Top Stories for June 18, 2025

Dena and her husband pose with the BOCC after she receives the Order of the Hornet Award.

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 17. The agenda is available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV. The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for July 1 at 6 p.m.

1. Dena Diorio Honored with Order of the Hornet: The Board of County Commissioners presented the Order of the Hornet to County Manager Dena R. Diorio, who is retiring this month after more than 11 years as county manager. Diorio was a groundbreaker when she was hired as Mecklenburg County’s first female county manager. She started with the County in 2007 as the County’s finance director. Her career highlights include creating MECK Pre-K, opening two Community Resource Centers, addressing affordable housing, spearheading the County’s commitment to environmental sustainability, and more. The Order of the Hornet is the highest honor bestowed by the Board, conferred upon those who display valor or a high order of service to the residents of Mecklenburg County. View photos from the presentation.

2. Representing at NACo: Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell will represent Mecklenburg County nationally at the National Association of Counties (NACo) annual conference. The Board appointed Commissioner Rodriguez-McDowell as the County’s voting delegate and Commissioner Yvette Townsend-Ingram as alternate. The conference will be held July 11-14 in Philadelphia, Pa. NACo represents the interests of counties across the United States, serving as a voice for county governments in federal policymaking and working to strengthen counties nationwide. Commissioner George Dunlap currently serves as second vice president of NACo, having been elected at the 2024 annual conference. 

3. New Home for Recyclables: Mecklenburg County’s Solid Waste and Recycling division has opened its new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), the processing hub for all single stream recyclable materials collected from residential curbside programs, schools, and drop-off programs. The 48,510 square foot facility at 7833 Pence Road will be able to process more than 300 tons of recyclables per day and provides the County flexibility in managing sustainable resources and keeping more items out of landfills. The facility will operate as the main processing center while the County retrofits its flagship Metrolina MRF on Amble Drive. The new MRF also marks the new partnership between Solid Waste and Circular Services, which began serving as the County’s processing and operations partner this month.  

4. Free Fans: As summertime heats up, Park and Recreation is helping seniors and disabled residents keep their cool. Free box fans will be available to Mecklenburg County residents 60 years and older and adults ages 18 to 59 who receive disability income. Registration for a free fan begins June 18 online or by calling one of the listed recreation centers. Pick-up at those locations begins June 25. Walk-ins are not accepted, and fans are limited to one per person while supplies last. The fans are provided through contributions from Duke Energy.  

5. Celebrating Juneteenth: The Board proclaimed June 19 as Juneteenth Day of Observance in Mecklenburg County. Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Residents can learn more about Juneteenth at a variety of celebrations and educational events through Park and Recreation and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.  

6. County Closed: Mecklenburg County offices and services will be closed on Thursday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.