Mecklenburg County’s Only Public Beach Opening This Saturday

Steve
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Mecklenburg County’s Only Public Beach Opening This Saturday

first mecklenburg county beachMecklenburg Counties first public beach, which first opened 3 summers ago, is about to reopen this coming Saturday (5/25) with upgraded facilities and services.

According to CharMeck Parks and Rec, “individuals and families planning a trip to the beach will be able to visit daily between 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Lifeguards will be on duty during beach hours.”

Back in 2016, just before the beach first opened, we took some drone footage and edited it into the official trailer of the 2000 movie ‘The Beach‘.

Here is the “Official Trailer of Ramsey Creek Park Beach”;

The upgraded facilities now include a total of 177 parking spaces, new signs and surveillance cameras, and a more consistent CATS bus schedule to and from the Ramsey Creek Park beach.

Last day this year for the #Beach at #RamseyCreekPark #LaborDay

A post shared by Marvin Beach (@mlb1510) on

Last year, the total attendance at the beach was approximately 70,000, with the majority of visitors coming toward the beginning of summer, and declining toward the end, presumably because of overcrowding and limited parking.

Will you be heading to the beach this year?

704 Recycling Truck Burst Into Flames Last Night (Video)

Steve
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704 Recycling Truck Burst Into Flames Last Night (Video)

A 704 Recycle and Waste truck burst into flames last night at around 7pm on highway 150, about 20 miles north of Charlotte.

Most of the incident was captured on video by Charlotte Realtor Paul Martinez.

He posted the video to his Facebook page, noting that, “According to the driver, the truck simply overheated…”

The incident happened near the intersection of NC 150 and Old Mill Rd. in Lincolnton, NC, about 20 miles north of Charlotte;

According to The Denver Fire Department, the driver of the truck escaped before the fire began. No passengers were present and no one else was injured in the blaze.

Charlotte Launches First Car-Sharing Program In Uptown and South End

Steve
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Charlotte Launches First Car-Sharing Program In Uptown and South End

The City of Charlotte recently formed a partnership with Zipcar, the world’s leading car-sharing network, to bring its new “wheels when you want them” membership service to residents in Uptown and South End. The City’s Car Share Parking Pilot Program now features a total of 12 Zipcars that can be driven by anyone who has signed up for the program.

The vehicles are now available by the hour or by the day in easily accessible locations throughout the city, and can be reserved via Zipcar’s mobile app, online or over the phone.

Zipcars are now available at the following locations: 

126 New Bern St (On-Street)
101 W. Worthington Ave (On-Street)
319 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd (On-Street)
126 South Mint St (On-Street)
215 North Pine St (On-Street)
519 North Brevard St (On-Street)

Camden South Line: 2300 South Blvd
Camden Gallery: 1750 Camden Rd
Museum Tower: 525 S. Church St
Skyhouse Uptown: 640 N. Church St
Element Uptown: 355 West Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

The Zipcar Charlotte fleet features a variety of makes and models, including a Toyota Prius named “Queen Charlotte” and a Ford Escape called “Excellence.” Each reservation includes gas, insurance, and 180 miles of driving per day.

The launch in Charlotte builds on the company’s success at UNC Charlotte. With a number of students already using Zipcar, the company was eager to expand its presence off-campus to provide more residents and visitors with convenient access to wheels where they live, work and play. Zipcar members can reserve and drive any of the company’s vehicles in Charlotte as well as more than 12,000 vehicles in the company’s global fleet.

“We’re thrilled to be officially launching here in the Queen City, enabling two-car households to scale back to one, and even inspiring some to live car-free,” said Vilaire Lazard, Zipcar general manager. “Our ‘wheels when you want them’ service increases mobility while also decreasing traffic, congestion and parking demand, in turn making cities better places to live.”

Prospective members can join online and find out more information at www.zipcar.com/Charlotte.

For more information on Charlotte’s Car Share Parking Pilot Program, visit www.charlottenc.gov/transportation/carshare.

Why South Carolina has the Most Expensive Car Insurance Rates in the Region

Sylvia Sanders
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Why South Carolina has the Most Expensive Car Insurance Rates in the Region

As most motorists know, insuring a vehicle can be costly at the best of time. Even if you are an older driver with an unblemished driving record, you may find that the cost of your car insurance has rocketed over the years. Throughout the United States, there are some areas where car insurance is more expensive than others. A recent study found that South Caroline was one of these states with premiums, on average, a staggering 88 percent higher than in North Carolina.

In fact, the report found that throughout the region, 20 of the 25 most expensive cities for car insurance were located in South Carolina. Naturally, this is bad news for drivers in the area, as they are paying a fortune in car insurance premiums compared to people in other parts of the region. Even the cheapest city in South Carolina came up as being over a third more expensive than the most expensive city in neighboring North Caroline.

What Can Motorists Do?

Naturally, motorists in South Carolina are keen to do something about the cost of their insurance premiums. Finding immediate legal representation in the event of an accident or if the need to consult south carolina dui lawyers arises is a very efficient way of avoiding an immediate rise. However, other than moving out of the state and into a cheaper area, what can you do? Well, the good news is that there is plenty you can do without having to up sticks and move out of the area altogether. In this article, we will look at some of the ways in which you can help to slash the cost of your insurance premiums in South Carolina.

One of the things you can do to bring down your car insurance costs is shop around rather than automatically renewing with the current provider. If you feel that you are one of the many motorists in the area that is paying over the odds for coverage, it is well worth researching to see if you can get a better deal elsewhere. You will most likely find companies that will offer you a discount for being a new customer, and once the first year has passed, you can then look again to become a new customer with another provider. This means you will always get the best deals. Comparing won’t take long because you can do it all online at a time that suits you.

Another factors to consider is the technology you have at your fingertips these days. Modern tech has made it much easier to cut costs on motor insurance for a number of reasons. First off, as outlined above, you can compare car insurance quotes and find better insurance deals with greater ease thanks to internet technology. Second, you can use certain devices to help reduce your coverage such as dash cams and trackers. All of these can help to bring coverage costs down.

Finally, you need to consider where you park your vehicle, as this can also have an impact on how much you pay in car insurance. When you park in a safe place such as a garage or driveway, you are less at risk of problems such as damage or theft. This then makes you a lower risk to the insurance company, and the reduced risk is then factored into the cost of coverage. So, making sure you park off the street and in a secure place can also help.

All of these tips can help when it comes to bringing your car insurance premiums down and saving money. Of course, there are additional steps you can consider such as taking an advanced driving course to demonstrate you are a safer driver and less of a risk.

Panthers Receive New HQ Approval After SC Lawmakers Pass $115 Million In Tax Breaks

Charlotte Stories
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Panthers Receive New HQ Approval After SC Lawmakers Pass $115 Million In Tax Breaks

Today, South Carolina lawmakers officially passed a massive new piece of legislation that offers the team a total of $115 million in tax breaks to move the team’s headquarters and training facilities over state lines.

According to SC Senate Bill 655, “The Carolina Panthers are interested in a new indoor practice facility to replace an outdoor practice facility currently located near Bank of America Stadium in downtown Charlotte, NC. The Panthers are considering moving their football operations to South Carolina. The team is interested in moving the team’s headquarters and training facilities to either York or Lancaster County based on media reports. The move would involve 150 or more employees, coaches, players, team executives, offices, parking, and the team’s other departments.”

The Carolina franchise will build a massive new headquarter and practice facility on a 200-acre parcel just off I-77 between Dave Lyle Boulevard and Eden Terrace.

Courtesy of the Carolina Panthers

According to Panthers officials, the new project will feature an orthopedic sports medicine facility, 2 practice fields, including an indoor stadium with 10,000 seats.

The new project will also likely attract a new corporate headquarters and several residential projects.

SC Governor Henry McMaster is now expected to sign H. 4243 into in the coming week.

The World of Outlaws Set To Make History Memorial Day Weekend in Charlotte

Charlotte Stories
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The World of Outlaws Set To Make History Memorial Day Weekend in Charlotte

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will make history Memorial Day weekend, hosting the inaugural doubleheader Patriot Nationals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte on Friday, May 24, and Saturday, May 25.

The event will be one of the most prestigious two-days of racing on the World of Outlaws’ schedule with the Feature paying $15,000-to-win and $1,000 to start both nights.

This is the first year since 2002 that there have been two May races at the 4/10-mile speedway and drivers are excited about the doubleheader opportunity.

“Charlotte has been a great race track,” Kasey Kahne Racing driver, Brad Sweet said. “It’s a great facility. It’s been longing to turn into a two-day race. We’ve had great crowds in May for the one-day show. Really looking forward to that turning into more on an event.”

The Charlotte track has always put on a thrilling show, showing why the Series is The Greatest Show on Dirt.

Shane Stewart led most of the way during the single May race last year, but hot on his tail were 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz and Sweet. The No. 49 car of Sweet put on a show for fans, racing hard with Schatz, Sheldon Haudenschild and Logan Schuchart throughout the night.

Schatz went on to claim the win, with Stewart second and Sweet settling for third, but they made it a riveting show for the fans to the finish.

Sweet and Schatz have been evenly matched, so far, this season. Both have two wins and have been trading the points lead night after night. Neither are letting the other driver run away with the championship this year.

But close behind them are David Gravel and Daryn Pittman. The two drivers have started to put together consistent top-five finishes, propelling them into the championship battle.

There will be several races and storylines to follow throughout the two nights.

Before the action on the track, race fans get a behind the scene look at where DIRTVision is broadcasted from, where the Open Red podcast is recorded and where the World of Outlaws is run from at the World of Outlaws Fan Day on Thursday, May 23. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the World of Outlaws Headquarters, at 7575 West Winds Blvd. Concord, NC, there will be free food, complimentary NOS Energy Drinks, driver appearances and more!

Racing will begin around 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday with grandstand gates opening at 5 p.m.

Following the Series’ return to The Dirt Track at Charlotte, the World of Outlaws on Monday, May 27, will venture next to Lawrenceburg Speedway in Lawrenceburg, Ind. for the Memorial Day Spectacular presented by KOI Auto Parts.

As always, you can catch all World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.

24/7 ‘Hope Line’ Launched In Charlotte For Parental Support, Sexual and Domestic Violence

Charlotte Stories
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24/7 ‘Hope Line’ Launched In Charlotte For Parental Support, Sexual and Domestic Violence

Safe Alliance has launched the Greater Charlotte Hope Line (980-771-HOPE or 980-771-4673) to improve the lives of families throughout Mecklenburg County. The free, safe, confidential 24/7 hotline provides critical resources for parent support as well as victims and at-risk citizens of child abuse, neglect and sexual and domestic violence.

Safe Alliance President and CEO Karen Parker explained that “current systems through which we respond to family violence are fragmented and overburdened. Our goal is to provide a streamlined solution to make it easier for people to get the help they need – fast.”

The U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect states that domestic violence is the single greatest precursor to child abuse and neglect in the U.S. “This is about family,” says Safe Alliance’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer Cori Goldstein. “A key piece of our new hotline is to provide families with the information, resources and emotional support necessary to weather life’s turbulent periods. The Hope Line will do just that.”

Safe Alliance has a proven track record of offering a trauma-informed, victim-centered response to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence on current 24/7 hotlines. The addition of the Hope Line—a collaborative community resource offering guidance to parents—is a great asset to Safe Alliance’s existing services. The hotline is a collective resource that provides trained staff who navigate any parenting concern and continue to offer support for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

The Greater Charlotte Hope Line represents a unique partnership between Safe Alliance, the county’s only provider of domestic and sexual violence crisis services, and Mecklenburg County’s Department of Social Services, a public entity charged with protecting the community’s most vulnerable children. The service will provide emotional support, education and guidance to parents struggling to navigate challenging parent/child relationships, education about the dynamics and warning signs of interpersonal violence, and crisis counseling, safety planning and education to victims of sexual assault or domestic violence, including guidance for victims seeking to keep their families safe.

The Hope Line is staffed by advocates who undergo 80 hours of cross-disciplinary training to assist in virtually any prevention and intervention scenario. This rigorous training includes motivational interviewing, child development, child abuse/neglect, sexual assault, domestic violence and trauma components. Strong partnerships with organizations throughout Mecklenburg County will ensure that people who call in receive the most relevant information and guidance possible.

As with Safe Alliance best practices, confidentiality and safety are the top priorities of the program.

“Our goal is to change lives for the better,” said Parker. “When we say ‘Hope is Calling,’ we mean it.’”

For more information, visit the Greater Charlotte Hope Line webpage.

If you need someone to talk to, please call 980-771-HOPE or 980-771-4673.

The Great Benefits of Pressure Washing

Rene Hodges
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The Great Benefits of Pressure Washing

Cleanliness is essential to every home and/or business establishment. If you’re not exerting time and effort to regularly clean it, regardless of how expensive your establishment is, all of the money you’ve spent to buy the property will be useless.

This is one of the most obvious reasons why you should hire a pressure washing company. Hiring this kind of service might cost money, but for sure, every single dollar will be worth it in the long run.

Depending on the size of your property, cleaning it regularly can become a burden. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about doing the work on your own. A pressure washer helps you clean your property.

Here are some benefits of using pressure washing on your home or business establishment:

  1. Pressure washing can improve the curb appeal of the building.

The design of your property is responsible for creating an impression to the public. This is especially true if you have your own business establishment.

How can you gain any customers if your building looks boring and dull? How can you attract talents to join your workforce if your building depicts a different image from your brand?

If you want your business to thrive and succeed in the long run, look for professionals who offer commercial pressure washing services. Their skills, experience, and tools can make your establishment look brand new and aesthetically pleasing.

  1. Pressure washing can prevent expensive repairs.

As a property owner, you have to carefully choose the best area for your property and regularly check the condition of your building. Regular maintenance prevents expensive repairs. Thus, you need to make sure that every area is in perfect working condition and all amenities are functioning well.

One way of maintaining the condition of your home or business establishment and avoid repairs, is to utilize pressure washing services offered by professionals. They can remove any mold growth, bird droppings, and even dirt buildup in your building to avoid any kind of damage.

They can basically diagnose the problem at the earliest time possible and fix it almost immediately.

  1. Pressure washing can clean associated spaces.

Being a property owner is a long-term commitment, which is why you should be ready for all the tasks required from you. As a property owner, one of your responsibilities is keeping your home or building establishment clean.

Cleaning the flat surfaces of your property such as the floor, windows, roof, and parking garages can pose a challenge. You’ll need to have the right tools and experience to clean all of these areas effectively. This is when pressure washing from Hotsy of Houston comes into the picture. With their specialized equipment and expertise, you can easily tackle these cleaning tasks and ensure your property looks its best.

Pressure washing can clean all associated spaces, which means that every nook and cranny of your property will become spotless. As a result, your property will look and feel better – something that’s beneficial to improve customer experience.

  1. Pressure washing protects you against injuries and promote health.

You’ve invested in a property because you want to provide a safe place for your family and employees. You don’t want them to be sick or injured because it’ll cost a lot from you, especially when dealing with a business.

One way to protect your family and/or employees from possible injuries is making use of professional pressure washing services. This service can minimize pollen, pollutants, germs, dirt, and dust in your property/ This benefit can be a godsend, especially if the people living or working with you are suffering from allergies. Having a clean environment allows them to be productive every day.

  1. Pressure washing can get rid of any graffiti.

All of your efforts to preserve the condition and aesthetics of your property will be useless once there are graffiti and spray paints on the wall. If your business establishment has these markings, how else can you create a professional and reputable image in public? Do you think customers will still patronize your business once they see these markings?

Let a pressure washing company remove this problem off your shoulders. They can remove any unwanted paint in any area of your property, giving it a more respectable look.

Scout For Options

Pressure washing can make your life easier in more ways than one. If you’re already convinced with this status quo, take the time to carefully select the best pressure washing company for your needs.

You should work with a company which provides the best services, at the same time, doesn’t require you to break your bank account. As a rule of thumb, the money you’ll pay them should always be equivalent to the quality of service they provide.

 

North Carolina Insurance Rates have Increased: Here’s How You Can Save Money

Terri Baloga
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North Carolina Insurance Rates have Increased: Here’s How You Can Save Money

The cost of car insurance can be extremely high for many motorists such as younger drivers and those with a history of making claims. However, in North Carolina, it is all motorists that suffer, as the impact from the actions and claims of others results in premiums being increased across the board.

On top of this, a recent report has indicated that North Carolina insurance rates are set to increase by another 1.6 percent as the result of a settlement between the North Carolina Rate Bureau and the North Carolina Department of Insurance. For those who are already struggling to keep up with their car insurance premiums, this rate increase comes as a big blow, as it means that their finances will be even tighter.

Taking Steps to Minimize the Impact

Naturally, motorists in North Carolina are already tired of seeing their insurance premiums rise because of claims made by others. However, this added increase will cause further strain on finances, which could put people under a lot of stress and strain. As a result, more and more people in North Carolina are keen to find ways to reduce their premiums, and in this article, we will look at some of the ways in which you can save money.

If you want to find the best auto insurance for you at the right price, you need to ensure you do some research. Going online to compare different policies and prices is vital if you want to ensure you don’t pay over the odds. Fortunately, this is something you can do with ease these days thanks to internet technology and the number of service providers that now offer great deals online. You can compare prices and policies at a glance by going online, which makes it much easier for you to reduce your premium costs without having to compromise when it comes to the suitability of the plan you choose.

Some people pose a bigger risk to insurance companies, even if they have never made a claim or been involved in an accident. For instance, if you park your car on the street more often than not, you may be seen as a higher risk because there is more of a chance of malicious damage or theft. Wherever possible, make sure you park your car in a secure area such as secure car park while at work or on your driveway or in your garage while at home. This them reduces the risk you present to the insurance company, which can have an effect on your premium.

You should also look at making use of modern technology in order to help bring your insurance premiums down. Of course, you should make sure your vehicle has at least a basic alarm system, as this can help to prevent crime, thus reducing the risk of a claim. In addition, you can look at getting a dash cam fitted, as this will enable you to provide proof if you were involved in an accident or incident that was not your fault, which again means you pose less of a risk to your insurance company. Finally, you should consider having a tracker fitted, as this increases the chances of your vehicle being recovered in the event of theft.

Helping to Slash the Cost of Cover

When you take these steps on board, you can help to reduce the cost of your insurance coverage, which means that your finances will be far less strained. These are all simple steps but can prove to be very effective in terms of keeping your costs down.

Charlotte Ranked As The Best City In America For Drivers

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte Ranked As The Best City In America For Drivers

Charlotte has been rated the best city for drivers in the US in a new report by Insuremyrentalcar.com.

The site ranked cities based on the number of road accident fatalities per 100,000 residents, average increase in journey time due to traffic, quality of roads, percentage of drivers with DUIs, and percentage of drivers with no insurance.

Charlotte took the title of best city for drivers owing to low scores across the board, including good road quality and fewer cases of drivers with DUIs. Texas performed strongly in the rating, with four cities (Fort Worth, Dallas, San Antonio and Houston) appearing in the top ten.

According to the report, these are the top 10 cities in America for drivers;

  1. Charlotte, NC
  2. Fort Worth, TX
  3. Chicago, IL
  4. Philadelphia, PA
  5. Columbus, OH
  6. Denver, CO
  7. New York City, NY
  8. Dallas, TX
  9. San Antonio, TX
  10. Houston, TX

The report gave Charlotte a total score of 365/500 based on the following stats;

Number of road fatalities per 100,000 residents: 10.59

Average increase in journey time due to traffic: 17%

Percentage of roads rated poor: 21%

Percentage of drivers with DUIs: 0.5%+

Percentage of drivers in state with no insurance: 6.5%

“Charlotte scores well on most data points analyzed. At just 0.5%, the city has the lowest percentage of drivers with DUIs in the top ten. The number of uninsured drivers is also low, the second lowest in the top ten, at just 6.5%,” according to the site.

Cities in California performed badly in the study. San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose ranked 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th respectively, out of the 20 most populous cities in the country. Only Seattle, WA, scored lower.

Philadelphia was a surprise entry in the top ten. The city is well known for being home to one of America’s most dangerous roads, Roosevelt Boulevard. Across the city, however, fatalities are relatively low, at 6.2 per 100,000 residents. The city also performed well when it came to drivers with DUIs and uninsured motorists, having low numbers of both.

What do you think about the results of the study?

Do you think Charlotte is the best city in America for drivers? 

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