Top Stories for Sept. 17 2025

A skyline shot of uptown Charlotte taken on a sunny day (July 28, 2025).

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 met on Tuesday, Sept. 16. The agenda is available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV. The Board's next budget and public policy meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 2:30 p.m.

1. Metropolitan Public Transit Authority: Ahead of November’s countywide referendum on raising the sales tax by 1% for transportation projects, applications are open for Mecklenburg County residents to serve on a proposed Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority (MPTA) that would govern the system. The Board of County Commissioners authorized the formation of the MPTA, with activation resting on the outcome of the Nov. 4 referendum. Applicants must reside in Mecklenburg County. The application portal for Mecklenburg County and other stakeholders with appointments can be accessed at MeckNC.gov. 

2. Honoring Rusty Rozzelle: The Board approved the renaming of Mecklenburg County’s Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA) facility on Suttle Avenue for the late Rusty Rozzelle. Rozzelle was a longtime and accomplished County employee who passed away last spring. With more than 45 years of service, Rozzelle served as water quality program manager. He dedicated his career to protecting and improving streams, creeks, lakes, and rivers across Mecklenburg County. His family has called the region home for generations and is the namesake of the Catawba River crossing that gave Rozzelles Ferry Road its name. 

3. A Century of Rosenwald: Mecklenburg County will join with community partners to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Huntersville Rosenwald School #2. As one of Mecklenburg County’s six remaining Rosenwald Schools, the historic building was an integral part of educating African American students at a time when educational options were limited and inadequate. Today, it remains an important community center and gathering space. This event is being hosted by the Mecklenburg County Historic Landmarks Department and other partners. The celebration will be held Saturday, Sept. 20, beginning at 1 p.m.  

4. Bringing Collaboration and Care to the Opioid Crisis: Earlier this week Mecklenburg County co-hosted an opioid conference, with the Substance Use Disorder Task Force, that brought together public health leaders, justice advocates, behavioral health professionals and community members to address the multifaceted challenges of the crisis. At the event, county leaders discussed new initiatives supported by Opioid Settlement funding including medication-assisted treatment at the county detention center, a post-overdose response team that will offer support and resources to residents within 72-hours of an overdose, and reentry program development to connect returning citizens with opioid use histories to care, peer support, and stabilization services. See photos from the event. 

5. Preserving our Farms: The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners adopted an ordinance on Sept. 16 establishing a Voluntary Agricultural District program. The ordinance allows for the creation of Voluntary Agricultural Districts (VAD) and Enhanced VADs. The VAD and Enhanced VADs aim to bring increased visibility to farms, as well as promote the value and welfare of local agriculture, decrease the likelihood of legal disputes between farm owners and their neighbors, and increase protection of farmland from non-farm development. The programs will be administered by the Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District, with support from Mecklenburg County and the NC Cooperative Extension – Mecklenburg County Center. The County will also establish an Agricultural Advisory Board, comprised of residents involved in agriculture.  

6. Hispanic Heritage Month: The Board recognized the contributions made to the community by immigrants, residents, and citizens of Hispanic origin by proclaiming Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. In Mecklenburg County, Hispanic Americans are the fastest growing segment of the population.  

7. World Alzheimer’s Day: The Board proclaimed Sunday, Sept. 21 as World Alzheimer’s Day in Mecklenburg County. It is a global effort to raise awareness and challenge the stigma around Alzheimer's disease and other dementia. Mecklenburg County offers services and resources through Project C.A.R.E. for those who are caring for a family member or friend with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. To learn more, residents can call the Just1Call line at 704-432-1111. 

8. Barbara Bleiwies Appointed Chair to NC Soil and Water Conservation Commission: Barbara Bleiwies was sworn in by Board Chair Mark Jerrell as Chair of the North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Commission, which operates under the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. In this role, Bleiwies will work with the commission to conserve and improve soil, water and related resources in North Carolina watersheds.