According to the CMPD’s latest figures, there has been an alarming rise in heroin overdoses over the past few years in Charlotte.

Our city saw about 567 in 2016, over 900 last year, and they estimate that there have already been at least 500 overdoses in the first half of 2018.

North Carolina recently changed Naloxone (opioid overdose antidote) from requiring a prescription to being available ‘over the counter’.

Despite the medicine being a proven life-saver, local pharmacists say people are not coming to them to get it or even asking about it, likely due to people simply not having enough information about it.

According to the Carolina’s Healthcare System, “Naloxone is a medication that counteracts an overdose caused by an opioid drug – administering naloxone may be the key to saving a person’s life before medical assistance arrives.”

Naloxone works by immediately restoring a person’s breathing. It can either be injected intravenously or deliver through the nose, via a special spray canister. It lasts about 30-60 minutes, so anyone administering the drug should immediately call 9-1-1, if they haven’t done so already, and stay with the patient until help arrives.

The following are common signs of an opioid-related overdose;

Small pupils
Pale face
Limp body
Shallow or slowed breathing
Vomiting
Loss of consciousness

North Carolina also has the ‘Good Samaritan law’, which essentially protects people who contact emergency officials, then administer Naloxone to someone who has overdosed from any liability.

If you know anyone who might use heroin or any other opioids, please pick up some Naloxone from your local pharmacist and keep it handy – you never know when it might save someone’s life.

Please help spread the word!

This week the night is being lit up by some of the most exciting celestial events of the year, the Hunter’s Moon and the Orionids Meteor Shower.

Last night was the Hunter’s Moon was officially in its ‘fullest’ state, but it will still look full tonight and tomorrow morning, according to NASA.

This month’s massive full moon is nicknamed ‘The Hunter’s Moon’ because it comes at a time when the leaves have typically falling from the trees, and farmers have cleared their fields, giving hunters the perfect environment for spotting prey.

Here’s a shot I took of the Hunter’s Moon during it’s peak last night;

 

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The moon looks so incredible tonight! 🌕#sonya6300 #hdrphotography #cltnights #fullmoon #harvestmoon #halloweenmoon #cltsunset #queencity #cltphotographer #charlottephotographer

A post shared by Scott Jensen (@scottdjensen) on Oct 24, 2018 at 6:07pm PDT

The Orionid meteor shower is also now on display in the night sky. The high volume of brilliant fireballs have been described as the most beautiful meteor shower of the year, as thousands of pieces of debris from Halley’s Comet shower our atmosphere with burning space rocks.

While the shower peaked over the weekend, NASA expects you will still be able to see them through Nov. 7.

Here’s a video of a couple meteors from the shower, taken on the 23rd at 7:48pm, on Silas Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem;

A Charlotte reddit user said they saw a massive meteor last night near 485 and Providence Road;

Anyone just see the meteor in South Charlotte? from r/Charlotte

Did you get any good shots of the meteor shower or full moon?

Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas (JACC), the premier organization dedicated to educating youth to develop skills needed for workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, has announced its partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) to connect area students with immediate internship opportunities throughout the city of Charlotte.

Job Connect offers seniors from selected Title I high schools a skills-based education to prepare for the workforce, leading to immediate paid internships in industries that align with their abilities and interests. This pilot program, coordinated by CMS Career and Technical Education (CTE), will provide work-based learning experiences by leveraging opportunities with Charlotte-area companies. Students from CMS Title I schools will spend three periods a week developing soft skills to prepare them for the workforce. Two additional periods will be focused on work-based learning at Junior Achievement’s new facility in Camp North End. Charlotte-area employers partnering with the pilot program will provide workplace internship opportunities for the students throughout a range of industries including construction, manufacturing, hospitality and more.

“We are excited to partner with CMS on the Job Connect pilot serving high school seniors from Title I schools,” said Sarah Cherne, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas. “The joy of this pilot is that we are empowering the students to understand how they are wired so they may choose an industry that fits their strengths, and then equip them with the tools they need to be successful. We are thrilled to assist our students in discovering their strengths, talents, and abilities while connecting them to career path opportunities directly out of high school.”

Five CMS Title I high schools have been chosen for the pilot program: Garinger, Harding University, West Charlotte, West Mecklenburg and Vance. To qualify for this program, students must be seniors who are 18 years of age (or close to turning 18), have between a 1.5-2.5 GPA, and have already earned enough credits to allow for program participation prior to graduation.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn about careers right here in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and gain work experience before they graduate,” said Susan Gann, Director of Career and Technical Education at CMS. “Our partnership with Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas will help prepare our students for the workforce and get them excited about their future.”

Yesterday we saw lows in the 40s as a bone-chilling cold front sweeps through our region.

The rest of the week is expected to be equally frigid, with highs expected to top off in the 40s on Friday;

Yikes… are you ready for some chilly weather #Charlotte?!
Get ready for a raw end to the work week with highs only expected to top off in the 40s for most Friday! #ncwx #cltwx pic.twitter.com/nirFlBjp5D

— K.C. Sherman (@KCShermanWx) October 23, 2018

According to Accuweather.com, we’ll be seeing the coldest temperatures in the low 40s over the next several nights, and if the temperature drops lower than expected on Friday, we could even see our first snowfall of the season;

If you moved here from Ohio or New York (like myself), you may be rolling your eyes, but if you’re from Florida or California, you might need to make some changes to prepare for the coming winter temperatures.

To prepare your car, top off all your fluids, especially your oil, power steering fluid, and antifreeze. You’ll also want to check your tires and make sure your air pressure is over 32 PSI.

To prepare your home, make sure to drain all fountains and exterior water fixtures. Always let at least one of your faucets drip to avoid freezing pipes. Consider buying a humidifier if you’re sensitive to dry air. If you have an older home with older windows, investing in some shrink film insulation will save you a ton on your heating bill.

To prepare yourself, buy some thermal gloves, a warm hat, and a winter jacket. If you’re going to spend any length of time outside, you may even want to consider buying an electric heating jacket.

If you have a pet – make sure to read our article about how to keep your furry friend warm!