🌱 Charlotte Patch: What's Happening Today (Wed, Jan 25)

Hi all! Celeste "Pirate Queen" Wetzel here with your Wednesday edition of the Charlotte Patch newsletter, filled with all the things you need to know about what's going on locally. Including updates on:

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But first, today's weather:

Rain and a thunderstorm. High: 60 Low: 37.

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Here are the top stories today in Charlotte:

1. Local Event: Warehouse Sale Pop-Up Shoe Store Liquidation Sale ... (Patch)
2. New home market for Fort Mill, Indian Land, Lake Wylie, more (Rock Hill Herald)
3. Renters to confront N.C. Rental Homes Council in hopes of lowering ... (WSOC Charlotte)
4. NC legislators demand answers to dramatic proposed spikes in Lake Norman water bills (Charlotte Observer)
5. 2023 James Beard semifinalists: See which restaurants made the ... (Tennessean)
6. These two North Carolina restaurants rank among the nation’s best. What’s on the menu? (Charlotte Observer)
7. Pet Of The Week: Meet Ruby! (WCCB Charlotte)
8. Streetlights. Transit. Late-night food. What Charlotte needs to be a ‘world-class city’ (Charlotte Observer)
9. Funding Opportunity for Organizations that Help At-Risk and ... (Mecklenburg County)
10. Associate Attorney (Axios Charlotte)
11. NC legislators return from break to gear up session (WCNC.com)
12. Filming underway for Hallmark movie at Biltmore (WCNC.com)
13. Crescent Communities unveils life sciences brand, NC projects (The Business Journals)
14. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools superintendent committee to talk hiring search firm (WBTV)
15. Body-cam video released of 2022 deadly North Carolina shooting (WGHP FOX8 Greensboro)
16. Company cited, fined over North Carolina airport worker’s death (WGHP FOX8 Greensboro)
17. Zillow predicts Charlotte will be 2023's hottest housing market (Spectrum News)
18. Groups around the country working to cut down on tobacco use (WCNC.com)
19. Psychologists like me in NC are exhausted from fighting the mental health care system | Opinion (Charlotte Observer)
20. Sharon Smith Obituary (1939 - 2023) - Charlotte, NC - Richmond ... (Legacy.com)
21. Charlotte plays Chicago on home losing streak (Raleigh News & Observer)
22. Tuesday’s Girls Rewind: No. 3 Independence dumps No. 7 Charlotte Catholic (Charlotte Observer)
23. Homicide Investigation in the North Tryon Division (charlottenc.gov)
24. Nance scores 21 as North Carolina survives Syracuse, 72-68 (Charlotte Observer)
25. CMS votes to continue lobbying for changes to school calendar law, reinstating master pay in new legislative session (WCNC.com)
26. 1 person dies in northeast Charlotte shooting (WCNC.com)
27. New Report Shows Number Of CLT Passengers 'Headed In The ... (WCCB Charlotte)
28. Panthers will hold second round of interviews with candidates (WCNC.com)
29. ‘I just want some help:’ The struggle to find affordable housing in the Charlotte region (WBTV)
30. $50,000 reward for information after mail carrier robbed at gunpoint in south Charlotte (WBTV)

Today in Charlotte:

From my notebook:

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department: "Congratulations to Airport K9 Niels! Today is his retirement day! Niels is an 8-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer who has spent a long career (in dog years) detecting explosives. He has been in service at Charlotte Douglas since July 2..." (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• ArtPop Street Gallery: "Today marks one year to the day Brooke Gibbons, our Director of Impact and Sustainability, ArtPop Cities Program, joined our organization– and that is worth celebrating!!⁠ ⁠ Brooke is an indigenous CHamoru curator and arts leader. Brooke..." (ArtPop Street Gallery via Instagram)
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: "Garinger High School English teacher, Greg Asciutto, has been named the City of Charlotte's 2023 Educator Mentor of the Year! The award, given by the Mayor's Mentoring Alliance and Mayor Lyles, highlights Mr. Asciutto's extraordinary imp..." (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC: "Congratulations to Juan Pablo Soto on his promotion to Battalion Chief. Born in Guatemala, Soto first came to the U.S. with the dream to follow his father's footsteps into a branch of the U.S. military, but a chance meeting with a Charlo..." (Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department: "Our recruitment staff is setup at the N.C. Law Enforcement Hiring Expo today. Renaissance Southpark 5501 Carnegie Blvd. If you aren’t able to make it, go to: JoinCMPD.com for more information." (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: "We want to hear from you! We are looking for input on the updated draft of the capital investment plan and potential changes to magnet programs and boundaries. Join us in discussion on Jan. 26 at 12:00 PM via Zoom: https://charmeckschool..." (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: "Happy #TeamNBCT week! Our National Board Certified Teachers drive a change that impacts students, schools and communities. Read how certification made a difference for South Academy of International Languages counselor Angeline Walker. W..." (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• ArtPop Street Gallery: "Today marks one year to the day Brooke Gibbons, our Director of Impact and Sustainability, ArtPop Cities Program, joined our organization– and that is worth celebrating!! Brooke is an indigenous CHamoru curator and arts leader. Brooke’s ..." (ArtPop Street Gallery via Facebook)
• Charlotte Symphony: "Brilliant. Lyrical. Emotional. ✨ Experience three evocative works by Brahms, Grieg, & Smyth performed by the Charlotte Symphony on Feb. 10 & 11 at Belk Theater. Get tickets >> bit.ly/csobrahms4" (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Charlotte Symphony: "“A rollercoaster from start to finish!” Alexandra Smither, Soprano performs Britten’s “incredible, exhilarating” Les Illuminations with the Charlotte Symphony, Feb. 3 & 4 at Knight Theater. Get tickets >> bit.ly/csosibelius5" (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Classroom Central: "Target Run. Donations Done. Did you know that you can easily donate supplies to Classroom Central through our ⭐NEW⭐ Target Registry? If you were looking for a sign (excuse) to go to @target, this is it! https://www.target.com/gift-regist..." (Classroom Central via Facebook)
• City of Charlotte Government: "The Charlotte City Council on Monday allocated more than $5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to programs in the Charlotte area. Some of these federal funds will support new services while others will allow existing city ..." (City of Charlotte Government via Facebook)
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: "Happy #TeamNBCT week! Our National Board Certified Teachers have chosen to better themselves and, in turn, better their students and community. See how certification had a positive impact on Brandon, a newly certified Physical Education ..." (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte: "It's dinner time! RMHC of GC families are served dinner 365 days a year. Volunteer meal teams and generous food donations make this possible, but it's always fun to switch up the menu! Here are some new and different ideas for large grou..." (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• Brave Step: "Survivors of labor and sex trafficking may also be adult survivors of child sexual abuse. They deserve greater access to mental health resource. #beanally #learn #leanin #itsallaroundyou #humantrafficking" (Brave Step via Facebook)
• Charlotte Sports Foundation: "Thanks for having us! Amazing group of students with awesome questions." (Charlotte Sports Foundation via Facebook)
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte: "We are in URGENT need of microwavable pantry meals! No frozen meals, please. These are used in the House, Family Room, and on our Happy Wheels carts. Visit our House #Amazon link below to help or drop off donations at the House 7 days a ..." (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• Charlotte Freedom School Partners: "Who doesn't love a good show? (See what we did there 😉) We are honored to be the nonprofit partner with Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts for their upcoming play "Seussical." This kid-friendly performance runs from February 24-M..." (Charlotte Freedom School Partners via Facebook)
• Sustain Charlotte: "🏙️ Infrastructure design is essential in keeping people safe on our streets, especially at intersections. 🚶🏽Our urban design specialist put together a list of strategies we would like to see more of in Charlotte. 🚲Those include: • Pr..." (Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Sunset Road: "Does anyone know a house keeper? - I am looking to get estimate for a one time moving out clean. Sunset road area." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Deerpark of Raintree: "Beautiful Lady. - I captured this beautiful creature today while driving in the neighborhood; not only can hawks see greater distances than humans, but their visual acuity (the ability to see clearly) is eight times greater than ours. Ha..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Magnolia Acres: "Hello Neighbors, Sea Moss for sale. - If anyone is interested please inbox me." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Oakdale North: "I have the Citizen app, but haven’t gotten many notifications since Christmas. - I used to see activity all over Charlotte. Do you think it is because they reduced the range - 1.5 miles or because I don’t subscribe to their service? ..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Allen Hills/Carrie Hills: "Food Lion Prices - Has anyone else noticed the difference in the prices at the Food Lion @ Graham St & Sugar Creek Road and the Food Lion @ Mallard Creek and W.T. Harris? I was in both stores and noticed that the 12 count Food Lion eggs ..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Nocroft-Sweetwater: "Did anyone lose their dog? - Super sweet. Found her behind Dairy Queen off of prosperity church rd and mallard creek. I am currently working so I can't hold on to her. But she's here." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Kingstree: "I hate that I have to keep making these post. - This is geared to the so called adults in the Kingstree neighborhood. I watched a car go behind a bus while kids were getting off. That person didn’t care if kids was coming off the bus or ..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Windsor Park: "Good evening everyone, I am trying to rehome my baby Sir, he is a 1 year old Cane Corso. - I had him since he was 9 weeks old. I’m having to rehome due to him not being able to get the attention he needs now. My son was in a traumatic ca..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Shamrock Hills: "Snakebite- Dog - Our family dog was bitten by a snake, the vet said likely a copperhead. We live on Delgany Drive. We are going to do some humane snake prevention measures but research said that there are likely more than one around. Be ..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Dilworth East: "This is Bernie! - He's a beautiful Australian shepherd puppy with heterochromia (dual-colored eyes) and a beautiful blue merle coat. We are looking to rehome him. He's UTD on all his puppy vaccines, he's also fully potty and crate traine..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Plaza Midwood: "Hello - Having a dinner party for 30 people . Looking for China and silverware. Don’t want to rent from party store. If anyone wants to sell their China set or sets please reach out. We also need cloth napkins . The sets don’t have ..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Palisades: "Desperately looking for dog training help. - We have a 3 year old Australian shepherd. He’s SUPER smart, knows tons of tricks, loves to snuggle, great around kids, baby’s, and white people….. yes; for some reason the problem we have with..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Steelecroft Place: "Anyone hear this a little while ago in the Steele Croft area? - https://photos.app.goo.gl/MCB4cijCTT5uG9Kq8" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Cresthills/PineyGrove: "Do any of you still watch Jeopardy? - Let’s get together to watch! We can yell out answers!" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Todd Park: "Ronald of Handy Man Plus just finished new window screens for me. - They came out so beautiful. I'm doing a few at a time, but so far so good. Ronald has worked on a few jobs for me and I've been more than satisfied with his workmanship...." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Sardis Forest: "My 9 year old cat, Baby, was given medication by my vet. - I checked the web trying to find out the best way to get him to swallow the pill, The following is closest to my tribulations. . . How to give a cat a pill ... and a dog, too H..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Kingstree: "Looking for CDL A driver. - Who can drive a manual Tractor. Weekly pay 1800-2500. Must be able to pass a DOT drug screen. Hauling freight for Panther. Regional dont go pass Mississippi river. Contact info 276-285-0428 Corey.trustgl@att.net" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Carmel Station: "https://digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/soleil783867 - Free delivery feburary 4. We need your support!" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Strawberry Hill: "Tipping - This is a nationwide issue and I want to know if I've done something wrong. For many years I've given my hairdresser at least a 20% tip. During Christmas I gave her a very nice gift. When I checked out and ran my card and she q..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Berewick II: "We just had Mike and Jose redo our basement lake front patio space to a really nice paved patio. - The transformation was amazing and they were so great to work with to deliver our vision for this space!! Definitely highly recommend this..." (Nextdoor)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday. I'll see you around!

— Celeste "Pirate Queen" Wetzel

About me: The original Pirate Queen and QA engineer for Patch. Did you know that this week I have worked at least two fourteen hour days? This sprint has been nuts and the engineering team has been keeping me hopping non-stop. I'm exhausted and very close to needing a vacation.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Charlotte Patch newsletter? Contact me at celeste.wetzel@patch.com