Top Stories for Oct. 1 2025

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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 Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. The agenda will be available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV.

1. Woman of Many Hats: Mecklenburg County dedicated the Catherine M. Wilson Center last weekend, celebrating the trailblazing legacy of the woman for whom the social services building is now named. The Board of County Commissioners last year re-named the facility at 301 Billingsley Road for Wilson. She was a longtime director of Youth and Family Services and Mecklenburg County’s first African American program administrator. The event welcomed Wilson’s family, friends, former coworkers, Delta Sigma Theta sorority sisters, social workers, church members, Mecklenburg County leadership, and others. The building houses social and economic services and is scheduled to undergo an extensive renovation in 2026. View a video about Catherine M. Wilson or view photos from the event. 

2. High Water Hazards: Residents, business owners, and community leaders in Cornelius are invited to attend an open house to learn more about updates to local flood hazard and flood risk data. Staff from Mecklenburg County and Cornelius will be there to help residents find their properties on the new maps and answer any questions about their risk. The public meeting takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 8, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Northern Regional Recreation Center at 18121 Old Statesville Road in Cornelius. 

3. Cemetery Cleanup: Around 100 volunteers will be cleaning and preserving headstones in Historic Matthews Cemetery this weekend. The cemetery is the final resting place of many of the town’s founders, including the Renfrow, Funderburk, Furr, Reid, Massey, and Outen families, with many of the graves dating back to the 1800s. The activity is organized by the Mecklenburg County Historic Landmarks Department and other partners. The cleaning will take place Saturday, Oct. 4, beginning at 9 a.m. at 291 Pleasant Hill Drive in Matthews.  

4. Early Detection Saves Lives: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in all women, with more than 13,000 women in North Carolina expected to be diagnosed this year. Mammograms and self-exams are key to early detection, which saves lives. Mecklenburg County Public Health provides free and low-cost breast exams, screening, and diagnostic mammograms, as well as pap smears, to uninsured and/or underinsured women of Mecklenburg County. Call 704-336-6500 to schedule an appointment. Learn more at Health.MeckNC.gov.

5. Top in Parks: Congratulations to Park and Recreation director Nick Walker on his induction into the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration as an urban director and fellow. The prestigious honor recognizes Walker’s leadership, dedication, and lasting contributions to the field of park and recreation. The Academy is made up of top professionals and educators who are committed to advancing the profession and improving quality of life through park and recreation services. Nick Walker oversees more than 290 parks, nature preserves, greenways and facilities located across more than 22,500 acres.