Who’s targeting Josh’s Farmers Market *now*?

Someone in Mooresville is siccing state regulators on Josh’s Farmers Market.

Last week, for the first time in 30 years, representatives from the N.C. Department of Agriculture in Raleigh visited the farmer’s market for an inspection before the market was even open at its new location at 630 Brawley School Road.

The state inspector confirmed that his “special visit” was prompted by a complaint.

The inspection turned up no violations against Josh’s Farmers Market. 

Today, the Scoop emailed elected officials and Town Manager Randy Hemann, Planning Director Danny Wilson and Code Enforcement Officer Rebecca Saunders to ask if any of them filed a complaint with the state about the farmers market.

Everyone replied except for Mayor Miles Atkins and Commissioner Tommy Deweese. (Deweese has missed multiple town board meetings since being elected in August, including two in the past month, which we inquired about in today’s email, too.)

Those who responded emphatically stated that they did not contact the state agency.

Wilson replied on behalf of his department, which would include Saunders, saying no one filed a complaint with the state against Josh’s Farmers Market.

Town Manager Randy Hemann said he didn’t file a complaint to the Department of Agriculture “or any other agency,” going on to ask: “What kind of complaint was filed?”

That’s a public record that the town manager can request himself. We made the same request of the state earlier today and will let y’all know if anything turns up.

Lake Norman Lions Club visits S. Mitchell Mack Hospice House

The Lake Norman Lions Club recently held its monthly meeting at Mooresville’s S. Mitchell Mack Hospice House, which serves the counties of Iredell, Davie, Rowan, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Catawba, Alexander, Wilkes, Lincoln and Yadkin.

The group toured the three-year-old Hospice House, recognized Lion Charlotte Soutullo for 25 years of Hospice service and donated $500 to Hospice of Iredell County.

“Mack Hospice House embodies the philosophy of quality care and dignity that guides its services,” said Denzil Bell, vice president of the Lake Norman Lions Club.

Services at Hospice House include in-house and at-home end-of-life care, palliative careand grief counseling. A recent addition to offered services: Rainbow Kidz, which offers grief counseling for young people who have suffered a traumatic loss.

The S. Mitchell Mack Hospice House was built in 2020 and features individual patient rooms, family areas, a chapel, game room/dining room and a library. It also provides working space for its employees and volunteers who provide home and institutional care. “The facility is most impressive, modern and inviting,” Bell said.