According to the US Department of Justice, Gill Parker Payne, 37 of Gastonia, NC, was recently arrested on a SouthWest airline flight for ripping off a Muslim woman’s head covering (hijab) while yelling, “Take it off! This is America!” The women felt violated and quickly grabbed the hijab back to cover her head.
Payne just pled guilty this past Friday to obstructing a person’s right to exercise religious freedom. He will serve two months of home detentions as part of the plea deal.
The maximum sentence for the charge is one year in prison, a fine of $100,000, and five years of probation.
“Because I forcibly removed K.A.’s hijab, I admit that the United States can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that I intentionally obstructed K.A.’s free exercise of her religious beliefs,” Payne also noted that “Because my actions occurred while the airplane was still in-flight I admit that the United States can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the offense was in or affected interstate commerce.”
U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez said this case “sends a clear message to anyone who contemplates the use of threats or intimidation to interfere with the right of individuals, including members of our Muslim community, to express their faith without fear.”
Lake Norman is about to have the largest aquatic centers in North Carolina. SwimMAC is now working in partnership with LangTree, and a few other developers to build a massive new $6 million aquatic center that will include a 50-meter competition pool, a training pool ideal for lessons and seating for more than 1,500 spectators.
The new center will be located across the street from the new 250-room DoubleTree by Hilton hotel at LangTree.
The developer of the hotel has joined the fundraising efforts for a new aquatic center at the site. Pharos Hospitality has pledged $500,000 toward the $6 million campaign, and they may soon donate more.
All of the land for the aquatics center has been donated to SwimMAC Carolina for their new facility. They are now working very closely with the Town of Mooresville to bring swimming lessons to their elementary schools and water space to their high schools. They will also be planning many annual recreational programs for the surrounding communities;
Charlotte is one of the greatest cities in the south – if not the whole country. The clean streets, modern design, unique museums, amazing restaurants, and rich history make people who visit never want to leave. This video is even more proof of what Charlotteans already know – there’s no place quite like the Queen City;
In what will be the largest expansion in Piedmont Airline’s history, the company is about to hire 300 new employees in the Queen City over the next year.
They have a long history here in Charlotte. They were the first airline to make Charlotte Douglas International Airport a regional hub, before being bought out by US Airways, and then American Airlines in 2013.
Piedmont currently employs roughly 1,200 workers at Charlotte Douglas, handling over 335 flights everyday for American Airlines.
Most of the new jobs will be a direct result of American Airlines replacing their 50-seat Bombardier CRJ-200 jets with much larger 76-seat CRJ-900s, a move that will requires more baggage handlers, ground operators, and flight crew.
If you’ve ever watched one of those Hardee’s commercials and thought, “this is sexist, why are only women ever in these commercials?”, you’re in luck.
Charlotte based comedian Jordan Pinkston, and local film producer Matt Clum created this hilarious parody of the Hardee’s “Patty Melt” commercial that now evens things up;
According to Matt Clum, “THE SONG, LOGO, and VOICE OVER belong to HARDEE’s. This is a PARODY VIDEO of the original content. Thanks!
CAST & CREW:
Talent – Jordan Pinkston
Talent – Katie Kirkpatrick
Producer – Matt K. Clum
Director of Photography – Scott Jones
Grip – Josh Ford
Production Assistant – Ray Espey
Contact info: Matt K. Clum: 704-808-0174 (work number)
SPECIAL THANKS: To Hardee’s employees Alan and Lydia, without you, we would have had to go to another Hardee’s. Also, big thanks to the anonymous farm who loves us, but doesn’t want direct ties… we understand.”
According to a new 106 page report by the Urban Land Institute and PwC, Charlotte now ranks has the 3rd most attractive real estate market in America for 2016. The ranking was determined using an exhaustive internal study of economic indicators and a nation-wide survey of leading real estate professionals and investors.
The Queen City dominated the southeast, beating out Atlanta (#5), Nashville (#7), Raleigh/Durham (#11) and Charleston (#25) – narrowly being beat by Dallas/Ft. Worth and Austin, TX.
Charlotte’s booming population, growing economy, small businesses attractiveness, and strong construction sector were the most significant factors in achieving such a high ranking in the groups’ annual Emerging Trends report.
This year’s ranking showed a huge improvement over last year, when Charlotte was given the PWC #7 spot for 2015.
The ULI report noted that, “good job and population growth along with the development of urban centers continues to make the market attractive to residents. Interviewees generally feel good about the Charlotte market, although some did express concern that the concentration of the financial services industry may not offer the same level of growth as other more technology-oriented markets.”
Our city has seen a huge flood of money over the last year, with new office towers in uptown, SouthPark and Ballantyne, and over 12,300 apartments currently under construction all around Center City.
The report also noted that secondary markets such as Nashville, Tampa, Charlotte, and similar cities feature much lower living costs and stronger growth potential when compared to primary markets such as New York, LA, and Chicago.
America’s favorite game show is now on the road and has selected Charlotte as one of the tour cities. Local contestants will have the chance to win cash and prizes given away at the event, and appear on a live taping of The Wheel of Fortune!
The ‘Wheelmobile’ is a 36-foot Winnebago that tours nationwide in search of contestants for the show.
Anyone in the Charlotte area can come to the NASCAR Hall of Fame this weekend and submit an application at least hour before each show to become a contestant. They’ll then select participants to come to the stage and audition via a random draw.
Shows will start at 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (May 14th and 15th) with each show lasting about an hour.
The Wheel of Fortune team will be looking for energetic, enthusiastic and fun players for the local live show, as well as the nationally aired show to be aired in a few months.
After the Wheelmobile event in Charlotte, the producers will choose their favorite participants candidates to take part in a final round of auditions, after which, contestants for the nationally aired Wheel of Fortune show will be selected.
A major scare avoided Thursday night in Matthews after a snake from South America was found in the woods behind a restaurant. Experts are now saying that it’s a red-tailed boa constrictor.
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue now have custody after it was captured and turned by a man in Matthews NC.
Officials commented that the snake is native to South America, it wouldn’t survive the winter if it had stayed out there. Whomever owned the snake clearly didn’t go through the proper measures to give it up.
Jennifer Gordon, the director of Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, said that she is glad that “Sheba,” as she’s named her, is safe here now, but she can’t stay forever. They expect this boa to grow as long as 10 feet. If it lived here at that point, Sheba’s diet would change, too.
Mark your calendar for the 2016 Asian Festival and Dragon Boat Race Festival on Saturday, May 14th. The 11th annual Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival Race at Ramsey Creek Park on Lake Norman is expected to be the biggest one yet. There will be tons of races and contests, with live music and plenty of food.
This coming Saturday and Sunday (14-15th), the Lake Norman Yacht Club will be hosting their annual In-Water Boat Show celebration.
The event wll feature free new boat test rides, power boat challenge, live music, vessel safety checks, membership incentives, free hot dogs and snow cones, give-a-ways, lawn games for kids, and a bounce house.
Concerts on the Green are a summer family favorite! Concerts take place the first and third Sunday evenings of the month from 6-8pm on the town green in front of the Davidson Public Library, at the intersection of Main st and Concord Rd. Attendees are encouraged to bring friends and family, comfy chairs or a blanket, a picnic, and to come early to find seats.
Join racing icon Ray Evernham and My Aloha Paddle and Surf this coming Friday, May 13th for the World Paddle Association race to benefit the IGNITE Community Center in Davidson.
Guests will enjoy live music and live auction while being able to meet some of the professional boarders from across the southeast prior to the race. Cost: $25, includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and two drinks; tickets available at the door for $30
Downtown Huntersville is about to fill with hundreds of regional artists and craftsmen as they display their talents throughout the streets and sell their artistic mediums in wood, glass, art, clay, jewelry, and more.
There will also be live music, games, and tons of food.
The Carolina Roots Music Festival features some of the greatest Americana Folk, Rhythm & Blues, styled out Rock & Roll, Country Rock and eclectic fusion.
Experience outstanding national and regional performing artists this coming May 13-14.
On May 13th, the Epicenter will be hosting on of the most interesting people watching experiences to come to our city.
At the Silent Disco, rather than using a traditional speaker system, live music is broadcast and picked up by specially designed wireless headphones worn by the audience. Those without headphones hear no music, giving the effect of a room full of people dancing to silence.
The U.S. National Whitewater River Center’s popular Whitewater River Jams are free concerts take place every Thursday and Saturday evening through the end of September. This coming Saturday they will be featuring the local favorites, The Forlorn Strangers.
This coming Saturday and Sunday (14th-15th) at the Metrolina Tradeshow Expo (7100 Statesville Rd), starting at 10 a.m., Charlotte’s biggest pet party, festival, and exposition will be happening.
Admission is free and so is parking. Bring your dog, cat, lizard, or any other pet for; tons of exhibitors, prizes, adoptions, free grooming services, training seminars, live music, contests, food, and tons more!
It will run on Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday from 11am-4pm, for more info click here.
Mark your calendar for the 2016 Asian Festival and Dragon Boat Race Festival on Saturday, May 14th. The 11th annual Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival Race at Ramsey Creek Park on Lake Norman is expected to be the biggest one yet. There will be tons of races and contests, with live music and plenty of food.
On May 14th and 15th an incredible southern blues-themed music festival is coming to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, featuring Muddy Waters oldest son, Mud Morganfield, as well as Bob Margolin and Mark Wenner, who both played with Muddy Waters.
This coming Friday (5/13) and Saturday (5/14) Broadway will meet Hollywood as Carolina Voices’ MainStage Choir presents Show Stoppers: Songs of Stage and Screen! Come revel in the best moments from Kinky Boots, Pippin, Chicago, Motown: The Musical, Once and much more.
Sebastian Philip Bierk, known professionally as Sebastian Bach, is a Canadian heavy metal singer who achieved mainstream success as frontman of Skid Row from 1987-96.
He will be performing live in Charlotte this coming Saturday at Amos’ Southend starting at 8:30pm
The Soul Food Festival is coming on May 14th, an event that highlights the aroma of traditional soul food cooking in the air while bringing together families & friends in an outdoor social setting for a day of reunion, fellowship and live national award winning entertainment.
This weekend will feature some of the best weather of the year – perfect for watching some baseball in what was ranked as the best minor league stadium in America.
Payne just pled guilty this past Friday to obstructing a person’s right to exercise religious freedom. He will serve two months of home detentions as part of the plea deal. 
According to a new 
America’s favorite game show is now on the road and has selected Charlotte as one of the tour cities. Local contestants will have the chance to win cash and prizes given away at the event, and appear on a live taping of 
