October 17, 2018

Morning Minute: October 17, 2018

October 17, 2018

News About Town: Thanks to Hurricane Michael (and Florence before) Republic Services is still behind with yard waste pick-up. Please be patient as they catch up with the overwhelming amount of compostables they’re collecting. Once again Public Works will assist in the collection. Make sure you follow the rules for easy collection: Leaves and grass clippings must be bagged in clear bags (tied) or other bags (left open) so the driver can see the contents. Branches and limbs smaller than five-inches diameter must be cut into lengths shorter than four feet and stacked in small piles. Please don’t leave yard debris in the gutter or street.

News Around Town: Mattress Firm, the largest specialty mattress retailer in the US, filed for bankruptcy protection last week and announced it is closing 700 stores nationwide. The retailer will close over 200 stores immediately, including two stores in Matthews. The company wasted no time and began moving product out of stores over the weekend. Two stores in Matthews will close: one near Harris Teeter (1834 Matthews Township Parkway) and another beside the now-vacant HH Gregg Store in the Windsor Square shopping center (9901 E. Independence Boulevard).

One Good (and Fun) Thing: Matthews-based Carolina Shows produces Christmas Made in the South every October. In conjunction with our interview, they’ve offered 2 pairs of tickets for a giveaway for our readers! Want to enter? Comment below or on our Facebook post. We’ll draw a winner Thursday!

Norah Burke and Renee Garner

October 16, 2018

Morning Minute

Morning Minute: October 16, 2018

Norah Burke and Renee Garner

October 16, 2018

Morning Minute

News About Town: As Halloween approaches faster than you can say “boo”, it’s time to think about carving gourds into all manner of faces. (Pumpkins seem way easier to carve than beets or turnips.) The Town of Matthews wants to see what you make. Enter your creation in the Town’s Pumpkin Contest by dropping off your carved, painted, or decorated Jack O’ Lantern in the Park and Rec office behind the Free Clinic, 196-B S. Trade St., on Oct. 25 or 26. Entries will be separated into two age groups (16 and under, 17 and up) for judging. Winners will receive season tickets to Carowinds.

News Around Town: Early voting begins Wednesday! Stop in at the Matthews library and cast your ballot for the 2018 elections. Polls are open from 7:00am to 7:00pm on Wednesday, with additional schedule information available here. Not registered? No problem! North Carolina offers “One Stop” early voting where citizens can register and vote at the same time. You’ll need proof of residence (find a list of acceptable documents here). Post your “I Voted” selfies on our Facebook page!

One Good (and Fun) Thing: The Matthews Library needs your help for programming! Though they have a wide variety of classes on the schedule they’re looking for new and exciting classes to add. Have a mastery of Dungeons & Dragons? Want to explore the wonders of vermiculture? They want to know what you want to learn! Email Stephanie Lucas with your ideas.

Renee Garner

October 15, 2018

In the Community

Fire Station Open House: A Photoessay

Renee Garner

October 15, 2018

In the Community

Saturday, October 13, 2018, the Mathews Fire and EMS Department held an Engine Wetdown Ceremony and recruitment open house. The public was invited to watch as the new Engine 12 was officially launched into service. As part of the “wetdown” tradition, members of Matthews Fire & EMS Explorers used the hose from Engine 1 to soak the new Engine, then community members were invited to help dry it off before rolling the truck into its new bay. The engine was purchased and outfitted thanks to a partnership between Matthews and Novant Health. Afterward the community was welcome to explore the fire station, talk to members of the Department, and sign up as volunteers.