Top Stories for Nov. 1, 2023

Voting Booths in a row.

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, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. The agenda will be available here or view the meeting at Watch.MeckNC.gov.

1. Your Vote Counts: Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. In-person early voting in Mecklenburg County continues through Saturday, Nov. 4, with nineteen sites open daily to voters. All voters—whether voting early or on Election Day, by mail or in person—should be prepared to show acceptable photo ID, such as a driver license. Voters who do not present a photo ID will be allowed to vote using a provisional ballot. Learn more about the 2023 elections at Vote.MeckNC.gov. 

2. Ending the Epidemic: Mecklenburg County is hosting an event to update the community efforts to fight the opioid epidemic. The County will receive $73 million over 18 years as part of the National Opioid Settlement. The event will take place Tuesday, Nov. 7, 8:30 to 11 a.m., Valeric C. Woodard Center, Auditorium, Entrance E, 3205 Freedom Drive in Charlotte. The public will hear about strategies to be deployed and partners who will receive grants. It will also focus on feedback from those with lived experiences.

3. Making the Ride Easier for People with Dementia: The Mecklenburg Transportation System (MTS) is now certified as “Dementia Friendly,” offering another level of compassion to its riders. MTS helps seniors, disabled residents, and others maintain their mobility and independence by offering non-emergency medical and general public transportation to those who are eligible. After training with Dementia Friendly Charlotte-Mecklenburg, drivers and office staff now know how to better understand dementia, how to communicate with those customers, and how best to support them. Seniors or disabled residents can call 704-336-4547 to schedule a trip or apply for service. 

4. Clearing the Air: Mecklenburg County Air Quality has released its 2023 ozone season wrap-up. It finds that the County continues to meet all health-based air quality standards, but ozone has trended up. This summer, air quality was in the spotlight for much of the country due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. This was no exception for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region with more action days forecasted than the last few years. Wildfire smoke, along with meteorological conditions, could have been a factor in the enhancement of ozone formation. That is why it’s important for our region to take action to reduce air pollution and maintain diligence to remain below the health-based standard. 

5. Fifty Years of Saving History: History and architecture lovers are invited to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission’s 50th Anniversary event “Celebration and Conversation." The event will celebrate the past, look forward to the future, and help reinvigorate the commitment to preserve communities. The event is free and open to the public on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Camp North End, 1801 N. Graham St., Suite 200, Charlotte. RSVP is required.