Former City Council member Claire Fallon dies + Plans for redevelopment of century-old mill

Happy Monday, everyone. This is Kristen, scratching my head a bit today at the most recent Tik Tok news. Once upon a time, you could only post on TikTok in 15 second increments. Now, the platform will allow creators to post 10-minute videos. “TikTok creeping in on YouTube territory,” wrote one Twitter user who was given access to the new function. It’ll certainly be interesting how this changes the way TikTok works. Learn more about the development with McClatchy’s Mariah Rush.

Let’s dive into local headlines:

1. Former Charlotte City Council member Claire Fallon has died, family reports

Claire Green Fallon, a former City Council member who worked for years to support the city’s northeast neighborhoods, died Sunday morning, her family said.

“This is with heavy heart that we write this. Claire (our mom and grandma) passed away,” according to a post on her Facebook page. “The world has lost a very spirited and loved woman.”

Fallon, 87, was an at-large Democratic council member first elected in 2011 and in office until 2017. She was previously a member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission and former president of the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods.

Learn more about Fallon here with the Observer’s Mark Price and Lauren Lindstrom.

2. Today’s business and development news

Construction is underway at the Savona Mill, a 105-year-old textile mill in west Charlotte, the Observer’s Gordon Rago reports. The first phase is expected to open next spring with 200,000 square feet of office and retail space plus an outdoor amphitheater and a rooftop deck.

Plus, the rate of bank branch closures has doubled during the pandemic, a new study says. Where in Charlotte did some bank branches close? Dive into the data with the Observer’s Hannah Lang.

Also, as the Observer’s Hannah Smoot reports, Atrium Health received a $1 million donation to help patients with rare diseases at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital.

Burrata, anyone? NoDa’s Ever Andalo has an opening date. Here’s what to expect with CharlotteFive’s Heidi Finley.

3. For every grieving mother in Charlotte, this is who picks up the phone

Today, the Observer’s Devna Bose brings us a feature of Lisa Crawford, director of Mothers of Murdered Offspring (MOM-O). The organization supports loved ones of those who are killed or murdered in Charlotte.

• Crawford’s story of service begins with watching her father serve the community as she grew up. She learned then that helping others goes a long way.
• “I realized then that if you can help, even a small amount, it can be life changing,” she said. “I was young, but it stuck with me. It made me want to be part of something great like this.
• Her path led her to MOM-O, where she stepped up in the absence of original founder Judy Williams, who died from lung cancer in 2020.

Next year will be the organization’s 30th anniversary. Crawford is working on creating what she calls “MOM-O 2.0,” which will include a focus on violence prevention among children and teens.

Learn more about Crawford and her efforts here.

4. Let’s talk voting

Are you ready to vote in Mecklenburg? If you plan to vote in person during the 2022 elections, it’s time to make sure you’ll go to cast your vote.

The Observer’s Mary Ramsey walks you through how to find your polling place here. You still have months before the May elections, but there’s no time like the present!

In other elections news, Rep. Madison Cawthorn is returning to his home district, the 11th Congressional District, to run for reelection, the News & Observer’s Danielle Battaglia reports.

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That’s all for today, folks. If you don’t already, subscribe to the Charlotte Observer here. If you’re already a subscriber (thanks!), download our iOS or Android app to get connected.

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This story was originally published February 28, 2022 at 4:10 PM.