No-Swim Advisory Issued For Lake Norman (again) After 200 Gallon Raw Sewage Discharge

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Just 2 weeks after a no-swim advisory was issued due to 400 gallons of sewage being dumped into the lake, a new no-swim advisory is now in effect after 200 more gallons of raw sewage was released into the same cove.

According to a press release from Mecklenburg County:

“The “No Swimming” advisory was issued after an estimated 200 gallons of untreated sewage was discharged from a residence on Paradise Cove Court in Cornelius to a cove on Lake Norman. The discharge originated from a pipe damaged by a private contractor. The pipe has been repaired and the discharge discontinued. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services staff will monitor water quality in the area until conditions are deemed safe for human contact at which time the no swimming advisory will be lifted.”

Paradise Cove is located near the center of the main channel of the lake:

Charlotte Ranked As Having The 4th Largest Home Lots Among Major Cities

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Post-pandemic Americans hunting for a home give a lot of thought to the size of the lot (pun intended). After all, a bigger lot means more space for a backyard patio or a kids’ playscape. But with homes getting bigger and lot sizes continuing to shrink, only a handful of the biggest cities offer the level of spaciousness that can feed our pandemic-amplified thirst of outdoor space.

A new report by Storage Café looked at the 20 largest cities in the US to discover the urban hotspots where residents enjoy the most space around their homes. For those who seek fresh air and aren’t afraid of a bit of lawn work, Charlotte offers the 4th-biggest lot sizes in America, outpacing Dallas – the next in ranking – by about 300 square feet.

Other notable findings related to lot and home size changes in Charlotte include:

  • The median lot size in Charlotte currently stands at a respectable 8,500 square feet, an average of 5 times the average lot size in Chicago.
  • In terms of indoor living space, Charlotte offers the most room – ranks 1st for biggest homes – with a median home size of 2,064 square feet.
  • However, when looking at lot size and home size trends over the last 100 years, The Queen City seems to be losing yard space. Charlotte’s median lot size decreased almost eightfold from the 1970s to present day.
  • New homes built in the last decade occupy over 30% of the land on which they sit, compared to only 3% in the 1970s  – the year when lots peaked, at 58,708 square feet.

Charlotte Stories is continually partnering with the best real estate agents in every part of our region.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in North Carolina, let us connect you with a top agent in your area by filling out the form below:

    Can You Pronounce These North Carolina Towns? (Video)

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    The popular Facebook page “It’s A Southern Thing” produced a video where they ask people from around the country to pronounce some of North Carolina’s most unusual town names, like Pfafftown, Leicester, and Chicamacomico…

    The video has already received over 1,000,000 views;

    I wonder how they would have done with Lowell (pronounced LOWWWHH) or Cherryville (pronounced CHER-VLL)…

    What other North Carolina names do you think are hard to pronounce?

    CIAA Partners With Charlotte’s SPIN To Help ESport Athletes Land Scholarships

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    The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation’s oldest historically black athletic conference, has partnered with Stay Plugged IN (SPIN), a Charlotte-based esports recruiting platform geared towards helping esports athletes find college scholarships.

    The CIAA and SPIN will work together to develop community recruiting opportunities focused on promoting esports scholarships for high school and transfer students that serve as a pipeline for CIAA institutions working to establish and maintain their esports programs. Both organizations will also work collaboratively on developing content that educates students and their families on the importance and value of the conference’s membership and their esports programs while highlighting scholarship and career opportunities that exist within the CIAA, SPIN, and throughout collegiate esports and gaming.

    “I continue to be proud about the CIAA aligning with partners like Stay Plugged IN. Providing access and opportunities to high school students and career opportunities for our current students is exciting,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. “As our conference continues to establish itself within collegiate esports and gaming, partnerships such as this one will be vital to the long-term sustainability of this initiative for our membership.”

    Additionally, SPIN and its affiliated professional esports team, the Charlotte Phoenix, will offer a select number of internship opportunities to students from CIAA institutions looking to gain experience within the esports and gaming industry.

    “We are incredibly honored and excited to partner with the CIAA as their recruiting arm for Esports. While we always strive to identify the top esports athletes across multiple game titles, we are cognizant of the fact that esports can also drive upward mobility to college and beyond,” said Stay Plugged IN Managing Director, Rick Suarez. “To be able to work alongside the CIAA to help foster these initiatives really helps drive home our goal of ensuring accessibility to all. We look forward to continuing to build programs and events with the CIAA that will have an impact for this and future generations.”

    For the latest information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com. You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. To learn more about Stay Plugged IN and its mission, visit https://espin.gg/.

    Door-To-Door Vaccines Have Officially Started in Mecklenburg County

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    With only 46% of Mecklenburg County’s population fully vaccinated, local health officials are now ramping up efforts to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and its increasingly dangerous variants.

    This week, the Mecklenburg County Health Department officially launched their new ‘Doses to Doors’ program to bring education and vaccines directly to residents doors.

    The county joined the grassroots organization ‘Action NC‘ in going door to door in areas of Charlotte with the lowest vaccination rates. Volunteers with the organization provide information to residents about the vaccine and officials with Mecklenburg County wait outside in case any of the residents want a shot on the spot.

    Action NC has already knocked on over 35,000 homes since they first launched their vaccination education campaign this past March.

    What do you think about the new program? 

    Declassified Government Documents Show That North Carolina Was Almost Nuked In 1961

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    north-carolina-nuke-accident

    59 years ago North Carolina was almost nuked…by accident. If one tiny switch worked properly, there would now be a massive crater in the center of North Carolina.

    PBS released this short video about the incident:

    This original government documentnorth-carolina-almost-nuked, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, shows the first definitive proof that the US government almost detonated 2 hydrogen bombs over Goldsboro, NC on Jan. 23rd, 1961.

    The bombs fell out of the government’s B-52 after it fell apart in mid-air. One of the bombs began its detonation sequence as it was falling, but due to a tiny switch not working properly, the largest nuclear disaster in US history was avoided.

    1961-goldsboro-m39Each bomb had a total payload of 4 megatons – equivalent to about 4 million tons of TNT.

    If the bomb had worked properly and detonated, lethal fallout could have spread as far as Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and even up to New York city – putting countless lives at risk.

    The state of North Carolina has even erected a historical road marker in the town of Eureka, 3 miles north of the crash site, commemorating the crash with a sign that reads “Nuclear Mishap.”

    North Carolina would certainly be a different state if one tiny little switch worked properly.

    Things You Must Know About Online Personal Loans

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    Money is hard to find nowadays. Sometimes people find themselves short on budget to buy the things that they need or want. As such, when they have to purchase a new car or smartphone, they borrow money from online lenders. 

    Yes, online lenders. They are the go-to source for consumers who need to borrow cash. Siloans.com is one of the popular online lending companies that offers personal loans today. Online lenders provide fast cash, and their loans can be a good option for borrowers with bad credit. 

    Keep on reading if you want to know about the advantages of taking out an online personal loan. 

    What is an Online Personal Loan?

    Online personal loans are commonly used by borrowers for a variety of purchases like covering travel costs, buying a new car, or paying for home repair expenses. Such loans have fixed interest rates and can be paid in monthly payments. 

    Benefits of Online Personal Loans

    Anyone who needs to borrow cash will look for a loan that won’t give them a heavy financial burden. Getting an online personal loan is one of the best borrowing options today for several reasons. Read on below to know about the pros of online personal loans. 

    Easy to Apply 

    No need for you to waste gas to visit the lender’s office since you can send your loan application online. That’s the huge advantage of personal loans over regular bank loans. The application process can be done in just a few minutes. 

    Fewer Requirements

    Many borrowers today prefer online loans not only because of their no-hassle application process but also of their fewer requirements. You only have to be of legal age and have stable employment to qualify for the loan. Just submit a valid ID and employment certificate or any proof of source of income for that purpose. 

    For Borrowers with Bad Credit

    Even if you have bad credit, you can still apply for an online personal loan and get approval. Online lenders who provide such loans are not strict when it comes to credit requirements. Some of them market their loans to people with poor credit scores. 

    What online lenders require from you if you apply for a personal loan is that you are employed or have a regular source of income. 

    Low-interest Rates

    Online lending companies are regulated in many states. It means that they are prohibited from charging exorbitant interest rates on their loans. You can even find online lenders that offer lower rates than mainstream banks. So, if you want to borrow money at an affordable rate, it’s advisable to try online personal loans. 

    Borrowers Can Choose Their Repayment Terms

    Another reason that people prefer online personal loans is that online lenders allow them to decide on their repayment terms. Yes, you can talk with your lender about when and how you pay back your loan to suit your financial situation. 

    For instance, if you choose a $2,000 personal loan, you can choose to pay back that loan amount plus interest in 6 months. Or, if the loan amount is higher, you can choose a longer loan term so that you can lower the amount you have to pay monthly. 

    Borrowers Can Get The Money Fast

    If you need urgent money, an online personal loan is the best for you. The no-hassle and fast application process of this loan expedites the lender’s perusal of your application. Then, if you’re qualified and the lender approves your application, the money that you want to borrow will be deposited into your bank account instantly. 

    Takeaway

    Online personal loans are popular with borrowers for a lot of reasons. First, the application process is quick and simple and there are fewer requirements. Second, they can have affordable interest rates. Third, borrowers with bad credit can avail of these loans. Lastly, borrowers can get the funds that they need instantly. 

    Investing in Bitcoin: Your Beginner’s Guide In Buying Bitcoin

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    There has been a current craze on the crypto market. You can buy and sell online goods and services with just a few clicks. If you find cryptocurrency fascinating and want to learn about Bitcoin, you can start using trusted Bitcoin buying and selling platforms, such as Pay Depot. Aside from that, we have prepared a guide for you before you get started with your first Bitcoin experience.

    What Is Bitcoin?

    With its popularity on the Internet, you might have heard Bitcoin a lot. Bitcoin is a digital currency that is used online and even in physical stores. Bitcoin accounts for cash without withdrawing. You can simply transfer funds from your Bitcoin account. You can even invest in the stock market using your Bitcoin account.

    5 Things To Know Before Investing In BitCoin

    To start with Bitcoin, you need to know the following:

    1. Bitcoin Is A Decentralized Virtual Currency

    Bitcoin is a bank-free method of digital currency. The cryptocurrency uses software, networks, and applications for its transactions. The absence of third-party institutions such as banks allows transparency of exchanges for different parties and the translation rates involved.

    You can expect that you will not have any third-party administrators for your transactions when you use Bitcoin. Instead, you will be using a distributed ledger known as a blockchain. You will not have any intermediaries where transaction fees cost higher.

    2. What You Need to Invest

    You need to have an exchange and a virtual wallet. Exchanges are where you would be buying, selling, and holding your BTC, while the virtual wallet is where you would be storing the currency you bought.

    Exchanges are your one-stop buy and selling platforms. It would be best if you decided where you would like to buy your first purchase of Bitcoin. Your exchanger will be like your middleman in having cryptocurrency. Take note, Bitcoin doesn’t have one official exchange center. You can choose from different companies. You must make an extra effort to search your exchanger’s site to know if they’re credible and reliable.

    Virtual wallets are where you would store your cryptocurrency when you buy it. You have two options in storing your Bitcoin: a hot or cold wallet. A hot wallet is an online wallet that is recommended for small purchases. On the other hand, a cold wallet is an offline wallet that has physical storage for your digital coins. Cold wallets are recommended for large purchases.

    3. Bitcoin Is Unpredictable

    The price value of BTC changes from time to time. You cannot expect that your stored amount will remain the same or go up. The trend is quite unpredictable. You need to be ready to lose the money you invested.

    Its developer is continuously exploring Bitcoin. The currency is still expanded to give the best experience to all its users. You can’t anticipate that it is going to be the perfect currency yet. You might still encounter problems with fees, confirmations, and other issues. It would be best if you prepared yourself for any possible outcomes in investing. It would be best if you consult a technical expert on Bitcoin to learn more about it.

    4. Transactions Are Irreversible

    Once you invest in BTC and use it to buy goods and services, there is no money-back guarantee. You can only refund the money when the person or company receiving the funds permits you to give it back. You must be careful in buying products and stocks online. Make sure that you trust the person or companies you have transactions with within the digital world.

    Countries do not recognize Bitcoin as an official currency. Most transactions are still under banks or cash payments. You need to be careful with scams that require tax payments and other government fees. You might not get your money back. So think twice and research which arrangements you allow to use Bitcoin.

    5. Managing Your Account

    Bitcoin is not anonymous. All transactions are publicized with its transparency function. However, the key identifier of each individual is not your personal information. You need to be cautious in sharing your identification.

    Although you might fear that other users can use your BTC, you may have less to worry about since Bitcoin has a confirmation period, and you can have a two-step authentication for your transactions. Yet, it would help if you still were vigilant and have good practices to keep your money safe.

    Your First-Ever Experience of Investing in Bitcoin

    Investing in Bitcoin is quite scary, but many people are starting to invest in cryptocurrency. According to investors, they see BTC as the future currency that everyone will be using. Yet, it would help if you still were careful before buying and investing. It would be best to research how you can use and safely store Bitcoin to avoid losing all your money and gain a lot of profit. 

    5 things that went wrong for the Charlotte Hornets in the 2020-21 NBA season

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    The Charlotte Hornets was one of the few teams that showed remarkable improvements during the 2020-21 NBA season with better performance in 10 more games than the previous season. Some of their success was due to the arrival of Lamelo Ball and Gordon Hayward who saw the team rise in the Eastern Conference as a playoff contender. 

    However, as the team showed impressive improvement, it was also lagging in many areas. Though they were a playoff contender, they were not able to make it to the playoffs, a feat that has evaded them since 2016.

    Charlotte Hornets’ poor performance in the 2020-21 NBA season was felt by both fans and gamblers banking on the team on NBA betting sites.

    Here are 5 things that went wrong for the Charlotte Hornets in the 2020-21 NBA Season and crushed their dreams of being in the playoffs.

    1. Injuries to Key Players 

    There is nothing that breaks the team spirit other than having the key players out of the game due to injuries. The Charlotte Hornets felt the worst of this during the season when its top player, Lamelo Ball suffered a severe wrist fracture that required immediate attention. This happened during the 41st tournament of his rookie season and things didn’t get better for the team after that.

    Hayward suffered a right foot sprain which happened in early April, however, he was not able to get back in shape for the team after that. With the key players out, the Hornets spiralled downwards losing their play-in tournament while performing poorly in their final 25 games. Though the Hornets were not the only team to lose key players due to injuries, they never really learned to adapt without the stars in the court which led to their doom.

    1. Five-game Losing Streak

    Talking about breaking team spirit, the Hornets were hit hard during their last five games which was the worst stretch of the season for the team. The team’s star, Ball had returned from a wrist injury but was unable to save the team as they shot a poor 29.6 from beyond the arc and 41.4 percent overall from the field. Both stats place them at 30th and 29th in the league respectively. 

    1. Play-In Tournament loss to the Indiana Pacers

    The Charlotte Hornets had their final loss of the season when they suffered a 144-117 defeat to the Indiana Pacers in the play-in tournament. The game was described as an embarrassment of epic proportions due to the failure of the team both on offence and defence, giving the Indiana Pacers a win they didn’t deserve. 

    1. Poor Defence 

    The Charlotte Hornets had the worst of it all when it came to defence this season surrendering the second-most three-pointers to their opponents last season. Allowing your opponents to take so many three-pointers is a recipe for disaster so it comes as no surprise that the team saw a huge defeat in many games. The last five games made the poor defensive tactics more evident as they allowed teams to make 39.3 percent of their three-point attempts compared to the 36.4 percent they gave up in the first 67 games of the season.

    1. Charlotte Hornets’ offensive woes

    As their defence fell, so did their offence. The team has so much work to put into their offence in the next campaign as they came in 23rd in the league in the offensive ratings and points per game. This is mostly due to the loss of their key players and due to the lack of an effective defence tactic that saw them get smashed in the 2020-21 season.  

    Conclusion

    Some experts believe that the offensive struggles, as well as defensive woes faced by the team, are due to the many young players on its roster. With the experience of the NBA 2020-21 season, things should change for the better. 

    7 Qualities of a Winning Criminal Defense Attorney

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    Did you know that in the US, property crime is a much more common occurrence than violent crime? When you find yourself accused of either, you need a defense lawyer. But do you actually know how to identify a good defense lawyer over a subpar defense lawyer?

    Fortunately, it is easy to find one with a little work. Read more from Jarret Maillet regarding how to find a good criminal defense attorney.

    1. Communication Skills

    Hiring an attorney to defend you is all about communication. You need to have an open dialogue with your attorney for a number of reasons. They need to know what your wishes are, they need to communicate their experience, and they need to keep you informed about the process. 

    On a wider scale, they need to represent you in a trial. Would you want someone to try and persuade a jury of your innocence if they had poor communication skills?

    Aside from this, it is not all about their public speaking. They should be good at listening, as they need to pick up on comments and be able to analyze testimonies in real-time. 

    2. Commitment to Confidentiality

    The best criminal defense attorney will have a commitment to confidentiality. In the first instance, they need to keep your information and specifics private from a legal standpoint. 

    Secondly, disclosing any aspects of your case to their friends and peers could mean information leaks back to the prosecution. This can put the trial in jeopardy, and give people information to use against you in court. While a lawyer will have to share some information with their team, you need to know they can keep the case private elsewhere. 

    3. Ethics

    Many people believe that hiring an attorney is all about finding the one that will get the job done. However, you need to make sure that you find one with the same ethics and moral outlook as you. If not, you could end up winning the trial but at a moral cost. 

    For example, you may get a lawyer who is willing to criticize and question people over issues you do not think are morally justified. Perhaps the lawyer involves themselves in criminal means to get a job done. Find a lawyer that has integrity and one that you admire for their work. 

    4. Strong Judgement

    Very often, a lawyer will have limited information to go on. This is when judgment comes into play. A good lawyer will draw reasonable and structured conclusions from the limited evidence that is available. 

    By spotting these judgments, the defendant’s arguments can be strengthened. All the lawyer needs to do is find ways to fortify against the weaker elements. 

    Judgment also includes being decisive. At multiple times in the case, decisions will have to be made that will play a huge part in the outcome. You need a lawyer who can make these decisions in confidence, knowing the strengths, weaknesses, and what the repercussions may be. 

    5. Analytical

    As well as being outwardly communicative and confident, the best criminal defense attorney will be extremely analytical. They will have to pour over documents and testimonies, analyzing them for flaws and weaknesses. All of this has to be turned into something logical. 

    In addition, they also have to know the law. Analyzing loopholes, previous cases, and other information will help when creating a strong defense. If your attorney does not have this, then you can expect a superficial, weak case. If you want to know more about legal services, you can find relevant information at omani.lawyer.

    6. People Person

    A lawyer needs to be a people person, as it is half of their job. While many think it is all about constructing a case behind the scenes and being confident enough to deliver it, being an attorney also means communicating with others. 

    This can include their staff, customers, and legal representatives. They have to be able to get people to listen to them, making plea bargains with the opposition or when they give advice to clients. If they can’t work with these people and get them onside, then their career as a  lawyer will not be successful. 

    In addition, people skills give vital clues to a judge. They can read when people are lying, and know how and where to press. Reading a jury is also a vital skill that a high-level, quality attorney should have some degree of success with. 

    7. Flexible Fee

    Hiring the best criminal defense attorney can certainly be expensive. The longer the trial runs on, the more money you are going to incur. For many people, paying all of that money in a lump sum is just not feasible. 

    Lawyers will charge in two ways. The first is with a flat fee given for all of their work, including the trial. Others may charge by the hour, in which case you need to make sure they have a transparent billing process. 

    Some may use a hybrid approach, in which a flat fee is charged until the case goes to trial. However, you need someone who is flexible about how you pay them. While fees are a given, you may be able to find someone who can organize a payment arrangement that will suit your budget. 

    How to Find a Good Criminal Defense Attorney

    Now you know how to find a good criminal defense attorney, start looking in the local area. Ask for recommendations, and interview three or four attorneys. You will be putting together your defense before you realize it. 

    If you are looking for defense for your case, then Jarrett Maillet Criminal Defense should be your first stop. Serving the Savannah area, we have over ten years of experience. Contact us to discuss your case, and we can begin proving your innocence starting today.