Top Stories for Aug. 23

Mecklenburg County provides this weekly rundown of top stories from the Board of County Commissioners meetings and from the Public Information Department’s newsroom. The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m. The agenda will be available here. View the meeting at Watch.MeckNC.gov. 

1. Voter Photo ID: In-person early voting begins tomorrow for the City of Charlotte Democratic primary. This year, voters will need a photo ID to vote in North Carolina elections. Most voters will use their driver’s licenses, but there are many types of accepted photo IDs. Voters without an ID can still vote with a provisional ballot. Here are 10 facts about photo ID from the N.C. Board of Elections. Learn more about the 2023 election at Vote.MeckNC.gov. 

2. HOMES Helping Homeowners: Helping Out Mecklenburg’s homeowners with Economic Support, aka HOMES, is back this year to help residents reduce the annual cost of homeownership. The program is open through November with increased funding and a partnership with the City of Charlotte to reach more households. Hundreds have already benefitted from the support. HOMES offers qualifying homeowners an economic assistance grant of up to $660. There is no age requirement and the home does not have to be paid off. Visit MeckNC.gov/4HOMES for details about eligibility.

3. Jury Service Scam: Mecklenburg County’s Criminal Justice Services is warning residents about scam phone calls involving jury service. The caller informs the resident that they have failed to respond to a jury summons, that an arrest order has been issued, and that they need to pay a large fee using gift cards. In North Carolina, jury summonses are issued by U.S. mail. Fines are not issued by telephone or email, and no one will call or email to request sensitive personal or financial information. Residents can confirm information about jury service by contacting the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Court.

4. Veggies for Seniors: The closing weeks of summer equal a bounty of fruits and vegetables, which can benefit older adults in numerous ways, from increased mental sharpness to a greater resistance to illness. Mecklenburg County is taking part in the N.C. Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Through Sept. 30, eligible senior citizens can receive $50 in vouchers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at two local farmers markets: North Meck Community Farmers Market and Uptown Farmers Market. 

5. Soccer Field of the Year! The Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews has been named Soccer Field of the Year by the Sports Field Management Association. The award highlights exceptional field management practices on a national level. Completed in 2017, the Sportsplex is a state-of-the-art facility with 11 multipurpose lighted fields, a 4,300-seat stadium, and conference and meeting space. It is home to several organized and recreational amateur sports and has hosted the Charlotte FC team and several NCAA events.