Case To Stop The I-77 Toll Roads Will Be Heard By The NC Court of Appeals Today

Charlotte Stories
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Case To Stop The I-77 Toll Roads Will Be Heard By The NC Court of Appeals Today

toll lanes stoppedAdvocates with the Widen I-77 group will be presenting their case before The NC Court of Appeals this afternoon in hopes of stopping the I-77 toll road project.

As congestion builds and accidents along the construction areas increase, so does the backlash against the tolls. Many people now feel like today’s case has a good chance of stopping the project for good.

Widen I-77 will be arguing that NCDOT’s transfer of power to I-77 Mobility Partners is unconstitutional. You can read the entire court document here.

“North Carolina law requires a public project to primarily serve the public interest and what we are arguing is 50 years of private tolls, where a private company profits off of public misery, does not serve the public interest,” Kurt Naas, of Widen I-77, said.

The toll lanes have now been under construction for over a year. If they are completed, they will stretch from uptown Charlotte to Mooresville for 26 miles, offering drivers the option to pay a fee to drive in less-congested lanes.

How do you feel about the I-77 toll lanes? 

A New Movie Is Being Filmed In Charlotte And Is Now Asking For More Extras

Steve
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A New Movie Is Being Filmed In Charlotte And Is Now Asking For More Extras

A new movie is about to be filmed in Charlotte and the director is now looking for Charlotte area residents to be extras. The new feature film is called “American Animals,” staring Evan Peters, Whitney Goin, and Abigail Dolan. It will be filmed almost entirely in Charlotte from February through March.

“Variety” has reported that “American Animals” will be an “unbelievable but mostly true story” of four young men who mistook their lives for a movie and attempted one of the most audacious heists in U.S. history.

Casting directors for the film are now searching for paid extras of all ages groups and types for the new film.

According to the casting call on Facebook, “the upcoming heist film based on true story, will star actor Evan Peters. Peters is acclaimed for his starring role as the character Quicksilver in X-MEN: APOCALYPSE and X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. He has also received critical attention for his recurring lead character across all six seasons of multi-award winning hit television series American Horror Story.”

    • If you’d like to be considered for the film, the director is asking for the following information:

      • Two current photos (one full length and one close-up, can be taken with your cell phone). The photo should show your current hair color, style and hair length as well as any facial hair you may have.
      • Name (parent’s name should be included on submissions for minors)
      • Age
      • Cell phone number
      • Height/weight
      • Complete clothing sizes: Men should include jacket, dress shirt, neck and sleeve, casual shirt (T-shirt or polo), pants (waist and inseam) and shoe. Women should include measurements for chest/waist/hips, dress size, shirt, pants and shoe.
      • If you have any visible tattoos or piercings
      • Vehicle info (color/make/year/model)
      • City and state you reside

      You can send all the above information to charlotteextras@gmail.com with the subject line being your race, gender, age and city/state you reside. (Example: Hispanic male, 40, Charlotte, N.C.)

You can keep up with all of the film’s casting needs on the Tona B. Dahlquist Casting Facebook page.

Please help spread the word!

Social Media Rumors of Immigration Checkpoints Around Charlotte Are False

Charlotte Stories
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Social Media Rumors of Immigration Checkpoints Around Charlotte Are False

Starting early this morning, several pictures have been circulating on social media claiming that I.C.E. officers (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) set up checkpoints around Charlotte and that they have been actively deporting people out of Charlotte.

The posts claimed that checkpoints were set up on Central Avenue, Albermarle Road, and Kilborne Drive. Throughout the day, rumors began circulating that random stops and arrests were being made by ICE agents and other local agencies, including CMPD and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.

At around 10am this morning, this picture was uploaded to Facebook with a caption that read, “…This is to inform your friends or family that don’t have their papers in order…”, it’s now been shared over 1,400 times:

ice-checkpoints-in-charlotte

 

This afternoon, another misleading post, which states, “CMPD is definitely involved in the ICE operations. I thought that only the Sheriff’s department were involved, but this photo confirms that our police department, which is not a signatory to 287g, is actively involved in rounding up los inmigrantes,” was posted and has now already been shared over 146 times.

The picture is actually showing an officer assisting a DMV officer with a traffic stop:

About an hour later, he posted this on Twitter:

According to WCCB, no such checkpoint have been set up, nor is there any increased activity by ICE in our city. “Every day, as part of routine targeted enforcement operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Fugitive Operations teams arrest criminal aliens and other individuals who are in violation of our nation’s immigration laws,” says Bryan Cox, Southern Region Communications Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “ICE conducts targeted immigration enforcement in compliance with federal law and agency policy. ICE does not conduct sweeps or raids that target aliens indiscriminately.”

Please help spread the word.

18-Month-Old Just Passed Away After Tragic Accident on Lake Norman

Steve
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18-Month-Old Just Passed Away After Tragic Accident on Lake Norman

This past weekend, an 18-month-old was injured in an accidental near-drowning on Lake Norman.

At around 2:30pm on Saturday afternoon EMS responded to a call for help from Forest Cove Lane in Mooresville. Officials have not yet released any details of the incident itself.

Yesterday the family announced the unthinkable on their campaign:

“It is with heavy hearts we let you know that Rory has passed. Please continue to keep your family in your thoughts and prayers and respect their privacy during this time.”

Please pray for Rory’s family during this tragic time.

If you’d like to support the family financially, you can give to Rory’s fundraising campaign here.

Massive New $330 Million Development Coming to Dilworth

Steve
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Massive New $330 Million Development Coming to Dilworth

new-dilworth-developmentA developer out of Boston, Fallon Co., recently announced plans to build a new $330 million mixed-use project in Dilworth, just outside of Uptown Charlotte.

The current plans call for 20 townhouses, 57,000 sq. ft. of retail, a 330,000 sq. ft. of office space, a 180-room hotel, and 725 mixed-income apartments (145 will be low income).

It will be built at the corner of Rensselaer Ave. and South Blvd. around the senior community of Strawn Tower (which will remain in place) at 1225 South Caldwell Street:

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Construction is now set to start on phase 1 of the project later this year, which will include 160 of the apartments and the hotel.

What do you think about the new development? 

Stolen National Guard Humvee Chase Ends in Police Shootout

Steve
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Stolen National Guard Humvee Chase Ends in Police Shootout

brittain-stolen-humveeA police shootout just took place in Lincolnton NC after a man stole a Humvee from the National Guard Armory and led police on a multi-car chase, according to WSOC.

This morning police released the man’s identity as 32-year-old Brian Samuel Brittain.

Local officers first spotted the military vehicle driving erratically with no lights on at 4:30 a.m.

Police Chief Rodney Jordan said the driver refused to stop for officers and a chase started down East Main Street.

After backup was called, the erratic driver backed-up into the pursuing officer’s car, at which point, the officer fired at least one shot at Brittain. He then quickly drove away from the scene.

Brittain abandoned the Humvee and got into another vehicle. The owner of the second vehicle Brittain stole told police that Brittain had been shot.

Minutes later he was finally apprehended, then airlifted to a hospital in Charlotte.

Police have now confirmed the Military Humvee was stolen from the National Guard armory on N. Aspen Street in Lincolnton, NC.

Staff Sergeant Matthew Craig commented that Brittain broke in through the front window, walked through the building, then went to the parking lot to steal the military vehicle.

Brittain now faces multiple charges of felony breaking and entering, felony larceny of a vehicle, felony fleeing to elude, felony assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, and felony possession of stolen goods, among other pending charges.

Tech CEO and Non-Profit Executive Launching Charlotte’s First Upscale Co-Working Space

Steve
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Tech CEO and Non-Profit Executive Launching Charlotte’s First Upscale Co-Working Space

Coworking is a fairly new concept in the Queen City. The idea of 60-70 different entrepreneurs and local businesses working alongside one another in a collaborative workspace runs counter to Charlotte’s traditional banking office culture. Yet this is exactly what The Launch Factory founders, Philip Wegner and Dave Hickman set out to build.

Charlotte is now home to 8-10 coworking spaces (depending on your definition of a “coworking space”), but Wegner and Hickman hope to set themselves apart by offering their members a step up from traditional co-working spaces.

Their new space, called The Launch Factory, blends the swank of an Miami Beach Hotel, the charm of a New York Art Gallery, and the technology and “hustle” of a Silicon Valley start-up company for a truly luxurious and inspiring space.

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The idea first started in 2016 when Wegner (CEO of local tech startup “SecurEdge Networks”) and Hickman (longtime non-profit executive) teamed up to bring a unique experience to Charlotte entrepreneurs. After a seven-million-dollar redevelopment effort to the historic General Dyestuff Building (built in 1939), the two long-time friends are excited for the public to finally experience the history and unique personality of the space.

“We preserved as much of the building’s history and natural elegance as possible during the renovation process,” Wegner said pointing to the original pine ceilings, exposed brick walls, and original metal doors. “We hope the architecture and unique charm of the space will encourage and inspire our members.”

charlotte-launch-factory-coworking-space

“The genius behind coworking is the simple idea that human beings are better and more productive together than apart,” commented Hickman. “Here at The Launch Factory, we are committed to ensuring that every member has the resources he or she needs to get from where they are, to where they want to be.”

launch-factory-coworking

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While The Launch Factory is designed to be Charlotte’s first upscale co-working space, they also offer competitive pricing for brand-new startups, all they way up to established companies with multiple employees.

They currently offer 3 major options (including full access to free coffee from local roasters, private booths for phone calls or brainstorming sessions, conference rooms, AV equipment, a large presentation screen, SONOS sound system, and gigabit Wi-Fi w/ SecurEdge):

Lauch Pad (50 total)
“Coworking Membership”
$200/m (1 Month Lease)

Launch Station (36 total)
“Dedicated Desk”
$350/m (3 Month Lease)

Dedicated Office (4 total)
**Glass Front offices, each named after a successful American space mission (Enterprise, Apollo, Endeavor, Discovery)
$1450 – $2100/m (6 Month Lease)

charlotte-coworking

charlotte-launch-factory-coworking

The Launch Factory will be hosting a free ribbon-cutting ceremony, open to the public, this coming Thursday, including complimentary Mac’s Speed Shop BBQ, Triple C Craft Beer, and DJ Smitty spinning some tunes.

The Launch Factory Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony:
Thursday, February 9th
5:30pm – 7:00pm
General Dyestuff Building
2459 Wilkinson Blvd., STE 220, Charlotte, NC 28208

For more info about The Lauch Factory, or this week’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, visit TheLaunchFactory.com

The Most Exciting Moment For Panther Fans During Superbowl 51

Steve
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The Most Exciting Moment For Panther Fans During Superbowl 51

cam-newton-new-super-bowl-commercialFor any die-hard Panther fan, last night’s Super Bowl match-up couldn’t have been worse. Two of our biggest rivals facing off on the biggest stage. Personally, I was rooting for a tie.

In the first quarter, however, Panther fans did have a reason to cheer.

Cam Newton was briefly spotted playing some football with “The Sharks”, a pee-wee football team where Cam clearly had the advantage.

Our lovable QB starred alongside 33-year-old supermodel Miranda Kerr in a commercial for Buick.

The duo filmed the ad last month at the Los Angeles Zoo. Miranda rocked an electric blue off-the-shoulder pencil dress and Cam suited up in an all-blue ‘Sharks’ uniform.

Watch the commercial again here:

Here’s the official “behind the scenes” video of the commercial in an interview from Cam:

What do you think about the commercial?

Dollar General About To Hire Over 500 New Jobs In North Carolina

Charlotte Stories
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Dollar General About To Hire Over 500 New Jobs In North Carolina

dollar-general-hiringDollar General recently announced plans for a major hiring boost, creating at lear 500 new jobs throughout our state, with at least 50 right here in the Charlotte area by the end of 2017.

The company held a press conference this past Friday to make the announcement. “Dollar General looks forward to welcoming new employees who want to grow with us as we expand throughout the states we serve,” commented Dollar General’s CEO Todd Vasos.

In addition to the new jobs, the Dollar General is also planning on investing over 1.5 million training hours into employees to promote education and career development in 2017.

New positions will range from sales associates to managerial positions you can browse and apply for all open positions at  at dollargeneral.com/careers

Patriots Mount Largest Comeback and First Overtime Win In Super Bowl History

Steve
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Patriots Mount Largest Comeback and First Overtime Win In Super Bowl History

tom-brady-superbowl-51-winThe New England Patriots now stand alone. The largest comeback in Superbowl history gave Tom Brady more rings than any other quarterback and Bill Belichick more than any other coach.

Last night’s game will also go down in the history books as the first Super Bowl game to ever go into overtime. It was also the most improbable of the Patriots’ five world championship wins. Brady finished the first half with a passer rating of just 66.8 (compared to Matt Ryan’s nearly perfect 158.3 rating).

He then turned into a completely different leader in the fourth quarter, carving up a gassed Falcons’ defense all around the field. After coming back from a 28-3 deficit, he led the team to Super Bowl’s first overtime.

The Patriots won the coin toss for overtime and it was no contest. Brady completed six passes. A pass interference call took the ball to the 2, and White scooted to his right and barely over the goal line.

“We all brought each other back,” Brady commented after the game. “We never felt out of it. It was a tough battle. They have a great team. I give them a lot of credit. We just made a few more plays than them.”

Here’s a replay of one of the best drives of the game:

What did you think about the game?

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