Staff Writer
Jack Beckett covers government and civic affairs for the Firethorne and Marvin area — Village of Marvin council meetings, Union County decisions, zoning battles, and the development pipeline reshaping this part of south Charlotte. He reads the agendas, attends the meetings, and writes for residents who want to know what their local government is actually doing.
CRTPO withdrew support for the I-77 South toll lanes on May 20, ending a $3.2 billion expansion, sending an estimated $700 million in state funding elsewhere, and leaving no funded replacement.
May 23, 2026
Six takeaways from a heavy week at city hall: Stage 2 water restrictions, a unanimous data-center moratorium, a $4.5 billion budget hearing, the NC state-budget framework, the CMS budget reversal…
May 16, 2026
Charlotte Water moves to mandatory restrictions Friday, May 15, under Stage 2 of the Low Inflow Protocol. Firethorne's irrigation window drops to two days a week, overnight only.
May 10, 2026
Atrium and WakeMed announced a strategic combination Friday that would put Atrium in corporate control of Raleigh's hospital network. The story is statewide.
May 1, 2026
Quick read for Firethorne parents: CMS denied Hill's $2.1B budget 8-1; revised version due May 12. Five-point takeaway with a link to the full story.
Apr 29, 2026
Charlotte's data center moratorium hearing failed 5-5 with Mayor Lyles breaking the tie no. Firethorne is in Union County, but data centers are basin-scale and grid-scale.
Apr 28, 2026
State Rep. Carla Cunningham re-registered Unaffiliated on Friday after losing her March primary. Firethorne sits in Union County, not her district — but the Raleigh majority her vote helps shape…
Apr 25, 2026
The Village of Marvin Village Council governs zoning, infrastructure and community standards for Firethorne and surrounding neighborhoods. Here is how it works and how to participate.
Mar 31, 2026
The Village of Marvin is building a roundabout at the intersection of New Town Road and Marvin Road. Here is what Firethorne residents need to know about the project, detour routes and what to expect.
Mar 30, 2026
