Top Stories for April 30, 2025
Mecklenburg County provides this weekly rundown of top stories from the Board of County Commissioners meetings and the Public Information Department’s newsroom. The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for May 6 at 6 p.m. The agenda will be available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV.
1. BABN Conference: Mecklenburg County is taking a turn on the international stage beginning today when it welcomes the British American Business Network (BABN) Transatlantic Conference. The three-day conference brings leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada to Mecklenburg County for discussions on trade and investment. Mark Jerrell, chair of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, will welcome the group with opening remarks on Thursday, May 1, at 9 a.m. Chair Jerrell will offer a vision of Charlotte-Mecklenburg as a community where new and well-established businesses from around the world can find opportunities for investment.
2. Celebrating a New Mallard Creek Rec Center: Park and Recreation will host a community celebration for the reopening of Mallard Creek Recreation Center. Mecklenburg County has completed an extensive renovation of the 20,000-square-foot center and is inviting residents to make the recreation center part of their regular routines. The free community celebration will be held Saturday, May 3, at Mallard Creek Recreation Center, 2530 Johnston Oehler Road in Charlotte.
3. Calm Before the Storm: National Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 4-10 and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services is encouraging residents to take steps now to prepare themselves for the upcoming hurricane season. The Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 to Nov. 30, with systems typically peaking in September. Hurricanes may bring high winds and power outages, but flooding is often Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s biggest threat. The importance of preparing for hurricane season remains a top priority after the destruction caused last year by Hurricanes Debby and Helene, and residents are encouraged to take steps to protect their homes. Learn more at StormWater.CharMeck.org.
4. Recycle the Runway: Recycled materials will take the runway in the annual “Recycle the Runway” fashion show and contest hosted by Mecklenburg County Solid Waste and Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful. High school students will model outfits created from recycled materials for the chance to win a cash prize for their school. At least 85% of the outfit must be made of items that can be recycled by or within Mecklenburg County, such as cardboard, aluminum cans, newspaper, rigid foam or books. The event promotes environmental sustainability and the creativity of local students. Recycle the Runway will be held Saturday, May 3 at 1 p.m. at Northlake Mall (lower-level grand court) in Charlotte.
5. Snakes Alive: Mecklenburg County residents may be seeing snakes slithering around their yards this time of year. As cold-blooded creatures, snakes are most active during the warm spring and summer. While some people get the heebie-jeebies around snakes, most in Mecklenburg County are harmless—and are great to have around since they help control rodents. Only one snake common to this area is venomous, the copperhead. Timber rattlesnakes can be found in the mountains and coastal plain. Anyone who would like to learn more about snakes and the world they inhabit can visit one of Park and Recreation’s four nature centers or the nature space at Eastway Recreation Center.