In November 2007, HOPE NOW sent out 233,000 letters to at-risk homeowners asking them to contact their mortgage servicer for assistance. Sixteen percent responded by calling according to the group. Another 250,000 letters were mailed out in December 2007.

Three times as many sub-prime mortgages were modified for delinquent borrowers in the fourth quarter of 2007 than in the third quarter, according to HOPE NOW Alliance. These numbers mark a big improvement from earlier statistics.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Paulson said the HOPE NOW report was encouraging. "This organization is showing the potential to help more homeowners keep their homes and working to prevent a market failure - without forcing American taxpayers to pay the bill," he said. "As I have said, entire industries do not adjust easily or quickly, even in times of market calm. But this alliance is demonstrating that an industry can improve its coordination and outreach to make a difference."

Among cities with populations between 400,000 and 1,000,000, the U.S. Department of Commerce ranked Charlotte NC number one in 2007 in its affordability index. CharlotteChamber.com maintains goldmine of information for home buyers of all stripes to access when deciding where to buy real estate here.

Housing permits have leaped year over year. In 2006, residential building went up 33% to more than 18,000 single-family and apartment units. In 10 years, 135,000 new homes have been constructed in the surrounding region. Continued growth in housing should mirror economic growth in the region... and the Charlotte area is well positioned!

Kay Plyler, assistant town manager, assessed the situation: "We've maxed out our sphere. We can not grow our land mass anymore. Now, to maintain a long-term balanced tax base without putting a burden on our residents, we need to ensure a healthy mix of commercial, retail and employment centers. Development is going to come. Something is going to go up."

Thousands of passengers crowded Charlotte's new light rail line to participate in the inaugural day of service and get in on the city's next era of mass transit.

 The large crowds taxed the southernmost station at Interstate 485, where more than 1,000 people stood in a line from the platform back into the parking garage. The garage was closed to incoming cars because so many people were in the area.

 The Charlotte Area Transit System began operating nineteen express buses to bring people to their cars if they could not wait for a return trip back. CATS had planned to use bus only in case of a technical problem. CATS is using every available train to handle the high initial usage.

Former Wingate University pharmacy admissions director Erinn Nichols is to become Stallings' new town clerk. She was chosen from from among 24 applicants. She also will serve as the town finance officer. The town council will formally vote to appoint her on February 11, 2008.

Erinn will replace Marie Garris, Stallings town clerk for 32 years. Marie, one of the town's original employees, will retire in February.

The N.C. Department of Transportation projects substantial increases in traffic by 2030, including a five-fold increase on Twelve Mile Creek Road, which feeds Weddington High and Weddington Elementary.

Weddington leaders plan to consult officials in nearby Waxhaw, Wesley Chapel and Marvin on the road improvement plan. Wesley Chapel and Waxhaw are considering working together, although Marvin officials are considering their options separately as of now.

Williams' team was solid from top to bottom, including ten seniors. Three of them, Kieran Sexton, Kyle Engle and Gabe Hardy, have committed to sign scholarships with college soccer squads. Sexton committed to Navy, Engle to Davidson and Hardy to Eckerd in St. Petersburg, FL.