Planning is returning as title sponsor. Presenting sponsors are Coastal Bridge Advisors and Smiley’s 4 C’s Charitable Endowment. Participants can register to run or walk individually or as a team. There is also a Sleep In Supporter/Virtual option for those unable to attend in person. Race-day registration fees on March 21 are $45 for the 5K, $30 for the Fun Run and $40 for Sleep In Supporter/Virtual. Get $5 off if registered between Feb. 4 and March 20. There is no charge for breast cancer fighters, survivors or thrivers to participate but registration is required. Visit runjenrun5K.com for details and to sign up as a participant or volunteer. Signs of Hope can be purchased in honor of loved ones who are battling breast cancer or are in remission. They can also be purchased in memory of those who have passed away. The event will feature Hope Village for breast
cancer patients to be celebrated and enjoy a space to relax, feel supported and connect with one another. Proceeds go to The Go Jen Go Foundation, which supports families in the greater Charlotte area facing the financial burden of a breast cancer diagnosis. The nonprofit supports more than 110 families per month.
Its patient assistance program helps cover household expenses, including housing, utilities, transportation and groceries/necessities while a patient undergoes breast cancer treatment. There are also programs that provide camp opportunities for our grantees’ children and deliver gifts during the holidays. On the web: gojengo.org
Independence senior wins Teen Health Connection award CHARLOTTE – Teen Health Connection awarded its 2026 Johnston Ziegler Safrit Youth Leadership Scholarship to Alexis Agurs.
The $10,000 scholarship supports Agurs as she prepares to graduate in June from Independence High School and attend Winston-Salem State University. She plans to major in biology on a pre-med track. Teen Health Connection provides medical and behavioral health services for people ages 11 to 25 in the Charlotte region. Its Johnston Ziegler Safrit Youth Leadership Scholarship honors students who demonstrate meaningful impact through leadership, advocacy and service.
Agurs was selected for her Girl Scout Gold Award project, which brought free, accessible First Aid and CPR training to families in her community. She identified critical gaps in emergency preparedness following an incident at her church when a child was injured during a youth event. Agurs learned that limited access, cost and scheduling barriers prevented many families from receiving lifesaving training. She was instrumental in organizing volunteers to train more than 30 families. As a result of her efforts, emergency preparedness has become an official part of the church’s volunteer curriculum. Story continues, see HEALTH page 3A
Alexis Agurs, a senior at Independence High School, won the 2026 Johnston Ziegler Safrit Youth Leadership Scholarship.
Photo courtesy of Teen Health Connection
Town Manager Melia James announced Jan. 29 that Camp has been serving as interim assistant manager since Jan. 18. James became town manager Jan. 1. She was hired in 2022 as assistant town manager. “Jay has agreed to serve as the interim assistant town manager for us while we reevaluate that position and plan for recruitment in late spring,” James said. “Jay did remind me that he loves being the planning director so he will continue to serve as the planning director. I think that was him telling me not to get too comfortable with him sitting here.” James touted Camp’s experience and engagement with the community. “As we look at community development holistically at the different capital projects we have going on and some of our economic development opportunities with Hendricks and Discovery Place, I think he is well positioned to help us move forward in that manner,” James said. James was referring to a partnership with Hendrick Motorsports and Central Piedmont Community College to establish an advanced manufacturing campus and public safety training center on 200 acres near the Levine Campus. The Town of Matthews is also partnering with Discovery Place and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to develop a children’s museum on the campus of Matthews Elementary School in the downtown area. “I’m excited to have him serve alongside me as we continue with staff to make Matthews a great place to be,” James said. Camp joined the planning department in 2006. He was appointed interim planning director in December 2018 following the retirement of leader Kathi Ingrish. He was promoted to planning director in August 2019. “Thanks for the opportunity,” Camp said. “I look forward to serving in this different and new capacity.” Mayor John Higdon said Camp will do a good job in the interim role. “Jay shared with us the other day that he has been a town employee for 20 years, which is kind of hard to believe,” Higdon shared with colleagues on the board. “When I think about it, he’s been kind of a constant presence here.”