Huntersville Police Department Just Released A Warning About New Phone Scams

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Huntersville Police are now warning local residents to be on the alert of a new scam where a fake Huntersville Sergeant is attempting to collect ‘fines’ from residents.

A number of residents have been reporting that they’ve received calls from a person claiming to be the Sergeant Riley and telling them that they missed their court date and if they don’t pay a fine immediately, they’ll face jail time.

The scams use advanced phone cloning techniques to mimic local extension numbers

The Huntersville Police Department posted the scam alert on their Facebook page yesterday:

The alert post states that:

“We have received multiple calls to our office this morning in reference to a scam going around. Callers are stating they received a call from someone claiming to be Sergeant Riley with Huntersville Police Department. This person is advising the callers that they missed a court date and a criminal summons has been issued for their arrest. The person goes on to say that if they do not pay the fine, they will be arrested.

First, we do not have a Sergeant by that name at our PD. Second, WE WOULD NEVER CALL TO SAY YOU MISSED A COURT DATE! These are scams and you should never give out any personal information or send any money to anyone without first verifying the information.”

Please help spread the word. 

Swastika Painted Over Mural of Tina Turner in North Carolina

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A massive swastika was just discovered over an artistic mural of the legendary African-American singer Tina Turner.

The vandalism, which is now being labeled a hate crime by police, occurred at Static Age Records in downtown Asheville.

The crime was first discovered by pedestrians in Asheville, one of whom uploaded a now viral photo of the image to Facebook, noting that the swastika wasn’t painted right and the vandal left footprints at the scene of the crime.

The wrongly painted symbol was quickly covered over with a sheet, then painted over with black paint by employees at Static Age Records, according to the Citizen-Times.

The Asheville Police Department and Southern Poverty Law Center have both opened investigations into the hate crime.

The record store launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to re-paint the mural. Their goal was $800 and they have already raised over $2,100.

According to the campaign, “The $800 we aim to raise will pay for painting materials and for the artists’ commission. Additional funding will be donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center and to daily operations of the shop, or to an organization of Tina Turner’s choice (if she happens to get in touch with us over this).“

Top 10 New Year’s Eve Parties in Charlotte

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2020 is almost here!

If you want the perfect place to dance the night away, enjoy some amazing food and drinks, or celebrate with family and friends of all ages, the Queen City is the place to be to say bye to 2019 and welcome 2020 in epic fashion.

Here are the top 10 New Year’s Eve parties in Charlotte this year;

#1 Charlotte’s Uptown Celebration 

new years eve in CharlotteCharlotte’s official New Year’s Eve celebration is back to kick off 2020 at S. Tryon St. at Levine Avenue of the Arts. Beginning at 8 p.m., this family-friendly event includes fireworks, crafts, a DJ, food trucks, games and the raising of the Charlotte Crown.

This year’s Uptown celebration is being sponsored by Ally Bank, it’s open to the public and it’s Charotte’s largest new year’s eve alcohol-free celebration.

For more information click here.

#2 Carowinds’ Winterfest New Year’s Eve Celebration

For the first time this year, Carowinds will be hosting a massive a New Year Eve party. Their new family-friendly alternative at WinterFest will include several unique party experiences, including; Charlie Brown’s New Year’s Eve Celebration with Diamond River, The Tannenbaum’s Tinsel Town Christmas Countdown with Hot Sauce, Snoopy’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Party with Diverse Groove, and Holiday Hall Patio with Tinsel Town Treasures.

For more information about Carowinds’ Winterfest New Year’s Eve Celebration click here.

#3 Charlie Wilson: A New Year’s Eve Celebration

Some people might say that after notching ten No. 1 singles, 13 Grammy Award nominations, a New York Times best-selling memoir and ongoing sold-out, coast-to-coast arena tours, Charlie Wilson has proven his point….and he isn’t planning to slow down anytime soon.

Kick off 2020 with Uncle Charlie during an unforgettable New Year’s Celebration at the Ovens Auditorium.

For more information or tickets click here.

#4 Hippie Sabotage’s New Year’s Eve Party at The Filmore

Hippie Sabotage is coming to Charlotte for an epic NYE concert with guest performers Crywolf and Megan Hamilton!

They’ll all be playing tonight at the Filmore starting at 9pm.

For more information and tickets click here.

#5 New Year’s Eve at VCC

If you’re looking for something with less alcohol and more spiritual energy, Victory Christian Center is your place.

VCC will be hosting a massive New Year’s Eve celebration this coming Monday featuring live music, food, and prayer.

Doors will open at 9:00 pm.

For more info click here.

#6 “Back to the Future Bash” at Roxbury

Become a time traveler for the night and dance to ‘80s and ‘90s favorites at Roxbury Nightclub. Admission includes New Year’s Eve favors, a champagne toast, and access to four bars and multiple dance floors.

Tickets are $20 before Dec.29th, and $25 after and must be purchased at the Roxbury.

For more info click here.

#7 New Year’s Eve Celebration at The Belk Theater

Ring in the New Year with an unforgettable evening of music and your Charlotte Symphony! Enjoy this musical cocktail of Strauss waltzes, light classics, and Broadway tunes topped off with George Gershwin’s jazzy piano masterpiece, Rhapsody in Blue.

Your ticket also includes a post-concert party catered by Crave Dessert Bar with champagne and desserts, dancing on stage to the Robyn Springer Quartet, and a countdown to midnight!

For more info click here.

#8 Laid Back New Year’s Eve at Sycamore

Super Casual, low key New Year’s Eve at Sycamore.

Ring in 2020 with Live Music, Food Trucks, Bubs Seltzer,no cover, no dress code!

#NotARoaring20sParty

For more info click here.

 

#9 New Year’s Eve 2020 At The Ritz 

This is a semi-formal affair. Your finest attire is requested.

· VIP Complimentary Hors D’œuvres Served Butler Style

· Two Separate Ballroom Celebrations

· Multiple Bar Stations

· VIP Privileged Tables with Reserved Bottles

· Party Favors For VIP Patrons

· NYE Backdrop Photos Available

Doors open at 9:00 p.m. || Dance until 2:00 a.m.

For more information or tickets click here.

#10 NYE at Jack Beagles

Ring in another New Year with a massive party at Lenny Boy Brewing Co. 💃 🍻 🎸

They’ll be open from 2pm – 1am with a couple New Beer and New Kombucha releases for everyone to enjoy 🍻

For more info information click here.

Other New Year’s Eve Parties in Charlotte include; Laid Back New Year’s Eve at Sycamore Brewing, Kid’s New Year’s Eve Party at The Pizza Peel, New Year’s Eve Celebration at The Hilton, and New Year’s Eve At Winter Wonderland in South Park.

If you know of any other events we didn’t include, feel free to email us at Press@CLTStories.com

Please share;

North Carolina’s Seals LLC Joining Forces With The US Navy SEALs Foundation

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The Seals LLC, a North Carolina-based company that provides restaurants with a supply and service program for refrigeration gaskets, is proud to announce its promotional affiliation with the Navy SEAL Foundation.

And, it’s more than just the name.

Beyond the name association – The Seals LLC supporting United States Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Teams (U.S. Navy SEALs) – Andy Dinkin, The Seals founder and President, considers it an honor.

The gifts received from the promotion of sales from The Seals LLC will help the Navy SEAL Foundation support Warriors and their families abroad and here on the home-front.

“Since our name and logo have a military-like connotation, and most importantly because of our reverence of the military, I was looking to support an organization that provides support to active military and veterans. The Navy SEAL Foundation does just that, and they have a proven track record of success in terms of how they run the charity,” Dinkin said.

About the Navy SEAL Foundation

The Navy SEAL Foundation provides immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare community and its families. The Navy SEAL Foundation is a 501c3 national non-profit charitable organization. TAX-ID 31-1728910. The Navy SEAL Foundation is a non-federal entity.  It is not a part of the department of defense or any of its components and it has no governmental status.

Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, there has been an unprecedented demand for our Special Operations Forces. Never before has so much been asked of so few, from so many, for so long. Established in 2000 to serve U.S. Navy SEALs, Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen, Naval Special Warfare support personnel and their families, the Navy SEAL Foundation’s programs are focused on the preservation of the Naval Special Warfare force and their families. We provide a comprehensive set of programs specifically designed to improve health and welfare, build and enhance resiliency, empower and educate families and provide critical support during times of illness, injury, loss and transition.

Like the community we serve, the Navy SEAL Foundation is a solid and high performing organization committed to excellence. The Navy SEAL Foundation has been awarded its 8th consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.  To put this accomplishment in perspective, only 4% of the charities they rate have received this level of excellence consistently. In addition to the 4-star rating, the Foundation has also earned Charity Navigator’s coveted ‘Perfect 100’ score, placing the Foundation among 65 other exceptional nonprofits out of over 9,000 charities rated.

Washington Redskins Hiring Former Panthers’ Coach Ron Rivera As Their New Head Coach

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The Washington Redskins are about to hire former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera as their new head coach, according to ESPN.

The Redskins fired head coach Jay Gruden this past October after a 0-5 start in his sixth season with the team. He was immediately replaced by interim coach bill Callahan, who led the team to a 3-13 overall record for the season.

The team’s owner now hopes that Rivera can do for the Redskins what he did for the Panthers. Rivera joined the Panthers in 2011 after a dismal 2-14 season, in just 4 short years, he led the team to a 15-1 season, a conference championship, and a Super Bowl appearance.

This morning, the Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder released a statement about the leadership changes, saying:

“As we reevaluate our team leadership, culture and process for winning football games, I am excited for the opportunities that lie ahead to renew our singular focus and purpose of bringing championship football back to Washington D.C.”

How do you think coach Rivera will do in Washington? 

How You Can Still Find A Deal In Charlotte’s Current Housing Market

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As Charlotte home prices continue to increase all around our city, and inventories remain low, deals on homes are becoming harder and harder to find.

I reached out to one of Charlotte’s largest local real estate firms, Dickens Mitchener, to find out some ways that Charlotte buyers can still find a deal in today’s fast-paced seller’s market.

Here are a few of the tips I received;

#1 Find A Well-Connected Buyer’s Agent

When real estate inventory is low, homes can often get bid up above their value, so the best deals can occasionally be found on homes that haven’t hit the market yet. Well-connected buyer’s agents are the key to finding these.

Agents who frequently co-list and network with other Realtors will be the first to hear of deals before they hit the market, and more seasoned agents will also receive more referrals and will often have their own “pocket listings” that you’ll likely be first to know about.

#2 Getting Creative With Terms

Buying a house involves more than just your purchase price. and sellers can sometimes prefer a lower-priced offer if another “term” is more important to them. The “terms” of a real estate contract include; price, earnest money, due diligence fee and time period, closing date, type of financing, inspections, etc.

“Several weeks ago, I was able to help a client purchase a home in Plaza Midwood that had four offers in the first 12 hours on market, knowing someone might come in with cash and my buyer was purchasing with a loan, I advised my client to waive their right for an appraisal and our offer won! Knowing the value and the market I knew the house was worth more than purchase price. Terms are often what can win you the deal even over price,” commented Realtor Cackie Morrow.

#3 Finding a Fixer-Upper

It’s obvious that homes needing more work can be purchased for less, but depending on the neighborhood, the type of work needed, and how significant it is, this is often where you can save the most.

You can save a ton of money in the long run on a home with major cosmetic issues and minor structural issues, compared to one with minor cosmetic issues and major structural issues.

According to Realtor Aubrey Grier, “Buying a home that needs lipstick is where a buyer can potentially find a deal. Charlotte’s current buyer wants move-in ready homes. They don’t even want to paint. It’s a huge change in trend from 10 to 15 years ago. Deals can still be found if a buyer is willing to do some work, because those homes are less desirable currently than in the past, but that is where money can be made in our market.”

Have you recently purchased a home in Charlotte? 

Do you have any other advice for new home buyers? 

5 Carolina Towns Ranked Among The 30 Best Small Cities in America

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National Geographic just released a new ranking of the “Best Small Cities in The United States“.

To compile the list, National Geographic “partnered with Resonance Consultancy, a global destination branding advisor, to identify the top U.S. small cities based on unconventional metrics that we think lead to happiness: green spaces, galleries, coffee shops, breweries, music venues, Instagrammable moments, and more.”

A total of 5 Carolina towns landed on the ranking, which is quite impressive, considering there are only 2 California towns and 2 Florida towns on it. South Carolina actually has more towns (3) on the list than any other state in the country. North Carolina was tied for #2 with 2 towns.

North Carolina’s Asheville was unsurprisingly featured;

More than three dozen craft breweries and brewpubs (the most per capita of any U.S. city) work hoppy magic in and around this North Carolina town. Many cluster in the South Slope, a former automotive zone where you can now walk between spots like Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium and Catawba Brewing Co., with a spacious deck boasting views of Mount Pisgah. Crafts of a less intoxicating sort also headline throughout the city, including at the historic Grovewood Village, with its artisan studios, art galleries, and sculpture garden.

Our second town is far more surprising – a place that was recently ranked among the ‘10 Least Educated Cities in America‘ – Hickory, NC;

A thriving 20th-century manufacturing hub for furniture and textiles, Hickory now finds itself heading our list for its hipster-friendly offerings, from tattoo parlors to vintage clothing boutiques. Craft-beer enthusiasts gather at the popular annual Hickory Hops festival featuring more than 50 microbreweries and live music.

South Carolina’s record 3 towns include Greenville;

“Now known for its start-up spirit and urbane downtown, Greenville makes our hot list for its number of butchers, delis, and steakhouses. Savor a steak at Halls Chophouse, then head to Falls Park, where a nearly 40-foot natural waterfall churns just off Main Street, and a pedestrian-only bridge curves gracefully overhead.”

SC’s capital of Columbia;

“With BBQ an essential menu item for South Carolinians, Columbia tops our list for meatiest city per capita in its population group. Locals get their grilled meats buffet-style at Little Pigs Barbecue or stuffed in delectable sandwiches at Southern Belly BBQ’s three locations. But don’t think that they neglect their grooming. Columbia also tops our list in its population group for its number of barber shops and salons.”

and not surprisingly, Charleston;

“Instagrammers love Charleston’s abundance of art. Works by local artists will fill the rooms and public spaces of the new Hotel Bennett, opening this summer on a chunk of prime real estate overlooking Marion Square. It’s a great crash pad for checking out Charleston’s booming arts scene, which ranks high in our survey because of a large number of schools and galleries, like the Art Institute of Charleston and Helena Fox Fine Art. The latter specializes in works by southern artists such as West Fraser, known for his muted paintings of nearby Low Country. Performing arts shine at the grand, three-year-old Gaillard Center, which hosts concerts and dance shows and serves as one of the venues for the city’s celebrated Spoleto Festival, taking place May 25 to June 10 in 2018.”

The full list includes (in no particular order);

#1 Boulder, CO
#2 Honolulu, HI
#3 Pensacola, FL
#4 Columbia, SC
#5 Charlottesville, VA
#6 Hickory, NC
#7 Santa Cruz, CA
#8 Charleston, SC
#9 Ann Arbor, MI
#10 Portland, ME
#11 Newport, RI
#12 Pittsburgh, PA
#13 Anchorage, AK
#14 Annapolis, MD
#15 New Orleans, LA
#16 Madison, WI
#17 Reno, NV
#18 Healdsburg, CA
#19 Olympia, WA
#20 Spokane, WA
#21 Albuquerque, NM
#22 Rapid City, SD
#23 Baton Rougue, LA
#24 Kansas City, MO
#25 Lakeland, FL
#26 Asheville, NC
#27 Louisville, KY
#28 Hagerstown, MD
#29 Greenville, SC
#30 Omaha, NE

Do you agree that these are the best small cities in America?

How many of the top 30 cities have you been to?

13-Year-Old Girl Shot and Killed At Concord Mills

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Police have just released the name of the 13-year-old girl that was shot and killed on Saturday night at the Concord Mills Mall.

According to police, 13-year-old Avenanna Propst was pronounced dead at the scene after police responsed to a shooting on Saturday night at about 8:40pm outside of the entrance to Dave and Buster’s.

An additional 2 shooting victims, both males under the age of 16, were also transported to the hospital.

The Concord Police Department released the victims name and more details about the shooting on Facebook;

Concord PD doesn’t think the young girl was the intended target in the shooting.

They now believe the shooting started with a altercation in the Dave and Busters parking lot and quickly escalated into a shooting.

Police now have one potential suspect in custody as they continue investigating.

If you have any information about the shooing, please call the Concord Police Department, or 911.

The Internet Is Freaking Out Over “Baby Yoda Cat” At Rowan County’s Animal Shelter

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The internet now has a new favorite cat, and it currently lives right here in the Charlotte area.

“Baby Yoda Cat” first started going viral when the Humane Society of Rowan County (HSRC) set up a new Facebook cage for an adorable new rescue kitty on Christmas eve.

The cat was initially brought to the Cabarrus Animal Hospital on December 15th with a deep wound around her neck, an upper respiratory infection, a flea infestation, and intestinal parasites.

According to HSRC, “Baby Yoda Cat” won’t be available for adoption until she is able to recover from all her ailments.

“The rescue is accepting local applications, but she won’t officially be available for adoption until her wounds are healed, she is spayed, microchipped, and receives her second round of vaccines and dewormer…”

You can follow her progress and find out when she will be ready for adoption by following her personal Facebook page here.

Panthers Hosting ‘Fan Appreciation Day’ This Sunday During Their Last Game of The Season

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This coming Sunday, the Carolina Panthers will be playing their last game of the a season against the New Orleans Saints at the Bank of America Stadium during their ‘Fan Appreciation Day’. If the Panthers manage to win, they’ll end their 7-game losing streak and eliminate the Saints chance for a first-round bye in the playoffs.

The Panthers’ MVP, Christian McCaffrey, also has the chance of making history by becoming the 3rd player in NFL history to reach 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in a single season. He only needs 67 more passing yards to reach the historic milestone.

To say thank you to all the fans who have continued to stick with the Panthers in the face of mounting losses, the organization will also be hosting a ‘Fan Appreciation Day’ during Sunday’s game.

Fans will receive 25% off non-alcoholic concessions and all purchases in the team store as well as a free rolla banners at the gate upon entrance to the game.

1 lucky fan will also receive a free GMC truck at halftime, in addition to a number of other prizes, posters, and giveaways from the team store.

You can still buy tickets to this Sunday’s game starting at $31 each here on Stubhub.com.