Repeal Of North Carolina’s HB2 Law Fails After Charlotte Signed Second Repeal Of City Ordinance

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Repeal Of North Carolina’s HB2 Law Fails After Charlotte Signed Second Repeal Of City Ordinance

hb2 north carolinaThe North Carolina Legislature held a special session this morning to vote on the possible repeal of HB2, a controversial law that specified bathroom and locker room usage in public buildings, restricted new local-level non-discrimination ordinances, and restricted minimum wage regulations.

HB2 was originally passed as a counter-measure to the local Charlotte city ordinance which allowed for bathroom usage based on sexual identity and expression, and added LGBT non-discrimination protections for Charlotte.

Since HB2 was passed earlier this year, numerous companies decided not to bring jobs to North Carolina, and at least a dozen major concerts canceled their shows due to the controversial law.

Back in September, several Republican lawmakers offered to support the repeal of HB2, but only if the City of Charlotte would repeal their then unenforceable ordinance.

After Democrat Roy Cooper was voted in as Governor in the beginning of December, the City of Charlotte decided to repeal it’s ordinance, hoping the Republican agreement still stood.

On Monday, they passed a partial repeal, and then this morning, they passed a second, more complete repeal, hours before the NC legislatures were scheduled to meet to discuss a repeal of HB2.

Charlotte leaders stated that their reasoning for repealing the city ordinance was to attempt to persuade the state to repeal HB2:

This morning, the executive director of the North Carolina Republican Party released a statement blasting Democrats in Charlotte, saying they “lied directly to the people.”

The City Council and Cooper “have now seriously harmed HB2 repeal efforts,” the statement reads. “The HB2 blood is now stain soaked on their hands and theirs alone. What a dishonest, disgraceful shame by Roy Cooper and Charlotte Democrats.”

Even after Charlotte repealed its ordinance, the HB2 repeal measure failed in the Senate, and the special session of the House adjourned without repealing the bill.

What do you think about Charlotte’s non-discrimination ordinance and North Carolina’s HB2?

4 Panther Players Have Just Been Selected For The 2017 Pro Bowl

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4 Panther Players Have Just Been Selected For The 2017 Pro Bowl

panthers-make-2017-pro-bowlThe Carolina Panthers may not have had the best season this year, but that doesn’t mean we still don’t have some of the best players in the NFL.

The selections for the 2017 Pro Bowl have just been made and 4 Panthers have been chosen. This year’s Panther selections are Tight end Greg Olsen, linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davisand, and fullback Mike Tolbert

With 88 total players selected out of 32 total NFL teams, have 4 players selected is certainly above average.

This is now Greg Olsen’s third straight Pro Bowl selection. He currently leads the NFL with 992 receiving yards and is just eight yards away from becoming the first tight end in NFL history to record three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He leads the Panthers with 71 receptions – his fourth straight year with 70-plus catches – plus he’s already scored three touchdowns this season.

Even though he missed the last four games, Kuechly is still leading the Panthers in tackles, with a total of 102. He’s also recorded two sacks, an interception, six passes defensed and a forced fumble. This is now his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection.

Thomas Davis is a Pro Bowler for the second straight year. He is second on the team with 92 tackles to go along with 2.5 sacks and three interceptions.

This is now Tolbert’s third-straight Pro Bowl nomination.

Even though we had 4 selections, coach Rivera was hoping for even more, “I wish our record was better because I know a few more of our guys who be under consideration. Guys like Kurt Coleman and K.K. (Short) most certainly would be in that conversation, and Trai (Turner) and Andrew Norwell. We’ve had a number of guys that have had tremendous seasons that deserve recognition,” the Pather’s coach commented in a press release.

The 2017 Pro Bowl will be played in Orlando at Camping World Stadium on January 29 at 8:00 PM, and will be aired on ESPN.

Lincolnton’s Bosch Tool Corp. Facility Just Announced $13.3 Million Upgrade and New Jobs

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Lincolnton’s Bosch Tool Corp. Facility Just Announced $13.3 Million Upgrade and New Jobs

bosch-lincolnton-expansionAccording to a recent press release, Bosch is about to invest at least $13.3 million into their production facility in Lincolnton, NC. The investment will be mostly used for upgrading equipement, adding new product lines, and hiring at least 50 new employees.

“Increasing our Lincolnton capabilities is an exciting opportunity. It shows the company’s confidence in our capabilities and associates to support this business,” commented David Lee, director of packaging at the Lincolnton facility.

A major factor of the new investment was North Carolina’s Rural Infrastructure Authority grant in the amount of $250,000 will go directly toward renovations at the Bosch factory.

There are currently 21 jobs listed on their website for the Lincolnton location, the additional 50 will be slowly added over the next 12 months.

Bosch’s US corporate headquarters is in Farmington Hills, MI, last year the company saw a total global revenue of $73,653,690,000.

JJ Red Hots and The Rhino Market Are Moving Into Uptown Charlotte

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JJ Red Hots and The Rhino Market Are Moving Into Uptown Charlotte

JJ’s Red Hots just announced they will be opening their third Charlotte location in the heart of Uptown.

Their new 1,500 sq ft location at 400 South Tryon Street sits directly across from Romare Bearden Park and will also feature the Rhino Market’s first Uptown Charlotte location:

jj-red-hots-uptown


Currently JJ Red Hots has locations in Dilworth, Ballantyne, and on random street corners (food truck).

Their newest location at 400 S. Tryon is currently undergoing major renovation, completely gutting the interior to make room for several new tenants, including JJ Red Hots, The Rhino Market, a new farm-to-table restaurant called ‘B.Good’, and several others. The new restaurants are now expected to be open by the summer of 2017, according to a press release by Trinity Capital Advisors.

Bojangles Is About To Launch A Brand New Restaurant Concept

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Bojangles Is About To Launch A Brand New Restaurant Concept

bojangles-biscuit-factoryThe Charlotte-based Bojangles franchise has just announced plans to introduce a completely new restaurant concept for their stores which will include a new design, new features, and a new customer experience.

The renowned San Francisco-based brand strategy firm Tesser, helped Bojangles’ with their new overhaul. The first change will include old graphics celebrate the brand’s heritage: “Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits” and “Made from Scratch Since 1977.” They’ll be softening their lighting and landscaped planters alongside the building and in the drive-thru lane give the restaurant a warmer, more welcoming feel.

They’ll also be changing up their interior, including a new “Biscuit Theater” where guests  can witness biscuits being made fresh every 20 minutes by a Bojangles’ ‘Master Biscuit Maker’.

The new restaurants will also features Wi-Fi, multi-device charging stations, unique high-top community tables, and a variety of interesting seating options to accommodate different-sized groups. New uniforms for all Bojangles’ team members will complete the updated look.

Construction has already begun on the first 3 new pilot restaurants in Charlotte, including one at Billy Graham Parkway near Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, one on South Tryon Street near Arrowood Road and one on Steele Creek Road near Interstate 485 in southwest Charlotte.

 

New South Carolina Bill Will Outlaw Porn On New Computers

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New South Carolina Bill Will Outlaw Porn On New Computers

south-carolina-bill-that-would-limit-pornA newly proposed South Carolina bill is now stirring controversy across the state.

The bill would essentially limit South Carolinian’s ability to access porn on a new computer (unless a fee is paid to have the restrictions removed for each computer).

South Carolina State Representative Bill Chumley pre-filed a bill this month that would require sellers to install digital blocking capabilities on computers and other devices that access the internet to prevent the viewing of pornographic material.

It would also limit access to any online hub that facilities prostitution and would require manufacturers or sellers to block any websites that facilitate human trafficking related activities.

Both sellers and buyers would be able to pay a fee to get around the limitation. The bill would fine manufacturers that sell a device without the blocking system, but they could opt out by paying $20 per device sold. Buyers could also verify their age and pay $20 to remove the filter.

All of the fees collected would go toward the South Carolina Attorney General Office’s human trafficking task force.

Chumley’s bill is now moving on to the House Judiciary Committee.

What do you think about the new bill?

$5.3 Million Renovation Just Started On Concord’s Most Historic Building

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$5.3 Million Renovation Just Started On Concord’s Most Historic Building

hotelconcord-renovationsCrews in Concords just started a massive new $5.3 million renovation project on one of the most historic buildings in town.

The new project includes a total renovation of the old Hotel Concord, the First Charter Bank building, as well as the Concord Telephone Exchange Company properties.

Since being built in the early 1900s, most sections of the building have fallen into disrepair – the only areas of Hotel Concord that are currently in use are some flex-event spaces in the lobby, kitchen, ballroom, and parts of the basement.

hotel-concord-renovations

The new renovations will include: 

• 38 market rate loft apartments on the four upper floors of the hotel and three retail spaces at the ground floor.

• A major face-lift of the historic ballroom – to be reopened as a flexible event space.

• The old bank’s corner lobby will be transformed into an upscale grocery.

• The Concord Telephone Exchange Company properties will be turned into 2 apartments and two flexible commercial/retail spaces.

Crews just began working on the massive project this week and now have a scheduled completion date for the end of 2017.

The Hotel Concord ballroom still has one last event scheduled for New Year’s Eve before it will be shut down for renovations for nearly a year.

Charlotte-Based Manufacturer Issues Giving Challenge To Help Families in Need

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Charlotte-Based Manufacturer Issues Giving Challenge To Help Families in Need

Teguar Computers, a medical and industrial computer manufacturer in Charlotte, has just issued a charity challenge to the city of Charlotte.

They just announced that they will be matching up to $10,000 of donations given to the Charlotte-based nonprofit ‘HopeMatch’:

HopeMatch provides personalized Christmas gifts and encouragement to families in need each holiday season.

15542086_1307107719336142_9207788759343713576_nUntil December 23rd, 2016 Teguar Computers will match financial donations made to HopeMatch up to $10,000.

Teguar has a history of community service locally as well as globally. In 2015 the entire company took a day off work to build houses with a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity and for years Teguar owners Jonathan and Corinne Staub have supported anti-sextrafficking non-profit, GlobalAct based in Israel. [Jonathan] Staub, a Swiss national and helicopter pilot, also supports HeliMission, a Swiss non-profit whose goal is to serve individuals in remote areas around the world by providing them with social, medical and spiritual aid.

When asked why they’re issuing this year’s HopeMatch challenge, [Jonathan] Staub answered, “It’s important, to give to the community. HopeMatch is an amazing local charity that helps families to not only have a Christmas, but also Hope. And what’s more important than that?”

Staub goes on to say, “If you are a business owner, you are already so fortunate. For so many, owning a business is just a dream. As business owners we should share our good fortune by supporting our community. Remember, it’s always better to give than to receive.”

For more information about HopeMatch and to donate visit: www.hopematch.org

The Panthers Still Have A Chance To Make It To Superbowl 51 – Here’s How

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The Panthers Still Have A Chance To Make It To Superbowl 51 – Here’s How

panthers-going-to-superbowl-51Last night’s 26-15 victory against the Washington Redskins kept the Panther’s playoff and Superbowl hopes alive!

Now all the Panthers have to do is win the rest of their games…

…and have Tampa Bay (8-6) and Green Bay (8-6) lose their next two games, The Vikings (7-7) win their next game, and lose the game after that, The Saints (6-8) win their next game, and lose the game after that, and the Redskins (7-6-1) win one of their next two games…

…and tie the other one…

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That would all result in four teams – the Panthers, Packers, Buccaneers and Vikings – being tied at 8-8. Current NFL tie-breaking procedures, which involve eliminating all but the top team in the division first, would then give the playoff edge to the Panthers.

Continued victories in the post-season would then lead the Panthers to Superbowl 51.

Going from an almost undefeated season last year to a losing season this year, a Superbowl win for the Panthers would certainly go down as one of the most historic comeback stories in NFL history!

Superbowl 51, here we come!

This York County Restaurant Will Serve Free Food And Love On Christmas Day

Charlotte Stories
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This York County Restaurant Will Serve Free Food And Love On Christmas Day

1914010_10153389697152794_8780614987408802454_nOn Christmas Day, when most other restaurants will be closed, the Patti-O Grill in York County will not only be open, they’ll be giving away free food, presents, and a lot of love.

They’ve been giving out meals to the community on Christmas for the past 10 years, and they are now expecting this year to be their biggest one yet. Organizers are expecting to give out at least 200 meals this year.

The owner of Patti-O Grill, Patti Imler has been asking for help with donations and volunteers via Facebook for the Christmas day festivities;

The restaurant will provide free meals and love to anyone who might be alone on Christmas.

“If someone has lost a spouse, and the holiday is a lonesome lonely time, we want that person to come here and share in the joy that is Christmas,” Imler commented. “There are people in our community who are in need. They might be in need of a hot meal, or presents for kids, or even just company and love. We give them all of it.”

Patti-O Grill’s doors will open around noon on Christmas day and will remain open until the evening after everyone’s been served a warm plate and a lot of love.

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