Top Stories for July 23, 2025

1. Roads, Rail and Buses: The Board of County Commissioners will hold a special meeting on July 30 to consider the language for a countywide referendum on a 1-cent sales tax dedicated to transportation projects. The referendum was authorized by the N.C. General Assembly and the Governor. The Board will then hold a public hearing at its Aug. 6 regular meeting, followed by a vote on whether to add the referendum to the November ballot. If the referendum is approved by voters, the funding stream produced by the 1-cent sales tax would be spent on Mecklenburg County transportation projects, such as roads, rail, and buses. It would also create a new transit authority comprising members of the community.

2. Community Meetings: To share information and educate residents about transportation issues and the proposed referendum, Commissioner Vilma D. Leake (District 2) is hosting two community meetings. The first took place July 22 at Steele Creek AME Zion Church and drew nearly 60 residents. A second meeting will be held Thursday, July 31 at 6 p.m. at West Charlotte Recreation Center on Kendall Drive in Charlotte. The meetings feature a presentation from Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and include information on services, plans to expand transit, and the proposed referendum.

3. Tapestry of Voices, Threads of Change: Haven Williams, a rising 8th grader at Northeast Middle School, represented Charlotte-Mecklenburg as national ambassador at the annual Do the Write Thing Recognition Summit in Washington, D.C. Do the Write Thing invites students to write about their experiences with youth violence. Haven was invited to Washington with her teacher, Mai-Lan Lewis, her father, and staff from Mecklenburg County’s Community Support Services, which coordinates the contest every year. The summit included visits to the U.S. Supreme Court, Library of Congress, 

4. Lights, Camera, Access! The Board has proclaimed July 26 as “Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Disability Pride Day” in honor of the act’s 35th anniversary. Park and Recreation invites residents to its free film festival July 25 – 27, a community celebration of the ADA. The festival will feature a curated selection of films across three sites that highlight positive portrayals of individuals with disabilities. The festival will celebrate the ADA’s impact, and foster awareness, inclusion and a greater understanding of disability rights. The films include “The Unbreakable Boy,” “Turning Red,” “Finding Dory,” and “Luca.” The celebration will also include a panel discussion and food vendors. 

5. Top Critters for Rabies: Warmer weather increases the risk of rabies exposure due to increased animal and human activities outdoors. Mecklenburg County Public Health monitors rabies, a serious viral disease that can be fatal if not treated quickly. Ongoing surveillance helps prevent potential exposures and ensures timely treatment for people who may have been exposed. Thanks to such work statewide, North Carolina hasn’t had a reported human case of rabies since 1955. It’s important to be aware of animals that can carry rabies. The top three in Mecklenburg County are racoons, bats, and foxes. But most mammals, both wild and domestic, can carry and transmit rabies.