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INSIDE ▼ Family Fun Night among upcoming concerts
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PAGE 3B Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 31
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Greear wins Patriot Award
CHARLOTTE – Joy Greear, president of Novant Health medical centers in Ballantyne and Mint Hill, was surprised with the Patriot Award on Aug. 4 for supporting employees who serve in the military. The Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve presents the award to leaders who help others balance military service with civilian careers. Under Greear’s leadership, Ballantyne Medical Center supports military-connected staff members
through initiatives such as the hospital’s Honoring Our Heroes Wall, accommodations for military training and deployments, and programs that ensure service members remain connected while fulfilling their military obligations. Greear was nominated by Greg Duggan, a nurse anesthetist at Ballantyne Medical Center and colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. Duggan praised her commitment to service members and their families. He highlighted Greear’s efforts to
go above and beyond, including hosting his promotion ceremony to colonel this year. He also thanked her for creating an environment where military service is accommodated and valued. Greear said she was honored by the recognition and reflected on her family’s deep connection to military service. She shared that her uncle, a paratrooper, was killed in Normandy during World War II. That loss instilled in her family a lasting appreciation for those who serve.
PREMIUM POTTERY Market to host 55 top artists for 20th anniversary event See story on page 2B
Joy Greear said supporting military members, veterans and their families has always held a special place in her heart. Photo courtesy of Novant Health
School board gets update on superintendent CHARLOTTE – CharlotteMecklenburg Schools will welcome students back to classrooms on Aug. 25, but the district has not yet resolved its investigation into Superintendent Crystal Hill. The CharlotteMecklenburg Board of Education announced June 17 that it placed Hill on temporary leave with pay, pending an investigation into matters involving administrative Hill and operational oversight. The school board convened in closed session Aug. 6 to hear a personnel matter. Chair Stephanie Sneed confirmed the board had received an update on the investigation involving Hill. Sneed released the following statement: “Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education received an update tonight regarding the independent review involving Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill. The board did not take any action, and the review remains ongoing. “The board understands the importance of reaching a timely resolution and will continue working to determine what is in the best long-term interest of CharlotteMecklenburg Schools. Because this remains an active personnel matter, the board is limited in what it can discuss. “While this process continues, the board and district leadership remain focused on what matters most: ensuring our schools are open, ready and fully prepared to welcome students for a successful start to the new school year. Across CMS, the work of preparing for students continues every day, with principals, teachers and staff focused on supporting our students and school communities.” Deputy Superintendent Melissa Balknight has been serving as acting superintendent.
Windsor Run welcomes residents to new building MATTHEWS Excitement is building at Windsor Run as residents welcome more than 100 new neighbors with the opening of Blueridge Landing, the final residence building at the Erickson Senior Living community. Waxhaw residents Ray and Marilyn Ginader are thrilled to be among the first to move into Blueridge Landing. “We are excited to start a
new chapter in our lives,” Marilyn said. “Windsor Run will be so good for us. We can be involved in things all day if we want.” For the Ginaders, their move to Blueridge Landing fulfills a retirement plan they carefully started to develop in 2021. “The idea of moving to a senior living community was always in the back of our minds. It was important to us to have a plan in place,
to know that we will be taken care of, if needed,” Ray said. “We do not have children, so it’s important to us to be able to provide for each other.” After seeing an advertisement for Windsor Run, the couple decided to call the sales team and make an appointment. “Our first visit was wonderful. We were see HOME, Page 3A
Marilyn and Ray Ginader are thrilled to be among the first residents to move into Blueridge Landing. Photo courtesy of Erickson Senior Living