Top Stories for June 11, 2025

On Friday, June 6, the student commons at Central Piedmont Community College-Parr Center was renamed the Dena R. Diorio Student Collaborative Commons at the Parr Center in honor of the County manager.

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 met on Tuesday, June 3. The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. The agenda will be available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV.

1. Point in Time Count: The 2025 Point in Time Count revealed 444 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness on the night of Jan. 22. It is a 16% increase over last year and is the highest unsheltered count since 2010. The survey revealed 1,657 people were experiencing sheltered homelessness that night, about 3.2% fewer people than last year. The results reveal the ongoing need for services while resources continue to shrink. In its budget for next year, the Board of County Commissioners addressed homelessness and affordable housing with more than $30 million in funding for a wide a variety of services, programming, and partners. 

2. Celebrating Pride: The Board has proclaimed June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Mecklenburg County, commemorating the historic uprising at New York City’s Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969. Pride events have been held in Charlotte-Mecklenburg for more than 40 years. They will continue this year with Charlotte Black Pride in July and Charlotte Pride in August, celebrating the history, culture, community, and triumphs of LGBTQ+ people across the region. In its FY2026 budget, the Board allocated $125,000 in economic development funds to support Charlotte Pride events. 

3. Equipping Students for the Future: Retiring County Manager Dena R. Diorio's commitment to education will live on for future students at Central Piedmont Community College. In a ceremony on June 6, CPCC renamed a key feature of the Parr Center student union: the Dena R. Diorio Student Collaborative Commons. The space is designed to foster student collaboration and engagement. It offers study rooms, computer labs, resources for creative projects, dining options, and outdoor areas. View photos from the renaming ceremony.

4. Racoons, Bats, and Foxes: Those are the three animals most likely to have rabies in Mecklenburg County. Summer is peak rabies season, so it is important to keep an eye out and be aware of animals that can carry rabies. North Carolina hasn’t had a reported human case of rabies since 1955 thanks to public health efforts and monitoring. Mecklenburg County’s Public Health department actively monitors the viral disease, which can be fatal if not treated quickly. Learn more about this and other topics that affect Mecklenburg County residents at Blog.MeckNC.gov. 

5. 1900s House: A new marker has been erected recognizing historic Third Ward and the Franks House, an early Black-owned home and one of few remaining properties in the area from the early 1900s. The marker is located at the United House of Prayer on Mint Street, around the corner from the Franks House at 305 Dunbar Street. It’s a partnership among the Mecklenburg County Historic Landmarks Department, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, and the United House of Prayer. View photos from the unveiling ceremony on June 7.