68-Year-Old Rock Hill Man About To Cycle Across The Country To Meet Clint Eastwood

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68-Year-Old Rock Hill Man About To Cycle Across The Country To Meet Clint Eastwood

Rock Hill native Paul Neal is oiling up his bike and packing his bags for his second 3,000 mile cycle trip in 50 years. He took his first cross-country ride in 1967 when he was just 18 years old – one of the highlights of his trip was meeting Clint Eastwood in Mexico.

According to the Observer, Paul will be leaving the Holiday Inn tomorrow morning, with a goal of riding at least 100 miles per day.

His goal is to arrive in Southern California just 38 days from now – the same time it took him when he was 18.

Paul said he rode at night for most of the first trip to avoid the heat, with two flashlights duct-taped to his handlebars.

One of his most interesting stories of the trip was meeting Clint Eastwood in New Mexico. Eastwood was making the movie “Hang ‘Em High”, and when he heard of the boy who had rode across the country, he couldn’t resist snapping a picture with him.

via PAUL NEAL
via PAUL NEAL

Paul says he hopes to see Eastwood (now 87 years old) again on the West Coast.

His friends think he’s crazy, saying he picked the worst time of the year – in the middle of the summer and into the westward prevailing winds.

You can read more about Paul’s journey on the Observer’s article here.

Regal Theaters in Charlotte Will Be Offering Movies For $1 This Summer

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Regal Theaters in Charlotte Will Be Offering Movies For $1 This Summer

summer-movie-expressRegal Theaters has just announced their new “Summer Movie Express” special – offering family friendly movies all summer long for just $1 per person. A portion of the $1 admission will be donated to the Will Rogers Institute.

Some of the featured films include; “Storks”, “The Lego Batman Movie”, “Kung Fu Panda 3,” “Ice Age: Collision Course,” “Monster Trucks” and “Rio 2.”

Participating Charlotte theaters include, Regal Phillips Place Stadium 10, Regal Stonecrest at Piper Glen Stadium, Regal Franklin Square Stadium 14 (Gastonia), Regal Starlight Stadium 14, Regal Manchester Stadium 14 (Rock Hill, S.C.) and Regal Birkdale Stadium 16 (Huntersville).

The specials will be every Tuesday and Wednesdays throughout the summer, starting at 10am. Here is the full schedule for Regal’s “Summer Movie Express”:

Week 1 – Tue. Jun 13 to Wed. Jun 14
Kung Fu Panda 3
Ice Age: Collision Course

Week 2 – Tue. Jun 20 to Wed. Jun 21
Trolls
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

Week 3 – Tue. Jun 27 to Wed. Jun 28
Monster Trucks
Penguins of Madagascar

Week 4 – Tue. Jul 4 to Wed. Jul 5
Rio 2
The Boxtrolls

Week 5 – Tue. Jul 11 to Wed. Jul 12
The Secret Life of Pets
Sing

Week 6 – Tue. Jul 18 to Wed. Jul 19
Kubo and the Two Strings
Ratchet and Clank

Week 7 – Tue. Jul 25 to Wed. Jul 26
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of WaterThe Adventures of Tintin

Week 8 – Tue. Aug 1 to Wed. Aug 2

Gaston County Might Soon Build A New Bridge To Charlotte

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Gaston County Might Soon Build A New Bridge To Charlotte

new-bridge-to-gaston-countyWith a steady stream of new subdivisions being built all around Gaston County, and Charlotte’s massive new River District in the works, developers are now pushing harder than ever for a new bridge across the Catawba river.

Currently, there are only really two main roads that connect Charlotte with Gaston County – I-85 and 74 (Wilkinson Blvd.), which will usually both become backed up for miles during rush hour.

One of the proposed routes of the Catawba Crossing would join West Blvd. (just below the airport) with Gaston County, and would include 2 bridges and an eventual highway as it winds through southern Gaston County to connect back up with I-85.

The first section of the new Catawba Crossing would “extend from South New Hope Road, crossing the South Fork River and South Point Peninsula, and then the Catawba River, downriver from the Interstate 85 crossing, to Mecklenburg County and into what will be developed into River District,” says Mark Cramer, executive director of Belmont-based Greater Gaston Development Corp.

new-bridge-over-the-catawba-crossing

According to the Gaston Cleveland Lincoln Metropolitan Planning Organization, the total population of Gaston County grew by 3.2% between April 2010 and July 2015 (now estimated to be at 212,636 residents). The N.C. Office of State Budget and Management now expects that number to increase to 9.1% between 2020 and 2030.

The N.C. Department of Transportation currently estimates the Catawba Crossing’s initial cost at $199 million. It was proposed in 2015, but failed to reach high enough on the state’s priority list.

The Gaston Cleveland Lincoln MPO is now leading an effort to restructure the proposal and re-submit it at the regional or statewide tier rather than the division level this coming Summer.

What are your thoughts about the new bridge? 

The Cuban National Baseball Team Is Coming To Charlotte To Face Off Against Team USA

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The Cuban National Baseball Team Is Coming To Charlotte To Face Off Against Team USA

bb&t uptown charlotte ballparkUSA Baseball recently announced a new international game between the Cuban National Team and Team USA. Charlotte has been selected as the host city of the game, which will take place next month on the 4th of July.

The exciting day in Uptown Charlotte will also feature the 41st Annual WBT SkyShow, which includes the largest fireworks show in the Southeast. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. and first pitch of the game is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at BB&T Ballpark.

“We are ecstatic to host the Cuban National Team for the sixth annual international friendship series in 2017,” said Paul Seiler, Executive Director and CEO of USA Baseball. “Bringing in this level of opponent is special and fans can expect an incredibly high-caliber, hard-played series between two international baseball powers.”

The game will also include a SkyShow Street Party on Mint Street. Live music, games, prizes, and a one-of-a-kind fireworks show headline the annual event.

For tickets or more information about the game click here.

No-Swim Advisory Issued For Lake Norman After 395 Gallons Of Raw Sewage Spilled Into Cove

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No-Swim Advisory Issued For Lake Norman After 395 Gallons Of Raw Sewage Spilled Into Cove

According to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Storm Water Services, a no-swim advisory has just been issued for parts of Lake Norman after 395 gallons of raw sewage spilled into the lake.

On Thursday afternoon, a contractor busted an underground sewer line, causing nearly 400 gallons to spill into a nearby Lake Norman cove. The spill occurred at a new home being built at 20220 Bethel Church Road in Cornelius:

lake-norman-sewage-spill

An emergency crew at Storm Water Services collected water samples yesterday, but they said that the results won’t be available until Monday.

A no swimming advisory is now in effect until water samples show that bacteria levels within the cove have returned to safe levels.

UPDATE 6/5/2017 10:35am: The “no swimming” advisory has now been lifted. “Water samples collected in the area of the spill by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services’ staff reveal that bacteria counts are within safe limits, therefore the swimming advisory has been lifted,” according to county officials.

North Carolina Just Approved A New Bill To Allow Alcohol Sales Before Noon on Sundays

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North Carolina Just Approved A New Bill To Allow Alcohol Sales Before Noon on Sundays

drink-in-handThe North Carolina Senate has just passed ‘Senate Bill 155‘, which effectively allows the sale of beer, wine, and liquor before noon on Sundays (which has always been illegal in our state). Local counties and cities will still have the ability to decide if they want to allow alcohol sales starting at 10am instead of 12pm on Sunday mornings.

The vote was passed 32 – 13 with 5 senators absent, here is how every NC senator voted:

Democrat Republican
Voted Yes: Senator(s): Blue; Bryant; Chaudhuri; Clark; Foushee; J. Jackson; McKissick; Smith-Ingram; Waddell; Woodard Senator(s): Alexander; Barefoot; Barringer; Berger; Bishop; Britt; Brown; Curtis; Dunn; Edwards; Gunn; Harrington; B. Jackson; Lee; McInnis; Newton; Rabin; Rabon; Tarte; Tillman; Wade; Wells
Voted No Senator(s): D. Davis Senator(s): Brock; Cook; Daniel; J. Davis; Hise; Horner; Krawiec; Meredith; Pate; Randleman; Sanderson; Tucker
Absence: Senator(s): Ford; Lowe; Robinson; Van Duyn Senator(s): Ballard

The new bill also includes several other sections which essentially ease restrictions on North Carolina’s craft distillery industry.

Senate Bill 155 would allow companies to sell five bottles of their product a year on site to customers who tour their facilities and permit liquor tastings at off-site events by distillery employees or supplier or broker representatives with a $200 permit. It would also allow auctioneers to auction off high-end wine and liquor with a $750 permit per event.

Dr. Mark Creech with the Christian Action League of North Carolina has strongly spoken out against the bill, “The reason the current law has existed for many years – prohibiting alcohol sales until after the noon hour – has largely been out of deference and respect for churches. SB 155 begs the question: Where is this respect now? Why is this respect now being withdrawn?…Can’t we wait until the preacher ends the benediction before we belly-back-up to the bar?”

The bill now goes to the NC House for approval, it would then move on to the Governor’s desk for his final signature.

What are your thoughts on the new bill? Do you think alcohol sales should be allowed before noon on Sundays?

17-Year-Old Girl Went Missing This Week In Pineville, NC

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17-Year-Old Girl Went Missing This Week In Pineville, NC

18882141_10210470613495051_393600316860736922_nA 17-year-old teenager from Charlotte went missing earlier this week.

Catie Alford was last seen at Pineville’s Carolina Place Mall on Monday, May 29th, wearing a gray crop-top and blue jeans. According to her mom, Jamie Alford, Catie doesn’t have her cell phone, her medication, or any other personal belongings.

Jamie pleaded on Facebook for prayers and for everyone to share Catie’s information:

“Prayers please. Our daughter Catie is missing. Last seen Carolina Place Mall and possibly Foxcroft swim club. She disappeared on Monday and we can’t find her. I am trying to circulate her picture. If anyone sees her please call 911 immediately.

We love you Catie. Please come home.”

Catie is 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs about 117 lbs, and has blond hair and blue eyes.

If you have any information about Catie’s whereabouts, please call 911.

UPDATE 10:15am 6/3/2017: Catie’s mother said that she has been located and is now safe! Thank you everyone for your prayers and for sharing!

Police Looking For NC Daredevils Who Recorded Themselves Jumping The Mill Pond Bridge (Video)

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Police Looking For NC Daredevils Who Recorded Themselves Jumping The Mill Pond Bridge (Video)

A new video has surfaced of several daredevils jumping a collapsed section of the Mill Pond Bridge in Caldwell County.

North Carolina Highway Patrol are now looking for rider who can be seen jumping the 60-foot gap in this video:

According to WSOC, the bridge originally collapsed in the middle May after several pylons rotted from old age.

NCDOT have stated that it will take about 8 months to repair the old bridge.

In the meantime, they’ve decided to install concrete blocks in order to stop any further daredevils from trying to jump the bridge:

If the daredevils are found, they would be charged with operating motorbikes on a closed road, a misdemeanor that typically carries a steep fine.

This Young Fort Mill Family Is Bringing Joy To Children Living In Slums Around The World

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This Young Fort Mill Family Is Bringing Joy To Children Living In Slums Around The World

luke and britteny stasi slum soccerThe Stasis might seem like your typical Charlotte family – living in the suburbs of Fort Mill, playing sports with their kids, listening to concerts in NoDa, going on the occasional dinner date on Montford – but what really sets them apart is their love for kids. Luke and Brittney have 5 incredible children of their own, they host a weekly young adult and teen gathering at their house (which often exceeds 50 people), and over the past few years, they’ve taken trips to some of the poorest areas of Africa to help out any way they can.

When Luke showed a video of his Kenya trip to his kids, they immediately started asking why the Kenyan children don’t have real toys, and why they were playing soccer with a ball of garbage instead of a soccer ball.

These questions sparked the idea for Slum Soccer;

You can check out Brittney’s blog for more information about Slum Soccer, or if you would like to make a donation to their campaign.

Please share;

Car Catches On Fire Near Gas Station in Mooresville (Video)

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Car Catches On Fire Near Gas Station in Mooresville (Video)

Less than one week after 3 cars burst into flames in a Huntersville shopping plaza, another car burst into flames this afternoon in Mooresville.

At around 1pm, the car’s engine caught on fire next to the Shell Gas Station at the corner of Brawley School Road and Williamson Road.

car-on-fire-in-mooresville

The Mooresville Fire and Rescue were quick to respond the fire and used chemical extinguishers to put out the flames.

Local resident Adam Killmeyer took this video on his cell phone of the fire:

Thankfully the fire was put out before it was able to spread to the nearby gas station.

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