By Tom Roussey - bio l email

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NC (WBTV) - It's no exaggeration to say this year features one of the most important, most competitive races for Mecklenburg County commission in memory.

After a budget year that saw big cuts to things like parks and libraries after county revenues plummeted, many voters are seeing more than ever how much decisions by the county commission can affect them.

Republicans have not won a majority on the commission since 2002, but this year they feel they have a great shot at taking it back.

It is likely that whichever party can win two out of the three at-large spots will have control of the commission.

By Jeff Rivenbark - email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -  A fire damaged an apartment in east Charlotte on Tuesday morning after a resident left food unattended on the stove.

The fire was reported around 10:20 a.m. along the 5900 block of Monroe Road which is between Rama Road and North Sharon Amity Road. 

Twenty-three firefighters were called to the scene and they had the fire under control in eight minutes.  

No one was injured by the fire.  Officials estimated the damage at $2,000. 

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MECKLENBURG COUNTY - The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education held a three-hour work session Oct. 11 to review staff proposals for school consolidations, closings and other changes.

The work session was another in a five-month series of meetings and community forums intended to help the Board conduct a comprehensive review of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

The Oct. 11 meeting focused on further refinement of the proposal first brought forward by staff Sept. 28, as well as a review of the financial and human-resources aspects of the changes. More than 70 of the district’s 178 schools will be affected by the proposal if it is adopted by the Board. A vote is scheduled Nov. 9.