Woman Shoots Handgun Into I-77 Traffic

Steve
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Woman Shoots Handgun Into I-77 Traffic

woman-fired-gun-into-i-77-trafficThis past Saturday morning, a woman fired several shots from the median of I-77 near Westinghouse Blvd.

Sasha Turner was driving down the road when he spotted a women in the median of the highway, acting erratic. According to WCNC, Sasha and another ‘good Samaritan’ started waving traffic away from the women to keep her safe.

Suddenly, she pulled out a gun and started shooting.

“She shot at me three times,” Sasha remarked “Knowing she had fired shots at me, into traffic, I really couldn’t believe it.”

Sasha used his cell phone to capture the following video of what happened after the shots were fired:

According to police, no one was injured in the ordeal. The women’s name has not yet been released.

Here’s The Route To Charlotte’s Third and Biggest “Open Streets 704”

Steve
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Here’s The Route To Charlotte’s Third and Biggest “Open Streets 704”

On Sunday, May 7th, the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and Partners for Parks will be closing several city streets around Elizabeth and Plaza Midwood for our city’s third official ‘Open Streets 704‘. 

The first two Open Streets 704 events saw over 25,000 people ditch their cars to walk, ride, skate, and skip down the middle of our city streets.

According to surveys filled out after the event, participants overwhelmingly agreed that Open Streets improved their overall image of Charlotte, and strengthened our community.

Given the growing popularity of the last two Open Streets, this will undoubtedly be the biggest and most active one yet.

open-streets-charlotte-stories
Second Open Streets through Uptown and South End
open streets 704 charlotte stories
First Open Streets 704 in NoDa and Uptown
Open Streets 704 charlotte stories noda
First Open Streets 704 in NoDa and Uptown

For Charlotte’s Third Open Streets, the city will be temporarily closing a winding path from Charlottetown Ave. to Commonwealth Ave. to all motorized vehicles on May 7th, from 1pm – 5pm in the afternoon.

There will be 4 ‘zones’ along the route that will only be accessible to pedestrians and bikers, including:

Family Zone: Fun for the whole family! From bean bag toss to a pop up dog park – be prepared to get active. Activities will include: street soccer, bicycling demonstrations, pet crafts,  life-size jenga, and more.

Green Zone: Be prepared to learn about nature, plant trees in the community, lend a helping hand in the garden, and talk about the wildlife from local nature centers.

Wellness Zone: Work on a fitter/healthier version of you! Cooking demonstrations, yoga classes, Zumba, and healthy heart initiatives will fill this zone with fun.

Arts and Science: Opportunities abound to explore your creative side. Musical performances, artist demonstrations, interactive maker spaces, and dance ensembles of all ages will engage with Open Street 704.

Find out more on the Open Street 704’s Website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Over 100 Rounds Fired In Uptown Charlotte During Alleged Rapper Entourage Shootout

Steve
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Over 100 Rounds Fired In Uptown Charlotte During Alleged Rapper Entourage Shootout

Last night over 100 shots were fired in Uptown Charlotte at around 6:30pm during the final night of the CIAA tournament.

Several buildings and vehicles were hit during the shootout on the 600 block of North Caldwell Street, according to CMPD.

Police have not released any official information, but the biggest theory on social media is that the entourages of rappers Young Dolph and Yo Gotti began shooting at each other:

Many people are also claiming that Young Dolph was shot, but according to the CMPD, no injuries have been confirmed yet.

Witnesses in Uptown Charlotte reported hearing continuous gunfire for at least 5 minutes.

This is a developing story – we will update this article as we receive new information.

SC Mom’s Facebook Post About What She Did With Her Tax Return Is Going Viral

Steve
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SC Mom’s Facebook Post About What She Did With Her Tax Return Is Going Viral

This past week, a single mom from Gaffney, SC wrote a post on Facebook about what she did with her unusually large tax refund this year – the post has now been shared over 140,000 times and has received over 49,000 comments/

Christina Knaack write in her post that she used the money to pre-pay her rent – for the entire year. “I got back $5600 on my taxes. Instead of buying my kids the latest Jordans or fancy electronics I paid my rent for the YEAR.”

single-mom-facebook-post

Out of the tens of thousands of comments, most were either encouraging, praising Christina for providing for her family,

or condemning her, saying she should have used the money for something else, or for posting about it on Facebook.

What do you think about Christina’s now viral post?

Charlotte Sex Trafficking Motel Owners Forced To Pay U.S. Government $175,000

Katherine Miele
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Charlotte Sex Trafficking Motel Owners Forced To Pay U.S. Government $175,000

human trafficking motel in charlotteThe Federal Government has fined the former owners of a Charlotte motel for $175,000 as part of a sex trafficking investigation.

U.S. Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose just announced that a settlement agreement was filed today that involving the sale of a property located at 3300 Queen City Drive in Charlotte, formerly the Red Roof Inn.

The case alleged that the property owners had been repeatedly advised by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police of sex trafficking activities at the motel.  The ownership was told to take specific measures to reduce criminal activity, but the owners did not make any apparent changes to address the criminal activity at the motel, prosecutors said.

As part of the settlement agreement, the new owners are now being required to invest $300,000 for improvements in the property, seek affiliation with a national chain hotel, installing a 24-hour video surveillance system, and refusing any future hourly rentals.

Human trafficking continues to be a major problem in the city of Charlotte, but the FBI in coorporation with the CMPD is increasing its efforts to take down the major rings.

There are also several non-profits in Charlotte that are helping rescue women and transitioning back into society, such as Justice Ministries, and Redeeming Joy.

This recent video produced by The National Geographic gives a raw look at the Human Trafficking problem in Charlotte;

Please share to help build awareness;

Jeld-Wen Building New Multi-Million Dollar Charlotte Facility – Hiring 200 High-Paid Employees

Charlotte Stories
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Jeld-Wen Building New Multi-Million Dollar Charlotte Facility – Hiring 200 High-Paid Employees

Charlotte-based window and door manufacturer Jeld-Wen recently announced plans to build a new multi-million dollar facility in Charlotte and to hire at least 200 new positions, with an average salary of $75,000 each.

The company is a leading designer and producer of energy-efficient doors, windows and related products for homes and commercial buildings.

The major new development in Charlotte is largely thanks to North Carolina’s new Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee. As part of the incentives, the company will be approved to receive up to $2.4 million in reimbursements from the state.

jeld-wen-charlotte

Jeld-Wen’s 200 new hires will include administrative, management, sales, and various other positions. The pay will vary by job function but the company announced that the average salary will be roughly $75,000.

“JELD-WEN is investing in Charlotte because this vibrant city has so much to offer in the way of talent and amenities. We appreciate the support provided through the state Job Development Investment Grant as well as local Charlotte-Mecklenburg support, and we look forward to strengthening our connection with this great community,” remarked Jeld-Wen’s CEO Mark A. Beck.

Charlotte’s New Indoor Skate Park Is About To Open

Steve
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Charlotte’s New Indoor Skate Park Is About To Open
via Facebook
via Facebook

Charlotte’s only permanent indoor skate-park is about to open, filling a huge void for our local skating community (the city’s current indoor skate park temporarily opens each Saturday).

The new endeavor is being co-launched by Phillip Gripper and his friend Brett Coppedge of OSO Boots, long time Charlotte skaters who have been working on the concept for over a year.

The new skate park is now expected to open sometime this coming May in the former Kellogg’s factory building on Louis Ave. in the Belmont Neighborhood (halfway between Uptown and Plaza Midwood).

oso-skate-park-location
via Google Maps

They currently plan on charging $365 for year’s worth of membership ($1 per day if paid monthly – or $300 if paid upfront).

Charlotte’s first indoor skate park will also feature weekly contests and regular community events featuring live music and entertainment. They will also offer private skating lessons and week camps throughout the year.

They have trucked in over 10,000 square feet of decks and ramps from Hickory, NC for the new park:

via Facebook
via Facebook

You can follow the continued progress on Oso Skate Park’s website and facebook.

This North Carolina Billboard Is Infuriating People Across The Country

Charlotte Stories
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This North Carolina Billboard Is Infuriating People Across The Country

angry-billboard-north-carolinaA new billboard message on highway 40 is starting to go viral with its ‘infuriating’ message, according to many on social media.

The message on the billboard reads. “Real men provide. Real women appreciate it.” It appeared last weekend on a heavily-traveled west-bound stretch of Business 40, between Kernersville and Winston-Salem.

angry-billboard-north-carolina-location

The owner of a Winston-Salem women’s boutique called Kleur has now set up a protest rally for the new sign, planned for Sunday at 11 a.m., her event is called “Saying NOPE to this: a protest against what this sign represents, with better signs“.

Her protest is now planned for Merschel Plaza in downtown Winston Salem.

Molly Grace, the owner of Kleur says that she sees the sign as an attempt to silence women who want to be seen as equals to men.

In her new Facebook event she commented, “We are NOT protesting that the sign is capable of existing, or the people who put it up, or the ad agency, or the right to put it up. We are protesting patriarchy and sexism, and that this antiquated way of thinking about women exists at all. We are protesting the implied demand that women be silent and appreciate, regardless of whatever circumstances, their role as non-providers.”

More than 100 people have already signed up to come to the protest.

Not everyone is angry about the billboard, however. One Winston-Salem man told WHNT-TV that he agreed with the message.

“Being a married man myself, I think my wife really appreciates the fact that I can provide for a family and take some of the stress off her.”

The origins of the billboard are now being kept a secret. The sign is owned by Whiteheart Outdoor Advertising. Its owner, Bill Whiteheart, commented that the organization that rented the sign doesn’t want to be named.

What do you think about the new billboard? 

Google Fiber Is Giving Away 750 Free Trees To Charlotte Residents

Charlotte Stories
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Google Fiber Is Giving Away 750 Free Trees To Charlotte Residents

untitled_hdr2Google Fiber has just partnered up with TreesCharlotte (a local nonprofit) to give away 750 trees (6′ to 10′ tall) to local residents in an effort to increase Charlotte’s tree canopy.

The upcoming ‘Free TreeStore’ will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 18th at Charlotte’s landscape management office – 701 Tuckaseegee Rd.

“The goal of TreesCharlotte is to achieve 50 percent tree canopy by 2050, and one of the primary ways we accomplish that is by providing homeowners with free trees to plant on their own property. Charlotte’s tree canopy continues to age, particularly in the city’s oldest neighborhoods, so planting today will help ensure that Charlotte remains the ‘City of Trees.’ ” commented Dave Cable, the executive director of TreesCharlotte in a press release.

Every Charlotte household will be eligible for up to two free trees, selected from an assortment of 20 species, including maple, elm, oak, magnolia, silverbell and dogwood – and recipients will also be allowed to take free training for proper tree maintenance.

More details or eligibility requirements here – http://treescharlotte.org/event/city-wide-treestore-2

Here’s Why You’re Seeing Red Xs All Over Social Media Today

Steve
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Here’s Why You’re Seeing Red Xs All Over Social Media Today

end-it-movement-charlotteYour Facebook feed is about to be overtaken by giant red Xs today. Millions of people, including members of Congress and celebrities, have already changed their profile picture to include the symbol for the End It Movement’s “Shine A Light On Slavery” Day.

The movement is all about raising awareness for modern-day slavery and human trafficking – a movement that’s been running for 5 years now. Two years ago, congress introduced legislation to specifically address the issue, called the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act, citing that “More than 27 million people, many of them women and children, suffer under forced labor and sexual servitude in over 165 countries around the world, including our own,” according to the bill, that figure is higher than at any other time in the world’s history.

Here in Charlotte, several organizations are fighting back, including the Justice Ministries, and Redeeming Joy.

This video produced by The National Geographic gives a raw look at the Human Trafficking problem in Charlotte, and how some women are rescued;

Here are some warning signs and things to watch for:

Some great points from our friends at @ourrescue. It only take a few seconds to read and learn them.

A post shared by Justice Ministries (@justiceministries) on

If you want to help build awareness today, you can go to the End It Movement website, where you’ll find downloadable resources, including red Xs that you can upload to your Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter profiles. You can also mark a red X on your hand, snap a photo, and upload it to all your social media outlets. Today’s official hashtags include #EndSlaveryAct and #EndItMovement.

Social media photo changes certainly aren’t the solution to human trafficking, but the more awareness we can build, the more people will take action to help stop this horrific trend.

Please help spread the word!

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