The First Lady of NASCAR Has Just Passed Away

Charlotte Stories
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The First Lady of NASCAR Has Just Passed Away

Betty Jane France first lady of nascarBetty Jane France ‘the first lady of NASCAR‘ just passed away. The Winston-Salem native was credited with founding most of NASCAR’s philanthropic endeavors. She was also the wife of former NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr. and the mother of current NASCAR chairman Brian France and vice chairwoman Lesa France Kennedy.

Though her husband and children were involved in making NASCAR what it is today, France was perhaps best known for her charitable efforts.

She founded the NASCAR Foundation in 2006 and was its chairperson for many years, helped establish a children’s “Speediatrics” unit at two Florida hospitals and has her name on the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award presented annually by NASCAR.

France, whose age was not known publicly, saw her children become the key decision-makers in stock-car racing. Brian France is chairman and CEO of NASCAR, and Lesa France Kennedy is the CEO of International Speedway Corp., which owns tracks like Daytona International Speedway.


The NASCAR Hall of Fame just released the following statement:

“On behalf of everyone at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, I would like to send our most sincere condolences to Lesa, Brian and the entire France family on the passing of Betty Jane France. Affectionately and appropriately known as “The First Lady of NASCAR,” Betty Jane touched countless lives within the NASCAR industry and many, many more through her extensive philanthropic work. Her impact on the NASCAR community is immeasurable, working mostly quietly behind the scenes in a wide variety of capacities. Words cannot adequately describe her huge heart and her passion for helping those less fortunate and facing serious challenges. Speediactrics in Daytona Beach and the Betty Jane Humanitarian Award are just two of the numerous philanthropic efforts she has led. Betty Jane will be dearly missed, but her incredible legacy of helping others will live on forever.”  

FBI Issues Warrant For The Arrest Of Man Accused Of Masturbating On A Flight To Charlotte

Charlotte Stories
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FBI Issues Warrant For The Arrest Of Man Accused Of Masturbating On A Flight To Charlotte
via arthurdavidfischer.com
via arthurdavidfischer.com

The task officer in the Charlotte division of the FBI has just issued a warrant for the arrest of Arthur David Fischer for masturbating on American Airlines flight number 1775 from NYC to Charlotte, NC, according to the criminal complaint.

Three separate witnesses on the flight told authorities they saw Fischer expose himself on the flight.

One witness said that she awoke to see Fischer “put his right leg up on the middle seat” and proceed to rub his leg, then expose himself. After seeing this she immediately moved seats. The second witness, the son of the first, also moved after seeing what was happening.

The third witness stated that it was obvious what Fischer was doing.

Fischer stated that he may have exposed himself while wiping his groin area because it “smelled bad”.

The task force officer with the FBI states Fischer violated Section 46506 of Title 49 of the United States Code and District of Columbia Code by exposing himself and masturbating, “seated in the cabin of a commercial aircraft in flight…where any reasonable man would know that his acts would be open to observation by others.”

Arthur David Fischer is an artist who currently lives in New Orleans.

NC DMV Has Blocked Tesla Motors From Selling Any Cars in Charlotte

Steve
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NC DMV Has Blocked Tesla Motors From Selling Any Cars in Charlotte

tesla blocked in charlotteThe North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles recently ruled that Tesla Motors cannot sell or take orders or deposits for cars at its Charlotte area showroom and service facility, and blocked them from trying to sell cars at any new facility.

Consumers will still be able to buy Teslas from the company’s store in Raleigh, although the Raleigh store is also selling direct to consumers, which is the entire reason why the NC DMV blocked Tesla sales in Charlotte.

North Carolina state law technically prohibits any auto manufacturer from selling directly to consumers, unless the car maker is able to secure an exception, which is only granted if the car company shows that selling directly would benefit consumers.

Tesla recently applied for that exception in Charlotte and several local car dealers as well as the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association objected. The DMV then held a two-day hearing in Matthews, which resulted in a rejection of Tesla’s exception.

DMV hearing officer Larry Green said that not only did Tesla fail to make its case that selling its own cars would be in the best interest of the public, but there was also a local alternative. Green said that of four local dealers who were “willing” to sell Tesla automobiles, in his estimation three of them are qualified to do so.

Tesla’s next step would be to appeal to the DMV commissioner in Raleigh, and if an appeal doesn’t work, they could then take the NC DMV to court.

Many are now asking why the Raleigh Tesla Store can remain open without any local dealers or the DMV trying to block them. Are car dealers now fearful of the all-electric car maker’s increasing popularity? Or is this another attempt by Raleigh to show their dominance over the Charlotte market?

What do you think?

Duke Energy Announced It Will Start Using Pig Poop To Power Homes In North Carolina

Katherine Miele
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Duke Energy Announced It Will Start Using Pig Poop To Power Homes In North Carolina

duke energy pig poop powerIn an attempt to create more renewable energy, Duke Energy recently announced that they will start buying swine waste output from a North Carolina pig farm. They will use the waste’s methane gas bi-product to generate renewable electricity for four of its power plants.

The company said that they initially plan on powering at least 100,000 homes in North Carolina using the new methane combustion process.

“It is encouraging to see the technological advances that allow waste-to-energy projects in North Carolina to be done in an environmentally responsible and cost-effective manner for our customers,” said David Fountain, Duke Energy president.

North Carolina’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS) regulations now require Duke Energy to meet even higher compliance targets for renewable energy. Their new pig waste methane program will purchase about 1 million MMBtus of pipeline-quality methane each year – just enough to satisfy the REPS regulations.

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Concord Native and UNCC Student Just Crowned Miss North Carolina – Now She’s Preparing For Miss America

Katherine Miele
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Concord Native and UNCC Student Just Crowned Miss North Carolina – Now She’s Preparing For Miss America

miss north carolina 2016

miss north carolina from charlotteMiss Mecklenburg County, McKenzie Jade Faggart, was just crowned Miss North Carolina this past weekend in Raleigh. She is a Concord native and a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, so we’re about to have one of our own compete on the national stage for the Miss America pageant on September 13th.

Faggart was also the winner of the Miss North Carolina Outstanding Teen pageant back in 2011 – the first person to win both contests in North Carolina’s history.

Next week, Faggart will travel across the state, meeting with sponsors and networking, before starting to prepare for the Miss America pageant.

“I started out as an outstanding teen and loved the service part of the organization. Now, I love being able to dance, show my talent and speak in an interview.” “It’s really a dream come true,” said Faggart in an interview after the pageant.

Faggart is also an outspoken advocate for the anti-bullying initiative “The SAFE Project”, here is one of their most recent videos;

 

Clown Trying To Lure Children Into South Carolina Woods

Charlotte Stories
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Clown Trying To Lure Children Into South Carolina Woods

The manager of South Carolina’s Fleetwood Manor Apartment Complex is now warning residents to be on the look out for a clown that has been terrorizing local school children, reports Greenville’s WYFF.

There was recently a letter sent by the management to all the residents of the apartment complex stating that there have been “a lot of complaints” about “a clown or a person dressed in clown clothing … trying to lure children in the woods.”

Local Greenville resident Kevin Thoman tweeted this rather disturbing image earlier today – he claims it was taken behind the Fleetwood Manor Apartments:

In an Aug. 21 report to Greenville County deputies, a woman said her son had seen “clowns in the woods” around 8:30 p.m. An investigating deputy then spoke with another person who said a clown was also seen near a garbage dumpster.

The person said the clown waved at her and she waved back, but the clown did not approach.

There have been several claims from local school children that several clowns had been seen in the woods trying to get them to follow him with various amounts of money.

Witnesses told investigators that they believed the clowns lived in a nearby home, or might possibly be a resident of the Fleetwood Manor Apartment complex.

Giant Sink Hole Just Formed on Independence Blvd.

Charlotte Stories
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Giant Sink Hole Just Formed on Independence Blvd.

A water main under Independence Blvd. broke at about 1am this morning, and due to the massive water flow, a giant sinkhole has begun to form.

The sinkhole is on the outside South-East lane of Independence between between Wallace Rd and East WT Harris Blvd:

CMPD has since shut down all three lanes of traffic and are now saying that the lanes wont reopen until about 7pm tonight.

Traffic is currently being detoured to Wallace Lane and Monroe Road.

If you’re a parents concerned about your child’s school transportation today, you can call the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools transportation hotline from 7 am – 6 pm @ 980-343-6715.

Lake Norman High School Student Starts New Movement To Help Empower Young Girls

Katherine Miele
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Lake Norman High School Student Starts New Movement To Help Empower Young Girls

A senior from Cornelius’s William Amos Hough High School has started a new trend in her high school called ‘no makeup week’.

Isabella Frommelt decided to start the movement to spread the message that girls should feel comfortable with who they really are.

Here’s the short video she used to spread her message;

She ends the video by saying, “Embrace your smile, because, it is beautiful.”

During the campaign, she urged her fellow students to go without any makeup, even lipstick and concealer, for an entire week. Frommelt and more than 50 girls from Hough High, and surrounding schools participated in no makeup week, and they are now hoping that it will continue every year.

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The Golden Cow Just Opened – South End’s First Small-Batch Creamery

Stephanie Taylor
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The Golden Cow Just Opened – South End’s First Small-Batch Creamery

golden cow creamery charlotte stories

It’s definitely not new news that Charlotte is growing by leaps and bounds, and with that includes several local start-ups! South End is no stranger to growth and has recently gained a sweet spot on the corner of West Summit Avenue and South Church Street.

The ice cream you can now buy at Golden Cow’s new storefront was first created in the kitchen of Alex & Liz Hannah, both Charlotte natives.

As a small batch creamery, the base is made by scratch using real milk, cream, eggs and sugar. The flavors, not so basic… from Pineapple Habanero to Salted Oreo as well as vegan options using coconut milk. We were able to preview a few flavors before the creamery opened its doors this weekend. Salted Oreo was amaze… so much so that it sold out the first day after emptying over 15 gallons!

golden cown creamery south end

Today they featured 10 flavors, including; Mint Chocolate Chip, Gooey Chocolate Brownie, Strawberry, Fresh Lemon Blueberry, Pistachio, and Dunkaroo’s …oh yes, all of you cool kids from the 90’s!

With my favorite Salted Oreo missing from the mix I opted for the Strawberry.

If you’re familiar with the ice cream that grandma made on the back porch in the churning machine, their Strawberry ice cream has the same texture and graininess – of which I’m not much of a fan.

I also realized if you’re going to spend the money, go ahead and go for the single scoop – the kids scoop was somewhat sad for $3:

golden cow charlotte nc

I also got the inside scoop on the beloved “waffle cone”.

Liz Hannah told me that the cones only cost about $1 each to make, but she really wanted to focus all her energy on perfecting the ice cream recipes to start. She said she really hopes to start making her own cones within the next few months.

All in all, you definitely must make a visit and support Charlotte’s new small batch ice cream shop.

New Riverfront Park Announced For McAdenville That Will Connect with 15 Carolina Counties

Charlotte Stories
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New Riverfront Park Announced For McAdenville That Will Connect with 15 Carolina Counties

new mcadenville parkMcAdenville city leaders just announced the planned development of a massive $1.1 million riverfront park along with 2 miles of trails on the South Fork River.

It will be a joint effort between the town and the Catawba Lands Conservancy.

The first phase will open this coming fall with a bog walk, an overlook and natural trails. The second phase will include a paved riverside trail and canoe/kayak launch, scheduled to open in 2017.

When finished, the park’s trails will connect historic downtown McAdenville with a major leg of the Carolina Thread Trail – a massive trail network that spans 15 counties across the Carolinas.

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