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INSIDE ▼ Tips to deal with economic uncertainty
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PAGE 2B Friday, July 24, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 28
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Summit outlines transportation landscape CHARLOTTE – South Charlotte Partners has announced the lineup for its fourth annual Regional Transportation Summit. The summit allows business professionals and community members to engage with the influential leaders who are shaping the future of transportation in the region. It will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 29 at TPC Piper Glen. The lineup includes: • A fireside chat with David Howard, chair of the newly formed Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority that governs public transportation in
Mecklenburg County. • A panel discussion featuring N.C. Board of Transportation Chair Tony Lathrop, Western Deputy Chief Engineer Brett Canipe and District 10 Engineer Felix Obregon. • A discussion on the politics of transportation with Charlotte City Council member Ed Driggs and Mecklenburg County commissioners Susan RodriguezMcDowell and Leigh Altman. • A discussion with Ashton Watson, director of engineering for Charlotte Douglas International Airport, about CLT’s impact on regional economic
development. Organizers said the city will attend to discuss Charlotte’s multibillion-dollar transportation plan that will be funded by a 1-cent sales tax increase approved by voters last fall. “Charlotte has one of the nation’s busiest airports and a highway system that puts us at the heart of the fastestgrowing corridor in the United States,” said Christina Thigpen, chair of South Charlotte Partners. “Just as important, mobility for local residents and visitors is a vital concern for maintaining quality of life and ensuring access to all the
Sneed gives update on superintendent investigation
WHAT'S INSIDE:
No Deal Jackson doesn't sign energy settlement, 2A
Charlotte Academy of the Arts recently presented “The Little Mermaid JR.” at Marvin Ridge High School. Photos courtesy of Charlotte Academy of the Arts
Words & Action Teen author promotes skin health, 3A
LITTLE MERMAID Arts academy makes quick work of Disney classic
In Pour Taste Event blends wine and comedy, 1B
New Music Charlotte native releases single, 3B
opportunities our region has to offer. Each year, South Charlotte Partners invites key local stakeholders to address the changing transportation landscape, and we’re excited to hear insights from this year’s speakers.” Tickets for the Regional Transportation Summit cost $100 and include breakfast and access to the day’s program. Buy tickets at eventbrite.com. Early registration is recommended due to high demand. Email event chair Roy Lindland of Froehling & Robertson at rlindland@ fandr.com for sponsorship opportunities.
MATTHEWS – A group of young performers gathered for their very first rehearsal of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid JR” on a Monday. By Friday, they were bowing in front of a packed house. Charlotte Academy of the Arts presented the beloved under-the-sea tale on June 26 and 27 at Marvin Ridge High School, marking the academy’s first musical theater production under its new name (formerly Charlotte Academy of Music). What made the achievement remarkable was not just the polish of the final product, but
the timeline behind it. The entire full-scale production, from first read-through to opening night, came together in only five days. Rehearsals began on June 22. Over the course of five days, the cast learned blocking, choreography and a full slate of musical numbers before stepping onto the stage for audiences that weekend. The production was anything but simple. Elaborate costumes, expertly styled wigs, hand-crafted props and beautiful scenic see MERMAID, Page 3A
CHARLOTTE – Stephanie Sneed, chair of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, released a statement this week on the investigation of Superintendent Crystal Hill. The school board announced June 17 that it placed Hill on temporary leave with pay, pending an investigation into matters involving administrative and Sneed operational oversight. The update is as follows: Since the Board of Education placed Superintendent Hill on temporary leave with pay in June, we have been working diligently to complete Hill our independent review. While there is still work to be done, we expect that process to conclude within the next few weeks. Because this is a personnel matter governed by North Carolina law, there are limits on what information the board can share while the review is ongoing. We appreciate the community’s patience as we complete this process in a manner that is thorough, fair and consistent with our legal and oversight obligations. We anticipate sharing an update before students return to school on Aug. 25. In the meantime, I want our families, employees and community to know that the board and district leadership remain focused on what matters most: ensuring our schools are ready to welcome students on the first day of school. Preparing for a successful school year has not stopped. Our work continues every day, and we remain committed to supporting our students, our educators and our school communities while this process moves toward completion.
Matthews loosens rules for indoor recreation uses by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Town commissioners voted this month to allow indoor tennis and racket sports as by-right uses in light industrial areas. Such uses wouldn’t require a conditional use permit moving forward.
Monroe Rd Holdings originally applied to have indoor and outdoor uses allowed, but concern was raised during the June 8 public hearing about the noise generated from outdoor uses. Commissioner John Urban specifically mentioned noise from outdoor racquetball and tennis courts next to residential
areas while Mayor John Higdon asked if the word “outdoor” could simply be removed from the request. Aaron Houck, an attorney with Robinson Bradshaw, told town leaders last month that their client didn’t care about having courts outside. They were merely going by the existing language in
the town code. Commissioners have designated new categories “Tennis and racket club, commercial, indoor only” and “Tennis and racket sports courts, indoor only” as “permitted by right” in the I-1 zoning district within the Table of Allowed Uses. An existing use,
“Indoor commercial recreation not otherwise listed,” is also “permitted by right” in the I-1 zoning district. There wasn’t any discussion among commissioners before they unanimously voted on the request.