Charlotte Selected as Host City for 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte Selected as Host City for 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) just confirmed that Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of 15 venues across 13 U.S. metropolitan cities that will welcome the 2019 edition of the Concacaf Gold Cup, to be played for the first time in an expanded format with 16 participating nations.

“We’re excited to welcome the Concacaf Gold Cup back to Bank of America Stadium and Charlotte for the third time,” says CRVA CEO Tom Murray. “International soccer matches like the Gold Cup create additional visitor spending that is important to our overall visitor economy, and strategic events like this generate invaluable national and international media exposure opportunities for the city.”

The announcement of the U.S. venues marks the first step in kicking off the region-wide soccer event, to be played in the summer of 2019, which has expanded to include a record 16 Concacaf Member Associations. In addition to the announced U.S. venues, 2019 Gold Cup matches will also be played in Central America and the Caribbean for the first time in the tournament’s 15 editions. These markets and venues will be announced in coming months.

The Gold Cup is anticipated every two years by fans across the region, as a true celebration of the vibrant culture and world class football that make up our wonderful and diverse One Concacaf region,” said Concacaf President Victor Montagliani. “The venues selected thus far offer a mix of soccer history as well as a taste of the future of the sport in the U.S., and we are excited to work with the local host committees to bring the game to fans all over the U.S. With the upcoming selection of additional venues in the Caribbean and Central America, the Gold Cup becomes a regional event on even more levels, as Concacaf continues to focus on making football accessible to more teams, players and fans.”

Taking place every two years, the Concacaf Gold Cup is the region’s national team championship. Featuring some of the hemisphere’s top players, the tournament crowns the champion from North and Central America and the Caribbean. Drawing large crowds and millions of television viewers across the region, the Gold Cup is a celebration of soccer, sportsmanship and culture.

By adding four more teams and exploring the possibility of new host nations, the historic 15th edition of the Concacaf Gold Cup will set highs for number of participating Concacaf Member Associations, providing access to the highest level of international football for 16 teams and for fans from a wider representation of the Concacaf region

Concacaf Gold Cup games have been held in Charlotte in 2011 and 2015, featuring teams like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala, and Trinidad and Tobago and garnering more than 50,000 attendees at each game.

The six national teams that participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Hexagonal qualifier round—Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States—are automatically qualified to the 2019 Gold Cup. The 10 additional participating nations in the 2019 Gold Cup will qualify through Concacaf Nations League Qualifiers, to be played on FIFA match dates in September, October and November of 2018 and March of 2019.

More information, including groups and the schedule for the 2019 tournament, will be announced soon.

Top 5 Most Hilarious Charlotte Stories Comments of The Past Week (7/7/18)

Steve
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Top 5 Most Hilarious Charlotte Stories Comments of The Past Week (7/7/18)

Last week was quite an eventful week in our state!

From black bears swimming in a lake, to firework fires, to a tractor-trailer getting stuck on a beach, our newsroom got interesting, to say the least. Some of the comments our readers posted were so brilliant and well-timed, we felt we had to share.

Here were the top 5 most hilarious comments on our Facebook posts from this past week;

#1 On July 1st, we posted about a black bear swimming in Lake Wylie;

Alex Clippard wrote;

#2 On Thursday we posted about fires being started from illegal firework displays;

EC Thomas wrote;

#3 On July 2nd, we posted about people getting sick at a party;

Kimberly Sloan Lyle wrote;

#4 On July 2nd, we posted about ‘Family Cloth’;

Anastasiya Sanford wrote;

#5 On Saturday, we posted about a truck getting stuck on a beach;

Ashleigh Knock wrote;

What was your favorite comment you saw on under our posts? 

3 NC Cities Ranked Among The Best Managed In America – Charlotte Ranked Among The Worst

Steve
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3 NC Cities Ranked Among The Best Managed In America – Charlotte Ranked Among The Worst

Durham (#7), Greensboro (#12), and Raleigh (#16) were just ranked among the best-managed cities, and Charlotte (#107) was ranked among the worst on a new report by financial analyst website Wallethub.

The report compares the operating efficiency of 150 of the largest U.S. cities to reveal which among them are managed best. It used a “Quality of Services” score, consisting of 35 metrics grouped into six service categories, including; ‘Financial Stability’, ‘Education’, ‘Health’, ‘Safety’, ‘Economy’, and ‘Infrastructure & Pollution’, which were then compared against each city’s per-capita budget.

Nampa, ID (#1), Provo, UT (#2), and Boise, ID (#3) are ranked as the best-managed cities and New York, NY (#148), Detroit, MI (#149), and Washington, DC (#150) are ranked as the worst;

Source: WalletHub

Charlotte’s overall rank of 107 came from combining our city’s ‘Total Budget per Capita’ rank of 129, an overall ‘Quality of City Services’ rank of 29, a ‘Financial Stability’ rank of 17, an ‘Education’ rank of 21, a ‘Health’ rank of 80, a ‘Safety’ rank of 71, an ‘Economy’ rank of 28, and an ‘Infrastructure & Pollution’ rank of 104.

You can read more about each of the determining factors and the breakdown of other cities on Wallethub’s report here.

How well do you think the city of Charlotte is managed?

How do you think we can improve?

Truck Driver Gets Stranded on North Carolina Beach After Following GPS

Charlotte Stories
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Truck Driver Gets Stranded on North Carolina Beach After Following GPS

A semi-truck driver got stranded this week on a North Carolina beach after his GPS took him off-roading onto the sand.

According to News Channel 13, “The driver said he was supposed to be on Route 12 South, but ended up on Route 12 North. He was looking for a place to turn around when he reached the end of the road.”

Wild OBX posted the following pictures to their Facebook page, which have now been shared over 6,000 times;

According to Outer Banks regulations, people are allowed to drive on the sand if they have four-wheel vehicles, but there are strict regulations on the air-pressure of a vehicle that wants to drive on the sand. The semi-truck did not have appropriate air pressure.

There are clear signs on the path to the beach for anyone unaware of the rules;

Has your GPS ever taken you down the wrong road?

New Report Ranks 3 Carolina Cities Among The Most Dangerous In America for 2018

Steve
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New Report Ranks 3 Carolina Cities Among The Most Dangerous In America for 2018

A new report by Alarm.org has just ranked 3 Carolina cities among the 50 most dangerous in America.

East St. Louis tops the ranking with 4,888 violent crimes per 100,000 people, and 3 Carolina cities made the top 50 list, including Lumberton, NC (#16) with 1,788 per 100,000, Myrtle Beach (#33) with 1,566 per 100,000, and Spartanburg (#49) with 1,378 per 100,000.

They note that the primary cause of the elevated level of violent crime in certain cities seems to be most directly tied to the inequality of incomes in a community.

According to the new report,  “Although mass shootings are becoming increasingly common in American life, the violent crime and prevalence of gun murders plaguing America’s most dangerous cities aren’t best explained by lax gun laws, rates of gun ownership, or one-off rampages (although, these do have an effect), but rather, by income inequality. Where there is a high poverty rate, and little opportunity to earn a decent wage, we find high homicide rates and a prevalence of other types of violent crime.”

To find out more information about the rankings, you can read the full report here.

Have you been to Lumberton, Spartanburg, or Myrtle Beach? How safe did you feel?

 

Franklin Graham Trolls Walmart’s ‘Impeach 45’ Shirt In His Charlotte Bookstore

Steve
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Franklin Graham Trolls Walmart’s ‘Impeach 45’ Shirt In His Charlotte Bookstore

Franklin Graham, son of legendary evangelist Billy Graham, is now making headlines after launching an alternative t-shirt to Walmart’s highly controversial “Impeach 45” shirt.

Walmart recently began offering the shirt on their website, but after a wave of outrage from their customers, and threats of boycotts, they decided to remove the shirt from their site.

Franklin Graham was quick to comment on the uproar, voicing his disapproval for the shirt;

He then announced that his Charlotte bookstore, Ruth’s Attic at The Billy Graham Library, would begin selling an alternative to the “Impeach 45” shirt, one which instead read “Pray for 45“.

You can now buy the ‘Pray for 45’ shirt online here, or in person at Ruth’s Attic Bookstore at The Billy Graham Library in Charlotte.

Although Walmart pulled the shirt from their website, you can still purchase the “Impeach 45” shirt here on Amazon.

What are your thoughts on the recent t-shirt controversy?

Talkspace Is Revolutionizing The Availability Of Mental Health Treatment Providers

Steve
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Talkspace Is Revolutionizing The Availability Of Mental Health Treatment Providers

The stigma towards mental health issues has readily faded away into obscurity since the turn of the millennium. Whether you’re a fan of views changing on such societal issues or not – some are positive, some aren’t; all of our views on which one assuredly do differ, just like our favorite toppings on cheeseburgers – the modern dissolution of stigma towards mental health issues, their self-acknowledgement, discussion of them, and the acceptance of seeking treatment for them is undeniably positive.

Unfortunately, however, far too many people lack the resources to seek mental health treatment. This problem is especially prevalent in traditionally low-income, rural areas, for the following reasons:

  • Low-income households and individuals alike often don’t own vehicles. If they do own only one working vehicle, it’s likely being used to transport any members earning incomes. Even worse, these vehicles are taken to work around the same time mental health institutions are open – Monday through Friday, from 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m.
  • Views on such issues typically shift more slowly in low-income, rural areas, as most of their residents are decidely conservative. Remember that views in the United States towards seeking such treatment, or even acknolwedging it, have traditionally been societal norm.
  • Lastly, by definition, rural areas are sparsely populated, directly translating to reduced economic activity as compared to communities with higher-income households and higher population densities. This means that mental health institutions, both nonprofit and for-profit, are less likely to be located in rural areas. Besides, even if they are located nearby, individuals with mental health disorders and related issues are unlikely to be within reasonable walking distance.

Here’s how an organization named Talkspace is helping

Even in areas that are populated densely and house family units of generally high incomes, there are typically as many people with mental health issues that seek help from treatment providers as those that don’t seek help.

Something that most people have, regardless of their income or housing status – believe it or not, most homeless people even have smartphones – most people have mobile phones of some sort, whether that’s an old-school Nokia “brick” phone or an iPhone X.

As such, they can reach out via text message or phone call to the trained, certified, real-deal counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health experts that screen and try their best to remedy clients’ mental health issues through telecommunication.

Traditionally, mental health treatment providers have only lent their services to clients that visit them in person. However, with the revolutionary, innovative ideas that Talkspace’s founders and executives have kicked into action, people all around the United States of America can seek reliable psychoanalytic treatment for their problems through online therapy.

Even those without diagnosed, chronic mental health disorders can contact Talkspace. Far more often than we’d like to admit, everyday routines and environmental stressors can cause mental health issues – and that happens to everybody.

North Carolina Ranked the 7th Strictest State on Speeding and Reckless Driving

Charlotte Stories
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North Carolina Ranked the 7th Strictest State on Speeding and Reckless Driving

Speed kills. We have all been told that since driver’s education class, and yet America drivers routinely exceed the speed limit. To find out which states take the hardest line on dangerous driving behavior, personal finance website WalletHub conducted an analysis of 2018’s Strictest and Most Lenient States on Speeding and Reckless Driving.

WalletHub analyzed penalties for speeding and reckless driving in each of the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia across 12 key metrics. Their data set ranges from what speeds are automatically considered reckless driving to how many speeding tickets it takes to earn an automatic license suspension.

Speeding and Reckless Driving Penalties in North Carolina (1=Strictest; 25=Avg.):

  • 2nd – Speeding Automatically Considered Reckless Driving
  • 2nd – Average Increase in Cost of Insurance After One Speeding Ticket
  • 20th – How Much Do Speeding Ticket Points Count Toward a Suspension
  • 9th – Minimum Jail Time (first reckless offense)
  • 12th – Minimum Jail Time (second reckless offense)
  • 12th – Maximum Fine (second reckless offense)

The Tar Heel state ranked just behind Oregon (#6) and California (#5), and just ahead of Illinois, Virginia, Alabama, and Washington (all tied for #8);

Source: WalletHub

 

What do you think about drivers in North Carolina? 

Dozens of Fires Erupt Around Charlotte During Illegal 4th of July Firework Displays

Steve
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Dozens of Fires Erupt Around Charlotte During Illegal 4th of July Firework Displays

Last night dozens of fires broke out all over the Charlotte region as residents illegally set off fireworks around their neighborhoods and city streets to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day.

This photo was sent to us from Bill Gray, who said the massive fire started in the Berryhill area around 10pm last night, just moments after a series of fireworks were set off in West Charlotte. He noted that the fire “appeared to be very aggressive until FD showed up. Not certain of exact location but very near Walkers Cove Trail or Elcar Drive.”

 

Fire departments all around the Charlotte region worked tirelessly through the night to put out the blazes;

Mel Renzo with the Charlotte Fire Department urged Charlotteans to let the professionals handle the fireworks, saying;

Hope y’all enjoyed your #4thofJuly b/c I certainly did. Fought some fire last night do to someone’s illegal use of fireworks 🤦🏾‍♂️. All in all it’s an honor to be able to do what I do for a living. Serving the great city of #Charlotte through service and duty is a rewarding feeling. I truly thank God for giving me the opportunity to save lives and make a difference in my community. Grateful to be a firefighter and humbled to be apart of a dope crew known as the #HighRollers. PS please leave the pyro to the professionals!

Every year thousands of Charlotte residents drive down to South Carolina to buy fireworks and smuggle them across the border. Since most Charlotteans live in small-lot subdivisions, townhomes, and apartment complexes, the illegal fireworks are usually set off in close proximity to other homes, trees, and cars.

This was a common sight in most neighborhoods around Charlotte last night;

Happy Fourth

A post shared by Joseph Diepenbrock (@diepyman) on

This Charlotte resident lit off a series of fireworks just inches from a wooden fence;

Happy 4th

A post shared by Brian Ritenour (@jbrclt) on

PSA – if you ever set off fireworks, please make sure that you are not close to any flammable structures, cars, other people, dry wood, or anything else that might be damaged or set on fire by explosions and smoldering embers, and make sure you have a fire extinguisher nearby!

How do you feel about illegal firework displays in Charlotte?

Redevelopment Brings New Life to Charlotte Properties

Michael Fulkerson
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Redevelopment Brings New Life to Charlotte Properties

ATCO Properties located in Charlotte recently purchased 75 acres last year for $13.5 million. The plan is to adaptively reuse the buildings there for office space, a film studio, apartments, hotels, and production plants. Henry Ford used to build Model T’s in one of the plants acquired in the purchase. It was also once used to build missiles. The plan is to install new businesses in over 1.2 million square feet of vacant warehouse. The plan is to be developed in stages.

This plan helps alleviate some of the environmental concerns by reusing spaces that are already zoned for commerce. Preserving the local ecosystems and waterways is crucial. By effectively recycling older businesses, we conserve resources, time, and the precious ecosystems.

Another company in Charlotte, Edifice, relocated to a former airplane hangar. The 1.7 acre lot was purchased in January for $1.4 million. The 20,000 square feet of space took six months to prepare for business. Axiom Architecture designed the exterior, and the interior was designed by Redline Design Group. Dragonfly Studios supplied interior reclaimed-wood details. The address was incorporated in the architecture design along with multi-colored glass. It now staffs about 45 people. The owners chose the building because of the proximity to the older location. The firm is working on another restoration project in north Charlotte, and renovating East Mecklenburg High School.

The idea was to give more space for each employee. There is about 250 square feet per employee. The building also makes use of more open spaces and collaborative meeting rooms.

This trend is becoming popular not just in United States, but around the world.

Australian businesses are also making new use of older spaces. Commercial property investor Fivex refurbished a 19th-century post office in Sydney. The $5 million dollar project is now a mixed development commercial, retail, and residential area. They upgraded the outside and added a built on four story building which includes six luxury apartments. A bank occupies the space, and a hair salon rents the upper floor. They preserved the timber staircase in the adaptive reuse project. Maintaining historic buildings and using them for modern businesses is an example of sustainability in big cities.

Australia has strong winds across the whole coast, and often businesses use cyclonic buildings alongside hangars or warehouses because they are easy to build and take down. Reuse of older spaces is typical of this culture.

Another restoration project is to redevelop a bank building into a restaurant with a retractable roof. The playful mix of modern design with classic buildings inspires architects to be imaginative and resourceful. The team plans on maximizing outdoor seating space by making use of the roof. They plan on adding a second staircase to accommodate more traffic.

In Ireland, a Belfast cinema is set to be redeveloped. The cinema will be incorporated into the new office buildings. Recently The Richland Group built new apartment buildings near the site. They are targeting younger people looking to invest in properties. About 100 construction jobs will be created, and at the end of the project the buildings will employ about 450 workers.

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