Reduce Holiday Waste
Fight the trend of wastefulness by participating in Use Less Stuff (ULS) Week, November 19 through 25 to help people reduce waste by conserving resources.  (Full Story)

Thanksgiving Closings
Mecklenburg County government offices and agencies will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27, for the Thanksgiving holiday. (Full Story)

GIS Day
The County's Geospatial Information Services department invites you to the 11th annual GIS Day at Spirit Square on November 18. (Full Story)

America Recycles Day
Panthers fans can continue to recycle cans and bottles while tailgating at Sunday’s home game against the Atlanta Falcons. (Full Story)

H1N1 Vaccine Available
The Mecklenburg County Health Department is now taking appointments for people in priority groups to get the H1N1 vaccination. (Full Story)

Veterans Day
There will be a dedication ceremony at 2:00 p.m. on November 11 to open a new Military Memorial Section at Frazier Park. (Full Story)

Help for Heating Bills
Applications for the North Carolina Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) will be taken Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, through Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. (Full Story)

DV and Substance Abuse
The issues of domestic violence and substance abuse can interact with and exacerbate each other and should be treated simultaneously. (Full Story)

Fight the Flu
Mecklenburg County Health Department has launched the online Fight the Flu with Fit City Challenge. (Full Story)

Awards for Flood Safety
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services has received awards for responding to destructive flooding, saving lives, protecting property and the environment, and educating residents about flood risks. (Full Story)

County Budget Cut by $17.4 million
County Manager Harry L. Jones, Sr., directed Mecklenburg County department and agency budgets cut by $17.4 million, effective immediately. (Full Story)

Tentative Budget Approved
County Commissioners gave preliminary approval to the County Manager's recommended $1.4 billion budget for FY10 with some modifications. (Full Story)

Nonprofit Workshop
Nonprofit agencies that provide services to homeless can learn how to apply for funds from HUD at an upcoming information session. (Full Story)

Veterans Grant Awarded
Veterans with mental health concerns in Mecklenburg County will soon be receiving additional support from a federal grant. (Full Story)

Keep Roads Clean
Help make Mecklenburg roads safer, cleaner and greener by picking up a free tarpaulin to secure your loads. (Full Story)

eCheck Fee Eliminated
The Mecklenburg County Tax Collector’s Office has eliminated the cost to taxpayers associated with making eCheck property and vehicle tax payments online. (Full Story)

Protection from Transformer Hazards
A recent ruling reaffirms Code Enforcement’s policy on the protections required to offset the hazards of oil-insulated utility transformers. (Full Story)

Domestic Violence Awareness Month
The DVAC has organized several events throughout October to recognize national Domestic Violence Awareness Month. (Full Story)

P.L.A.N.T. Composting Class
Learn how to start and manage a compost heap that will give your spring plantings a nutrient-rich jump-start at a Mecklenburg County composting class. (Full Story)

Crockett Named Champion for Children
AMH Director Grayce Crockett has been honored with the Champion for Children Award. (Full Story)

Seasonal Flu Shots
The Mecklenburg County Health Department is now taking appointments for seasonal influenza vaccinations. (Full Story)

Stimulus Grants Available
Grants to Replace Aging Diesel Engines+ (GRADE+) will assist businesses in the Charlotte region with replacing their heavy-duty diesel equipment, vehicles or engines. (Full Story)

Work First Changes
DSS will require new applicants and current participants to show proof of work, training, education or other work-related activities prior to receiving benefits. (Full Story)

Tailgate and Recycle
At the two Panthers preseason home games, more than 2,500 pounds of recyclables were collected. Let's keep the numbers up at the home opener on Sunday.  (Full Story)

Tax Mailings
The Tax Office mailed property tax notifications to taxpayers informing them of how much their bill is, and which mortgage company has requested the bill. (Full Story)

Labor Day Closings
Mecklenburg County government offices and agencies will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2009 for the Labor Day holiday. (Full Story)

Plan Review Grading
Code Enforcement program to grade plan review performance of architects and engineers. (Full Story)

Green Permit Rebates
A Mecklenburg County incentive program for green builders has expanded to include residential construction projects. (Full Story)

Anniversary of Fay
It's been a year since Tropical Storm Fay swept through Mecklenburg County and a lot has changed since then. (Full Story)

Records Fee Increase
Statewide fees for some services provided by the Register of Deeds will increase over the next 60 days. (Full Story)

Don't Drive Day
Enter to win a laptop and other prizes when you participate in Don't Drive Day on August 20, 2009. (Full Story)

Storm Water Stimulus
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services will receive $5.3 million in federal stimulus awards to construct three storm water projects. (Full Story)

Tailgating Recycling
Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful and community partners want to make it easier for you to recycle before you head off to your sweet seat in the stadium at the next Carolina Panther's game. (Full Story)

Online Permitting for Homeowners
Code Enforcement has introduced an online permitting application that allows residents to secure permits from home in less than five minutes. (Full Story)

County Gets EPA Funding
The EPA has awarded $1,116,600 to Mecklenburg County Air Quality to expand and enhance its successful GRADE (Grants to Replace Aging Diesel Engines) project. (Full Story)

Independence Day Closings
Mecklenburg County government offices and agencies will be closed on Friday, July 3 for Independence Day. (Full Story)

FY10 Operating Budget Approved
The Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted an operating budget of $1.42 billion for fiscal year 2010 on Tuesday evening. (Full Story)

Permit Discounts Limited
Starting July 1 Code Enforcement will offer discounts on combined trade permits only if those permits are pulled via the Trades Internet Permits (TIP) automated system. (Full Story)

County Wins NACo Award
The development of the Mecklenburg County Capital Improvements Projects (CIP) Mapping System has earned a National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award. (Full Story)

County HR Moving
The County Human Resources Department is moving from the Government Center to the old Criminal Courts Building on June 12. (Full Story)

Plan Review Program
County Code Enforcement has put in place a new plan review program that rewards high performing architects and engineers. (Full Story)

Roberts Joins Crime Commission
Board Chairman Jennifer Roberts has been sworn in to the Governor's Crime Commission, the chief advisory board on public safety issues. (Full Story)

Second Case of H1N1 Confirmed
A second Mecklenburg County resident has tested positive for the Novel H1N1 Influenza A (or swine flu) virus. This case is directly linked to the child who was reported as positive on June 1, 2009.  (Full Story)

New Code Enforcement Program
Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement is pleased to introduce a new program that will streamline the plan review process. (Full Story)

First Case of H1N1 in County
A specimen has tested positive for the first case of Novel H1N1 Influenza A, or swine flu. It is Mecklenburg County's first case of the disease. (Full Story)

Awards for Public Information
Mecklenburg County has received seven top awards from the National Association of County Information Officers. (Full Story)

Budget Recommendations
On May 19, 2009 County Manager Harry Jones proposed a no-tax-increase annual budget for FY2010 totaling $1.39 billion. (Full Story)

Memorial Day Closings
Mecklenburg County government offices and agencies will be closed on Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day. (Full Story)

County Budget Hearing
The BOCC will hold a public hearing for citizen input on the County Manager's FY10 Recommended Budget on May 28, 2009 at 6 p.m. at the Government Center. (Full Story)

Consider Foster Care
In honor of National Foster Care Month, DSS has several events to promote the importance of foster care and encourage everyone to consider becoming foster parents. (Full Story)

DSS To Open On Saturdays
On Saturday, June 6, 2009, Department of Social Services (DSS) will extend its hours at the Wallace Kuralt Centre and Chapin Hall at the Valerie Woodard Center from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. (Full Story)

Suicide Crisis
After a 55% increase in suicide attempts in April, Mecklenburg County Area Mental Health encourages dialog and action. (Full Story)

TB Testing
The County Health Department is testing students and staff at West Mecklenburg High School after someone at the school was diagnosed with TB. (Full Story)

Transportation Assistance
Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services can now assist low-income residents with transportation costs to and from work. (Full Story)

Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Crime Victims’ Rights Week is April 26 – May 2, 2009. This year’s theme is “25 Years of Rebuilding Lives” celebrating the achievements of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). (Full Story)

List of proposed budget cuts
The County Budget Office has posted a list of the budget cuts the manager has tentatively identified as needed to balance the FY10 budget. (Full Story)

DSS Fiscal Audit
Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS) Director Mary Wilson calls for fiscal audit, hires new financial management director. (Full Story)

Naming Names
March 31 is the last day you can pay your overdue real/personal property tax bills before your name is published in The Observer as delinquent. (Full Story)

County buys flooded homes
Mecklenburg County has completed its quick buy program of homes flooded during the storms of August and September 2008. (Full Story)

New Newsletter
Mecklenburg County's Code Enforcement Division now offers customers a quarterly online newsletter called CodeAlert. (Full Story)

Board Satisfied with DSS Process
The Board of County Commissioners is satisfied that the recruitment and hiring of three jobs in DSS was done consistent with County policy. (Full Story)

Subtle Reminder
As part of the Great American Cleanup, Mecklenburg County is reminding smokers not to toss their butts onto the streets. (Full Story)

Homeless Funding Increased
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has increased funding for homeless services in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. (Full Story)

GIS Wins State Award
Mecklenburg County GIS has won a statewide award for exemplary use of geographic information systems by local governments. (Full Story)

Foster Care Partners
The Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services and Johnson C. Smith University are teaming up to help youngsters in foster care. (Full Story)

Lose Weight-Donate
Earth Fare will donate one pound of food to Second Harvest Food Bank for every pound you lose through the Fit City Challenge. (Full Story)

Saving money on Bonds
Mecklenburg County has refunded (refinanced) nearly $254 million in General Obligation Bonds, saving residents $18 million. (Full Story)

Donation to Habitat
The County-owned Cavalier Apartments are being dismantled and the reusable construction materials are being donated to Habitat for Humanity. (Full Story)

MeckLINK Can Help
If you need help with stress, anxiety or depression issues call MeckLINK at 704-336-6404. (Full Story)

DSS Expands Services
The Department of Social Services is now providing food stamp and Medicaid services at Chapin Hall on Freedom Drive. (Full Story)

Roberts, Leake, Jones to Washington
Commissioners Roberts and Leake and County Manager Harry Jones are in Washington DC lobbying for funding for local projects. (Full Story)

Plan Review Process
Code Enforcement held a hearing on February 9 at the government center on its proposed Commercial Plan Review revisions. (Full Story)

Commissioners Delay Borrowing
The Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners decided to delay borrowing $253 million in bonds until next year's operating budget is developed. (Full Story)

Recycle & Win
Residents of Mecklenburg County have a chance to be rewarded for recycling thanks to a program sponsored by Coca-Cola and Harris Teeter. (Full Story)

County Gets Top Honors
The Balanced Scorecard Institute has chosen Mecklenburg County for its Award of Excellence for the County's Performance Management System. (Full Story)

Cold Weather Hazards
The very cold temperatures in Charlotte pose a number of health risks for humans and pets. The Health Department has some tips. (Full Story)

Code Enforcement gets top rating
Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement can't get any better in the eyes of the the major rating organization in the country. (Full Story)

Taxes are Due
Monday was the last day to pay your personal property taxes without being charged an interest penalty. (Full Story)