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Thursday, September 10, 2015
Today's Top 5: Thursday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Thu, Sep 10, 2015 at 3:34 PM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Sept. 10, 2015 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• The Money Shot at Duke Energy Theater
• Holy Ghost Tent Revival at Evening Muse
• Modernism + Film at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
• Yiasou Greek Festival at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral
• Alive After Five at EpiCentre
• The Money Shot at Duke Energy Theater
• Holy Ghost Tent Revival at Evening Muse
• Modernism + Film at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
• Yiasou Greek Festival at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral
• Alive After Five at EpiCentre
First Drip First Drip (9/10/15): This year's Charlotte murder total already surpasses 2014
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Thu, Sep 10, 2015 at 10:20 AM
Just over eight months into 2015, the CMPD has already investigated more murders than in all of 2014. The homicide total in Charlotte reached 43, one more than the total for 2014, during a violent Labor Day weekend that saw five killings. Although African Americans make up one-third of Charlotte's population, they made up two-thirds of the reported murder victims. There have been 28 arrests made in connection with 2015 homicides.
European grocery chain Lidl has confirmed it is scouting four locations to bring a store to the greater Charlotte area, including Monroe Road, Lake Norman, Indian Land and South End. An official with the company's U.S. real estate partner has said they plan to hit the market in 2018. Among the properties being pursued by Lidl is 3229 South Boulevard in South End, here they hope to build a 33,000-square-foot specialty grocery store to compete with the new Publix and the Harris Teeter planned for opening later this year.
Duke Energy is facing strong opposition from residents in western North Carolina opposed to its plan to run a 45-mile high-voltage power line through the foothills connected to a 600-megawatt natural gas plant. In Flat Rock last week, Duke experts met with about 850 residents of the area to hear their concerns, many of them asking Duke to rethink its plans, stating they did not want the line or the 150-foot towers that would hold it. Experts said burying the line would run the costs of construction from $340 million to more than $2 billion.
Police have arrested a man they say is responsible for shooting a man and woman in Conover last night, killing the man. Daniel Williamson, 25, faces murder and other charges after allegedly shooting Lisa Vanhoogen, who was transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center, and Michael Anthony Beltran, who was pronounced dead on the scene. Conover police said the suspect knew the victims.
A Rock Hill man purchased a $100,000 winning scratch-off ticket at a gas station in west Charlotte, officials said. Frank Tanzi reportedly bought the $5 Mega Bucks ticket at a Sams Mart on Scott Futrell Drive. He's the second person to win the Mega Bucks top prize since August, and eight winning tickets still remain. After taxes, Tanzi took home $69,251.
European grocery chain Lidl has confirmed it is scouting four locations to bring a store to the greater Charlotte area, including Monroe Road, Lake Norman, Indian Land and South End. An official with the company's U.S. real estate partner has said they plan to hit the market in 2018. Among the properties being pursued by Lidl is 3229 South Boulevard in South End, here they hope to build a 33,000-square-foot specialty grocery store to compete with the new Publix and the Harris Teeter planned for opening later this year.
Duke Energy is facing strong opposition from residents in western North Carolina opposed to its plan to run a 45-mile high-voltage power line through the foothills connected to a 600-megawatt natural gas plant. In Flat Rock last week, Duke experts met with about 850 residents of the area to hear their concerns, many of them asking Duke to rethink its plans, stating they did not want the line or the 150-foot towers that would hold it. Experts said burying the line would run the costs of construction from $340 million to more than $2 billion.
Police have arrested a man they say is responsible for shooting a man and woman in Conover last night, killing the man. Daniel Williamson, 25, faces murder and other charges after allegedly shooting Lisa Vanhoogen, who was transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center, and Michael Anthony Beltran, who was pronounced dead on the scene. Conover police said the suspect knew the victims.
A Rock Hill man purchased a $100,000 winning scratch-off ticket at a gas station in west Charlotte, officials said. Frank Tanzi reportedly bought the $5 Mega Bucks ticket at a Sams Mart on Scott Futrell Drive. He's the second person to win the Mega Bucks top prize since August, and eight winning tickets still remain. After taxes, Tanzi took home $69,251.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Wednesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Wed, Sep 9, 2015 at 4:10 PM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, September 9, 2015 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Opening reception for Night Garden exhibit at SOCO Gallery
• Epic Rap Battles of History at Chop Shop
• Get Motivated Charlotte at The Park Expo
• Buckcherry, Saving Abel, Sons of Texas at Neighborhood Theatre
• Candidates and Cocktails at Bar Louie
• Opening reception for Night Garden exhibit at SOCO Gallery
• Epic Rap Battles of History at Chop Shop
• Get Motivated Charlotte at The Park Expo
• Buckcherry, Saving Abel, Sons of Texas at Neighborhood Theatre
• Candidates and Cocktails at Bar Louie
First Drip First Drip (9/9/15): CMPD Chief says Labor Day shootings related, 'gang-like'
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Wed, Sep 9, 2015 at 10:51 AM
At a press conference held yesterday, CMPD Chief Kerr Putney said many of the 12 shootings that occurred over Labor Day weekend appear to have been related, and were most probably committed by "gang-like" groups retaliating over recent things like "silly disagreements" between young men in night clubs. In the case of a 7-year-old shot and killed at a birthday party, Putney said police think the shooters either had the wrong address or were targeting someone who no longer lived there.
Three top executives of United Airlines have resigned following a scandal that was reportedly the direct result of a New York Port Authority official's distaste for stopping in Charlotte on his way to his South Carolina vacation home. Officials are investigating whether United restored a direct flight between Newark and Columbia for the then-chairman of NYPA in exchange for upgrades the company wanted at Newark Liberty International Airport.
A crane being pulled by an 18-wheeler caught fire on I-485 early this morning, snarling traffic as diesel fuel spilled across lanes of traffic. Pictures show that the entire front end of the crane was engulfed in flames at one point. The fire occurred on the outer loop of I-485 between Harris and Brookshire boulevards.
The Burke County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in finding a 15-year-old girl who has been missing for two weeks. Police say Ashli Deann Bailey was last seen leaving her home in Connelly Springs, North Carolina in August with a family member. She has a pierced tongue, piercings with gauges in both ears, two piercings below her lip and a nose piercing.
Kim Davis, the Kentucky town clerk who became a martyr for some conservatives after being jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, was released from jail yesterday and will return to work as soon as Friday. Upon her release, she faced another court order stating she must not block any more marriage licenses from being issued or return to jail. She said she has not yet decided if she will obey the court order.
Three top executives of United Airlines have resigned following a scandal that was reportedly the direct result of a New York Port Authority official's distaste for stopping in Charlotte on his way to his South Carolina vacation home. Officials are investigating whether United restored a direct flight between Newark and Columbia for the then-chairman of NYPA in exchange for upgrades the company wanted at Newark Liberty International Airport.
A crane being pulled by an 18-wheeler caught fire on I-485 early this morning, snarling traffic as diesel fuel spilled across lanes of traffic. Pictures show that the entire front end of the crane was engulfed in flames at one point. The fire occurred on the outer loop of I-485 between Harris and Brookshire boulevards.
The Burke County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in finding a 15-year-old girl who has been missing for two weeks. Police say Ashli Deann Bailey was last seen leaving her home in Connelly Springs, North Carolina in August with a family member. She has a pierced tongue, piercings with gauges in both ears, two piercings below her lip and a nose piercing.
Kim Davis, the Kentucky town clerk who became a martyr for some conservatives after being jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, was released from jail yesterday and will return to work as soon as Friday. Upon her release, she faced another court order stating she must not block any more marriage licenses from being issued or return to jail. She said she has not yet decided if she will obey the court order.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
News PHOTO GALLERY: Black Lives Matter movement regroups at Marshall Park rally
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Tue, Sep 8, 2015 at 2:05 PM
“Today we MOURN, Tomorrow we Organize” was written on the back windshield of an SUV driving about 15 miles per hour down Brookshire Freeway. It was Friday night in the midst of rush hour, and the SUV was at the back of a pack of 10 cars moving ever-so-slowly down the highway into the city, to the chagrin of a long line of motorists behind them.
The procession, dubbed “Funeral Friday” by organizers, marked the beginning of a rejuvenated effort by activists with Charlotte’s Black Lives Matter movement to push for police reform in the wake of the mistrial of Randall Kerrick, announced on August 21, and the following announcement by North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper that there would be no retrial.
Leading up to the funeral procession, which ended with a rally of about 70 people at Marshall Park joining together in song and giving impassioned speeches about their past experiences and goals moving forward, Rev. LeRoy Dunlap stood in front of his church, Redemption Church Ministries, watching a group of activists paint their cars with slogans.
“Basically, what we’re talking about is that for a whole lot of us, justice is dead, and it needs to be mourned,” Dunlap said. “So we’ll mourn for a while and then we’ll organize to see if we can resurrect it.”
Dunlap said Funeral Friday was the beginning of actions that will continue to put pressure on city leadership to regulate the police and answer for the unequal treatment of black people by law enforcement.
The procession, dubbed “Funeral Friday” by organizers, marked the beginning of a rejuvenated effort by activists with Charlotte’s Black Lives Matter movement to push for police reform in the wake of the mistrial of Randall Kerrick, announced on August 21, and the following announcement by North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper that there would be no retrial.
Leading up to the funeral procession, which ended with a rally of about 70 people at Marshall Park joining together in song and giving impassioned speeches about their past experiences and goals moving forward, Rev. LeRoy Dunlap stood in front of his church, Redemption Church Ministries, watching a group of activists paint their cars with slogans.
“Basically, what we’re talking about is that for a whole lot of us, justice is dead, and it needs to be mourned,” Dunlap said. “So we’ll mourn for a while and then we’ll organize to see if we can resurrect it.”
Dunlap said Funeral Friday was the beginning of actions that will continue to put pressure on city leadership to regulate the police and answer for the unequal treatment of black people by law enforcement.
First Drip First Drip (9/8/15): Labor Day weekend marked by violence throughout Charlotte
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Tue, Sep 8, 2015 at 12:16 PM
A non-fatal shooting in southwest Charlotte last night wrapped up a violent Labor Day weekend in Charlotte, during which 12 people were shot and five killed, including a 7-year-old boy being shot and killed on Friday night. The most recent shooting, along Huntsmoor Drive, resulted in one victim being brought to the hospital with a life-threatening leg injury.
The Apple Corporation has partnered with the Virginia-based Conservation Fund to protect a 3,600-acre forest in Brunswick County. The partnership was formed to protect the land, which is seen as a prime piece of land for developers along the southern border of North Carolina. It sits along the Highway 17 corridor between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach.
Officials are investigating after more than 1,000 gallons of sewage spilled into a Four Mile Creek tributary this morning. The spill, which happened near TPC Piper Glen golf course, is believed to have been caused by a grease buildup in a sewer or manhole.
The YMCA of Greater Charlotte has announced intentions to remove a monument depicting a Confederate flag that sits in front of the Dowd YMCA to make room for renovations. The Y has reached out to local organizations The Sons of Confederate Veterans, who raised about $3,500 to have the monument installed in 1994, and United Daughters of Confederact to give them a chance to collect the marker, as the Y has stated the marker is not owned by them nor does it reference or represent its organization.
The city of Baltimore has reached a $6.4 million settlement with the family of Freddie Gray, who died of a neck injury he suffered while in police custody in April, causing unrest throughout the city. The wrongful death lawsuit settlement will still need to be approved by the city's Board of Estimates.
The Apple Corporation has partnered with the Virginia-based Conservation Fund to protect a 3,600-acre forest in Brunswick County. The partnership was formed to protect the land, which is seen as a prime piece of land for developers along the southern border of North Carolina. It sits along the Highway 17 corridor between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach.
Officials are investigating after more than 1,000 gallons of sewage spilled into a Four Mile Creek tributary this morning. The spill, which happened near TPC Piper Glen golf course, is believed to have been caused by a grease buildup in a sewer or manhole.
The YMCA of Greater Charlotte has announced intentions to remove a monument depicting a Confederate flag that sits in front of the Dowd YMCA to make room for renovations. The Y has reached out to local organizations The Sons of Confederate Veterans, who raised about $3,500 to have the monument installed in 1994, and United Daughters of Confederact to give them a chance to collect the marker, as the Y has stated the marker is not owned by them nor does it reference or represent its organization.
The city of Baltimore has reached a $6.4 million settlement with the family of Freddie Gray, who died of a neck injury he suffered while in police custody in April, causing unrest throughout the city. The wrongful death lawsuit settlement will still need to be approved by the city's Board of Estimates.
Friday, September 4, 2015
First Drip First Drip (9/4/15): Another firm joins call to knock down Moynihan's new job title
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Fri, Sep 4, 2015 at 11:39 AM
Another large Bank of America shareholder has voiced opposition to the bank's decision to ratify its current board structure and name CEO Brian Moynihan as chairman. Proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis & Co. has joined two of the nation's largest pension firms in calling for shareholders to vote against the bank's decision in an upcoming shareholder's meeting. The meeting will take place in Charlotte on September 22.
A CATS bus on I-77 southbound caught fire this morning during rush hour on Fort Mill. Two passengers and the driver were on the bus when a fire reportedly started in the back of the bus, near the engine. The fire mostly affected the exterior of the vehicle and nobody was injured, according to officials.
A CMS teacher told police that an 11-year-old sixth-grader stole her car and trashed it, returning it with damage to the exterior and the interior and cigarette butts all over the floor. The teacher said the student stole her keys and walked through the parking lot hitting the key fob until he found her car.
It's just that slow of a news day, folks.
A CATS bus on I-77 southbound caught fire this morning during rush hour on Fort Mill. Two passengers and the driver were on the bus when a fire reportedly started in the back of the bus, near the engine. The fire mostly affected the exterior of the vehicle and nobody was injured, according to officials.
A CMS teacher told police that an 11-year-old sixth-grader stole her car and trashed it, returning it with damage to the exterior and the interior and cigarette butts all over the floor. The teacher said the student stole her keys and walked through the parking lot hitting the key fob until he found her car.
It's just that slow of a news day, folks.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Film / Film News Opening Friday
Posted By Matt Brunson on Thu, Sep 3, 2015 at 9:03 PM
- Fox Searchlight
- Mistress America
Jimmy's Hall - Barry Ward, Francis Magee
Meru - Documentary
Mistress America - Greta Gerwig, Lola Kirke
The Transporter Refueled - Ed Skrein, Ray Stevenson
A Walk in the Woods - Robert Redford, Nick Nolte
News Anti-bullying concert tonight will raise funds for LGBT youth
Posted By Matt Comer on Thu, Sep 3, 2015 at 2:29 PM
A 120-member chorus will join nationally-acclaimed singer Ann Hampton Callaway tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Halton Theatre at Central Piedmont Community College for "Stand U, Sing Out: A Concert to Stop Bullying."
The diverse men’s and women’s chorus will perform “Tyler’s Suite,” a composition from several composers telling the story of Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers University student who committed suicide after being harassed by his college peers in 2010. It’s been performed nationally by men’s choruses but the piece has been re-arranged and, for the first time, will be performed by a mixed chorus tonight.
The event is will raise funds for the Tyler Clementi Foundation’s "Day 1 Campaign," an effort that Tyler’s mother, Jane, says will help prevent bullying before it begins.
“We’re hoping to go further upstream and prevent any type of bullying and harassment form happening,” she says, explaining that schools who sign up for the program pledge to read a declaration against bullying on the first day of school. “They read a declaration of activities, words and actions that are acceptable in the space.”
The new campaign hopes to set forward a positive model of behavior and interaction for students and, Jane Clementi says, can also be used by scouting groups, sporting teams, in universities and in workplaces.
“We’re finding out that a town in New Jersey is going to make the declaration for their town … so the community can become a safe community for everyone,” Clementi says.
Clementi will be in Charlotte for Thursday night's performance. It will be the first time she’s heard it performed by a mixed chorus, as with everyone else in attendance, but it’s certainly not the first time she’s heard the ode to her son’s life. She thinks the musical piece helps bridge an emotional connection between audiences and her son’s story. Tyler himself was a violinist and a lover of music.
The diverse men’s and women’s chorus will perform “Tyler’s Suite,” a composition from several composers telling the story of Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers University student who committed suicide after being harassed by his college peers in 2010. It’s been performed nationally by men’s choruses but the piece has been re-arranged and, for the first time, will be performed by a mixed chorus tonight.
The event is will raise funds for the Tyler Clementi Foundation’s "Day 1 Campaign," an effort that Tyler’s mother, Jane, says will help prevent bullying before it begins.
“We’re hoping to go further upstream and prevent any type of bullying and harassment form happening,” she says, explaining that schools who sign up for the program pledge to read a declaration against bullying on the first day of school. “They read a declaration of activities, words and actions that are acceptable in the space.”
The new campaign hopes to set forward a positive model of behavior and interaction for students and, Jane Clementi says, can also be used by scouting groups, sporting teams, in universities and in workplaces.
“We’re finding out that a town in New Jersey is going to make the declaration for their town … so the community can become a safe community for everyone,” Clementi says.
Clementi will be in Charlotte for Thursday night's performance. It will be the first time she’s heard it performed by a mixed chorus, as with everyone else in attendance, but it’s certainly not the first time she’s heard the ode to her son’s life. She thinks the musical piece helps bridge an emotional connection between audiences and her son’s story. Tyler himself was a violinist and a lover of music.
First Drip First Drip (9/3/15): Low-income schools among worst graded in the state
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Thu, Sep 3, 2015 at 11:00 AM
The state released its annual letter grades for schools throughout North Carolina and nearly a third received Ds or Fs, almost all of which being schools with a high percentage of low income students. Critics of these grades say a school's improvement, which counts for 20 percent of the grade, doesn't count for as much as it should. The grades are based largely on standardized test scores.
Police made a gruesome discovery at a missing man's home last night, finding what are believed to be his remains under his east Charlotte home. Richard Allen Hable was reported missing in late August, but had not been seen alive by loved ones since May. Police do suspect foul play and were reportedly previously concerned with Hable's well being.
A hard helicopter landing took the life of one Marine and injured nine others at Camp Lejeune last night. The nine injured soldiers were taken to three area hospitals. In a statement, Capt. Ryan Elizabeth Alvis said a CH-53E hard landing happened during a training exercise at around 9 p.m. The name of the Marine will reportedly not be released for 24 hours.
According to a letter sent to the N.C. Commerce Department, Michael Waltrip Racing will be liquidating its assets and shutting down by April 2016, laying off more the 200 employees from its Cornelius headquarters in the process. The letter says the company will be laying employees off in stages between November 2015 and April 2016.
A new video showing the shooting death of a Texas man by police shows the man standing away from officers and putting his hands up before the officers fire on him. Officers said Gilbert Flores was armed with a knife and that nonlethal force – Tasers and shields – had not worked. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office has said they are in possession of a second video that shows another angle of the shooting.
Police made a gruesome discovery at a missing man's home last night, finding what are believed to be his remains under his east Charlotte home. Richard Allen Hable was reported missing in late August, but had not been seen alive by loved ones since May. Police do suspect foul play and were reportedly previously concerned with Hable's well being.
A hard helicopter landing took the life of one Marine and injured nine others at Camp Lejeune last night. The nine injured soldiers were taken to three area hospitals. In a statement, Capt. Ryan Elizabeth Alvis said a CH-53E hard landing happened during a training exercise at around 9 p.m. The name of the Marine will reportedly not be released for 24 hours.
According to a letter sent to the N.C. Commerce Department, Michael Waltrip Racing will be liquidating its assets and shutting down by April 2016, laying off more the 200 employees from its Cornelius headquarters in the process. The letter says the company will be laying employees off in stages between November 2015 and April 2016.
A new video showing the shooting death of a Texas man by police shows the man standing away from officers and putting his hands up before the officers fire on him. Officers said Gilbert Flores was armed with a knife and that nonlethal force – Tasers and shields – had not worked. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office has said they are in possession of a second video that shows another angle of the shooting.
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Question the Queen City: The haunting of Love’s Pass
The railroad pass has claimed at least 14 lives
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Today's Top 5: Tuesday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
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The Secret Service: Behind Mark Millar's next comic film
Here are some things you should know about the upcoming movie adaption.
