The Mint Hill Times

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 »

Spring cleaning leads to rise in illegal dumping

May 272011

Trash dumped on Castleford Drive in the Chace Water Subdivision 4-19-11

Mint Hill Police reported last week that there is an uptick in illegal dumping of trash and debris in the town. With at least two dozen neighborhoods that have empty lots in town, and many residents cleaning homes and yards for spring, the police are asking residents to call the department dispatch to report suspicious activity.
In 2010, Mint Hill saw more than a dozen illegal dumping issues. The illegal dumping occurred mostly in undeveloped subdivisions and their streets, on vacant
lots and on properties with vacant homes. In addition, police report that there have been several issues with vandalism of vacant homes mainly at undeveloped subdivisions.
Lieutenant J.K. Rowell with Mint Hill Police said a “handful” of Mint Hill residents have noticed suspicious vehicles approaching vacant lots and vacant properties and have contacted authorities. Continue reading »

May 27, 2011 Posted by Tim Long at 7:11 am Around Town, Environment, Police No Responses »

Tucker: ‘We have the resources to become energy independent’

May 092011

Tommy Tucker (R-35), who represents the Mint Hill area in the North Carolina Senate, released this video about an energy bill he is co-sponsoring with Bob Rucho and Harry Brown.

The bill, predictably called the Energy Jobs Act, will make off shore drilling for natural gas possible in the state, as well as other energy exploration.

May 9, 2011 Posted by Tim Long at 12:54 pm Environment, Raleigh No Responses »

Matthews will host workshop on caring for trees

Mar 082011

The town of Matthews will host a two-part workshop called, “A Homeowner’s Guide to Successful Tree Care” at 7 pm on March 29 and 10 am on April 2.

The workshop is sponsored by the Town of Matthews Appearance and Tree Advisory Committee. The classes will be held at the Matthews Community

Photo by SpecialKolin via Flickr

Center with the second class moving to Four Mile Greenway.

David Grant, an Urban Forester with Union County, will teach the class. David is a native of South Carolina and a graduate of Clemson University. He is a

certified arborist and a registered forester. He has an extensive background in professional tree care and urban forestry. He is chair of the N.C. Urban

Forest Council Executive Committee. He is a recipient of the N.C. Urban Forest Council’s Young Professional Award.

He will discuss the common mistakes and problems that may harm your tree as well as tree care, maintenance and what trees will work in your lawn.

Both classes will be held rain or shine and are free to the public. Dress comfortably and for outside weather.

March 8, 2011 Posted by Tim Long at 10:36 am Environment, Matthews No Responses »

Stories on illegal dumping in Mint Hill

Oct 282010

In this week’s Mint Hill Times, we report on the illegal dumping in unfinished neighborhoods. Here are the links to the WBTV story as well as the News14 story.

October 28, 2010 Posted by Tim Long at 10:35 am Environment 1 Response »

Did the Gulf oil disaster hurt local BP stations?

Aug 102010

That’s the question posed by the Mecklenburg Times. According to Chad Earp, owner of three Earp’s BP stations, his stores in Mint Hill haven’t seen that much of a decrease in sales.

“Our loyal customers know that we weren’t the cause of this spill and they understand these individually owned and operated store owners take the front of the criticism,” said Earp, a third-generation gas station owner who took after his father and grandfather. “We are just as upset about the spill as the motoring public is. I hope things are looking up for BP. They have a good name and reputation, and we do our best to try to maintain it for them.”

August 10, 2010 Posted by Tim Long at 3:42 pm Environment, Transportation No Responses »

A majority of North Carolina still supports offshore drilling

Jun 012010

From the Civitas Institute:

A majority of North Carolina voters continue to support drilling for oil off the coast of North Carolina according to a new National Research Inc. poll released today by the Civitas Institute.

Photo by mike baird

According to the poll of 600 likely voters, 56 percent indicated their support for drilling off the state’s coast for oil and natural gas. Thirty-seven percent said they were opposed, and 7 percent said they didn’t know or had no opinion.

“North Carolina voters consistently support drilling for oil and natural gas off the coast,” said Civitas Institute Executive Director Francis De Luca. “They understand how it affects not only national security, but would be a tremendous economic benefit to the North Carolina economy.”

Additionally, despite the recent oil spill in the Gulf, there has been little change in support for offshore drilling. Only 12 percent of voters said they supported offshore drilling before the oil spill but now oppose it. Fifty-seven percent said the event has not affected their support while 24 percent said they were always opposed to drilling. Continue reading »

June 1, 2010 Posted by Tim Long at 12:55 pm Environment No Responses »

Bain Elementary to participate in recycle program

Apr 132010

Bain Elementary School will participate in a program aimed at reducing waste. The school, along with several other area schools, will partner with the company TerraCycle. Students will send back wrappers such as drink pouches and receive two cents for every wrapper returned. More than 50,000 schools and organizations are participating in the program and TerraCycle expects to give away as much as $1 million. Continue reading »

April 13, 2010 Posted by Tim Long at 12:11 pm Environment, Schools No Responses »

Off shore drilling panel meets (who knew?)

Jan 282010

Remember all the talk about off shore drilling on North Carolina coasts? Back when gas prices were $4 a gallon, and many of us had to wait in lines to fill up our tanks, off shore drilling became a hot topic. Then gas prices came down, and all the sudden drilling for more oil was put on the back-burner. Or so we thought. A panel set up by Gov. Bev Perdue has met for the first time last Tuesday to weigh the pros and cons of drilling on our coast. The people of North Carolina, however, have made up their minds about drilling according to this Civitas poll.

January 28, 2010 Posted by Tim Long at 1:47 pm Environment, Raleigh No Responses »

Open house this week for Carolina Thread Trail

Sep 222009

Organizers of the Carolina Thread Trail want to hear from you. They invite you to join them at a public Open House meeting at the Matthews Community Center (100 East McDowell Street in Matthews) from 5-7 pm so you can share your feedback and learn more about The Thread. The Thread Trail initiative is an effort to encourage 15 counties in the south-central Piedmont of North Carolina and north-central South Carolina to create a large, interconnected trail and greenway system.

September 22, 2009 Posted by Tim Long at 10:29 am Development, Environment 3 Responses »

Myrick votes ‘no’ on energy bill

Jun 292009

US Representative Sue Myrick (NC-09) released the following statement after voting against HR 2454, The American Clean Energy and Security Act:

“This bill was more than 1,100 pages of taxes on the American people. Why would I vote for a bill that’s going to increase utility costs for families, increase operating costs for businesses, and undoubtedly cause jobs to go overseas? Even in perfect economic conditions, that wouldn’t make any sense.”

June 29, 2009 Posted by Tim Long at 4:53 pm Environment, Washington No Responses »

Tips for winter planting from the NC Cooperative Extension Service

Jan 052009

In Mecklenburg County, the Cooperative Extension Service is part of Park and Recreation and offers the following tips for gardeners in January:[singlepic=520,320,240,,right]
• Fertilize broad-leaved evergreens in the winter or spring. Fertilizing in the late summer induces late-season growth that is susceptible to winter injury.
• Winter is the time to apply dormant oil sprays to kill overwintering mites, aphids, and scale on deciduous trees and shrubs. Spray oils when temperatures are above 40 F, but not within 24 hours of a freeze. Because the oil kills insects by suffocation, avoid spraying on windy days to ensure that all surfaces of the plant are covered.
• Some plants that should be pruned in later winter or early spring are hydrangea, butterfly bush, Rose-of-Sharon, hibiscus and other summer-flowering shrubs that flower on new growth.

January 5, 2009 Posted by Tim Long at 2:09 pm Environment No Responses »

Movie tonight at HAWK meeting

Dec 022008

Habitat and Wildlife Keepers (HAWK) a chapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, hosts tonight a local premier of the short film, “The Story of Stuff.”
“From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at[singlepic=385,320,240,,right] home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. It exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It’ll teach you something, it’ll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.” Continue reading »

December 2, 2008 Posted by Tim Long at 5:08 pm Environment, Non-profit No Responses »

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