Charlotte City Council Approved $500,000+ In New Body Armor For Firefighters

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte City Council Approved $500,000+ In New Body Armor For Firefighters

Last night, The Charlotte City Council approved a new plan to spend over $500,000 in body armor for Charlotte’s firefighters.

The city will now invest in about 400 new armored vests, shields, and helmets for all on-duty firefighters.

The proposed plan came as more pressure was put on city leaders by the National Fire Protection Association and other groups to adequately protect all firefighters in light of the recent increase in active-shooter scenarios and armed domestic dispute situations.

Last year, Charlotte firefighters responded to at least 17 incidents involving firearms, and as our population grows, that number is only expected to increase.

What do you think of the new plan? 

Charlotte Ranked Among The Top Big Cities in America

Steve
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Charlotte Ranked Among The Top Big Cities in America

With July and August ranking among the most popular months to move and about 80% of the U.S. population living in urban areas, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2018’s Best Big Cities to Live in.

The Queen City came in at #20, just behind Omaha, NE (#19) and Washington, DC (#18). We beat out neighboring Atlanta (#28) and Nashville (#29) as one of the best big cities in the south;

Source: WalletHub

 

WalletHub evaluated the 62 largest U.S. cities in terms of 56 key metrics. The data set ranges from quality of public school system to job opportunities to median annual property taxes.

Livability of Charlotte (1=Best; 31=Avg.):

  • 13th – Housing Costs
  • 20th – Quality of Public Hospital System
  • 16th – Quality of Public School System
  • 21st – Job Opportunities
  • 25th – Air Quality
  • 34th – Access to Public Transportation
  • 35th – Violent-Crime Rate

For the full report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-large-cities-to-live-in/14358/

AT&T Bringing Game-Changing 5G Service To Charlotte By The End of This Year

Steve
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AT&T Bringing Game-Changing 5G Service To Charlotte By The End of This Year

AT&T has just announced that its new 5G service will be coming to Charlotte, along with Raleigh, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Waco, and Atlanta by the end of this year. Along with the upgraded cell towers, they’ll also be installing 5G Wi-Fi hotspots around our city to connect all devices to the new high-speed service.

“We’re deliberately launching with a mix of big and mid-sized cities. One competitor recently boasted ‘New York matters more than Waco’ when discussing their future plans. We politely disagree – all Americans should have access to next-gen connectivity to avoid a new digital divide,” AT&T noted in their press release.

“In a global, interconnected economy, access to the most advanced technology is vital for creating jobs and driving economic growth that benefits everyone in a community,” said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. “Access to 5G technology can make a genuine difference in the lives of families and help assure that Charlotte continues to be such a great place to live, work and play.”

AT&T’s new 5G Evolution technology has already rolled out in 141 smaller markets across the country, bringing theoretical peak speeds for capable devices of up to 400 megabits per second. 5G is definitely in the spotlight and can be useful not only in terms of stronger connection but also as another source of income. This refers to a cell tower lease, where property owners can get regular income if they lease a cell tower on their property. With a 5G infrastructure expanding, many landowners certainly explored this opportunity, after which they can also renew cell tower lease when the contract ends.

Are you excited for the new 5G service in Charlotte?

FBI Warning Carolina Residents About Predatory Packages Mailed To Young Girls

Steve
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FBI Warning Carolina Residents About Predatory Packages Mailed To Young Girls

The FBI is now investigating several reports of inappropriate packages that were sent to young girls in South Carolina, Virginia, and Alabama.

The packages included food and a letter from someone signed “Atur Bhuck,” who claims to be a 14-years-old boy who’s mentally disabled and a target of bullying – and then asks the girls to e-mail him back.

The Covington County District Attorney’s Office posted the following alert on their Facebook page;

PREDATOR ALERT: The FBI and the Alabama Fusion Center report that children living in the Southeast, including Alabama, have received unsolicited packages containing food and a letter signed “Atur Bhuck of Santa Fe, NM” as well as visitor’s packages from New Jersey. Just this week, two Phenix City, Alabama girls received the packages which addressed to them in care of their elementary school. In the letters, “Bhuck” wrote that he was 14 years old, mentally disabled and a target of bullying. He asked the girls to write him at either of these email addresses, atur.bhuck@gmail.com or atur.bhuck@aol.com. The FBI reports that the IP address of the Gmail account appears to originate from Houston, Texas and that more than 50 New Jersey visitor’s packages were ordered from that address for minor girls in Alabama, South Carolina, and Virginia. Each order included the name of the girl and the address of the elementary school she attends. The same IP address has also appeared on websites discussing girls’ underwear and types of music to listen to when he visits his pen pal in Phenix City, Alabama. Be aware, be vigilant and make sure your children are aware. Contact the District Attorney’s Office at (334) 222-2513 if you suspect your child has been targeted or with any concerns.

Raleigh’s WRAL interviewed Jena Willingham, the mother who initially tipped the FBI off to the predatory letters and packages.

“It freaked me out again to know it wasn’t isolated. She wasn’t the only one. There were lots of girls he was doing this to,” she said. “I think the other kids were getting theirs at school, but ours came to our home.”

Please help spread the word!

Snake Bites On The Rise Around Charlotte – Here’s How You Can Stay Safe

Charlotte Stories
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Snake Bites On The Rise Around Charlotte – Here’s How You Can Stay Safe

Snakebite season has now arrived in the Charlotte region, and as more land is developed, and more people move to our region, the number of poisonous snake encounters and bites is only expected to increase.

Last year, Mecklenburg County was ranked 2nd in the state for poisonous snake bites, with over 100 reported to the Carolina Poison Center over the summer months.

A few days ago, Kelly Cuene stumbled on this highly-venomous copperhead slithering across her grass;

Fortunately, she was able to get away unscathed, but many around the Charlotte region aren’t so fortunate.

Just this past Wednesday afternoon, a 13-year-old girl was hospitalized after being bit by a copper head in South Charlotte;

Experts say our recently mild winter is to blame for the increase in snakes, and increased development and population in Mecklenburg account for the significantly higher number of bites, compared to rural counties.

The Charlotte region’s most prevalent venomous snake is the copperhead, but North Carolina is also home to cottonmouths, rattlesnakes (eastern diamondback, pygmy and timber) and coral snakes.

Copperhead in Charlotte
Copperhead in Charlotte

If you do a lot of walking or hiking around the Charlotte region, you should carry a snake bite kit and/or venom extractor in your backpack or car.

The Carolina Poison Center also recommends that:

If bitten by a snake, you SHOULD:

  • Sit down and stay calm.
  • Gently wash the area with warm, soapy water.
  • Remove any jewelry or tight clothing near the bite site.
  • Keep the bitten area still, if possible, and raise it to heart level.
  • Call the Carolinas Poison Center:  1-800-222-1222.

If bitten by a snake, you SHOULD NOT:

  • Ice the area.  Icing causes additional tissue damage.
  • Make and apply a tourniquet or any tight bandage.  It’s better for the venom to flow through the body than for it to stay in one area.
  • Attempt to catch or kill the snake.

If a snakebite victim is having chest pain, difficulty breathing, face swelling, or has lost consciousness, call 911 immediately.

Call Carolinas Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for questions about a snake bite or for more information.

North Carolina Farm Needing People to Cuddle With Baby Goats

Charlotte Stories
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North Carolina Farm Needing People to Cuddle With Baby Goats

A small farm in North Carolina is now in need of people to cuddle with their baby goats.

Hux Family Farm a unique business model of raising therapeutic goats for goat meditation and goat yoga.

Most farm-raised goats are separated from their mothers at birth and raised to be used for milk and meat, but the kids at Hux are nurtured alongside their mothers and socialized with humans, creating a truly intimate bond.

As the farm continues to grow, they’re in ever increasing need of more people to spend time interacting with and cuddling the farm’s baby goats – forming positive relationships with humans and creating a bond that will last a lifetime.

via facebook.com/HuxFamilyFarm

Hux Family Farm is located in Durham, North Carolina, you can e-mail info@HuxFamilyFarm.com or visit HuxFamilyFarm.com for more information.

Nation’s Largest Boat Club Threw Massive Party For At-Risk Youth On Lake Norman

Steve
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Nation’s Largest Boat Club Threw Massive Party For At-Risk Youth On Lake Norman

The 14th Annual Big Day at the Lake on July 21 was a smashing success. The event, which was founded by Cornelius resident, Dave Yochum with the help of his friends, neighbors, and local businesses, benefits the non-profit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Carolinas. The purpose is to share a fun and memorable day at the lake with at-risk children.

Freedom Boat Club, located in the Waterstreet Seaport Marina in Cornelius, provided 17 boats with captains for the Big Day at the Lake, including a double decker pontoon boat with slides, an annual favorite. About 125 children enjoyed fishing, tubing, sliding and swimming. “This is our sixth year participating in Big Day at the Lake,” says Freedom Boat Club LKN franchise co-owner, Jeff Weir. “We’re delighted to provide captained boats and make lasting memories for the children who would not normally have the opportunity to enjoy Lake Norman,” he adds.

The day concluded with a picnic and fun activities for more than 600 participants, including the Bigs, Littles and Volunteers, at the Duke Energy Explorium. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Carolinas serves close to 250 children in North Mecklenburg annually.

Freedom Boat Club is the nation’s oldest and largest boat club, with 160+ club locations operating in 29 states and Canada.

MLB Commissioner Once Again Names Charlotte As Potential City For New Expansion Team

Steve
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MLB Commissioner Once Again Names Charlotte As Potential City For New Expansion Team

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred just named the Queen City as one of the favorite cities for one of its newest teams.

“I hope I’m around long enough to see us expand,” Manfred told FS1 this past Tuesday. “I think 32 [teams] would be great for our sport.” He continued to talk about potential new cities “that I think are not only interested in having baseball, but are viable in terms of baseball,” naming “Portland, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Nashville in the United States, certainly Montreal, maybe Vancouver, in Canada. We think there’s places in Mexico we could go over the long haul.”

Starting at about the 1-minute mark in the following video:

Last year, Charlotte was also named as a possible MLB expansion city, but in a longer list. In an interview with the Associated Press last year, Manfred listed; Charlotte, Oklahoma City, Mexico City, Portland, Las Vegas, Montreal and San Antonio as possible MLB expansion cities.

The MLB has expanded since 1998 when the Tampa Bay Rays (originally the Devil Rays) and Arizona Diamondbacks first started. Given the growth of major league baseball’s popularity, and after almost 20 years of no activity, the jump from 30 teams to, say, 32 now seems overdue.

If (and when) Charlotte is chosen to host it’s own major league baseball team, one of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind is where will the stadium be. The BB&T field in Uptown Charlotte was not designed to be retrofitted for major league standards, and city planners don’t think Uptown could handle the additional traffic and parking during the 81+ major league home games (many of which are on weekdays).

What do you think about a new MLB team in Charlotte?

Where do you think the new major league field should be built?

Dangerous New #InMyFeelings Dance Challenge Spreading Across Charlotte

Steve
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Dangerous New #InMyFeelings Dance Challenge Spreading Across Charlotte

A new viral dance challenge is spreading around the world, and in many cases, turning dangerous.

The new dance craze has now been done by tens of thousands of social media users (including tons of celebrities), in which dancers try to mimic the moves of Drake’s hit Scorpion song “In My Feelings.”

It all started with Instagram user theshiggyshow. On June 29, the comedian shared a video of himself dancing (or “doing the shiggy,” as it’s now called) in the street and using moves that perfectly synced up to Drake’s lyrics. When Drake sang, “Kiki, do you love me?” he made a heart gesture with his hands, and he made a driving motion with his arms for the “Are you riding?” line of the song.

Since that original video was posted, it spread like wildfire, including here in the Queen City.

Here’s a recent video from Charlotte of a girl being filmed doing the #inmyfeelings challenge;

Although that wasn’t nearly as dangerous as a lot of other videos that have been posted where the driver of a car will jump out and do the dance while the car is still moving, which has resulted in personal injury;

and even vehicle theft;

also, jumping out of your car and dancing while your vehicle is still moving is illegal, and you can be arrested for it.

What do you think of the new challenge?

Charlotte Ranked One Of The Most Racially Diverse Cities in America

Steve
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Charlotte Ranked One Of The Most Racially Diverse Cities in America

A new report by SmartAsset.com has just ranked Charlotte as one of the most racially diverse cities in America for STEM.

STEM jobs are occupations requiring a focused education in science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics – jobs which currently offer some of the highest salaries and best benefits.

The Queen City ranked #2 in the nation, just behind Philadelphia at #1 and just ahead of Sacramento at #3.

According to the report, “Charlotte has the most racially diverse STEM workforce. About 19% of STEM workers in Charlotte are black and 28% are Asian. Men dominate the tech scene in Charlotte which hurts this city’s gender diversity score. About 73% of the STEM workforce here is male.”

To compile their ranking, SmartAsset analyzed data for the 50 cities with the largest STEM workforce to see who had the biggest racial diversity and gender diversity.

To find out more about the study or the methodology, check out the full report here.

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