It’s the hap-happiest season of all! Everywhere you go in Mecklenburg County, you’re sure to see folks getting in the festive spirit. Chances are your neighbors have started to put up their Christmas trees, wreaths, and lights, but they’re not the only ones getting into the holiday season – our Park and Recreation department is, too!
by Kim Bayha, Health Policy Coordinator for Tobacco Control, Mecklenburg County Public Health
It’s no secret that tobacco dependence is a wicked addiction. When used as directed, tobacco kills half of its loyal users. Yet, 90 percent of those people start using before they’re 18. The human brain isn’t even fully-formed and able to give informed consent at that age!
There has been incredible progress in the fight against tobacco. Smoking rates have declined from nearly half the population in 1965 to about 17 percent today. But, tobacco use is still the leading cause of preventable death and disease in our community. The Great American Smokeout, sponsored by the American Cancer Society every November, provides an opportunity to talk about some of the strategies that are most successful for reducing tobacco use and developing a quit plan.
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The Mecklenburg County seal can be found on everything from letterhead to buildings. But what are all of those little images that make up the seal? And an even better question, why are they a part of it? And while we’re at it, how did we even end up with a County seal?
It may be best to start at the beginning. Sometime around the late ‘50s to early ‘60s, the Chamber of Commerce sponsored a contest to design a County seal – something that represented the County’s history, its growth and its future. The winning design, and the one that adorns the side of the County Courthouse, vehicles, signs and numerous other things, was designed by Harvey Boyd, an employee in the Art Department of the Charlotte Observer. The Board of County Commissioners officially adopted it in 1964.
Huntersville Police Department Finds New Use for County Landfill
If you live near, or have ever passed by, Holbrooks Road in Huntersville, then you may be familiar with the plot of land that was once home to one of the County’s Municipal Solid Waste Landfills. But, what you may not be as familiar with is how that land is being used now. Want to take a guess? Go ahead, we’ll give you a minute to think about it.
Note: updated location information 2/7/24.
Veterans Services Office staff participate in an event for military veteran employees.
Veterans Day comes just once a year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t honor our veterans on the other 364 days. And in fact, we do! We’re committed to serving those who have served our country year-round, and have a team of individuals specifically dedicated to connecting our local veterans with the benefits they’ve earned. Continue Reading
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