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Thursday, September 3, 2015
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.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
First Drip First Drip (9/2/15): Manhunt continues for police-shooting suspects in Illinois
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Wed, Sep 2, 2015 at 10:59 AM
A massive manhunt continues this morning as law enforcement officials are still searching for three men suspected of killing a police officer north of Chicago yesterday. Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz was reportedly found shot to death and stripped of his gun and gear after radioing to dispatch that he was chasing three suspicious persons on foot. Not much is known about the suspects, other than that they are two white males and one black male. More than 400 officers are currently searching Fox Lake, a suburb about 90 miles of Chicago where the shooting took place.
Charlotte residents gathered last night to honor Omari Chambers, a 10-year-old boy who died after collapsing at his football practice last Thursday in northwest Charlotte. The coroner has said Chambers' death was due to a heart defect. At Carolina Panthers practice yesterday, Cam Newton - Chambers' favorite player - and Luke Kuechly signed a shirt that Chambers will be buried in.
The owner of a Cornelius pizza place has taken to Facebook with threats of civil disobedience if the I-77 toll road project continues as planned. Joel Pfyffer, owner of Prosciutto's Pizzeria & Pub, posted a statement on the business's Facebook page saying he would park his vehicle in front of construction equipment in the case that legal action does not stop the controversial toll project. He is hoping others will join him.
Owners of Charanda Mexican Grill & Cantina have been ordered to pay back wages to employees after it was found they were making the employees work solely for tips without any other wages. The restaurant has locations in Concord and Statesville. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must pay employees who claim tips at least $2.13 an hour in wages, and the total pay after tips must add up to $7.25 an hour or more. Investigators also found some cooks at the restaurant were working up to 60 hours a week without being paid overtime.
Three people were seriously injured in a car accident on Tyvola Road last night, according to officials. An infant may have been involved in the wreck, police said, and one victim had life-threatening injuries. It was not clear if the infant was the one with life-threatening injuries.
Charlotte residents gathered last night to honor Omari Chambers, a 10-year-old boy who died after collapsing at his football practice last Thursday in northwest Charlotte. The coroner has said Chambers' death was due to a heart defect. At Carolina Panthers practice yesterday, Cam Newton - Chambers' favorite player - and Luke Kuechly signed a shirt that Chambers will be buried in.
The owner of a Cornelius pizza place has taken to Facebook with threats of civil disobedience if the I-77 toll road project continues as planned. Joel Pfyffer, owner of Prosciutto's Pizzeria & Pub, posted a statement on the business's Facebook page saying he would park his vehicle in front of construction equipment in the case that legal action does not stop the controversial toll project. He is hoping others will join him.
Owners of Charanda Mexican Grill & Cantina have been ordered to pay back wages to employees after it was found they were making the employees work solely for tips without any other wages. The restaurant has locations in Concord and Statesville. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must pay employees who claim tips at least $2.13 an hour in wages, and the total pay after tips must add up to $7.25 an hour or more. Investigators also found some cooks at the restaurant were working up to 60 hours a week without being paid overtime.
Three people were seriously injured in a car accident on Tyvola Road last night, according to officials. An infant may have been involved in the wreck, police said, and one victim had life-threatening injuries. It was not clear if the infant was the one with life-threatening injuries.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
First Drip First Drip (9/1/15): Developers look to restore mill, make new 'hub' in west Charlotte
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Tue, Sep 1, 2015 at 12:42 PM
A historic mill near Martin Luther King Park will reportedly be refurbished by developers who hope to make it the new "hub" of west Charlotte. Charlotte-based Argos Real Estate will be renovating the 180,000-square-foot Savona Mill, located at 528 S. Turner Ave. Argos developers hope to host many diverse businesses in the mill, with Blue Blaze Brewing reportedly being the first one.
In other local brewery news, NoDa Brewing Co. has announced it plans to open its new North Tryon location on October 1. Suzie and Todd Ford have reportedly invested $8 million in the brewery's new 32,000-square-foot home, located at 2921 N. Tryon St.
The 28-year-old driver that set off a chain reaction car accident that killed a Charlotte pastor's two young children has been indicted by a jury on misdemeanor death by vehicle and failure to reduce speed. Investigators said Matthew Deans was driving while distracted when he failed to slow down for stopped traffic near Wilmington in May. The resulting crash set off a chain reaction that killed two-year-old Dobbs Eddings and an unborn child who did not survive efforts to deliver him in an emergency birth.
The Carolina Panthers acquired second-year wide receiver Kevin Norwood in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, in an attempt to add to competition in a receiving corps that has been a reason for worry on the team especially after No. 1 receiver Kelvin Benjamin went out for the season with a knee injury. Concerns were heightened on Friday night when Panthers receivers dropped multiple seemingly catchable balls during a preseason loss to the Patriots.
Officials said a police officer who was shot during a suspicious person investigation in Atlanta entered the wrong house before gunfire erupted. No address was reportedly given in the original 911 call, but three officers approached a home that matched the description of the home from behind and entered through an unlocked screen door. In the ensuing shootout, an officer was struck in the thigh and critically injured, the homeowner was shot with unknown results and a dog in the home was killed.
In other local brewery news, NoDa Brewing Co. has announced it plans to open its new North Tryon location on October 1. Suzie and Todd Ford have reportedly invested $8 million in the brewery's new 32,000-square-foot home, located at 2921 N. Tryon St.
The 28-year-old driver that set off a chain reaction car accident that killed a Charlotte pastor's two young children has been indicted by a jury on misdemeanor death by vehicle and failure to reduce speed. Investigators said Matthew Deans was driving while distracted when he failed to slow down for stopped traffic near Wilmington in May. The resulting crash set off a chain reaction that killed two-year-old Dobbs Eddings and an unborn child who did not survive efforts to deliver him in an emergency birth.
The Carolina Panthers acquired second-year wide receiver Kevin Norwood in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, in an attempt to add to competition in a receiving corps that has been a reason for worry on the team especially after No. 1 receiver Kelvin Benjamin went out for the season with a knee injury. Concerns were heightened on Friday night when Panthers receivers dropped multiple seemingly catchable balls during a preseason loss to the Patriots.
Officials said a police officer who was shot during a suspicious person investigation in Atlanta entered the wrong house before gunfire erupted. No address was reportedly given in the original 911 call, but three officers approached a home that matched the description of the home from behind and entered through an unlocked screen door. In the ensuing shootout, an officer was struck in the thigh and critically injured, the homeowner was shot with unknown results and a dog in the home was killed.
Monday, August 31, 2015
First Drip First Drip (8/31/15): New poll shows Roberts, Peacock well ahead of mayoral primary opponents
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Mon, Aug 31, 2015 at 10:58 AM
A new Charlotte Observer poll shows Democrat Jennifer Roberts and Republican Edwin Peacock with double-digit leads in their respective primaries, as early voting is set to begin on Thursday. Roberts reportedly showed a lead in all demographics, including men, women and black voters. Both Republicans in the race, Scott Stone and Peacock, were on the losing side of the last two mayoral elections in Charlotte, in 2011 and 2013, respectively.
Bishop Phillip Davis of Nations Ford Community Church accidentally shot and killed himself while cleaning his gun in his Union County home over the weekend. He had worked as a preacher for more than 40 years. The congregation gathered Sunday to mourn Davis on an occasion that was planned to be a celebration of the anniversary of the church's founding. Davis was known throughout the community, and had appeared on local media multiple times to speak about issues ranging from the Randall Kerrick trial to his stance against same-sex marriage.
Cousins Properties and Dimensional Fund Advisors are reportedly eyeing a triangle-shaped parcel of land between South Tryon Street, Camden Road and Park Avenue. Popular, locally owned shops like Common Market and Black Sheep skate shop currently sit in the parcel, and Food Truck Fridays are held in an empty lot that also is on the land. Creative Loafing reported in early August that Common Market has been researching potential new locations amidst rumors that developers are eyeing the land. Dimensional Fund Advisors recently announced it will move its East Coast regional headquarters to Charlotte, and wants to have it done by 2018.
The North Carolina Supreme Court will hear arguments today for the second time in a case regarding how voting districts were redrawn in 2011. The U.S. Supreme Court ordered the state court to revisit the issue following a decision in a case out of Alabama regarding voting districts. In that case, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the Voting Rights Act does not require that lawmakers place a certain percentage of African-Americans in majority-minority districts. The U.S. Supreme Court has not made any statement regarding the decision already made by the state's Supreme Court, but just asked that it review the state's voting districts again with the new guidance in mind.
The University of South Carolina football team unveiled a new sticker players will wear on their helmets through the 2015 season to honor the nine people shot and killed in an attack on Emanuel AME Church this summer. The sticker depicts nine birds formed out of the characteristic South Carolina palmetto tree design.
Bishop Phillip Davis of Nations Ford Community Church accidentally shot and killed himself while cleaning his gun in his Union County home over the weekend. He had worked as a preacher for more than 40 years. The congregation gathered Sunday to mourn Davis on an occasion that was planned to be a celebration of the anniversary of the church's founding. Davis was known throughout the community, and had appeared on local media multiple times to speak about issues ranging from the Randall Kerrick trial to his stance against same-sex marriage.
Cousins Properties and Dimensional Fund Advisors are reportedly eyeing a triangle-shaped parcel of land between South Tryon Street, Camden Road and Park Avenue. Popular, locally owned shops like Common Market and Black Sheep skate shop currently sit in the parcel, and Food Truck Fridays are held in an empty lot that also is on the land. Creative Loafing reported in early August that Common Market has been researching potential new locations amidst rumors that developers are eyeing the land. Dimensional Fund Advisors recently announced it will move its East Coast regional headquarters to Charlotte, and wants to have it done by 2018.
The North Carolina Supreme Court will hear arguments today for the second time in a case regarding how voting districts were redrawn in 2011. The U.S. Supreme Court ordered the state court to revisit the issue following a decision in a case out of Alabama regarding voting districts. In that case, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the Voting Rights Act does not require that lawmakers place a certain percentage of African-Americans in majority-minority districts. The U.S. Supreme Court has not made any statement regarding the decision already made by the state's Supreme Court, but just asked that it review the state's voting districts again with the new guidance in mind.
The University of South Carolina football team unveiled a new sticker players will wear on their helmets through the 2015 season to honor the nine people shot and killed in an attack on Emanuel AME Church this summer. The sticker depicts nine birds formed out of the characteristic South Carolina palmetto tree design.
Friday, August 28, 2015
First Drip First Drip (8/28/15): Kerrick case will not be retried
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Fri, Aug 28, 2015 at 11:09 AM
The North Carolina Attorney General's office announced this morning that it will not retry CMPD officer Randall Kerrick for voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell. The original trial ended in a mistrial after the jury became deadlocked. Prosecutors said they do not believe another trial would result in anything different from the first one.
The North Carolina legislature has given themselves more time to agree on a state budget, expanding the deadline for approval of a budget yet again until September 18. The budget was originally due by June 30. Teacher salaries and the decision whether thousands of teacher assistants will stay in CMS schools hang in the balance as legislators decide on a budget. The $2.1 million cost of expanding the legislative session three times for lawmakers to reach a decision could reportedly pay the yearly salary of 47 CMS teachers.
CMPD Chief Kerr Putney spoke yesterday regarding rumors of low morale and complaints from officers in the department regarding leadership's handling of the Randall Kerrick case, mainly that he was arrested too quickly after the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell. Putney said the Internal Affairs process will change in the department, allowing officers faced with charges to appeal to a deputy chief or take it to a department expert. He also said the department will look into making changes to its training procedures regarding how an officer responds to certain scenes, making it safer for them and residents.
New documents unsealed by federal authorities show that an MS-13 gang member was in possession of CMPD documents listing the names of officers, witnesses and victims in a case against him when they arrested him in May, as part of a large round-up of MS-13 members. Carlos Almonte was apparently collecting the information, and was crossing out or circling names of those involved with the case. The documents also discussed details the CMPD had learned about secret meetings amongst MS-13 members.
After losing a bid in 2013 to host the ESPN Summer X Games for four years, Charlotte is now eyeing the next opportunity to bring the games to the Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2018. Austin was awarded a four-year contract from 2014 to 2017, beating out other top-bidders Charlotte, Detroit and Chicago. Officials from the city's tourism department as well as from the speedway say their partnership came too late in the game last time around, and they will be working together with more cohesion to land the internationally watched event in coming talks.
The North Carolina legislature has given themselves more time to agree on a state budget, expanding the deadline for approval of a budget yet again until September 18. The budget was originally due by June 30. Teacher salaries and the decision whether thousands of teacher assistants will stay in CMS schools hang in the balance as legislators decide on a budget. The $2.1 million cost of expanding the legislative session three times for lawmakers to reach a decision could reportedly pay the yearly salary of 47 CMS teachers.
CMPD Chief Kerr Putney spoke yesterday regarding rumors of low morale and complaints from officers in the department regarding leadership's handling of the Randall Kerrick case, mainly that he was arrested too quickly after the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell. Putney said the Internal Affairs process will change in the department, allowing officers faced with charges to appeal to a deputy chief or take it to a department expert. He also said the department will look into making changes to its training procedures regarding how an officer responds to certain scenes, making it safer for them and residents.
New documents unsealed by federal authorities show that an MS-13 gang member was in possession of CMPD documents listing the names of officers, witnesses and victims in a case against him when they arrested him in May, as part of a large round-up of MS-13 members. Carlos Almonte was apparently collecting the information, and was crossing out or circling names of those involved with the case. The documents also discussed details the CMPD had learned about secret meetings amongst MS-13 members.
After losing a bid in 2013 to host the ESPN Summer X Games for four years, Charlotte is now eyeing the next opportunity to bring the games to the Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2018. Austin was awarded a four-year contract from 2014 to 2017, beating out other top-bidders Charlotte, Detroit and Chicago. Officials from the city's tourism department as well as from the speedway say their partnership came too late in the game last time around, and they will be working together with more cohesion to land the internationally watched event in coming talks.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
First Drip First Drip (8/28/15): Driver's ed to drop from CMS programs next week
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Thu, Aug 27, 2015 at 11:18 AM
Driver's education will no longer be offered to CMS students through the school system when the temporary school budget expires next week. The law currently requires 16- and 17-year-old kids to take driver's ed to get a license, but the Senate budget would only require 85 hours of driving with a licensed adult and a score of at least 85 percent on the written DMV test. Gov. Pat McCrory has spoke in support of privatizing driver's ed, saying that if someone can't afford driver's education courses, they probably can't afford a car. CMS students currently pay $55 for driver's ed, but a course reportedly runs between $300 and $400.
Attorneys for Randall Kerrick met with media yesterday and called on the attorney general's office not to pursue a retrial in the voluntary manslaughter case of his client for the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell. Kerrick is still charged in the case, but prosecutors have not yet said whether they plan to retry him.
The father of slain Roanoke, Virginia journalist Alison Parker appeared on Fox News' "The Kelly File" last night and spoke about the last time he had heard from his daughter. Andy Parker also vowed to become an activist for tougher gun laws, saying he wanted to do something about crazy people getting guns. "I'm going to do something, whatever it takes, to get gun legislation; to shame people, to shame legislators into doing something about closing loopholes and background checks and making sure crazy people don't get guns," Parker said. "This is not the last you've heard of me. This is something that is Alison's legacy that I want to make happen."
The economy grew at a 1.4-percent faster rate in the second quarter of 2015 than originally reported, according to reports. Original reports from the Commerce Department in July put the economy's growth at 2.3 percent, but no reports based on increased corporate spending put the number at 3.7 percent.
Attorneys for Randall Kerrick met with media yesterday and called on the attorney general's office not to pursue a retrial in the voluntary manslaughter case of his client for the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell. Kerrick is still charged in the case, but prosecutors have not yet said whether they plan to retry him.
The father of slain Roanoke, Virginia journalist Alison Parker appeared on Fox News' "The Kelly File" last night and spoke about the last time he had heard from his daughter. Andy Parker also vowed to become an activist for tougher gun laws, saying he wanted to do something about crazy people getting guns. "I'm going to do something, whatever it takes, to get gun legislation; to shame people, to shame legislators into doing something about closing loopholes and background checks and making sure crazy people don't get guns," Parker said. "This is not the last you've heard of me. This is something that is Alison's legacy that I want to make happen."
The economy grew at a 1.4-percent faster rate in the second quarter of 2015 than originally reported, according to reports. Original reports from the Commerce Department in July put the economy's growth at 2.3 percent, but no reports based on increased corporate spending put the number at 3.7 percent.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
First Drip First Drip (8/26/15): Troubled club in Wesley Heights shut down, owner to serve prison time
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Wed, Aug 26, 2015 at 10:30 AM
A club in Wesley Heights that has upset some nearby residents after being the scene of multiple shootings and two murders has shut down and the owner will face jail time. Adolph Shiver, owner of Club 935, will serve nine months in prison and nine months of house arrest. He will also reportedly have to pay more than $50,000 in fines for tax crimes. According to federal documents, Shiver agreed to launder $50,000 through the club for an FBI source during a sting.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education formally approved a raise for the county's newest teachers last night, although there really wasn't any choice, considering the raise comes from the state. The salary raise – from $33,000 to $35,000 a year – for teachers with zero to four years experience is part of a stopgap budget from the state while negotiations continue in the General Assembly to pass a final budget. Until that happens, teachers with five or more years experience will be held at current pay.
The first televised debate between Charlotte's mayoral candidates was held last night at the Ballantyne Hotel, with the four Democratic frontrunners squaring off to begin the evening and the two Republican candidates following up. As has been the case in previous forums over the last month, many of the Democrats agreed on a lot of issues, with small tweaks to how they would like to handle things like mass transit and recruiting companies. Scott Stone and Edwin Peacock are running on the Republican ticket. A Republican has not served as Mayor of Charlotte since now-Governor Pat McCrory left office in 2007.
According to preliminary reports from Charlotte Area Transit System released yesterday, ridership on the new Gold Line streetcar has been 67 percent higher than expected since opening in July. While the first projected numbers given to the federal government during the funding process estimated a daily ridership of 1,100 people, the average number through July stood at 1,507 people.
A reporter and cameraman for WDBJ-TV in Roanoke, Virginia were killed on-air during a live interview this morning, sending shockwaves through the national media industry on social media. The channel confirmed through Twitter that reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, were killed in the shooting. The woman being interviewed by Parker was reportedly injured and is in surgery. Creative Loafing's thoughts are with the friends, family and coworkers of Parker and Ward.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education formally approved a raise for the county's newest teachers last night, although there really wasn't any choice, considering the raise comes from the state. The salary raise – from $33,000 to $35,000 a year – for teachers with zero to four years experience is part of a stopgap budget from the state while negotiations continue in the General Assembly to pass a final budget. Until that happens, teachers with five or more years experience will be held at current pay.
The first televised debate between Charlotte's mayoral candidates was held last night at the Ballantyne Hotel, with the four Democratic frontrunners squaring off to begin the evening and the two Republican candidates following up. As has been the case in previous forums over the last month, many of the Democrats agreed on a lot of issues, with small tweaks to how they would like to handle things like mass transit and recruiting companies. Scott Stone and Edwin Peacock are running on the Republican ticket. A Republican has not served as Mayor of Charlotte since now-Governor Pat McCrory left office in 2007.
According to preliminary reports from Charlotte Area Transit System released yesterday, ridership on the new Gold Line streetcar has been 67 percent higher than expected since opening in July. While the first projected numbers given to the federal government during the funding process estimated a daily ridership of 1,100 people, the average number through July stood at 1,507 people.
A reporter and cameraman for WDBJ-TV in Roanoke, Virginia were killed on-air during a live interview this morning, sending shockwaves through the national media industry on social media. The channel confirmed through Twitter that reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, were killed in the shooting. The woman being interviewed by Parker was reportedly injured and is in surgery. Creative Loafing's thoughts are with the friends, family and coworkers of Parker and Ward.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
First Drip First Drip (8/25/2015): More renovations planned at airport
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Aug 25, 2015 at 11:12 AM
The Charlotte City Council approved a nearly $48 million contract for more renovations at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The plan, which will take roughly six years to complete, calls for a new, wider access road in front of the airport's terminal that will include tunnels.
The jury foreman in the trial of CMPD Officer Randall Kerrick says that race was not an issue during deliberations, though there were heated discussions. He added that the most important piece of evidence was the dash cam footage which shows Jonathan Ferrell charging at Kerrick.
After plummeting 1,089 points on Monday and ending the day down 600, the Dow Jones rebounded on Tuesday morning with a quick 250-point bounce. Part of that is due to China slashing interest rates in an effort to calm financial markets and boost economic growth.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist signed a four-year extension with the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. The contract is reportedly worth $52 million.
The jury foreman in the trial of CMPD Officer Randall Kerrick says that race was not an issue during deliberations, though there were heated discussions. He added that the most important piece of evidence was the dash cam footage which shows Jonathan Ferrell charging at Kerrick.
After plummeting 1,089 points on Monday and ending the day down 600, the Dow Jones rebounded on Tuesday morning with a quick 250-point bounce. Part of that is due to China slashing interest rates in an effort to calm financial markets and boost economic growth.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist signed a four-year extension with the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. The contract is reportedly worth $52 million.
Monday, August 24, 2015
First Drip First Drip (8/24/15): Protests remain peaceful following Kerrick mistrial
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Mon, Aug 24, 2015 at 11:11 AM
Protests resulting from the mistrial of Randall Kerrick in Charlotte were carried out throughout the weekend and remained peaceful on both sides. Protesters marched through the streets of Uptown following the announcement of the mistrial on Friday afternoon, stopping outside of a Charlotte Knights doubleheader and marching through traffic in other parts of Uptown. On Saturday, protesters began outside of the Carolina Panthers preseason game and then marched along the sidewalks throughout Uptown to Marshall Park and back again. Police rode alongside protesters throughout both evenings, arresting two on Friday and one on Saturday.
Officials are expecting 147,000 students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools to begin the school year this morning, with 89 teacher vacancies still waiting to be filled. That number is reportedly lower than it was at last year on the first day of class. CMS did decide to continue its teacher assistance program for another two years, but a state budget that will decide on paying those people has not yet been approved.
Charlotte-based Belk Inc. announced this morning that they will be bought out by New York-based private-equity firm Sycamore Partners for around $3 billion. Belk stockholders will reportedly receive $68 per share of common stock they own. The department store chain will continue to operate with Tim Belk remaining as chief executive and the headquarters will remain in Charlotte. Belk currently runs nearly 300 stores in 16 states. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.
Polo Ridge Elementary teacher Timothy Olson has been arrested and charged with third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, according to a Union County Sheriff's Office report. Third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor in state law is defined as possessing a “visual representation of a minor engaging in sexual activity.” Olson teaches fifth grade at Polo Ridge Elementary in south Charlotte. He is now suspended with pay pending an investigation.
A 15-year-old girl was reportedly shot in northwest Charlotte on Sunday evening. The girl was taken to Carolinas Medical Center and was last reported to be in stable condition. The victim, whose name is not being released due to her age, appears to have known the suspect who shot her, police said.
Officials are expecting 147,000 students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools to begin the school year this morning, with 89 teacher vacancies still waiting to be filled. That number is reportedly lower than it was at last year on the first day of class. CMS did decide to continue its teacher assistance program for another two years, but a state budget that will decide on paying those people has not yet been approved.
Charlotte-based Belk Inc. announced this morning that they will be bought out by New York-based private-equity firm Sycamore Partners for around $3 billion. Belk stockholders will reportedly receive $68 per share of common stock they own. The department store chain will continue to operate with Tim Belk remaining as chief executive and the headquarters will remain in Charlotte. Belk currently runs nearly 300 stores in 16 states. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.
Polo Ridge Elementary teacher Timothy Olson has been arrested and charged with third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, according to a Union County Sheriff's Office report. Third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor in state law is defined as possessing a “visual representation of a minor engaging in sexual activity.” Olson teaches fifth grade at Polo Ridge Elementary in south Charlotte. He is now suspended with pay pending an investigation.
A 15-year-old girl was reportedly shot in northwest Charlotte on Sunday evening. The girl was taken to Carolinas Medical Center and was last reported to be in stable condition. The victim, whose name is not being released due to her age, appears to have known the suspect who shot her, police said.
Friday, August 21, 2015
First Drip First Drip (8/21/15): Last day to register to vote for Sept. 15 primary elections
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Fri, Aug 21, 2015 at 10:48 AM
Today is the last day to register to vote in the upcoming September 15 primaries. Democrats will choose between six mayoral candidates and 12 at-large city council candidates. Republicans will choose between two mayoral candidates. The deadline to register (or postmark your mailed-in registration) is today at 5 p.m.
Staff at a south Charlotte church that has supported LGBT equality for years found their church vandalized on Thursday morning, with anti-LGBT graffiti spray-painted across the front door. Video of the graffiti shows that someone used black spray paint to write "[blurred out] are pedos" across the doors at Wedgewood Church. They also spray-painted a sign that read "LGBT Equality" in front of the church. Church officials are discussing keeping the sign up or changing it to read "We Forgive You."
A tree fell on two homes near Uptown early this morning. Red Cross responded to the scene on Merriman Avenue in Wilmore to assist two families consisting of nine adults and two children that were displaced by the damage. No injuries were reported.
Following comments from U.S. Defense Department officials stating they would evaluate a naval brig in Hanahan, South Carolina as a possible spot to relocate prisoners from Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley has said she will fight any attempt to do so. Haley said moving the detainees to any state would violate federal law. President Obama has been trying to close down Guantanamo since he took office in 2009. The administration is reportedly also considering moving detainees to to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
The city of Charlotte has released its 2015 list of the highest crash rates by intersection within the city. The intersection of East 8th and North College streets topped the list for the second consecutive year. The intersection saw seven wrecks in 2014 and hosted a daily traffic volume of 6,100 vehicles. Six of the top 10 intersections on the list are in Uptown, with another just down the street at East 4th Street and Kings Drive.
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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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Milestone begins fundraising campaign for lifesaving renovations
Long-time westside staple in danger of closing if $150,000 not raised for first renovations in over a century
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Antiseen guitarist, founding member Joe Young dead at 54 (updated) 9
Memorial show to take place May 18 at Tremont Music Hall.
