The Mint Hill Times

Tim Long

Mint Hill will most likely get a new state senator in latest redistricting map

Jul 122011

Mint Hill will no longer be in State Senate District 35 according to the latest Republican-drawn redistricting map released today. Mint Hill’s new district will be 41 which runs mostly along I-485 from Matthews, to Mint Hill to north Mecklenburg County.

The map will still need a final vote—most likely in late July—and there could be a few more tweaks. But more than likely Mint Hill will have a new state senator in the next state-wide elections.

A public hearing video conference will be held July 18 at CPCC on the proposed changes.

July 12, 2011 Posted by Tim Long at 9:33 pm Government, Raleigh No Responses »

Myrick applauded for her stance against the estate tax

Jul 122011

The American Family Business Institute applauded Rep. Sue Myrick for her support to permanently repeal the Federal Estate Tax.

Rep. Myrick and 150 other members of Congress have signed the “Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act” (HR 1259), originally sponsored by Representatives Kevin Brady (R-TX-8) and Mike Ross (D-AR-4).

“Representative Myrick is a champion for death tax repeal,” said AFBI President Dick Patten. “By supporting legislation that repeals the Federal Estate Tax, she is standing up for family business owners, farmers and entrepreneurs across North Carolina and America.”

Representative Myrick signed AFBI’s “Death Tax Repeal Pledge” during the 2010 election cycle.

July 12, 2011 Posted by Tim Long at 2:29 pm Washington No Responses »

Bright Blessings will be featured on NBC’s Today Show Wednesday

Jul 112011

TODAY Show reporter, Sara Haines, interviews co-founder and volunteer executive director, Amy Cervantes, as young volunteers prepare supplies for a Bright Blessings celebration

A producer with NBC’s TODAY Show has confirmed that a special segment about local nonprofit, Bright Blessings, is scheduled to air next Wednesday, July 13, during the 10 am hour of the TODAY Show.

This past February, a TODAY team was in Charlotte to interview and film for the feature segment about Matthews-based Bright Blessings, a volunteer-led nonprofit serving homeless children and families across the greater Charlotte region.

Amy and John Cervantes, founders of Bright Blessings, are Mint Hill residents. Continue reading »

July 11, 2011 Posted by Tim Long at 11:14 am Non-profit No Responses »

Adrian Gamble will go to Fork Union Military Academy in upcoming year

Jul 112011

photo by Tim Long (The Mint Hill Times)

Adrian Gamble, who signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Virginia last February, will spend the coming academic year at Fork Union Military Academy. The former Independence High School wide receiver was a part of one of the most potent passing attacks in the county last season.

July 11, 2011 Posted by Tim Long at 11:04 am Independence High School, Sports No Responses »

Matthews will launch its new residential roll-out recycling cart program the week of August 8

Jul 112011

The Town of Matthews will introduce its new roll-out recycling containers in early August. All households in the Town will receive one new green roll-out recycling cart. The carts are 96 gallons and will be collected every other week on the same day as their garbage collection day. Garbage collection will still happen every week and on the same schedule. There is no charge for the first cart.

There are several benefits to having an every other week roll-out cart recycling program.

“The carts are easier for citizens to maneuver, have a lid which prevents littering and hold more than the small bins we now use,” said Matthews Town Manager Hazen Blodgett. “We will also save money by only collecting recycling every other week which means fewer trucks on the road and less air pollution.” Continue reading »

July 11, 2011 Posted by Tim Long at 10:40 am Environment, Matthews 1 Response »

Mint Hill forces a game five against Caldwell County

Jul 082011

Mint Hill's Brantley Smith picks off Caldwell County's Josh Murphy at first base after a throw from pitcher Brandon McWhirter. Photos by Tim Long (The Mint Hill Times)

Mint Hill is still alive. After falling behind 0-2 in a best-of-five Area IV playoff series against Caldwell County, Mint Hill has won the last two to push the series to a decisive game five tonight at Caldwell County.

Mint Hill got a little help from mother nature in Thursday’s win at Butler High School. After leading 7-3 in the fifth inning, a thunderstorm forced the game to be called after more than an hour delay.

Brandon McWhirter struck out five in getting the win for Mint Hill.

More photos after the break.

HOW THEY SCORED Continue reading »

July 8, 2011 Posted by Tim Long at 8:20 am American Legion baseball, Sports No Responses »

Tim Morgan officially announces at-large bid

Jul 072011

Tim Morgan will challenge for one of the three at-large seats on the board of education. Photo by Tim Long

Tim Morgan officially announced last Thursday that he will run for an at-large seat on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ Board of Education. Morgan has served two years on the board for District 6 which comprises Mint Hill, Matthews and South Charlotte.

Morgan, a graduate of Independence High School, said that if he wins, it could be a win-win for the southeastern portions of Mecklenburg County. That’s because the board would have to appoint someone to take over the District 6 seat he currently occupies, giving Mint Hill and the rest of the southeastern Mecklenburg County two representatives on the board of education.

A crowd of reporters, Morgan’s family, and supporters including Charlotte City Council members Warren Cooksey and Andy Dulin, attended Morgan’s press conference in front of the government building in downtown Charlotte Thursday. Morgan said the top priority for the next school board will be selecting a new superintendent to replace Peter Gorman who announced his departure in early June.

“Hiring a superintendent will be the most important decision this board makes,” he said. Continue reading »

July 7, 2011 Posted by Tim Long at 10:40 am Board of Education, Politics 2011 No Responses »

Mint Hill hangs on in American Legion playoffs

Jul 072011

DAVID PREWITT | NEWS-TOPIC Mint Hill's Carson Plyler (7) steals second base as Caldwell's Josh Murphy is pulled wide by the throw during Wednesday nights game at M.S. Deal Stadium in Granite Falls.

Mint Hill Army will live to see another day. After two disappointing losses to Caldwell County where they were outscored by a combined 25-13, Mint Hill’s bats came alive Wednesday to stave off elimination. Mint Hill beat Caldwell County 13-9, and brought the series back to Butler High School tonight at 7 pm for game four. Caldwell County has a 2 games to 1 edge on Mint Hill in the best of five series.

The winner of the series will face Hickory in the Area IV playoffs. Hickory swept No. 1 seeded

DAVID PREWITT | NEWS-TOPIC Mint Hill's Cody Stull delivers to the plate during Wednesday nights game against Caldwell's Post 29 at M.S. Deal Stadium in Granite Falls.

Huntersville.

HOW THEY SCORED Mint Hill Post 4059 – 13, Caldwell County Post 29 – 9 TOP FIRST INNING: Chase Gehringer singles to right field but is picked off firstbase by pitcher Tyler Bumgarner. Carson Plyler singles to center field, stealssecond base. Kyle Galloway walks. Plyler to third, Galloway to second on a wildpitch. Brantley Smith walks, loading the bases. Ryan Hodge singles to secondbase, scoring Plyler.
Tyler Revell singles to left field, scoring Galloway andSmith, Hodge to third. Austin Beard relieves Bumgarner. Mario Labrador hit bya pitch, loading the bases. Hodge caught stealing home on a missed squeezebunt, with Revell moving to third, Labrador to second. Doug Pruette walks,loading the bases. Brandon McWhirter flies out. Mint Hill 3, Caldwell County 0. BOTTOM FIRST INNING: Bryson Bowman singles to shortstop, deflected bythe pitcher Cody Stull. Austin Beard sacrifices Bowman to second. Max Linvilledoubles to right field, Linville to third. Blake Johnson strikes out. Continue reading »

July 7, 2011 Posted by Tim Long at 10:31 am American Legion baseball, Sports No Responses »

Matthews Fire and EMS Explorers take home honors

Jul 052011

The Matthews Fire & EMS Explorer Post 911, a group made up of local teens, recently won several honors at the N.C. Fire & EMS Explorers competition in Warren County.

The Explorers are teenagers between the ages of 14 to 18 who are interested in firefighting and EMS careers. They meet monthly to learn about these fields and to receive hands on experience in the fire and medical professions. At the state competition the Matthews Explorers competed against eight other teams in written, oral and practical examinations, a tug of war, a relay race, and various other races using fire equipment.

They won the written examination competition, placed second in the equipment practical competition and won third place in the oral examination. This is the first time the Matthews Fire & EMS Explorers have participated in the competition.
The Explorers program just started a year ago in Matthews.

Exploring is a program through the Boy Scouts of America which gives both females and males a chance to explore different career paths. They meet the first Saturday and the third Thursday of each month. Explorers are taught subjects such as CPR, first aid, fire hose training, ladder evolutions and pump operation.
At age 16, Explorers may begin taking classes through CPCC to become fully certified firefighters.

If you are interested in joining the Explorers call 704-847-9400.

July 5, 2011 Posted by Tim Long at 4:15 pm Matthews No Responses »

Not much will change for Mint Hill in congressional redistricting

Jul 042011

Rep. Sue Myrick (Dist. 9) will still represent the Mint Hill area according to the GOP-drawn congressional redistricting maps for North Carolina. However, Myrick’s district will change slightly. Her district, which currently pulls from suburban Mecklenburg County, Union County and Gaston County, will add southern Iredell County and drop Gaston County. The change shouldn’t affect her chances of getting reelected.
Just north of Mint Hill, Rep. Larry Kissell, a Democrat whose congressional district includes parts of 10 counties including Stanly, Union and Carbarrus, will lose a large group of African Americans to Rep. Mel Watt’s 12th district. The result could spell trouble for Kissell. In 2008, 52 percent of District 8 voted for Barack Obama. With the new district, the number falls to 44 percent.

Meetings will be held across the state Thursday to give residents a chance to voice their opinions about the new redistricting map. In the Charlotte area, the meeting will be held at the UNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library, Room 143, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte. The meeting lasts from 3-9 pm.

July 4, 2011 Posted by Tim Long at 11:51 am Around Town, Politics, Raleigh, Washington No Responses »

Mint Hill Athletic Association opens registration for fall sports

Jul 042011

Mint Hill Athletic Association has opened registration for football, cheerleading, baseball, softball, and soccer. To register, just visit their website and do it all online. For those who want to help out the association, you can volunteer in several different areas.

July 4, 2011 Posted by Tim Long at 10:49 am MHAA, Sports 1 Response »

Three days of the Fourth of July—what’s happening in the Charlotte-Mint Hill-Matthews area

Jul 012011

• The Town of Matthews will celebrate the 4th of July Saturday, July 2. Activities begin at 5:30 pm in front of Town Hall as everyone gathers to decorate their bicycles, scooters or wagons with free patriotic items provided by the Matthews Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department. A “Peoples Parade” will start at 6 pm. The parade route is from Town Hall to Stumptown Park. Games and activities are from 6:30-7 pm. End the night with “Too Much Sylvia” who will perform a free concert in Stumptown Park at 7 pm. The event is co-sponsored by the Arts & Science Council.

• The Town of Mint Hill host The Queen City Brass Band July 3 starting at 7:30 pm on the lawn of town hall. This is the last concert of the season in the June Tunes series. The Queen City Brass Band was established in 1992 and is a community based organization that promotes music in a traditional British brass band style. Their repertoire consists of marches, hymns, original works for brass band, classical transcriptions, jazz, show tunes, movie scores and more. The event is free.

• The Charlotte Museum of History will host an event July 4 from 11 am to 3 pm. The museum will have colonial games, family-friendly activities, and open house tours of the Hezekiah Alexander Homesite. Bring a picnic lunch and have some fun before your regular nighttime festivities.
The museum is located at 3500 Shamrock Drive, between Eastway Drive and Sharon Amity Road. (Charlottemuseum.org)

• The Presbyterian Hospital July 4th Spectacular will take place July 4 from 6-10 pm in downtown Charlotte, with the fireworks beginning at 9:30 pm. Continue reading »

July 1, 2011 Posted by Tim Long at 11:13 am Around Town 1 Response »

Bill Brawley says nothing illegal about GOP fundraiser

Jun 302011

As Republicans in North Carolina held a fundraiser in Raleigh yesterday, a crowd of demonstrators stood outside calling the event a “pay for play” dinner with lobbyists.
Rep. Bill Brawley, who serves the Mint Hill and Matthews area, told WTVD that Democrats held the same type of fundraisers when they were in power:

The only difference between this and what has happened for years is the Republicans are in the majority.

Brawley spoke with reporters before heading into the event. He told WRAL that he had never been protested before. “This is great,” he said.

Democrats will hold a similar fundraiser July 12.

June 30, 2011 Posted by Tim Long at 2:53 pm Politics, Raleigh No Responses »

Older Entries Newer Entries

Tim Long

Search