CHARLOTTE – The Amp Ballantyne announced TD as its new naming rights sponsor.
The 5,000-person-capacity outdoor entertainment venue on the 535-acre Ballantyne campus will now be known as TD Amp Ballantyne.
“At TD, we know that good things happen when people participate in their communities,” said Jennie Platt, chief marketing
Breakfast club to discuss U.S. 521 growth CHARLOTTE – South Charlotte Partners’ May Breakfast Club meeting will feature a panel discussion exploring the growth happening along the U.S. 521 corridor. From Johnston Road through Ballantyne and continuing into Indian Land, S.C., and beyond, U.S. 521 is a vital artery connecting the Queen City to its southernmost suburbs.
The panel will discuss the many factors needed to ensure the South Charlotte area remains a hotbed of employment growth, affordable housing, entertainment and culture. The panel will include:
• Tony Mecia (moderator), The Charlotte Ledger
• Matt Panik, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance
• David Hooper, Rock HillFort Mill Area Transportation Study
• Ron Nanfelt, The Real Estate and Business Industry Coalition
• Felix Obregon, N.C. Department of Transportation
“It’s a pathway to prosperity for one of Charlotte’s most vibrant and important regions,” South Charlotte Partners Chair Christina Thigpen said of U.S. 521. “At our May breakfast, we’ll hear from the people who are shaping its future so that South Charlotte can continue to grow in a manner that benefits everyone who calls the area home.”
The event will be held 8 to 9:30 a.m. May 21 at the Morrison Family YMCA, 9405 Bryan Farms Road. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $35 at the door. Register at https:// scpbreakfastclubmay2026. eventbrite.com/.
officer of TD Bank U.S. “This sponsorship builds on our existing support of incredible venues that foster human connection, and we look forward to bringing members of the Queen City community together to share special moments at TD Amp Ballantyne.”
Independently owned and operated by Northwood Office, TD Amp Ballantyne serves as a
CHARLOTTE – Angela Saber, of Charlotte, earned her doctor of pharmacy degree after a six-year stint at Wingate University that included two years of undergraduate work and four years in the pharmacy program.
“It’s surreal,” Saber said. “I’ve been with Wingate since 2020. We were the COVID class. I came in when COVID was at its peak.”
Public health was in the news during Saber’s first few years at Wingate, and a year into her pharmacy curriculum, Wingate started a public health program, offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Saber decided to tack on a master of public health degree, too.
WINGATE – Tracy Dodson had some good news for graduate and professional students earning degrees May 8 from Wingate University.
“We are the second-largest job producer in the country,” Dodson said of the Charlotte region. “Last year, there were more than 37,000 new jobs created here. For you all, that’s pretty exciting.”
Now she plans to eventually work for the United States Public Health Service, serving minority populations as a pharmacist. Saber said she believes that the public health degree will help her be a better pharmacist.
“I started to realize how patient care can be so holistic and comprehensive with a background in public health,” Saber said. “It’s one thing telling patients to take the medication, but what’s going on in the background that could be a barrier?
Can the patient access their medication? Can they afford their medication?"
Among the graduates receiving degrees were 20 in the university’s initial master of social work cohort.
The largest contingent of
One hundred thirty-seven students in a range of graduate and professional disciplines were eligible to walk that day (some will officially graduate in August). Graduates earning master’s and doctoral degrees in business, education, sport science and the health sciences heard about the prospects for local employment from Dodson, chief operating officer and head of economic development for the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
destination for live entertainment.
Located near TD’s expansive 91,464-square-foot office space, the venue serves as a bridge between the area’s thriving workplace presence – now with 680 Charlotte-area TD employees – with shared community experiences.
“This naming rights sponsorship reflects TD’s commitment to the Ballantyne
TD secures naming rights of The Amp
community and the places where people come together,” said Nick Miceli, regional president for TD’s Southeast Metro region.
“Through the local TD leadership and support of Chris Arabia, North Carolina Commercial Market President, and Demetrius Johnson, the Carolina Metro Retail Market President, we’re proud to back a venue that connects our workplace presence with memorable experiences for employees, clients and the Charlotte community.”
Dodson offers grads advice
Dodson tempered her career-oriented advice with plenty of tips on how to be vocationally happy and content, much of it about finding the right place to put down roots.
“Do work you love in a place that you love,” she said. “Work in a place that allows you to be plural in your ambitions. I have taken many detours in my career. … Seek out the places that allow you to be curious and pivot.”
Taking care of your community and finding non-work-related meaning in life is important too, Dodson said.
“Do your best work, but also look for ways to grow and engage outside of work,” she said. “Build relationships that outlast roles. Titles change faster than values. Be the person who shows up for your community, who remembers names.”
Grad went from COVID class into health career
degree-earners came from the School of Pharmacy and the School of Sport Sciences, with 27 eligible
“This really feels like the perfect fit,” said Ted Mueller, an executive with Northwood Office. “TD has been a great partner, and their full-circle investment from office to outdoor stage reflects the strong sense of community we aim to provide at TD Amp Ballantyne.”
Owens calls for review of I-77 South
Editor's Note: District 6 rep Kimberly Owens gave these remarks in support of a resolution she helped draft calling for a pause to the I-77 South project while a thirdparty review is conducted. The council not only approved the resolution (see 2B) but members also voted to rescind support of the project.
In my representation of my district, I’ve committed to not only identifying problems, but to trying to offer a means to resolve them. And that was the energy and curiosity that I brought to my very first drafts of this resolution many weeks ago.
Through engagement with the city attorney and many of my colleagues, the resolution has evolved in some really positive ways, not least of which the one that was just offered by Councilmember Council Member Arias.
I intend this resolution to be a true third party, or to cause rather a true third party evaluation of alternatives, and to explore more than just what murals we should paint on the supports of an elevated toll lane.
In addition, through its provisions, I seek acknowledgment of current and historical community harm of the I-77 corridor.
I seek to provide real acknowledgment of the true costs of this project.
I hear it described as a $600 million project, but we all know it’s a $4 billion project, and the billions are not coming out of some developer’s kindness or largesse. These dollars are coming out of our pockets for 50 years.
I’ll be gone, but my kids and my grandkids are going to be paying for the decisions that we make here today.
This is a big decision with generational impact.
With that said, I support the resolution as a first step in this council’s accountability to the people of the region.
We’ve come far from the early days when we were told that the project was entirely out of our hands, that the project was out of CRTPO’s hands and that our citizens needed to simply do their best on their own to engage with the NEPA process
by Kimberly Owens Charlotte City Council
Charlotte business leader Tracy Dodson was the speaker at Wingate University’s commencement.
Photo courtesy of Wingate University
Angela Saber, of Charlotte, earned dual degrees: doctor of pharmacy and master of public health. Photo courtesy of Wingate University
Kimberly Owens told council, "We need to lead on this." Photo courtesy of City of Charlotte
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NEWS BRIEFS
Wife arrested on seconddegree murder charges
MONROE – The Union County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal shooting involving a married couple.
Deputies responded to a call about fired shots at about 2:26 p.m.
May 8 at 707 Winding Way in Monroe.
The caller, later identified as 74-year-old Patty Griffin, claimed she accidentally shot her husband, Dennis Griffin, in the shoulder but he had a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators determined Patty had been arguing with Dennis, retrieved a .38-caliber handgun, pointed it at him, pulled the trigger and attempted to discard evidence before law enforcement could arrive, according to the sheriff’s office.
Patty was arrested on charges of second-degree murder.
Matthews Police investigate discharged gun
MATTHEWS – The Matthews Police Department is investigating a shooting into a business on Industrial Drive.
Patrol officers responded to a report of gunshots at about 1:02 a.m.
May 9 at Williams Wrecker Service. They found multiple shell casings in the roadway.
The preliminary investigation determined an unknown suspect fired multiple shots from the street in the direction of the Williams Wrecker Service office building. The Matthews Police Department shared photos on social media of a white vehicle leaving the scene.
Police believe this was an isolated incident with no reported injuries. They encourage citizens to call 704847-5555 with information regarding the incident.
Marshville designates Sturdivant as Juneteenth Parade grand marshal
MARSHVILLE – The Town of Marshville announced that Queen Sturdivant has been selected to serve as grand marshal of the 2026 Juneteenth Parade. “At 92 years young, Mrs. Queen represents strength, grace and a living legacy within our community,” the town posted on its Facebook page. “Her presence at countless events and her quiet, consistent support over the years have made a
lasting impact on Marshville.” The parade takes place from 10 a.m. to noon June 13 through Downtown Marshville. Email communitycoordinator@ marshville.org for volunteer opportunities.
Clinic gets beer exemption for cornhole tourney MATTHEWS – The Matthews Free Medical Clinic has received exemptions to hold fundraising and alcohol sales on town property for an upcoming event.
The nonprofit is planning a cornhole tournament with a beer garden and a food truck May 16 at the clinic, located at 196 S. Trade St. The Matthews Free Medical Clinic leases the property from the Town of Matthews, so it needed to get the exemptions. Registration for the tournament will be available on the nonprofit’s social media.
Septet of poet-themed streets added to network MATTHEWS – The Town of Matthews has accepted seven streets from the Tennyson
Mental health crisis workers play a key role in safety
by Rebecca Peacock
Mental Health Professional
Iwant to start by saying that mobile crisis is not an extra service. It’s not a luxury.
It’s a health care and public safety necessity.
Every day, 24 hours a day, our team responds to people in a mental health crisis across Mecklenburg County, helping to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, incarceration and tragedies before they happen.
Yet many of you may not even be aware of our services.
I’m Rebecca Peacock, and I’m the director of Santé Crisis Response, serving Mecklenburg County.
Mental health touches all of us in one way or another, but it doesn’t often become truly personal until we or someone we love comes face to face with a mental health crisis.
And it’s in those moments that the gaps and the flaws of the system become very clear.
First, I want to thank each of you for your service to the residents of this county. I’ve had the privilege of meeting with several of you over the past few months and hearing just how personal mental health is to many of you. Thank you for your time and really your willingness to engage in difficult conversations.
Since the 1940s, May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, shown by a green ribbon. This May also marks Santé’s 20-year anniversary – 20 years that we have been showing up and doing this critical work.
But our current funding model has made this work increasingly unsustainable. So I want to take a quick moment to highlight the role that Santé plays in the community.
Every county in the state of North Carolina is required to have
a mobile crisis team through their managed Medicaid entity. And our provider is Alliance Health, and so we’ve been the sole provider providing these services across the county.
So when someone’s in crisis, our team responds directly into the community, whether that’s a home, school, parking lot or wherever people need that support.
We work with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal or homicidal thoughts, psychosis, as well as other situational crises.
Last fiscal year alone, we received over 9,000 incoming hotline calls, serving children, adults, seniors and veterans – the residents who live in this county. A significant number of those individuals were able to remain safely in the community.
We also work closely with first responders, oftentimes describing ourselves as the fourth response
REASONS
3.
subdivision into its road network.
The subdivision
“This subdivision was planned and designed with the intent that its streets would ultimately be accepted as
– mental health, alongside police, fire and medic. We partner with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and other providers.
Our work reduces strain on emergency departments, law enforcement and the involuntary commitment system, while also reducing taxpayer costs by providing intervention before hospitalization or incarceration becomes the only option.
Mobile crisis has been quietly working for 20 years, but quiet work is often overlooked. This service deserves visibility, support and sustainability so that we can continue showing up.
If anyone ever has any questions about this service, I would be grateful for that conversation.
Rebecca Peacock gave these remarks May 5 during the public comment portion of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commisssioners meeting.
CALENDAR
9:30-10 a.m.; 7015 Carnegie Blvd., Charlotte
Family Storytime Families engage in literacy activities during Family Storytime at South County Regional Library. Get a ticket at the children’s desk 15 minutes before the program. cmlibrary.org/locations/south-county-regional 10-10:30 or 11-11:30 a.m.; 5801 Rea Road, Charlotte
Family Storytime Families engage in stories and songs during Family Storytime at SouthPark Regional Library. Get a ticket at the children’s desk before the program starts. cmlibrary. org/locations/SouthPark-Regional
10:15-10:45 a.m.; 7015 Carnegie Blvd., Charlotte
Baby Lapsit Storytime Babies 0-17 months listen to stories and songs during Baby Lapsit Storytime at SouthPark
Teams qualify for state tournaments
CHAPEL HILL –
Several teams from the South Charlotte area have qualified for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state playoffs. Several of the brackets feature games pushing up against The Weekly’s deadlines.
Baseball
8A Bracket
• No. 1 Providence will play No. 4 Ardrey Kell in the quarterfinals. The winner will play either No. 2 Myers Park or No. 3 West Forsyth in the semifinals. Providence defeated No. 8 Jordan, 26-4, in the second round after a first-round bye.
• No. 4 Ardrey Kell will play No. 1 Providence in the quarterfinals. The winner will play either No. 2 Myers
Park or No. 3 West Forsyth in the semifinals. Ardrey Kell defeated No. 5 Hough, 5-4, in the second round after a first-round bye.
• No. 2 Myers Park will play No. 3 West Forsyth in the quarterfinals. The winner will play either No. 1 Providence or No. 4 Ardrey Kell in the semifinals. Myers Park defeated No. 7 Pinecrest, 6-1, in the second round after a first-round bye.
• No. 9 South Mecklenburg lost to No. 8 Jordan, 4-3, in the first round. No. 11 East Mecklenburg lost to No. 6 Northwest Guilford, 6-3, in the first round.
7A Bracket No. 19 Ballantyne Ridge will play No. 6 Richmond Senior in the
and elevate what they had perceived as the burdens of the project.
With this resolution, I find that we’re being honest, that we cannot and should not absolve ourselves of the taint of decisions that affect the lives and livelihoods of our residents, and the pockets and prosperity of our descendants.
We need to lead on this. We need to challenge the narrative that NCDOT knows best when it comes to engagement with our region.
No one on this dais made the decisions that originally prioritized growth and progress over people when these roads originally tore through Black neighborhoods. But that doesn’t absolve us of responsibility now to mitigate the damaging practices in the name of growth, efficiency and economic development.
We’ve seen that the rising tide doesn’t always lift all boats, especially those boats that have been dry docked by years of neglect.
I support this resolution, but I want to be clear that it does not pass the buck on our responsibility as a council and as a
third round. The winner will play either No. 10 A.L. Brown or No. 2 Hickory Ridge. Ballantyne Ridge defeated No. 3 Grimsley, 3-2, in the second round and No. 14 Hopewell, 4-0, in the first round.
6A Bracket No. 2 Charlotte Catholic will play No. 7 A.C. Reynolds in the third round. The winner will play either No. 3 T.C. Roberson or No. 6 South Caldwell in the quarterfinals. Charlotte Catholic defeated No. 15 Sun Valley, 3-1, in the second round after a firstround bye.
Softball
8A Bracket No. 1 Providence will play No. 4 Hough in the third round. The winner plays either No. 2 Apex
community to expect more out of our state with regard to this project and others.
We are the citizens. We are the taxpayers, and we want decisions made that reflect the values we place on neighborhoods, on connections and on the prosperity of people, not just on maximization of throughput and on cutting commute times.
I will continue to expect better out of this project and encourage our citizens to stay focused and intentional in advocating for what serves the region now, on assessing whether the burdens we ask of our children and grandchildren are worth it.
On this resolution, I don’t want to oversell its reach or undersell the need for continued involvement of this council on the project.
We’re not done, but this is a step in an ongoing need for true leadership and advocacy for the communities we serve.
I believe our residents deserve more than murals of strong Black success stories of the past. They deserve municipal action that enables strong Black success stories of the future.
My hope is through this resolution we can enable those protections to be afforded on this generational project, and can send our message to NCDOT of what we want for Charlotte.
Friendship or No. 3 West Forsyth in the regional final. Providence defeated No. 8 Northwest Guilford, 7-0, in the second round after a first-round bye.
• No. 9 East Mecklenburg lost to No. 8 Northwest Guilford, 7-1, in the first round. No. 7 Ardrey Kell lost to No. 2 Apex Friendship, 3-1, in the second round and defeated No. 10 South Mecklenburg, 9–8, in the first round. No. 10 South Mecklenburg lost to No. 7 Ardrey Kell, 9-8, in the first round.
7A Bracket No. 24 Ballantyne Ridge lost to No. 9 McDowell, 10-0, in the first round.
6A Bracket
• No. 8 Charlotte Catholic will play No. 1 Kings Mountain in the third round. The winner plays either No. 5 Alexander Central or No. 13 T.C. Roberson in the fourth round. Charlotte Catholic defeated No. 9 Glenn, 3-2, in the second round after a first-round bye.
Women’s soccer
8A Bracket
• No. 7 Providence will play No. 10 Hoke County in the first round. The winner plays No. 2 Myers Park in the second round. No. 8 East Mecklenburg will play No. 9 South Mecklenburg in the first round. The winner plays No. 1 Hough in the second round. No. 9 South Mecklenburg will play No. 8 East Mecklenburg in
the first round. The winner plays No. 1 Hough in the second round.
• No. 2 Myers Park has a first-round bye. They play either No. 7 Providence or No. 10 Hoke County. No. 4 Ardrey Kell has a first-round bye. They play the winner of No. 5 West Forsyth and No. 12 Chambers in the second round.
7A Bracket • No. 12 Ballantyne Ridge will play No. 21 A.L. Brown in the first round. The winner plays No. 5 Cox Mill in the second round.
6A Bracket No. 1 Charlotte Catholic has a first-round bye. They play the winner of No. 16 South Caldwell or No. 17 Western Guilford in the second round.
New clubhouse. Will include new restaurants, a performing arts center, and pickleball courts.
FEATURE IMPACT
Most people don’t set out to ignore their health. It usually slips down the list somewhere between the morning alarm and the last email of the day. Breakfast gets rushed or skipped.
Exercise is postponed until tomorrow. Sleep is cut short to catch up on everything else. By the end of the week, healthy intentions are still there, but the follow-through feels harder than expected. For many, the challenge is not motivation but finding habits that fit into real life. Small, repeatable choices around sleep, exercise, nutrition, mental well-being and social connection can support how the body and mind function over time.
Sleep Well
Sleep is essential for physical recovery, mental focus and emotional balance, but it’s often the first habit to slip when schedules get busy.
Establishing a regular bedtime routine helps signal when it’s time to rest. Limiting screen exposure in the evening, keeping sleep and wake times consistent and creating a dark, quiet sleep environment can support more restorative sleep. Over time, better sleep contributes to improved mood, focus and overall heart health.
Exercise in Manageable Ways
Exercise often falls into the same trap as sleep. When schedules get full, it becomes something to get back to rather than something that fits into the day as it unfolds. A missed workout can quickly turn into a missed week, even for people who value staying active.
Regular movement supports heart health, muscle strength and overall energy, but it doesn’t need to be all-or-nothing. Short periods of activity spread throughout the day can still make a difference, especially when long stretches of sitting are the default.
Walking between meetings, stretching in the morning or adding light strength exercises at home are simple ways to stay active without blocking out extra time.
Eat Nutritiously
Food decisions often happen on autopilot as meals are squeezed into busy schedules and long days, making nutrition one of the most influential daily habits.
DINING SCORES
Meals do more than provide fuel. When built around nutrientrich foods, they support muscle health, brain health and heart health. An overall healthy eating pattern includes a variety of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, helping the body keep up with everyday demands. Protein plays an important role in maintaining muscle and supporting daily movement, especially as people age. High-quality protein from foods, along with a balanced diet and regular exercise, can help support all the muscles in the body.
Choosing protein sources that are easy to prepare and repeat supports consistency when schedules are full.
As part of a balanced approach to healthy habits, nutrition guidance from the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good initiative, nationally sponsored by the Egg Nutrition Center, highlights how everyday food choices can support the body and brain over time. Eggs are an example of a high-quality protein and they fit easily into meals throughout the day.
Eggs also deliver choline, a nutrient many Americans don’t get enough of. Choline is a critical nutrient, among others, for supporting brain development, memory and mood. Along with protein, choline helps support brain health, making it an important consideration across life stages.
According to the American Heart Association, healthy people can include one egg daily, up to seven eggs per week, as part of a heart-healthy diet. For healthy older adults with normal cholesterol, two eggs per day can be included as part of a heart-healthy dietary pattern.
Mind Your Mental Well-Being
The way people eat, sleep and move does not just affect the body. It also shapes how the brain responds to stress and daily demands. When routines feel rushed or inconsistent, mental well-being is often one of the first areas to feel the strain.
Ongoing stress can interfere with focus, sleep and eating habits, making it harder to
maintain healthy routines. Simple practices like deep breathing, mindfulness or stepping away from screens for a few minutes can help reduce tension and restore attention.
Making time for rest and reflection, and setting realistic expectations, can also support emotional balance. What supports the brain often supports the heart as well, reinforcing the value of caring for mental and physical health together.
Socialize and Stay Connected
Mental well-being is shaped by both daily routines and relationships. When life feels busy or stressful, social connection is often the first thing to get pushed aside, even though it plays an important role in emotional health.
short conversations or a quick check-in with a friend or family member can help maintain a sense of connection.
Build Habits That Fit Real Life
Healthy routines are more likely to last when they fit into the
Charlotte wants third-party review of I-77 project
CHARLOTTE
– The Charlotte City Council took two actions May 11 regarding the Interstate 77 South Express Lanes project.
First, the council approved the resolution below that calls for a pause on the project so that it can be reviewed by an independent third-party.
Second, members voted to direct their representative on the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (Ed Driggs) to rescind the city’s support of the project.
While the first action generated prepared statements from members of the council, the second action was met with much more apprehension. Members asked city staff, the city attorney and a state transportation engineer several questions about what would happen to the project’s timelines and funding if Charlotte rescinded its support.
There were no definitive answers, which means this will have to be ironed out some more amongst the city, CRTPO and the N.C. Department of Transportation.
Resolution of the Charlotte City Council requesting a pause for due diligence, a targeted reevaluation, and design analysis with community benefit considerations, related to the Interstate 77 South Express Lanes project
WHEREAS, the City of Charlotte is a duly incorporated municipality organized under the laws of North Carolina under Chapter 160A of the North Carolina General Statutes, and its residents, businesses, and public infrastructure are materially affected by traffic conditions on and adjacent to Interstate 77; and
WHEREAS, the Charlotte City Council, the governing body of the City of Charlotte, is committed to promoting safe, efficient, and equitable transportation infrastructure that supports long-term mobility, economic vitality, and quality of life, while protecting homes, neighborhoods, community stability, and avoiding unnecessary displacement; and
WHEREAS, in October 2024, the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (“CRTPO”) approved advancement of the I-77 South Express Lanes project (the “Project”) — an approximately 11-mile widening from Uptown Charlotte to the South Carolina state line estimated to cost more than $4 billion, to be delivered through a publicprivate partnership (“P3”) and adding four managed toll lanes through a constrained urban corridor; and
WHEREAS, the Project is being advanced through state and regional transportation planning processes, including the State Transportation Improvement Program and CRTPO, pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 136189.11 et seq., and is subject to review under the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”), which requires evaluation of environmental and community impacts, consideration of alternatives, and meaningful public involvement before major federal actions; and
WHEREAS, the CRTPO submitted the Project to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (“NCDOT”) in prioritization cycle P3 in 2014 and has resubmitted it in every prioritization cycle since that time; and
WHEREAS, since P3 approval, NCDOT has advanced procurement and design concepts, including selection of an elevated design in portions of the corridor, while Project acquisition of real property or displacement of residential properties or businesses subject to federal funding or approvals will be governed by the federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (“URA”); and
WHEREAS, historically, highway construction and expansion projects have disproportionately impacted Black communities and underserved populations through neighborhood division, displacement, and long-term barriers to economic opportunity; and county and local analyses indicate that historically Black neighborhoods and disinvested communities may face disproportionate impacts from the Project’s proposed design; and
WHEREAS, as the Project details have emerged, residents, community organizations, stakeholders, and elected officials have expressed increasing concern about displacement of homes and businesses, impacts to parks and greenways, noise, air and water quality, construction disruption, and neighborhood stability, and many residents have expressed that prior public engagement has not meaningfully shaped project decisions; and WHEREAS, NCDOT has acknowledged community concern by extending public engagement and establishing an I-77 South Community Advisory Group, but procurement activities remain ongoing; and the City Council finds that proceeding without additional analysis and communitydriven dialogue risks irreversible harm and
forecloses potentially better solutions for the I-77 South Project; and WHEREAS, the Project design choices — including alignment, cross-section, access points, buffering, multimodal integration, and traffic mitigation strategies addressing diversion, network-level impacts, and equity — can materially reduce the degree and distribution of community impacts and are critical to achieving optimal results balancing congestion relief with community welfare; and WHEREAS, the Charlotte City Council seeks a measured and responsible approach, informed by community input, that reflects the generational significance and effects of this Project.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Charlotte City Council that:
1. Commitment to People-First Transportation Decisions
The Charlotte City Council affirms that transportation investments must be evaluated not only on their ability to move vehicles, but on how they protect residents from displacement; improve safety and health outcomes; support strong neighborhoods and local businesses; and advance equity and opportunity for communities that have historically borne the burdens of infrastructure projects.
2. Request for Targeted Reevaluation and Design Analysis
The Charlotte City Council respectfully calls for an independent third-party reevaluation and alternatives analysis of the I-77 South corridor, including multimodal, non-highway and transportation demand management strategies, and encourages that any draft RFP for a toll lane development be paused until the findings are presented to council and the public.
3. Direction to CRTPO Representative
The Charlotte City Council’s appointed representative to the CRTPO is hereby directed to advocate for targeted reevaluation and expanded analysis of alternatives and design options consistent with this Resolution, and to take any other actions as directed on behalf of the Charlotte City Council.
4. NEPA and Alternatives/Design Considerations
The Charlotte City Council respectfully requests that the Project’s NEPA review, to the extent applicable, include:
• Evaluation of a reasonable range of alternatives, including phased or lowerimpact options, without predetermined presumptions as to outcomes;
• Rigorous analysis of design variations — including alignment shifts, interchange configurations, and context-sensitive solutions — that could avoid or minimize community and environmental impacts;
• Full evaluation of direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts; and
• Advancement to an Environmental Impact Statement if warranted by Environmental Assessment findings.
5. Relocation, Traffic, and Design Impact Analysis
The Charlotte City Council requests that NCDOT, the Federal Highway Administration (“FHWA”), and the Project’s private participants provide, as part of the targeted reevaluation: updated traffic and revenue projections; evaluation of nontoll or hybrid alternatives; displacement impact analysis consistent with URA obligations; design and construction analysis of impacts on adjacent local streets and neighborhoods; and environmental and land use impact assessments.
6. Community Benefit and Design-Based Mitigation
The Charlotte City Council respectfully requests that NCDOT and FHWA identify and assess community benefit and designbased mitigation strategies, including actions consistent with City Council priorities including but not limited to Vision Zero and the City’s Strategic Mobility Plan:
• Roadway design modifications to reduce cut-through traffic and neighborhood disruption;
• Incorporation of multimodal infrastructure (pedestrian, bicycle, and transit elements);
• Noise, air quality, and visual buffering through design treatments;
• Context-sensitive solutions to maintain or enhance neighborhood connectivity; and
• Integration of complementary local infrastructure improvements.
7. Community Engagement
The Charlotte City Council commits to working collaboratively with regional partners to ensure residents have meaningful opportunities to provide input on project design, impacts, and mitigation strategies, with particular attention to historically impacted neighborhoods and communities.
The Charlotte City Council requests that NCDOT and federal agencies conduct engagement of community members at accessible times, locations, and formats; provide clear, non-technical materials; and maintain a publicly accessible platform documenting questions received,
responses provided, and changes made as a result of public input. The Charlotte City Council further requests that the I-77 South Community Advisory Group receive regular project briefings, access to relevant data and assumptions, and serve as a formal channel for community concerns throughout the analysis and decision-making process of the Project.
8. Municipal Engagement and Public Participation
The Charlotte City Council and the City of Charlotte requests formal notice of and an opportunity to comment upon all traffic and revenue study updates, environmental review documents, and mitigation plans before their finalization, and requests that NCDOT hold a public meeting with public comment forum within Charlotte’s municipal boundaries during the public comment period for any associated NEPA or state environmental reviews.
9. City Milestone Commitments
The Charlotte City will pursue a structured series of milestones aligned with the state’s project timeline across key milestones including but not limited to: (1) Engagement –the City will designate a community liaison within the City’s Community Relations Department; (2) Coordination – secure commitments for regular progress briefings from NCDOT, and request the launch a public-facing project dashboard; (3) Construction – Requests that NCDOT publish a community impact mitigation plan prior to groundbreaking, maintain quarterly dashboard updates, convene the I-77 South Community Advisory Group, confirm local hiring and small business tracking mechanisms are in place, and formally transmit emerging resident
concerns to the state; and (4) Closeout – upon project completion, request post-construction performance data, host a final public session, and present a formal closeout report to the Charlotte City Council summarizing outcomes relative to the commitments made to residents.
10. No Assertion of Control Beyond Authority
Nothing in this Resolution shall be construed as an attempt by the Charlotte City Council or the City of Charlotte to exercise authority beyond that provided under North Carolina or federal law. Final decisions regarding project programming, environmental review, and design approval rest with the appropriate state and federal agencies.
11. Severability
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or provision of this Resolution is determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Resolution shall not be affected thereby and shall continue in full force and effect.
12. Distribution
The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to: Governor Josh Stein; the North Carolina Department of Transportation; the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization; the North Carolina Board of Transportation; the Federal Highway Administration; and the City of Charlotte’s legislative delegation to the North Carolina General Assembly.
ADOPTED in recognition that transportation decisions shape lives, neighborhoods, and generations — and that Charlotte’s residents deserve a seat at the table before irreversible choices are made.
CLASSIFIEDS
Credit Karma, LLC seeks the following in Charlotte, NC (May telecommute from anywhere in the US up to 100% of the time): Senior Cloud Security Engineer (11248): Partner with Platform engineering teams to design security-centric cloud solution architectures on Network Security Engineering. Salary: $215,660/yr.
Credit Karma, LLC seeks the following in Charlotte, NC (May telecommute from within normal commuting distance of the Charlotte, NC office, up to 2 days per week): Product Analyst II (83754): Measurement marketing initiatives and provide recommendations based on the testing insights. Salary: $147,487/yr; Senior Test Engineer (14266): Analyze requirements to design and implement manual and automated test cases. Salary: $160,402/yr; Senior Product Manager – Data (18492): Design use-cases and enterprise tools for in-app, email, and push message marketing content. Salary: $215,448/yr; Staff Software Site Reliability Engineer (56882): Designing and building capabilities that enhance Credit Karma’s platform infrastructure. $242,671/yr; Product Analyst III (66448): Leverage internal and external data to develop business recommendations that generate value for Credit Karma and our partners. Salary: $163,127/yr; Software Engineer II (75317): Develop and maintain backend systems and event-driven services that support insurance partner integrations and internal platforms. Salary: $144,100/yr; Product Analyst II (40253): Drive the implementation of product and marketing experiments, then synthesize results with clear recommendations to drive improvements and inform strategy. Salary: $147,487/yr; Senior Test Engineer II (45417): Identify coverage gaps, automate repeated tasks, and build regression test coverage for existing and new infrastructure. Salary: $187,412/yr.
To apply: Submit resume on www.jobpostingtoday.com, using the job # in parenthesis next to the job title. Must reference job title and code when applying. Background checks req’d.
Director – Data & Analytics, Business, PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services LLC, Charlotte, NC. Define and drive the strategic vision and oversee key client engagements in the Financial Services sector. Req. Bach’s deg or frgn equiv in MIS, Data Anlytcs, Bus Admin, Comp Sci or a rel fld + 7 yrs of rel wrk exp.; in lieu of a bach’s deg, the emplr will accpt 2 addl. yrs of rel work exp. 80% telecommuting permitted. Must be able to commute to a designated local office. Dmstc &/or intl trvl up to 80% required. Sal. range: $216,000 - $288,000/yr. Please apply by sending your resume to US_PwC_Career_Recruitment@pwc.com , specifying Job Code NC4864 in the subject line.
Best in student theater
Area schools earn several Blumey Awards nominations
CHARLOTTE – Blumenthal Arts has announced nominees for the 2026 Blumey Awards, scheduled to take place May 17 at Belk Theater.
The awards honor achievements in high school musical theater. Students receive training, mentorship and networking.
Fifty-nine Charlotte-area schools submitted a full-length spring musical produced during the academic year for consideration. Trained judges with industry experience attend each production, with a panel of three professionals evaluating performances using a standardized scoring process and providing notes to the schools.
“With every Blumenthal Arts season,
Nominees
LOUD & LIVE
we’re reminded just how much talent exists in our schools, and how important it is to create space for that talent to be taken seriously,” said Tom Gabbard, CEO of Blumenthal Arts. “This program gives students the chance to be challenged, celebrated and connected to something bigger than their own production.”
The program includes free workshops and personalized training for performers, designers and stage managers. Students selected for the top acting categories also take part in Blumey Bootcamp, a multi-day program led by industry professionals ahead of final auditions and the annual ceremony.
“The Blumey Awards are an
Best Supporting Actress
from area schools
Blonde: The Musical
Kell - Joseph (JJ) Monteleone (Nathan Detroit) Guys and Dolls • Ballantyne Ridge - Michael Dunne (Troy Boton) Musical
• Carmel Christian - James Coleman (Ren McCormack) Footloose
• CATA - Aidan Conway (Leading Player) Pippin
• Charlotte Catholic - Aaron Quintero (Scarecrow) The Wizard of Oz
• Charlotte Christian - Malachi Fair (Prince Topher) Cinderella
• Charlotte Country Day - Charles Dekle (Kristoff) Frozen • Charlotte Latin - Flinn Teichman (MC) Cabaret
• Providence Day - Owen Moore (Vittorio Vidal) Sweet Charity
• Providence - Lyndon Mathias (Fester) The Addams Family
• South Meck - Henry Schmidt (Chip) 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
• Weddington - Thomas LoMonaco (Professor Callahan) Legally Blonde: The Musical
accelerant. It is fuel to ensure that theater in our schools receives the resources, attention and accolades it deserves,” said Andie Maloney, chief education officer at Blumenthal Arts. “It celebrates the hard work and talent of thousands of students and educators. It inspires the next generation of creatives to pursue their dreams, and gives them tools, networks and resources to do so with confidence.”
The Blumeys have served as a springboard for students pursuing careers in theater. Past winners include Bryson Battle (2021), Reneé Rapp (2018) and Amina Faye (2016).
On the web: blumenthalarts.org/ education/blumey-awards.
• Ardrey Kell - Celina Fuller (Benny Southstreet) Guys and Dolls
• Ballantyne Ridge - Leah Ryan (Kelsi Nielson) Musical
• Carmel Christian - Charlotte Scott (Rusty) Footloose
• CATA - Anika Ryder (Berthe) Pippin
• Charlotte Catholic - Amelia Quintero (Glinda_ The Wizard of Oz
• Charlotte Christian - Eden Davis (Madame) Cinderella
• Charlotte Country Day - Tatum Harris (Olaf) Frozen
• Charlotte Latin - Sophia McGirt (Fraulein Kost) Cabaret
• Cuthbertson - Riley Washburn (Tanya) Mamma Mia!
• David W. Butler - Vy Nguyen (Roz Keith) 9 to 5 The Musical
• East Mecklenburg - Zara Taty (Hermes) Hadestown Teen Edition
• Independence - Amerie Weldon (Tanya) Mamma Mia!
• Marvin Ridge - Sam Strong (Bea) Something Rotten!
• Porter Ridge - Andrea Majia (Fate #2) Hadestown Teen Edition
• Providence Day - Kate Reece (Carmen) Sweet Charity
• Providence - Mac Sloan (Lurch) The Addams Family
• South Meck - Zulemma Travieso Gonzalez (Angela) 25th Annual Putnam County
Spelling Bee
• Weddington - Alexander Stetson (3 roles) Legally Blonde: The Musical
Best Choreography Execution
• Carmel Christian – Footloose
• CATA – Pippin (2013 Revival)
• Weddington – Legally Blonde: The Musical
Best Direction • East Mecklenburg - Hadestown Teen Edition • Weddington – Legally Blonde: The Musical
Ensemble
– Pippin (2013 Revival) • East Mecklenburg - Hadestown Teen Edition • Weddington – Legally Blonde: The Musical
Best Student
How Hiring Veterans Can Strengthen the Workforce
very year, about 200,000 service members transition from military service into civilian careers, offering employers access to a highly skilled and mission-driven talent pool. As organizations across industries seek dependable employees who can adapt and lead, veterans bring experience that translates directly to business success.
Veterans enter the workforce with a wide range of technical and professional skills. Military occupations span fields such as logistics, engineering, cybersecurity, aviation and health care, many of which align closely with civilian roles. This experience allows veterans to apply their training to roles across industries, from manufacturing to information technology, using their practical knowledge developed during their service. Beyond technical expertise, veterans are widely recognized for their reliability, adaptability and strong work ethic. Military culture emphasizes responsibility, teamwork and accountability – qualities that can strengthen workplace culture and improve team performance. Additionally, employers that hire veterans with disabilities often qualify for federal tax credits, and many workplace accommodations are available to employers at no cost.
Despite these advantages, veterans transitioning from military service to civilian employment still face challenges. One of the most common obstacles is translating military experience into language civilian employers understand. Although more than 80% of military roles have civilian equivalents, differences in job titles and terminology related to responsibilities and accomplishments gained during service may not align neatly with traditional job descriptions, making it difficult for veterans to clearly communicate their qualifications.
courtesy of DVIDS. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense
