Headlines for week ending: Sunday, January 24 2010

(1.21.10) Charlotte excluded from water suit
WASHINGTON — The city of Charlotte will not be allowed to join a lawsuit to defend itself against South Carolina’s appeal to get more water from the Catawba River. The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday denied the city’s bid to become a party in the suit between North and South Carolina over water rights. The court agreed, though, to allow Duke Energy and the Catawba River Water Supply Project to intervene in the case. Both argued their interests couldn’t be properly represented by either state.

(1.21.10) Mecklenburg County to run child support office
CHARLOTTE — Mecklenburg County commissioners narrowly agreed on Wednesday to run an office that oversees child support cases for thousands of local families as a part of county government, instead of privatizing the service. County staff had recommended hiring a private company to manage the child support service for at least two years. But the plan drew skepticism in recent weeks from some commissioners and current employees in the local enforcement office.

(1.20.10) Cities settle battle over Catawba River water transfer
Hickory — The water war is over. The Hickory City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to end a three-year confrontation over drawing water from the Catawba River and piping it to Cabarrus County. The vote accepts a settlement between a coalition of municipalities along the Catawba River Basin and the towns of Concord and Kannapolis. Hickory’s acceptance was contingent upon Concord and Kannapolis approving the plan, which they did.

(1.20.10) Mecklenburg ABC Board intends to set new ethics rules
CHARLOTTE — The Mecklenburg County ABC Board said Tuesday it plans to set new gifts and ethics policies, and has asked its attorneys to study the relationship between vendors and people within the local alcoholic beverage system. But for now, the board doesn’t plan to ask any of its senior management staff to resign, including CEO Calvin McDougal. That comes despite one board member sharply criticizing McDougal, saying he was arrogant and egotistical and that it would be “hell” for employees if he stayed on board.

(1.18.10) CMPD fell short in job screenings
CHARLOTTE — The hiring of police officer Marcus Jackson, who is accused of sexually assaulting five female motorists, has revealed flaws in how the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department screens officer candidates. Police in charge of evaluating Jackson's background missed several red flags that likely would have disqualified him from joining the force, says Deputy Chief Ken Miller. One flag was a 2005 civil restraining order that alleged Jackson had hit and slapped his girlfriend.

Return to the Headline Archive