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Thursday, September 17, 2015
First Drip First Drip (9/17/15): Cyclist killed Sunday had recently escaped homelessness
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Thu, Sep 17, 2015 at 10:35 AM
Al Gorman, the cyclist killed as the result of a chain-reaction car wreck last Sunday, had reportedly found a home just months before his death after struggling for at least seven years with homelessness. Gorman was killed at the corner of Hawthorne Lane and Parkwood Avenue, between the NoDa and Plaza Midwood neighborhoods, a corner many cyclists say is one of Charlotte's most dangerous. About 70 members of the cycling community attended a vigil for Gorman on Tuesday night, and placed a "ghost bike" at the intersection, with signs reminding drivers to slow down.
A 3-month-old boy who was taken from his home last night has been found, according to CMPD officials, and returned to his mother. Police responded to a domestic disturbance at the boy's home last Thursday night and the mother told police his father left with him and that he was poorly clothed and in danger. Officers are still looking for the baby's father, Donte Hill Sr., who they say has an outstanding warrant for probation violation.
The owner of a west Charlotte Red Roof Inn has been stripped of his franchise following allegations that it was used as a hub for teen prostitution, often involving human trafficking. The owner, Chandresh Patel, released a statement saying he was recently made aware of the crimes, which he said were committed in the past, and is taking action resolve the issues. Patel, however, profited from the prostitution, according to investigators.
A 14-month-old baby who was burned in an explosion on Tuesday is still in the hospital with life-threatening injuries resulting from burns over 40 percent of her body. The infant was burned when a gas can exploded at her family's North Charlotte home while they were burning trash in the backyard. In a Facebook post from the father, he said that doctors have told him that if his daughter, Emily Hinton, does pull through she will need multiple surgeries throughout her life.
People in Hawaii and southern California were on tsunami alert following an 8.3-magnitude earthquake in Chile yesterday. The alert was later downgraded to an advisory, as conditions did not reportedly indicate a tsunami threat. At least five people in Chile were reported killed as a result of the earthquake.
A 3-month-old boy who was taken from his home last night has been found, according to CMPD officials, and returned to his mother. Police responded to a domestic disturbance at the boy's home last Thursday night and the mother told police his father left with him and that he was poorly clothed and in danger. Officers are still looking for the baby's father, Donte Hill Sr., who they say has an outstanding warrant for probation violation.
The owner of a west Charlotte Red Roof Inn has been stripped of his franchise following allegations that it was used as a hub for teen prostitution, often involving human trafficking. The owner, Chandresh Patel, released a statement saying he was recently made aware of the crimes, which he said were committed in the past, and is taking action resolve the issues. Patel, however, profited from the prostitution, according to investigators.
A 14-month-old baby who was burned in an explosion on Tuesday is still in the hospital with life-threatening injuries resulting from burns over 40 percent of her body. The infant was burned when a gas can exploded at her family's North Charlotte home while they were burning trash in the backyard. In a Facebook post from the father, he said that doctors have told him that if his daughter, Emily Hinton, does pull through she will need multiple surgeries throughout her life.
People in Hawaii and southern California were on tsunami alert following an 8.3-magnitude earthquake in Chile yesterday. The alert was later downgraded to an advisory, as conditions did not reportedly indicate a tsunami threat. At least five people in Chile were reported killed as a result of the earthquake.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
First Drip First Drip (9/16/15): Election results are in, Democratic mayoral candidates to go into run-off
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Wed, Sep 16, 2015 at 12:08 PM
In yesterday's mayoral primaries, Edwin Peacock took the Republican nomination for the second time in a row while Democratic candidate Jennifer Roberts and current Mayor Dan Clodfelter will enter a run-off election in October. Roberts got 35.77 percent of the vote, well short of the 40 percent needed to avoid a run-off. Clodfelter received 25.78 percent of the vote and David Howard finished third among Democrats with 23.70 percent of the vote.
In the contested city council elections, voters sent three incumbents back to the November general elections. Winners included LaWana Mayfield, who beat challenger Warren Turner, whose seat she took in District 3 four years ago. In District 2, Al Austin fended off Democratic challenger Steven Jones and will now face Republican Justin Dunn in the November election. John Autry of District 5 won his primary, and therefore will keep his seat, as he faces no Republican opposition.
In the at-large city council election, two incumbents, Vi Lyles and Claire Fallon, were among the four that will move ahead to the general elections. Also among the top four vote getters in the field of 12 were Julie Eiselt, founder of Neighbors for a Safer Charlotte, and James "Smuggie" Mitchell, a former city council member who ran for mayor in the Democratic primary against Patrick Cannon in 2013.
Yesterday, the North Carolina Senate voted 33 to 16 to approve a state budget well after the fiscal year has begun. The vote was along party lines, but complaints were focused more on the way the budget was passed as opposed to what the money was spent on. Democrats pointed out that, despite ignoring budget deadlines for months, once Republicans did write out a budget, they pushed it through without giving anyone ample time to read it. The 500-page budget, negotiated by a small amount of Republican legislators, was delivered to other lawmakers for review late Monday night, just 15 hours before they were to vote on it.
Surf City Police Chief Mike Halstead announced his retirement at an emergency meeting yesterday following posting on his personal social media a long rant against the Black Lives Matter movement in which he says blacks, white and Mexicans need police and "we don't need you," and makes references to a "murderous society," including a New Black Panther movement that he believes wants to kill whites and cops. "We are ready for you," Halsead wrote. "You take one of us and there will be 100 to step up and end you."
In the contested city council elections, voters sent three incumbents back to the November general elections. Winners included LaWana Mayfield, who beat challenger Warren Turner, whose seat she took in District 3 four years ago. In District 2, Al Austin fended off Democratic challenger Steven Jones and will now face Republican Justin Dunn in the November election. John Autry of District 5 won his primary, and therefore will keep his seat, as he faces no Republican opposition.
In the at-large city council election, two incumbents, Vi Lyles and Claire Fallon, were among the four that will move ahead to the general elections. Also among the top four vote getters in the field of 12 were Julie Eiselt, founder of Neighbors for a Safer Charlotte, and James "Smuggie" Mitchell, a former city council member who ran for mayor in the Democratic primary against Patrick Cannon in 2013.
Yesterday, the North Carolina Senate voted 33 to 16 to approve a state budget well after the fiscal year has begun. The vote was along party lines, but complaints were focused more on the way the budget was passed as opposed to what the money was spent on. Democrats pointed out that, despite ignoring budget deadlines for months, once Republicans did write out a budget, they pushed it through without giving anyone ample time to read it. The 500-page budget, negotiated by a small amount of Republican legislators, was delivered to other lawmakers for review late Monday night, just 15 hours before they were to vote on it.
Surf City Police Chief Mike Halstead announced his retirement at an emergency meeting yesterday following posting on his personal social media a long rant against the Black Lives Matter movement in which he says blacks, white and Mexicans need police and "we don't need you," and makes references to a "murderous society," including a New Black Panther movement that he believes wants to kill whites and cops. "We are ready for you," Halsead wrote. "You take one of us and there will be 100 to step up and end you."
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Wednesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Wed, Sep 16, 2015 at 10:49 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Sept. 16, 2015 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• The Language of Flowers exhibit at Lark & Key Gallery
• Charlotte Symphony On Tap at Belk Theater
• Lisa Fischer at McGlohon Theater
• GOP debate viewing with Charlotte Drinking Liberally at Big Ben British Pub
• Trivia and karaoke at Tin Roof
• The Language of Flowers exhibit at Lark & Key Gallery
• Charlotte Symphony On Tap at Belk Theater
• Lisa Fischer at McGlohon Theater
• GOP debate viewing with Charlotte Drinking Liberally at Big Ben British Pub
• Trivia and karaoke at Tin Roof
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
First Drip First Drip (9/15/15): Early voters set record in Charlotte primaries
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Tue, Sep 15, 2015 at 11:55 AM
Voters will (hopefully) hit the polls to vote in mayoral and other municipal primaries today, but a record number of Charlotteans got it out of the way early, according to county officials. Michael Dickerson, elections director of Mecklenburg County, said 9,407 early voting ballots were cast for this year's primary. That number is a more than 50-percent increase from the 6,254 ballots cast during early voting for the 2013 primaries.
Five people were reportedly injured in a crash between what look to be work vehicles this morning on Mt. Holly Road. According to Medic, five people were transported to Carolinas Medical Center following the wreck, one of which had serious injuries.
CMS has contacted 7,600 job applicants to inform them that their personal information was sent to a private contractor without the applicants' consent. CMS stated this morning that an unauthorized agreement between a CMS employee and a vendor led to the data breach, which included applicants' names, addresses and Social Security numbers.
A judge has denied bail again to a former North Charleston police officer who killed an unarmed black man while on duty in April. Michael Slager is charged with killing Walter Scott during a traffic stop for a broken taillight. An order from Circuit Judge Clifton Newman on Monday afternoon stated that evidence presented to him suggesting that Slager is a flight risk was "persuasive."
Two students in Houston have died following a school bus crash during which the bus went "airborne" off an overpass onto the road below, according to witnesses. One female student was reportedly pronounced dead on the scene, and another died later at the scene. The cause of the accident are still under investigation.
Five people were reportedly injured in a crash between what look to be work vehicles this morning on Mt. Holly Road. According to Medic, five people were transported to Carolinas Medical Center following the wreck, one of which had serious injuries.
CMS has contacted 7,600 job applicants to inform them that their personal information was sent to a private contractor without the applicants' consent. CMS stated this morning that an unauthorized agreement between a CMS employee and a vendor led to the data breach, which included applicants' names, addresses and Social Security numbers.
A judge has denied bail again to a former North Charleston police officer who killed an unarmed black man while on duty in April. Michael Slager is charged with killing Walter Scott during a traffic stop for a broken taillight. An order from Circuit Judge Clifton Newman on Monday afternoon stated that evidence presented to him suggesting that Slager is a flight risk was "persuasive."
Two students in Houston have died following a school bus crash during which the bus went "airborne" off an overpass onto the road below, according to witnesses. One female student was reportedly pronounced dead on the scene, and another died later at the scene. The cause of the accident are still under investigation.
Today's Top 5: Tuesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Tue, Sep 15, 2015 at 10:25 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Sept. 15, 2015 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• The Money Shot at Duke Energy Theater
• Swarming Branch, Bo White Y Su Orquesta at Snug Harbor
• Tom Segrua at The Comedy Zone
• Careless Romantic, Grey Revell, Glimpses at Milestone
• Charlotte Comedy Awards at Crown Station Pub
• The Money Shot at Duke Energy Theater
• Swarming Branch, Bo White Y Su Orquesta at Snug Harbor
• Tom Segrua at The Comedy Zone
• Careless Romantic, Grey Revell, Glimpses at Milestone
• Charlotte Comedy Awards at Crown Station Pub
Monday, September 14, 2015
First Drip First Drip (9/14/15): Sanders speaks to large crowd at Winthrop
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Mon, Sep 14, 2015 at 11:08 AM
Bernie Sanders spoke to a crowd of about 3,000 people at Winthrop University in Rock Hill on Saturday evening. Sanders was introduced by Dr. Cornel West and spoke for nearly two hours about wealth inequality, college affordability, mass incarceration and race relations. Sanders mentioned during his speech that the crowd was the largest he had seen during his multiple stops in South Carolina.
Today marks the second anniversary of the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell by CMPD officer Randall Kerrick. Ferrell's family is planning to visit the site of the shooting for the first time, according to reports. A candlelight vigil is planned at the site in Bradford Farms this evening, and mourners are also expected to gather at Marshall Park.
A second person has reportedly died as a result of a wreck that happened following a police chase in west Charlotte on Friday night. Sarah Bianca Love was pronounced dead on the scene and 17-year-old Jennifer Taggart reportedly died later at the hospital, officials said. The chase began shortly after detectives received a license plate reader hit on a stolen car and police bang following the vehicle. The suspect driving the car, Kenneth Goggins, was charged with felony death by vehicle, felony serious injury by vehicle, DWI, reckless driving, felony speeding to elude and possession of a stolen vehicle.
A 78-year-old Gastonia man has died as a result of injuries suffered during an attack in July, police said. Fletcher Campbell was reportedly homeless when a 19-year-old man attacked him by throwing a brick at his face repeatedly on July 6. A judge has charged Donald Wallace with murder.
Lawmakers are reportedly planning to unveil a $21.75 million budget today. The new fiscal year began more than 70 days ago. The legislature is reportedly planning to fund pay for teacher assistants, whose funding will otherwise run out this Friday. They are still reportedly negotiating on tax provisions.
Today marks the second anniversary of the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell by CMPD officer Randall Kerrick. Ferrell's family is planning to visit the site of the shooting for the first time, according to reports. A candlelight vigil is planned at the site in Bradford Farms this evening, and mourners are also expected to gather at Marshall Park.
A second person has reportedly died as a result of a wreck that happened following a police chase in west Charlotte on Friday night. Sarah Bianca Love was pronounced dead on the scene and 17-year-old Jennifer Taggart reportedly died later at the hospital, officials said. The chase began shortly after detectives received a license plate reader hit on a stolen car and police bang following the vehicle. The suspect driving the car, Kenneth Goggins, was charged with felony death by vehicle, felony serious injury by vehicle, DWI, reckless driving, felony speeding to elude and possession of a stolen vehicle.
A 78-year-old Gastonia man has died as a result of injuries suffered during an attack in July, police said. Fletcher Campbell was reportedly homeless when a 19-year-old man attacked him by throwing a brick at his face repeatedly on July 6. A judge has charged Donald Wallace with murder.
Lawmakers are reportedly planning to unveil a $21.75 million budget today. The new fiscal year began more than 70 days ago. The legislature is reportedly planning to fund pay for teacher assistants, whose funding will otherwise run out this Friday. They are still reportedly negotiating on tax provisions.
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Today's Top 5: Saturday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Sat, Sep 12, 2015 at 8:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Sept. 12, 2015 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Festival of India at Belk Theater
• Weenie Roast at PNC Music Pavilion
• Yiasou Greek Festival at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
• Sip and Stroll at EpiCentre
• Woofstock at Amos' Southend
• Festival of India at Belk Theater
• Weenie Roast at PNC Music Pavilion
• Yiasou Greek Festival at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
• Sip and Stroll at EpiCentre
• Woofstock at Amos' Southend
Friday, September 11, 2015
Today's Top 5: Friday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Fri, Sep 11, 2015 at 2:29 PM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Sept. 11, 2015 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• The Patron Saint of Loosing Sleep at Actor's Theatre of Charlotte
• St. Paul and the Broken Bones at N.C. Music Factory
• La Cage Aux Folles at Theatre Charlotte
• Tribute to the Music of NYC at Neighborhood Theatre
• Van Halen at PNC Music Pavilion
• The Patron Saint of Loosing Sleep at Actor's Theatre of Charlotte
• St. Paul and the Broken Bones at N.C. Music Factory
• La Cage Aux Folles at Theatre Charlotte
• Tribute to the Music of NYC at Neighborhood Theatre
• Van Halen at PNC Music Pavilion
First Drip First Drip (9/11/15): Plaza Midwood residents petition against proposed development
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Fri, Sep 11, 2015 at 10:12 AM
Plaza Midwood residents are speaking out against what they call a "cookie-cutter" development planned for the middle of the Commonwealth/Morningside neighborhood. More than 600 people have signed a petition against the development, which they say is too dense and does not fit the neighborhood's character. Five homes would need to be demolished on St. Julien Street and McKlintock Road for the project. It goes in front of city council on September 21.
Elected officials and executives with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont held an event yesterday at the 18-acre site of a new Goodwill Opportunity Campus, currently under construction off Wilkinson Boulevard. The campus, scheduled to open in spring 2016, will include the 16,000-foot Leon Levine Opportunity Center, which will host various resources and job training opportunities. Officials at the event announced four full-time partners that will work full-time on campus, including Charlotte Community Health Clinic, Common Wealth Charlotte, Charlotte Metro Credit Union and The Center for Community Transitions.
Democratic mayoral candidate David Howard has reportedly raised $60,000 from the African-American community during his campaign, far surpassing the amounts raised by competitors Dan Clodfelter, Jennifer Roberts and Michael Barnes. African-Americans make up 64 percent of registered Democrats in Charlotte, and therefore play a large role in choosing a Democratic nominee during Charlotte primaries. Early voting for the primaries ends tomorrow, while election day is Tuesday, September 15.
Strong storms last night reportedly left 1,500 Charlotte residents without power this morning. Duke Energy is still assessing the damage and did not have an estimated time this morning for the power being turned back on.
Duke Energy finally settled a 15-year lawsuit from the federal government regarding air pollution violations at five North Carolina plants. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2000, was settled for about $5.4 million, according to the Environmental Protection Agency and Justice Department. A trial was scheduled to begin next month.
Elected officials and executives with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont held an event yesterday at the 18-acre site of a new Goodwill Opportunity Campus, currently under construction off Wilkinson Boulevard. The campus, scheduled to open in spring 2016, will include the 16,000-foot Leon Levine Opportunity Center, which will host various resources and job training opportunities. Officials at the event announced four full-time partners that will work full-time on campus, including Charlotte Community Health Clinic, Common Wealth Charlotte, Charlotte Metro Credit Union and The Center for Community Transitions.
Democratic mayoral candidate David Howard has reportedly raised $60,000 from the African-American community during his campaign, far surpassing the amounts raised by competitors Dan Clodfelter, Jennifer Roberts and Michael Barnes. African-Americans make up 64 percent of registered Democrats in Charlotte, and therefore play a large role in choosing a Democratic nominee during Charlotte primaries. Early voting for the primaries ends tomorrow, while election day is Tuesday, September 15.
Strong storms last night reportedly left 1,500 Charlotte residents without power this morning. Duke Energy is still assessing the damage and did not have an estimated time this morning for the power being turned back on.
Duke Energy finally settled a 15-year lawsuit from the federal government regarding air pollution violations at five North Carolina plants. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2000, was settled for about $5.4 million, according to the Environmental Protection Agency and Justice Department. A trial was scheduled to begin next month.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Film / Film News Opening Friday
Posted By Matt Brunson on Thu, Sep 10, 2015 at 4:32 PM
- Universal
- The Visit
Learning to Drive - Patricia Clarkson, Ben Kingsley
The Perfect Guy - Sanaa Lathan, Michael Ealy
The Visit - Olivia DeJonge, Ed Oxenbould
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Question the Queen City: The Disappearance of Denise Porch 6
She quite literally vanished.
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Big bucks for Charlotte energy projects
And other energy news from around the world.
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5 Reasons To Buy Home Insurance Policy
