Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) in Matthews, NC

As things go with any hurricane, you pray the paths that are projected aren’t accurate, that they’ll fizzle out at sea with no harm done to life and land, and that at the end of the day, they’ll be relegated to a mere footnote in meteorological history.

But more often than not, that’s not the case, and it certainly wasn’t for Hurricane Helene, which made landfall on Sept. 26 in Perry, Florida, as a Category 4 storm and left a path of destruction from there throughout many southeastern states even after being downgraded to a tropical storm.

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Western North Carolina was particularly hard hit, with more than 100 lives lost as of this writing and dozens more still unaccounted for. Entire towns were wiped out, homes, businesses and bridges were lost, and the topography was dramatically changed in some areas in what some have called a “biblical devastation” of the North Carolina mountains.

The images and videos on social media are heartbreaking, particularly the ones pleading for information on loved ones and pets that are still missing.

As the assessments of the scale of the damage continue, the picking up of the pieces and attempts to get back to as normal as one can have commenced, with the outpouring of support being a sight to behold.

Though there have been some questions about the timeline of the state and federal responses, the responses from private citizens both in the state and beyond our borders have been encouraging and uplifting at a time when so many are wondering, “What happens next?” and “Where do we go from here?”

There have been the helicopter rescues and the air drops of supplies. There have been the convoys rolling through. There has also been the coordination of relief efforts, with churches in western North Carolina playing a central role in storing the things needed and getting them to where they need to go.

There has also been the ingenuity of members of some of the harder-hit communities. In Elk Park, for instance, neighbors banded together to build a temporary bridge made out of flatbed trailers and wood in order to make supply runs to and from nearby neighborhoods after a connecting bridge was wiped out by the storm.

One neighbor told WCNC, “You can’t get a truck across the bridge we built, but you can get side by sides, so a bunch of side by sides, we’ve been getting together and running supplies back and forth.”

The Mountain Mule Packers have also gotten a lot of attention, with videos of mules transporting supplies to devastated communities going viral.

“Locals rented heavy equipment themselves, and helped Mountain Mule Packer Ranch get a path started to get the mule string through to Laurel Ridge with water and supplies for families,” they noted in one Facebook post.

The restoration and rebuilding are going to take years. But North Carolina is a tough, resilient state, and she will see this through thanks in large part to neighbors banding together to help neighbors and community members stepping up to the plate to do what is needed to make things happen and get the job done.

As the social media hashtag goes, we are #NCstrong and proud of it. And as devastating as this was for western North Carolina to go through, she will emerge even stronger once all is said and done. Count on it.

North Carolina native Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah and is a media analyst and regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Drivers could lose access to 196 free parking spaces in downtown Matthews starting Friday.

Matthews granted $1M in federal funding toward affordable housing initiatives

Officials in Matthews said railroad company CSX owns the land and wants to charge the town $130,000 annually. Matthews currently pays CSX $800 per year to use the lot for free parking, which was part of a lease agreement three years ago.

Town officials said it’s leased land parallel to the train tracks since 1991.

CSX will lease it to a private company to create a paid parking program if Matthews does not agree to the increase, according to town leaders.

Matthews’ lease with CSX was scheduled to end later this year but since it did not comply, the lease will end Friday.

Town leaders want to discourage drivers from dishing out cash to park.

“Do not do paid parking,” Matthews Commissioner Ken McCool said. “Try and find a free alt alternative. I think we need to send a message that we do not want paid parking in Matthews. We want people to utilize the free spots. We want Matthews to be affordable for people who come to be able to get food, shop, eat, drink.”

Matthews leaders said they are trying to alleviate the parking problems by adding 35 free parking spaces on North Freemont Street near West Matthews Street and they plan to add nearly 50 parking spots behind White Duck Taco next week.

“We can spend the $130,000 for local businesses leasing parking rather than give it to a multi-billion-dollar corporation,” McCool said.

Steve Karhnak visits downtown Matthews about once a week but getting his favorite spots are not always easy.

But he says getting to his favorite spots, isn’t always easy.

“Over the years, it’s certainly gotten a lot tighter,” Karhnak said. “There is parking around, but sometimes you have to maybe circle the block once or so.”

Channel 9′s Erika Jackson asked if CSX would block off the spaces starting this weekend and when the third party plans to convert the lot to paid parking.

A spokesperson only said that it received an offer from a third party that would provide better liability for CSX.

They released the following statement: “We can confirm that CSX received an unsolicited offer from a third-party to lease the subject property that included better liability and indemnity protection for CSX. While discussing the new offer with the Town of Matthews, CSX was unable to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.”

Town officials said it is working to create more free parking opportunities.

VIDEO: Matthews votes in opposition to sales tax increase for transit plan

Matthews votes in opposition to sales tax increase for transit plan

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Matthews leaders are publicly criticizing a company that will get rid of a quarter of the town’s free parking spaces after offering a much-higher price to keep them cost-free.

Transportation company CSX approached leaders at the town of Matthews earlier this year with demands the town pay $130,000 annually to continue using nearly 200 parking spaces located on CSX’s right-of-way, Mayor John Higdon said. The town previously paid only $800 a year, according to its website. But CSX’s new terms were clear: pay 162 times more for the parking spaces, or lose access to them entirely in October, Higdon said.

“They approached us with the ridiculous request to pay them 16,000% more than we do currently for some free public parking that we’ve had for decades, and Matthews also has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to maintain and beautify, ” Higdon told The Charlotte Observer. “We just feel like it was an indefensible move on their part, just a money grab.”

The parking spaces, which sit along Old Depot Lane, West Charles Street and East Charles Street, account for 28% of the town’s downtown parking spaces, said Becky Hawke, the town manager.

The proposal from CSX also included a 30-day cancellation clause and a 3% annual increase over the $130,000, according to the town’s website. Because the town refused, CSX will now turn the spaces over to a private company that will charge people to park, according to the town of Matthews and CSX.

“CSX received an unsolicited offer from a third-party to lease the subject property that included better liability and indemnity protection for CSX,” a spokesperson told The Observer. “While discussing the new offer with the Town of Matthews, CSX was unable to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.”

Paying CSX $130,000 and more a year would be a waste of taxpayers’ money, Higdon said.

It’s unclear what will happen with the spaces on Oct. 11, Higdon said, but the town is working to secure lease agreements with local businesses and developers that have private lots in order to offer new free parking spaces. He said the town expects to replace the same number of parking spots that are being displaced by the change overtime.

Higdon said the town is committed to offering free parking for residents and visitors downtown. Parking enforcement has become a profit-driven business in other regions, he said, and it takes away the charm of a town.

“It’s just kind of a hassle,” Higdon said. “We’ve never had it ever in Matthews since 1879 and we don’t intend to start now.”

This story was originally published October 9, 2024, 6:00 AM.

With election day approaching, nearly half of registered North Carolina voters have already cast their ballot in the 2024 general election.

According to the State Board of Elections, more than 3 million people voted in person or by absentee ballot so far.

Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. If you want to head to the polls before then, in-person early voting (and same-day registration) can be done through Saturday, Nov. 2.

Whether you plan to vote early or on Election Day, here’s what to know about voting sites in/around the Charlotte area before heading to the polls.

Registered voters may visit any early voting site in their county. There are 33 early voting sites in Mecklenburg County:

Between Thursday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Nov. 2, all sites will be open:

On Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 5), registered voters can only cast a ballot at their assigned polling place.

The polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Anyone standing in line by 7:30 p.m. will still be able to vote.

You can search for your specific polling site through the NCSBE Voter Search tool online at vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup.

Registered voters will be able to cast a ballot for the following offices in the the 2024 general election:

Several counties and municipalities will also be taking votes for boards of commissioners, boards of education, mayor and seats on municipal governing boards.

You can take a look at a sample ballot through the North Carolina State Board of Elections’ Voter Search tool, which can be accessed online at vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup.

The State Board of Elections addressed frequently asked voter questions, concerns and misconceptions after the first few days of early voting. Here’s what to know about and expect when you head to the polls:

▪ Be prepared to wait in line. Wear comfortable shoes, pack snacks, slather on sunscreen and consider bringing a folding chair, umbrella and/or handheld fan. If you want to know before you go, some counties have trackers to let you check voting wait times online.

▪ Remember your photo ID. Find a complete list of acceptable forms of ID at BringItNC.gov.

▪ Poll workers might write on your ballot, and that’s OK. It does not invalidate your vote.

▪ It’s illegal to photograph your ballot. Voters can use their cell phones or other electronic devices inside the voting booth to access candidate information, but they can’t take a photo of their ballot or communicate with anyone while voting.

▪ Curbside voting is an option for voters who sign a sworn statement saying they can’t enter the polling place without assistance because of age or disability. It is not available for voters who don’t want to wait in line.

▪ You can wear political attire, but only certain types. Your clothing can say the name of a candidate, but poll workers might ask you to cover up if your clothing says to “vote for” the candidate.

▪ You can leave contests blank, and your ballot will still count.

▪ Candidate supporters and volunteers might be outside the voting site handing out flyers and information about candidates. This is allowed by law as long as they are outside the marked buffer zone. Aggressive campaigners or those inside the buffer zone can be reported to an election official.

For the full list of need-to-knows and expectations, visit ncsbe.gov/news.

Have a question about your community you’d like answered? Or maybe a tip or story idea you’d like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you.

Read Next

Voter Guide

October 22, 2024 4:04 PM

There are people within Mecklenburg County who have been directly impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Resources are available for those who need assistance. See below for info on donations, utilities, recovery support, and more.

Your generosity helps us meet the needs of our neighbors as they are receiving long-term recovery support.

Mecklenburg County gets a FEMA Disaster Declaration

Mecklenburg County is now eligible for Individual Assistance through FEMA:

Donations

For Charlotte Neighbors:

For Western North Carolina Neighbors:

We are appreciative of the willingness to help and grateful for our community.

Support for your recovery

Below is a list of resources that are available to residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. If you have questions, see the tent on Riverside and Lake Drive.

Crisis Cleanup - 844.965.1386

Crisis Cleanup connects people who need help with cleaning up their home with volunteers willing to graduate.

American Red Cross - 800.733.2767

The Red Cross' disaster relief is to meet the immediate disaster-caused needs of individuals, families, and communities. This may include providing shelter to food to assist individuals in daily life.

Duke Energy - 800.777.9898

Duke Energy is the main electric provider for Mecklenburg County, as well as oversees the management of the Catawba River System. For more information see the Duke Energy website.

Piedmont Natural Gas - 800.752.7504

Piedmont Natural Gas is the main natural gas provider in Mecklenburg County. Contact them if you have questions about your natural gas line.

Charlotte Water - 704.336.7600

Charlotte Water is responsible for all potable water supply in the City of Charlotte and greater Mecklenburg County.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Stormwater Services - 704.432.7246

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Stormwater is the source for information regarding floodplain regulations and information on buyouts and flood mitigation. They are also responsible for the maintenance of creeks and streams in Mecklenburg County.

City of Charlotte Waste Services - 704.336.7600

Solid Waste Services is responsible for trash collection as well as bulky item pick up. See their website for information on what can be collected.

Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement - 980.314.2633

Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement provides services for building permits. These services include plan review, inspections and building code interpretations.

If you need help connecting to resources, call: