Children wasted little time cooling off Tuesday afternoon as they ran through Concord’s first splash pad, one of the centerpiece attractions of the newly renovated Marvin Caldwell Park.

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Stand-up comedy is coming to the Davis Theatre for the first time as the historic downtown Concord venue unveiled a 2026-27 performance season featuring nationally recognized comedians, award-winning musicians and returning audience favorites.

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It was October 2022 when Dr. Patrick Graham was driving along Kerr Street in Concord and noticed the long-vacant Kerr Street Baptist Church.

Where many saw an abandoned building, Graham saw something else entirely.

“Wouldn’t this be a great place to have the resurrection of the church to serve a purpose for people instead of being empty?” Graham recalled thinking.

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After weeks of debate and discussions, the Cabarrus County Board of Elections unanimously approved its early voting plan Monday, avoiding a potential dispute that would have required intervention from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

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A groundbreaking ceremony Thursday marked the beginning of construction on a new environmentally focused Concord park honoring longtime City Council member David Phillips, whose decades of public service left a lasting mark on the city.

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The Concord City Council voted Thursday to disband the Concord United Committee amid pending state legislation that would eliminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives in state and local government.

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The Community Free Clinic is asking Cabarrus County residents to help “give the gift of health” this month through a new fundraising campaign designed to expand care for uninsured patients.

The clinic’s “Christmas in July: Give the Gift of Health” campaign aims to raise $10,000 during July, enough to provide healthcare services for approximately 160 patients.

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The City of Concord is asking residents, business owners, property owners, employees and visitors to help shape the future of downtown parking as it updates its Downtown Parking Study.

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Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.

(America never was America to me.)

Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed—
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.

(It never was America to me.)

O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Equality is in the air we breathe.

(There’s never been equality for me,
Nor freedom in this “homeland of the free.”)

I remember first reading Langston Hughes' poem Let America Be America Again in school. This week, though, I've found myself returning to it as the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding. Its opening verses feel every bit as relevant today as they did when Hughes wrote them nearly 90 years ago.

For many people, America has indeed been a shining city on a hill — a nation founded on representative government that has long championed democratic ideals while helping confront some of the greatest threats to freedom during the 20th century.

That legacy is worth celebrating, as are the generations of Americans who sacrificed to preserve it — from the patriots of the American Revolution to the men and women of the Greatest Generation who fought during World War II, and the generations of service members and veterans who have defended our freedoms ever since.

For millions, America has been a place where liberty, hard work and opportunity made it possible to build better lives and pursue extraordinary dreams.

For many others, however, America has never fully lived up to its founding ideals.

The promise that “all men are created equal” and endowed with the rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” has too often remained more aspirational than real. Entire generations of Americans were denied those promises because of race, gender, religion, poverty or circumstance.

More than 170 years ago, abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass posed a question that still echoes today in his famous 1852 speech, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”:

“What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.”

Douglass exposed the gap between America’s ideals and its reality. More than 80 years later, Hughes challenged the nation to close it.

Together, their words remind us that America’s story has always contained both promise and contradiction.

It is a story that is at once inspiring and heartbreaking, defined by soaring achievements and painful failures, by ideals boldly proclaimed and too often imperfectly realized. America has become a beacon of hope for millions around the world, yet too many of its own citizens have been denied the full measure of the liberty, justice and opportunity it promises.

Perhaps America is less like a shining city on a hill than a kaleidoscope. Each of us views the nation through the lens of our own experiences, our own triumphs and our own hardships. No two Americans see America in exactly the same way.

That complexity is woven throughout our history.

America has produced heroes such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr. — individuals who, in different ways, challenged the nation to become a better version of itself.

Yet it has also produced figures such as Roy Bryant and J. W. Milam, whose brutal murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in 1955 helped galvanize the modern Civil Rights Movement, and Dylann Roof, whose racist massacre at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2015 served as a painful reminder that hatred and extremism still endure.

America has been capable of tremendous good and unspeakable evil. Yet the nation itself is neither inherently good nor inherently bad. It is ultimately shaped by the choices of its people and by whether each generation moves closer to — or farther from — the ideals it claims to cherish.

That is why Hughes’ poem remains so powerful nearly a century after it was written. It is not simply a lament about the America that was. It is a hopeful vision of the America that still could be.

As people gather this Independence Day to celebrate our nation’s birth and mark America’s 250th anniversary, I hope we also reflect honestly on our shared history.

We should celebrate monumental achievements such as the abolition of slavery, the victories of the Civil Rights Movement, America's role in helping defeat fascism during World War II, the moon landing, and breakthroughs in science and medicine.

We should also honor the generations of service members and veterans whose courage and sacrifice have defended the freedoms we cherish, along with the countless acts of compassion and selflessness that have strengthened our communities.

At the same time, we can honestly acknowledge the failures of slavery, segregation, racial violence, discrimination, political division, injustice and the many times America has fallen short of its promise of liberty and justice for all.

Our history is unfinished. Our democracy is unfinished. The work of building a nation that truly lives up to its founding ideals belongs to each of us.

Perhaps that is Hughes' greatest message: America has never been a finished project. It has always been an aspiration, always just beyond our fingertips — a beautiful promise each generation is called to fulfill.

O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath—
America will be!

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Southern Grace Distilleries is celebrating another milestone year after two of its flagship bourbons earned top honors at one of the world’s most prestigious spirits competitions.

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Kannapolis’ municipal elections would become partisan and move to even-numbered years under a bill approved Wednesday by the North Carolina General Assembly.

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Kannapolis Police Chief Terry Spry will retire Sept. 29, ending a 32-year career with the Kannapolis Police Department.

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With dangerously hot weather expected across Cabarrus County through the Independence Day weekend, forecasters say temperatures could climb into the upper 90s and may even reach 100 degrees by Saturday.

The e…

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A section of Stallings Road in Harrisburg will temporarily close next month as crews perform routine roadway maintenance.

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This story was written by Avalin Inman as part of the Greater Cabarrus Foundation’s ‘What Makes Cabarrus County Great’ series.

Cabarrus County is a community that embraces people with big ideas and even bigger hearts. For Pastor Doug Lattimore, that spirit of collaboration has helped transform a simple act of generosity into an innovative ministry that is changing the way people access food and essential resources.

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The Town of Harrisburg is implementing a new wristband entry system and chaperone policy for its annual July 4 Celebration after last year’s event drew approximately 20,000 people and pushed Harrisburg Park to capacity.

The two-day celebration, scheduled for July 3-4, will require attendees to wear wristbands for entry.

Harrisburg residents can receive free admission and unlimited amusement rides by presenting a valid driver’s license or other identification showing proof of residency.

Non-residents may purchase general admission wristbands for $5 per day or admission-and-amusement wristbands for $15 per day. The town is also offering a $10 veteran/military wristband for eligible attendees with a valid military ID.

The town is also adopting a new chaperone policy requiring anyone younger than 18 to be accompanied at all times by an adult at least 21 years old.

Town Manager Rob Donham said the changes were prompted by last year’s record attendance, which filled Harrisburg Park to capacity.

“The July 4 celebration has been our town’s signature event for decades,” Donham said in a statement. “Last year, we quickly realized that Harrisburg Park was at capacity, and we decided we needed to make some changes to manage the size of the crowd and prioritize the safety of our residents. By having a ticketed system and a chaperone policy, we are demonstrating to the public that security and the community spirit of the event are our top priorities.”

Parks and Recreation Director Jim Spina said the new policies are intended to preserve the event’s family-friendly atmosphere while improving crowd management.

“Our July 4 Celebration is one of the most anticipated traditions in Harrisburg and something generations of families look forward to each year,” Spina said. “These updates allow us to better manage attendance, enhance public safety, and preserve the welcoming, family-oriented experience that makes this event so special for our residents.”

Harrisburg residents are encouraged to pick up their free wristbands before the event at Harrisburg Town Hall, 4100 Main St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

New this year, the Lima Lima Flight Team will perform a flyover over Harrisburg Park around 7 p.m. July 3 during the mayor's welcome and return the following morning to lead the Independence Day parade.

The celebration will also feature 19 amusement rides, midway games and more than 20 food vendors.

Event Schedule

Friday, July 3

• 4 p.m. — Gates open

• 5:30 p.m. — Envision

• 7 p.m. — Mayor’s Welcome and SKYWARD: The Story of America

• 8 p.m. — The Chain: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute

• 9:30 p.m. — Fireworks

• 10 p.m. — Event concludes

Saturday, July 4

• 9 a.m. — Independence Day Parade along N.C. Highway 49 (free)

• 4 p.m. — Gates open

• 5:15 p.m. — Vegas McGraw: The No. 1 Tim McGraw Tribute

• 6:45 p.m. — Mayor’s Welcome and SKYWARD: The Story of America

• 8 p.m. — Pandora’s Box: The Ultimate Aerosmith Tribute

• 9:30 p.m. — Fireworks

• 10 p.m. — Event concludes

The town will also livestream both the July 4 parade and the fireworks display on its YouTube channel.

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To commemorate the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary, the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution has unveiled a banner recognizing more than 200 Cabarrus County residents who fought in the American Revolution.

The banner, displayed inside Concord City Hall, will remain on public display through the end of 2026 as part of the nationwide America 250 celebration.

“We wanted to make sure we had a listing of all of our patriots that was visible to the community,” said Corinne Smith, chapter regent of the Cabarrus Black Boys. “That way, people would know these are the patriots who fought from Cabarrus County.”

The chapter takes its name from the Cabarrus Black Boys, a group of young Scots-Irish patriots who, according to local history, blackened their faces with soot before destroying a British gunpowder shipment in 1771 to prevent it from being used against the Regulator Movement. Forced into hiding after the attack, the men were secretly aided by members of the Rocky River Presbyterian community until the American colonies declared independence.

The banner features more than 200 names, including many that remain familiar throughout the county today, such as Alexander, Barringer, Blackwelder, Crawford, Harris and Ross.

Compiling that list was no small task.

Over the past five years, members of the Cabarrus Black Boys have painstakingly researched local Revolutionary War patriots, drawing from family records, church documents, materials housed in the Lore History Room at the Concord Library Branch and archives maintained by the national Daughters of the American Revolution.

“There were a lot of different resources that we used to pull it all together,” said Kathy Dean, the chapter’s historian.

Even after years of research, members believe the project is still unfinished.

As additional historical records and family documentation emerge, Smith and Dean expect more Cabarrus County patriots to be identified and added to the chapter’s records.

The American Revolution came at a tremendous cost, with an estimated 6,800 Americans killed in battle and another 17,000 dying from diseases such as typhus, dysentery and influenza.

North Carolina played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, from the Patriot victory at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge in 1776 to the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in 1781, where a costly British victory weakened British Gen. Charles Cornwallis' army and helped pave the way for the American victory at Yorktown.

To prepare for the nation's 250th anniversary, the Cabarrus Black Boys formed an America 250 committee several years ago. The banner has since become one of the committee's signature projects.

For Dean, preserving the stories of those who fought for independence is about remembering the sacrifices that helped shape the nation.

“There’s no country like us in the world as far as a democratic republic,” Dean said. “To celebrate that and our freedoms that they gave us, that’s the big thing. They gave us the freedoms that we have today.”

Dean described the project as “a labor of love.”

Smith said she still vividly remembers the excitement surrounding the nation’s bicentennial celebration in 1976 and hopes the 250th anniversary inspires a similar sense of patriotism and historical appreciation.

“We want to continue that idea of recognizing our country,” Smith said.

The Cabarrus Black Boys have also compiled a Patriot Book containing biographical information on each known Cabarrus County patriot who served during the American Revolution. The book is available for public research in the Lore History Room at the Concord Library Branch.

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Rising grocery bills and the increasing cost of living are making it harder for many Cabarrus County residents to put food on the table.

That's where organizations like 1Can make a difference.

Founded in 2019, the nonprofit provides free food and essential hygiene items through a network of 11 Blessing Boxes, helping some of the county’s most vulnerable residents, particularly people experiencing homelessness.

Supported by an army of dedicated volunteers, including 35 Blessing Box keepers who regularly restock and maintain the boxes, 1Can has become a lifeline for many who might otherwise go without.

“Acceptance is at the heart of who we are,” said Sheryl Kluge, founder and executive director of 1Can, during the nonprofit’s fourth annual gala Thursday night at the Laureate Center in downtown Kannapolis. “We help anyone who is hungry regardless of who they are or their life circumstance.”

The Blessing Boxes serve a diverse cross-section of the community, including single parents struggling to feed their children, people experiencing homelessness living in cars or wooded areas, and older adults forced to choose between buying groceries and paying for life-saving medications.

In addition to the Blessing Boxes, 1Can operates a snack pack program for children facing food insecurity. Each pack includes at least three assorted snacks and a juice box, while regular food drives help keep the Blessing Boxes stocked and help reduce operating costs.

The evening also featured a silent auction and jewelry raffle to support the organization’s mission. Together, they helped the gala raise more than $50,000.

As Cabarrus County continues to grow, so does the need. Demand for the organization’s services has increased by about 25% over the past year, Kluge said.

Today, 1Can distributes more than 6,000 pounds of food each month through its Blessing Boxes alone, serving approximately 2,500 people. While significant, Kluge noted that represents only a small fraction of those in Cabarrus County who need assistance.

Over the past year, the nonprofit has also expanded its reach through creative partnerships with schools and community organizations.

One example was the “Soups and Ceramics” fundraiser in November, a collaboration with Royal Oaks School of the Arts and Concord High School. Royal Oaks students handcrafted colorful ceramic bowls that were later filled with soups prepared by Concord High School’s Culinary Department. Families gathered for a community meal under a pay-what-you-can model, raising more than $2,000 for 1Can while emphasizing community, learning and generosity.

Another initiative in the spring brought together the Cabarrus County Education Foundation, 1Can and Cabarrus County Schools’ STEM programs for the inaugural “STEM Builds the Future: 1 CAN at a Time” challenge. More than 500 students from eight STEM schools collected canned food donations before transforming them into large-scale sculptures while applying the engineering design process through planning, testing, redesign and collaboration. The effort generated 2,431 pounds of food — valued at roughly $4,700 — for local families.

Building on the success of the inaugural challenge, 1Can plans to host a countywide can sculpture competition in October that will be open to schools, businesses, churches, civic groups and community members. More information and registration details are available here: Countywide Can Sculpture Challenge registration.

During the past school year, 1Can also delivered more than 10,000 snack bags to students in Cabarrus County Schools and Kannapolis City Schools.

The evening also recognized several volunteers and community partners for their service. Patrick Bryant received Volunteer of the Year honors, while Jupiter Clark was named Youth Volunteer of the Year. Mother-and-daughter team Rose and Kaila O’Connell earned the Blessing Box Keeper Award, and Ella Love received the Youth Blessing Box Keeper Award.

Christine Cronin, founder and executive director of Wings of Eagles Ranch, received the Changing Lives Award for her organization's ongoing support of 1Can. As part of the ranch's camps, Cronin provides campers with shopping bags and lists of items needed to help secure food for Meals on Wheels recipients.

1Can Board President Christine Corsello reminded attendees that hunger often remains hidden in plain sight.

She said it can look like a parent forced to make impossible choices or a child who quietly goes without.

“Once you start to see that, you can’t unsee it,” Corsello said. “And that’s where 1Can steps in — quietly, consistently and with dignity. Food is more than fuel, it is dignity, it’s stability, it’s the starting point for everything else.”

The gala’s theme, “Planting Seeds of Hope,” reflected the organization’s belief that even small acts of generosity — such as donating a single can of food — can have a lasting impact.

“Every day we continue planting these seeds and because of your support, these seeds are growing into hope, dignity and second chances throughout our community,” Kluge said.

That message came to life through a short video featuring Erica, a woman experiencing homelessness who lives in the woods and whom Kluge first met at Cabarrus Health Alliance four years ago. The two have remained in contact ever since, and Erica's journey has come to embody the impact 1Can hopes to make in the lives of those it serves.

Before discovering the Blessing Boxes, Erica said she often resorted to desperate measures, including stealing food just to survive.

“If it wasn’t for the Blessing Box, I probably wouldn’t have made it,” Erica said, noting that she sometimes visits her local Blessing Box two or three times a day.

Now one year sober, Erica is slowly rebuilding her life. She has found steady work, though she still lives in the woods.

Stories like Erica’s remind Kluge of the hardships many vulnerable residents face every day and of the simple necessities that are often taken for granted, from a hot shower to running water.

For Kluge, 1Can is about more than providing food. It's about giving people the chance to move forward, one meal at a time.

“If the food we provide allows someone to put gas in their car to get to work, keep the lights on, or make it through another difficult week, then we’ve accomplished our goal,” Kluge said.

For more information about 1Can or to donate or volunteer, visit its website.

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Kemba Walker made his name as one of college basketball’s greatest point guards, leading UConn to the 2011 national championship.

But it was in Charlotte — first with the Bobcats and later the Hornets — where he truly became a franchise icon, spending eight seasons with the organization, earning four NBA All-Star selections and becoming the team’s all-time leading scorer.

Now, Walker, 36, is giving back to the Charlotte region that embraced him throughout his NBA career.

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After years of advocacy and preservation efforts, Concord’s Logan Community has officially earned a place on the nation’s most prestigious list of historic landmarks.

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