[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6123827,"mediaKeyId","2687722-cbbc91dfd14249b0ff9d86c9f5b8e7ac","parentId",2687722,"title","Cabarrus County Sports Hall of Fame seeks permanent home, plans 2025 induction","audioSeconds",514,"startMs",713000,"endMs",1227000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2687722-cbbc91dfd14249b0ff9d86c9f5b8e7ac&start=713&end=1227","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2687722-cbbc91dfd14249b0ff9d86c9f5b8e7ac/thumbnail_713000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6123827/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Cabarrus-County-Sports-Hall-of-Fame-seeks-permanent-home-plans-2025-induction","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123827-4d29a572e91879a8f2317e3528b0bd17/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151850&Signature=O1H2dzaYvgyvIUfCY5prCcicAFXa7nyetvapdqn1W6grswqTIpm-xdQu2XiJYy3yvFZ4CPvaIzyQQSU-tsQCHjGRLKfYrJIHavJBWTuxWZ1xvcTE6KhpPltySycWnHuHMoTE7z8iQmDPfhDh982NXNqL4shXh7c9man4Y0FFlzCb-AxOsvv49e5woibyrfp~-JwXxWIGzB4hA2vmwcUjVSQbClCKiDWAz7N1~CvsdEhSmi9NarAg5y7A6N-In4fJzUlySe8K0nh6Q~gBSt7wevDA~vZvmChmMggAPUSl0gKhecqEpKSs9y5eHRVwqcCMswRVFBROhGi-Gp3n5a0aNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cabarrus County, NC","date","2025-03-19T13:03:32.093Z","article","A newly revitalized Cabarrus County Sports Hall of Fame outlined plans and requested assistance in finding a permanent home during a presentation to the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners on March 17.

E.Z. Smith, a former Concord High School coach who said he was recently elected chairman of the Hall of Fame committee, summarized a history of the organization, changes to bylaws and nomination rules and an effort to modernize outreach. Smith said the group lowered the eligibility age from 35 to 30, archived nominations dating back to 2011, and is developing a website and nomination form to accept entries online starting April 1.

Smith said the committee has formed subcommittees for nominations, fundraising, communications, history and special events. He said the induction ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 6, 2025, and the committee is considering venues including the Cabarrus Arena and the Kannapolis City Hall Laurel Room.

Smith told commissioners the Hall of Fame is not seeking county funding at this time but is asking for help identifying possible county facilities that could host a permanent memorabilia display. Commissioners expressed appreciation for the work and said they would explore potential locations in county space.

The committee said it has received about 40 individual nominations since the COVID‑era gap and eight teams pending review; the committee plans to induct up to eight living individuals, six deceased individuals and one or two teams in a year as they work to catch up on delayed inductions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cabarrus County BOC Regular Meeting 03.17.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Former coach E.Z. Smith and committee members told commissioners the Cabarrus County Sports Hall of Fame has reorganized, updated bylaws and nominations, and will hold an induction ceremony Dec. 6, 2025; the group is seeking a permanent display space in the county.","taxTitle","Cabarrus County, North Carolina","taxId",13706,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6123832,"Cabarrus commissioners adopt proclamations for Social Work Month and National Donate Life Month",387,1824000,2211000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2687722-cbbc91dfd14249b0ff9d86c9f5b8e7ac&start=1824&end=2211","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2687722-cbbc91dfd14249b0ff9d86c9f5b8e7ac/thumbnail_1824000.jpg","/articles/6123832/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Cabarrus-commissioners-adopt-proclamations-for-Social-Work-Month-and-National-Donate-Life-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123832-f03e3e395d6c94e25b5750830814aa7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151850&Signature=Dw6f4YVdqz1LTktt7g3hm45Y15XR0jS-dP3obvm1QIFzVcDwBa2J7ww8HrcoHao6GX40hkx0LVTmGtkLYiiyXYSwhtAWFh5XNnsBzd1US9mm77kvnIkCLnnIRBhZxX0umzugVYdfe6u7rgo5W2bDAHM7wpxcdUZe5T~zNgq~JEXS7kO9AlKGX-FX0c7LTko2Yy~YiRRSftAoNa6elyig9GAnh7d0Uur-GbGO1SQCa-gOnmAUXfjc6i1kVn3NAzSc~FyK9vsj0onduXWVy19arUbYFJx3-yrBthsadIWJ2mT3~0K159SVUmBZKnpNmuzjq8fn0F7OnS4B7u~ew2SdHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners adopted two proclamations at its March 17 meeting: a proclamation recognizing March 2025 as Social Work Month and a proclamation declaring April 2025 National Donate Life Month in Cabarrus County.

The Social Work Month proclamation, presented by Commissioner Wortman, cited the profession’s role in improving human well‑being, protecting children, and addressing mental‑health and substance‑use challenges. The board voted to adopt the proclamation by voice vote; no commissioners recorded opposition in the public record.

The Donate Life Month proclamation noted national donor‑registry statistics and encouraged residents to discuss donation wishes with family and register with the North Carolina donor registry; the proclamation text referenced registration at the state donor registry website. The board adopted the Donate Life Month proclamation by voice vote.

Both proclamations were entered into the meeting record; presenters asked county staff to make the proclamations available to community partners and to display them in appropriate county venues.","The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved proclamations recognizing March 2025 as Social Work Month and April 2025 as National Donate Life Month; both proclamations were adopted by voice vote during the March 17 meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6123836,"Residents raise child‑welfare and DSS concerns in Cabarrus public comment",205,2389000,2594000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2687722-cbbc91dfd14249b0ff9d86c9f5b8e7ac&start=2389&end=2594","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2687722-cbbc91dfd14249b0ff9d86c9f5b8e7ac/thumbnail_2389000.jpg","/articles/6123836/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Residents-raise-childwelfare-and-DSS-concerns-in-Cabarrus-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123836-bb12fd86a23667942a70e25856f809a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151850&Signature=MjGACowTiprey7OVzl4R9lwjBKbkJQZzsoFAHdBJPyi9hY60mj8GxfqSx1VttrEwe5nUb0uwwExyJl5UcFvcu02eB~WX5A4RJ3gKFMoFyx-ZzA7ADitQwKROLg64dsa4zPKY2vAan8j5tI09kGMPzbNOTqtb4zWnIaM7~D64H11XanTlNi0lYrChPUkCxR~rtQmP3ysXhvTljvfSCbUaFOvaYxVNsIFNaUIwhBn8SWrLe85HxnaB4WM0Ea6kfcpleLx5BpqOMbgblNWqYS~-mHXVBhmw-BSzPF1F-AnCOkoKXfCmzTbQ~eA-G4ITpQcy0CHXvmY3B15EdVSBXoIjlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Cabarrus County residents used the meeting’s public‑comment period to raise serious concerns about the county Department of Social Services (DSS), including allegations that reports of child maltreatment had been blocked and that temporary custody forms were being misused.

Jeter Anderson told commissioners that when he attempted to report suspected maltreatment “my reports get blocked,” and he said he had been told by county staff he was “not allowed to have concerns anymore.” Anderson said he believed a child taken into DSS custody was receiving medical injections inconsistent with the child's needs and urged county officials to investigate.

Another speaker, Jerry Anderson, said his family had been affected by DSS removals and accused DSS of “overstepping” authority with temporary custody forms. Anderson said his daughter has multiple mental‑health diagnoses and suggested mistakes or improper transfers of custody may have occurred.

Public commenters asked the board to ensure that intake reports are forwarded and investigated rather than transferred to other jurisdictions. Jeter Anderson said a report was routed to Charlotte DSS and described that step as effectively ending follow‑up in Cabarrus County. Commissioners did not take formal action on the statements during the meeting; several members acknowledged the comments and suggested staff follow up.

The comments drew strong emotion from attendees. The board’s clerk instructed speakers on the three‑minute public‑comment limit, and commissioners said they would refer specific claims to appropriate staff or law‑enforcement channels for review when warranted.

No formal vote or directive altering DSS policy was recorded on March 17; residents’ remarks were entered into the meeting record as public comment for potential follow‑up by county staff.","Multiple residents used the March 17 public comment period to allege problems with Cabarrus County Department of Social Services reporting and case handling, saying reports are being blocked and questioning how temporary custody forms are used.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6123841,"Cabarrus commissioners debate hiring of new county manager; motion to terminate contract fails",4139,2901000,7040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2687722-cbbc91dfd14249b0ff9d86c9f5b8e7ac&start=2901&end=7040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2687722-cbbc91dfd14249b0ff9d86c9f5b8e7ac/thumbnail_2901000.jpg","/articles/6123841/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Cabarrus-commissioners-debate-hiring-of-new-county-manager-motion-to-terminate-contract-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123841-5e76926ab7f89c7de17e1b712f6c8bfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151850&Signature=N1BgLL8kJwItT8jsYg4bsA7~WQu7v4lBtvuqrqdUvNIe6lh3-ZuBjMXRTIgwk-jhoVR1uQRrjeTuRecz5BtogW0tpv2PLNoJVHMDOsByxZKA1izkvFJuzTaC98NoxngSteLKjPDsaw2IVjBCMsmwBf8wISjXKa92ALcp9HzIpDGq2bd2arSu8N4PHy9h6MPfoalx5AWuehytqZK3TSbQN9mFD2NZScd4KXryvX~-2BCA5WF2SIQrfELw0n1b5u2RfYNOSChK9psp8MgseFiWTmGs8a8moO1bGkJVgFs6~ecUQdsmgeAy~LK9c2~DlA9Eb7ThTQiZqAEahq1ZjEsUUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners spent a large portion of its March 17 meeting in public debate over the process that led to the appointment of Sean Newton as county manager, and rejected a motion to terminate Newton’s contract after heated exchanges among commissioners and members of the public.

Commissioner Hsu, participating virtually, told the board he had been “largely, if not completely, excluded” from discussions and hiring materials related to the county manager search. “I have not seen any of the county manager applications,” Hsu said during the meeting, adding that he was excluded from a closed session discussion tied to the hiring process.

Chairman Meesmer acknowledged knowing Newton prior to the appointment and read a statement that said the relationship dated to an LLC formed years earlier that later dissolved. Meesmer said, “Nothing illegal has been done” and that Newton applied through the advertised process, was interviewed, and “was ultimately selected on the merits.”

Commissioner Lindsay told the board she would not have supported hiring Newton had she known about the prior relationship before voting. Lindsay moved to terminate Newton’s contract and reopen the search nationally with an outside third party conducting the hiring; the motion was seconded. After a roll call-style vote the motion was defeated; the board recorded the final result as defeated by a 3–2 margin.

The dispute followed the January firing of long-time county manager Mike Downs, a personnel action several speakers at the meeting and members of the public repeatedly criticized. Public commenters tied the two personnel decisions together and urged additional transparency. Resident Crystal Swayze presented a timeline of votes and council actions from 2024 and said an attorney for Downs had sent a letter to the county; Swayze said no board response had been received by mid-March.

Several residents and clergy urged commissioners to apply consistent standards and to treat long-serving employees with more deference. At the same time, other commenters defended the newly elected majority’s efforts to change county leadership and to reduce spending. Commissioner Pittman said Newton was “one of the sharpest strategists I know, brilliant with numbers,” and argued the county needs someone who can address a projected multi‑million-dollar funding gap.

The board also discussed whether to include a residency requirement in manager job postings. Members said human resources had proposed a residency clause, and that the board declined to include it to broaden candidate pools; a commissioner noted a state statute prohibits imposing a residency requirement for the county manager position.

After the vote to keep Newton’s contract in place, the board moved on to other business and later convened a closed session under North Carolina General Statute 143‑318.11 to consider pending litigation.

Votes and formal actions appearing on the record included a motion to terminate Newton’s contract, a second, and the board decision to defeat that motion by recorded margin. The public record at the meeting did not produce a unanimous account of who voted which way; commissioners debating the record differed about whether all five commissioners were heard during the roll call.","Cabarrus County commissioners defended and criticized the process used to hire new county manager Sean Newton, with one commissioner moving to terminate Newton’s contract. The motion failed in a recorded board vote that left the county divided and drew sustained public comment about transparency and past personnel actions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cabarrus County Sports Hall of Fame seeks permanent home, plans 2025 induction

Cabarrus commissioners adopt proclamations for Social Work Month and National Donate Life Month

Residents raise child‑welfare and DSS concerns in Cabarrus public comment

Cabarrus commissioners debate hiring of new county manager; motion to terminate contract fails