Good morning! Today is Friday, August 7, 2026. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
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Hi Ledger readers, Ashley here. Today’s lead story takes a closer look at senior centers — specifically the benefits a growing older-adult population gets from spending time at these facilities, but also the challenges they are facing, especially as the boomer population ages up. It’s a nuanced issue, and Ledger reporting intern Cooper Hall looks at how the funding picture for senior centers may need to evolve to meet growing needs.
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Senior centers have become a crucial support system for a growing aging population, but leaders say resources remain limited
Senior centers have become a critical place for recreation and community for aging Charlotteans. (Photo by Age Cymru on Unsplash)
by Cooper Hall
When Scott Ferriell retired, realizing he didn’t have a good way to fill his days, he decided to take up playing pool. The Levine Senior Center in Matthews, with its two billiards tables and pool players his age, was his destination of choice.
Now, Ferriell, 66, walks into the billiards room at the front of the Levine Senior Center almost every day, meeting up with a group of about 24 other seniors to shoot pool.
Dot Kobylinski, 81, picked up chair aerobics at the Levine Senior Center in 2022, looking for an easy entry point for exercise. Four years later, she is a volunteer at the center, and spends four to five days a week there.
For Charlotte seniors like Ferriell and Kobylinski, attending a senior center is a daily routine — a safe haven to exercise and hang out with friends.
“It's vital for our existence and our sanity, you know, to keep us moving and interacting with other people,” Kobylinski said.
The Levine Senior Center offers a wide array of classes from Pilates to pickleball to poker. It has a cafeteria for seniors to have lunch, and space for people to sit and be with each other. Other senior centers in the area, like the Tyvola Senior Center in south Charlotte, have similar offerings, including craft classes and chair fitness programs.
Beyond classes, Christiana Walters, program director of the Levine Senior Center, said these centers provide a community, a place for seniors to be among peers and find interpersonal support: something crucial as more older adults report experiencing loneliness.
“To the seniors, this is a service that is keeping them vibrant, is keeping them going, keeping them stimulated,” said Gwendolyn Wilson-Banks, the administrative support assistant at Tyvola Senior Center.
Despite the importance of senior centers in the lives of older adults, Dahn Jenkins, executive director of the Levine Senior Center, said that the center is always fighting for funding.
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Review finds Medic falls short on 911 response goals
Medic, which operates the busiest Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system in North Carolina, has several areas in need of improvement, according to a recent third-party review — including its response times to 911 calls.
The review — commissioned last year by Mecklenburg County and Medic, and conducted by consulting firm Healthcare Strategists — found Medic has strong clinical oversight and performance, including among the highest cardiac arrest survival rates in the U.S., but efficiencies are stymied by outdated systems and insufficient funding.
REAL ESTATE WHISPERS
Real Estate Whispers is our weekly look at commercial real estate development, debates and debacles — with plenty of scoops and information you won’t find anywhere else.
🏢 Taking inventory of the big blocks of contiguous office vacancy left across the Charlotte metro after a few have been snapped up this year
💵 Partners close on deal to build housing tower at The Pearl
🏠 Will air conditioning soon be required for all housing units citywide?
🏗️ Hines’ mixed-use plans for the Rooster’s site in SouthPark
📝 A wrap-up of land deals and real estate news from us and other sources
After years of demand, more places to skate are rolling into Mecklenburg County
The new skate park at Idlewild Road Park is expected to break ground later this year. (Rendering courtesy of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation)
Mecklenburg County is making room for more wheels — this time, for skateboarders.
The county’s park and recreation department recently shared plans and renderings for five new skate parks and renovations to three existing facilities. Skate parks have been a highly requested and popular amenity for county parks, a Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation spokesperson told The Ledger in an email.
You might be interested in these Charlotte events
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8: “Uptown Charlotte Historian-Guided Tour,” 2-3 p.m., at Nefellie’s, 145 Brevard Ct. Explore the fascinating history of Uptown Charlotte like never before. Tread in the footsteps of the amazing figures who built the city, explore the fascinating historic architecture hidden between skyscrapers and get to know the historic side of the city. Guests will receive a tour, guided by a professional historian, across Uptown Charlotte's historic sites and locations. $20/ticket.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11: “Coffee with the Chamber,” 8:30-9:30 a.m., at Givens Aldersgate, 3800 Shamrock Dr. Join the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce for an invigorating morning event that brings together coffee lovers and business professionals from across the Charlotte area. Whether you're a startup founder, a seasoned executive or just a morning person, this event is the perfect opportunity to brew new connections and spark innovative conversations. Registration required. Free for members. $5 for non-members.
AUGUST 16: “‘Notorious’ - Movie and Talkback,” 3-5 p.m., at Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St. Join The Independent Picture House after the screening of Hitchcock's “Notorious” movie on Sunday, August 16th, and for a talkback with series co-curator Sam Shapiro, who taught film courses on Hitchcock at UNC-Charlotte for 30 years. $9.75/ticket.
SEPTEMBER 1: “The Day the Music Didn’t Stop: 9/11 at 25 Years,” 7-8 p.m., at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 115 W. 7th St. Music and memory tell a story of hope and resilience, commemorating 25 years since 9/11. The Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke shares his firsthand account from Ground Zero, interwoven with live music by 7th Street Concerts. Featuring string quartet, oboe, piano and organ, this moving program honors remembrance, healing, and the enduring power of music. $30-$45/ticket.
In brief
CMS board receives update on superintendent probe: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education met in a mostly closed session on Thursday evening and received an update on the independent review involving Superintendent Crystal Hill, but the board did not take any action, and the review remains ongoing, according to a statement by board chair Stephanie Sneed. Hill was placed on temporary leave with pay on June 17 and has been under investigation for “matters involving administrative and operational oversight,” although Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has not said more specifically what that entails. A special board retreat meeting is scheduled for Saturday, followed by its regular meeting on Aug. 11.
Edwards exits congressional race: U.S. Rep Chuck Edwards will not seek reelection following a House Ethics Committee recommendation that he be censured over inappropriate conduct toward staffers. Republican Party officials in the 11th District will choose a replacement nominee, who could also receive funds remaining in Edwards’ campaign account. (NC Local)
Scott tapped to lead county health department: Dr. Kimberly Scott has been appointed to lead Mecklenburg County Public Health after serving as interim director since January. She will oversee a department of nearly 1,000 employees responsible for services including disease investigations and restaurant inspections. (Press Release)
Stein vows veto of election bill: Gov. Josh Stein says he will veto legislation that would shorten early voting in North Carolina primaries from 17 days to 10 and expand post-election audits. The bill would also loosen reporting requirements for smaller campaign contributions, while leaving general election early voting unchanged. (WUNC)
New owners revive Brooklyn Village talks: First & Early Partners is working with Mecklenburg County on plans for the long-delayed first phase of the uptown redevelopment after buying two parcels for $24.3M. Commissioners want the proposal to include more affordable housing than the 10% currently envisioned. (Observer, subscriber-only)
Freedom Park pond work wraps up: Dredging is complete, but fencing will remain for several weeks while new sod takes root. The pond island also remains closed, with repairs to its damaged stone wall expected to begin in mid-August. (Park and Rec)
Event organizers trim city request: Organizers of the 2027 Military World Games are seeking a combined $16.5M from Charlotte, including up to $12M in services such as event planning and traffic management. Meanwhile, a $25M state grant is nearing final approval. (Charlotte Business Journal, subscriber-only)
Queen City Nerve halts print publication: The Charlotte alternative newspaper is suspending its print edition indefinitely after declining advertising revenues and broader financial struggles. Queen City Nerve plans to continue publishing online, though it says its long-term future remains uncertain. (Queen City Nerve)
ASÉ Wrestling spotlights Black performers: Charlotte native Darius Lockhart founded the all-Black promotion to give wrestlers room to develop authentic characters beyond industry stereotypes. Since launching in 2023, ASÉ has staged 17 shows and featured about 100 performers. (Queen City Metro)
Airport 5K sells out in minutes: All 1,650 spots for Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s Runway 5K were claimed within 15 minutes of registration opening. The race’s unusual airfield course, flat terrain and growing reputation have turned it into one of the city’s toughest events to enter. (Observer, subscriber-only)