Mecklenburg County Igniting a ‘Controlled Burn’ This Morning

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The Mecklenburg County Natural Resources staff has just announced that they will be setting the Rural Hill Nature Preserve on fire today at noon as part of a controlled burn.

The county sent out an alert noting that smoke will be seen around North Charlotte today between 11am and 2pm:

“Mecklenburg County Natural Resources staff are conducting a controlled burn today beginning around 11am at Rural Hill Nature Preserve. Smoke will affect air quality in the downwind area for 2-3 hours. To reduce your exposure to smoke, stay indoors or avoid areas of heavy smoke.”

According to the Mecklenburg County website, “land managers use controlled burns (also known as prescribed fire) to mimic the natural disturbance caused by the natural fires of years ago. These fires are carefully planned and conducted under specific weather conditions to achieve specific goals. In this way fire can safely be used as a management tool.”

City of Charlotte Building Massive Solar Farm To Power Government Buildings

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Charlotte is about to invest big into a sprawling solar farm in Davidson County that will eventually power city buildings with clean energy as part of its Strategic Energy Action Plan.

City officials recently greenlit the South Davidson Solar Project, with construction slated to begin in Fall 2025 on the 537-acre site in Denton, North Carolina.

This initiative will reduce the dependency of city government buildings on fossil fuels, aligning with Charlotte’s ambition to achieve zero carbon emissions for all city-owned buildings by 2030.

The facility is expected to be operational by Fall 2026.

What do you think about the new plan?

AIDS Conference Coming to Charlotte

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The United Methodist Global AIDS Committee is set to host the Breaking Barriers AIDS Conference on April 22, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET at the First United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina (501 North Tryon Street). The event is free and open to all individuals and organizations committed to eradicating the stigmas surrounding HIV and AIDS. Registration is required and can be completed online prior to March 31 on the committee’s website.

Breaking Barriers offers networking, education and advocacy for addressing ongoing HIV/AIDS challenges.

Dr. Ulysses W. Burley III will be the keynote speaker at the conference. He is an expert in medicine and public health and is the project director for the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) Faith Initiative. Additionally, he is the founder of UBtheCURE LLC, a consulting company that focuses on the intersection of health and human rights. Dr. Burley is committed to advocating for social justice through faith and community-based initiatives, focusing on raising awareness about HIV and AIDS.

Key church representatives scheduled to speak include:

  • United Methodist Global AIDS Committee’s chairperson, Bishop Julius C. Trimble, resident bishop for the Indiana Episcopal Area and Indiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
  • Bishop Karen P. Oliveto, Episcopal Leader of the Mountain Sky Conference of The United Methodist Church.

The conference will also feature a panel of experts who will discuss The United Methodist Church’s worldwide response to AIDS.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of continuing our efforts to address HIV and AIDS, and we are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to gather experts from around the world to share their knowledge and insights,” stated Bishop Trimble.

In addition to speakers, attendees will gather in breakout sessions facilitated by leaders of various HIV and AIDS initiatives. Topics to be discussed include HIV/AIDS impact on children and adolescents, geriatric care, key populations, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PREP), and prevention awareness and education.

This conference seeks to equip advocates to make a difference for those impacted by HIV/AIDS in their communities. Programming has been developed to help attendees feel inspired, confident and well-prepared to enhance ministry outreach initiatives.

After completing their registration, attendees are encouraged to follow the committee’s Facebook page for updates.

Carowinds Launching Their Biggest Hiring Event in History: 2,500 Job Openings Await

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Carowinds is about to launch their biggest hiring event in history as they gear up for the 2024 season.

Scheduled from February 17-24, the fair’s massive hiring blitz is in anticipation of opening day (March 9th).

Job opportunities include; cooks, lifeguards, security officers, ride operators, and performers, with wages starting at $14 per hour.

Candidates must be at least 16 years old to apply, with special consideration for 14 and 15-year-olds on the final day of the fair.

The hiring schedule is as follows:

  • Feb. 17: Onboarding for returning staff
  • Feb. 18: Openings in rides and food services
  • Feb. 19: Recruitment for all available positions
  • Feb. 20: Positions in food services and security
  • Feb. 21: Jobs in rides and aquatics, including lifeguards
  • Feb. 22: Opportunities in merchandise and games
  • Feb. 23: Admissions and park services roles
  • Feb. 24: Special hiring day for 14 and 15-year-olds, with roles in admissions, aquatics, food services, and park services.

Employees will enjoy benefits such as paid training, discounts on food and merchandise, free admission for friends and family, and access to any Cedar Fair amusement park.

You can find out more info on Carowinds Hiring Week website here.

Charlotte’s Sainted Trap Choir Shocked Judges Last Night on ‘America’s Got Talent’ Finals

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Charlotte’s own Sainted Trap Choir was once again on America’s Got Talent finale last night with possibly their best performance yet – a unique gospel/trap choir remixed version of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer”.

The show is now in the voting stage, so if you loved what they did, you can vote for them here. The winner will be revealed on the last episode of this season on February 19th.

Last night’s epic performance follows their collaboration with Andra Day at the Super Bowl, where they performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” to open the official Super Bowl festivities.

Charlotte’s Sainted Trap Choir Performed With Andra Day To Open Last Night’s Super Bowl

Sainted made it to the finals last month by doing an epic rendition of Prince’s “Purple Rain”, after which Cowell slammed the Golden Buzzer, a coveted honor that immediately advances the group to the AGT finals.

The group’s original AGT audition featured Migos’ 2016 “Bad and Boujee,” followed by Lil Uzi Vert’s “Just Wanna Rock” and finishing with the 1993 dance anthem “You’ve Got to Show Me Love” by Robin S. and Sandeville:

Established in 2020, Sainted Trap Choir self-describes as a “trap choir,” blending gospel, worship, and trap sounds.

Originating from the southern U.S. in the 90s, trap music is a distinct rap subgenre. While its lyrical delivery is more spoken than sung, like most rap, its defining characteristic lies in its multilayered and percussive rhythm, drawing influences from club and EDM genres.

What do you think about the groups performances so far? 

NC Aquarium’s Charlotte The Stingray Either Impregnated by Shark or Giving Virgin Birth

The North Carolina Aquarium is about to witness a miraculous virgin birth or the birth of a virtually unheard of shark-stingray hybrid.

According to Team Ecco in the NC Aquarium’s shark lab, Charlotte the female stingray is now somehow pregnant, in spit of no male stingrays in her habitat.

With an ultrasound confirming the stingray is carrying eggs, researchers are now exploring the possibility of asexual reproduction, known as parthenogenesis, as a possible explanation. They also say the birth could be some kind of cross-species hybrid, as her pregnancy coincided with the recent addition of two young white-spot bamboo sharks to her tank.

“We have been doing ultrasound on our ray, Charlotte, since September, when she began to “swell”,” said NC Aquarium Executive Director April Smith in a press release. “We documented multiple “growths” internally and initially thought she had a cancer. I reached out to Dr. Rob Jones, the Aquarium Vet, and he identified the “growths” as eggs. We have no male ray.”

The aquarium is now anticipating Charlotte’s birth in the coming days or weeks and possibly gaining insights into the rare phenomenon of stingray reproduction.

49ers Hire Aaron Fearne As New Permanent Head Coach

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Aaron Fearne has been officially named the head coach of the 49ers after a remarkable 15-8 season as the team’s interim coach.

Fearne took over UNC Charlotte’s men’s basketball team in June of 2023 and helped them to achieve their first eight-game conference winning streak and secured a significant victory against Florida Atlantic, marking the program’s first win over a ranked opponent in more than ten years.

Defying preseason expectations, Charlotte, initially projected to finish 13th in the 14-team AAC, currently ranks second in the conference standings, closely trailing the leader by just one game. Fearne’s impressive 15-8 start is the best 23-game debut for a Charlotte coach since Bobby Lutz in the 1998-99 season.

The 49ers are set to continue their campaign at Halton Arena this Thursday against UTSA, looking to maintain their strong performance under Coach Fearne’s guidance.

Charlotte’s Sainted Trap Choir Performed With Andra Day To Open Last Night’s Super Bowl

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Last night at the opening of Super Bowl LVIII, Charlotte’s own Sainted Trap Choir (of recent America’s Got Talent fame) and renowned soul singer Andra Day together sang a gospel-inspired rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black National Anthem.

Written in 1899 by civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson, the song has become a symbol of pride and resilience.

Super Bowl LVIII marks only the fourth time the anthem has been featured in the event’s history since its Super Bowl debut in 2021.

The performance was co-arranged by Charlotte native Dennis Reed Jr., the Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, rapper, producer, teacher, and inspirer out of Charlotte who’s introduced President Obama on stage in Charlotte, toured with Fantasia, and performed live for Oprah Winfrey.

What did you think about last night’s performances and game?

NC Zoo Just Added Over 135 Acres of Wildlife Conservation Lands

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The North Carolina Zoo has just added a massive area of land to its stunning Ridges Mountain Nature Preserve, 139 more acres to be exact, bringing the total size to 423 acres. This expansion, donated by The NC Conservation Fund with support from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund and philanthropists Fred, Alice, Brad, and Shelli Stanback, marks a significant step in preserving local biodiversity.

Originally established in 2000 through a collaboration with the Piedmont Land Conservancy, the Ridges Mountain Nature Preserve’s latest expansion ensures the complete protection of the mountain under the stewardship of the North Carolina Zoo. This brings the zoo’s total managed land to 2,805 acres, including its 512-acre animal habitat and infrastructure. Situated within the ancient Uwharrie Mountains, about 10 miles west of Asheboro, N.C., Ridges Mountain stands at an elevation of 840 feet and is celebrated for its ecological significance and geological uniqueness, providing vital habitat for wildlife such as bobcats, deer, and numerous bird species.

“This acquisition helps the North Carolina Zoo reach its broader vision of natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation,” sayed North Carolina Zoo CEO Pat Simmons in a press release. “Ridges Mountain is an exceptional natural space inhabited by unique plant and animal life deserving of appreciation and protection. We could not achieve our vision without partnerships like those we share with The Conservation Fund, and we are grateful to the North Carolina Land and Water Fund and other donors for furthering our mission of saving wildlife and wild places.”

The preserve is distinguished by its large granitic boulders, basic soils that nurture rare plant species, and wetlands crucial for amphibian breeding. With the new addition, the North Carolina Zoo aims to enhance environmental education and outdoor recreation, including hiking trails and guided hikes. The existing two-mile trail offers a scenic journey to the summit, showcasing the mountain’s remarkable rock formations and boulders. Access to the Ridges trail is open to the public by reservation, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore this conservation area’s natural beauty. For hiking reservations, please contact 336-879-7711 during business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Leading market players that will step in should the BTC ETF be approved

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The crypto market and widespread community are buzzing with intrigue and optimism that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could potentially approve the launch of the first spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (BTC ETFs), despite some current woes and worries that a contradictory decision could be communicated. Besides some of the most significant market players, investors, and other participants like trading firms have been continuously prepping for the arrival of the first BTC investment instrument, stocking up on the asset to ensure sufficient liquidity to meet a surprisingly high demand.

Significant capital has been injected into the US cryptocurrency market. Furthermore, according to data from Binance, the rally in Bicton’s price has led to notable interest being observed from laypersons and individuals with limited knowledge in the crypto market besides seasoned investors. Queries on questions about Bitcoin have multiplied, and now that the SEC hasn’t met investors’ expectations, a lot of noise is awaited in the crypto market until a conclusion is revealed.

Market players, issuers, authorized participants, and the larger investor community have a lot on their plates these days. Let’s discover why, how, and who are the main entities involved and prone to be the most impacted by the SEC’s final decision, as well as what keeps most investors’ hopes for significant BTC price hikes high.

An intro into today’s buzz in the crypto space

The first batch of spot BTC ETFs to be approved is still scheduled for January, having investors on the edge of their seats as the leading issuers wait for their notifications. ETF issuers and analysts remain optimistic about a potentially favorable conclusion from the SEC and hope to be able to start offering their services and trading ETFs as early as the upcoming week.

SEC could indeed deny the submissions, frustrated that this terrible outcome could turn true gaining ground. Matrixport, a crypto service platform also dealing with research, has suggested that rejection is now likelier than it was in the previous days. A potential culprit behind the failure could be the general unwillingness to embrace crypto disclosed by several agency members, and other stated motifs like the instability and significant volatility of the market.

The leading players suffering from a possible rejection will be enthusiastic investors who have prepared to expand their portfolios with ETFs and the leading issuers who have stocked up on assets to ensure sufficient liquidity.

The prime issuers

Leading spot BTC ETF fillers such as Hashdex, Fidelity, and Valkyrie have sent their remodified S-1 forms to the SEC as the members previously required on the back of a former postponement of their decision regarding the companies’ destiny. These focused on their Authorized Participants (AP), representing an essential milestone in their approval journey.

Here are the main participants who have sent submissions for spot BTC ETFs’ development.

Valkyrie

Valkyrie named the same actor as APs besides another one, and the likelihood is that other issuers will have expected authorized participants. The ETF launches common shares of beneficial interest, and to date, it has expressed ambition to go through the regulatory tussles to issue BTC ETFs. Steven McClurg, a company’s co-founder, expressed confidence in a positive result in November and hopes to persist now, to stay firm like many other optimistic stances.

BlackRock

having already expressed intent to work on a pure cash redemption strategy, the asset management firm has named their AP for their still-unaccepted ETF. This company was the first submitter to communicate who will buy BTC on their behalf, as the entity itself can’t legally make such a move. The collaboration was concluded, and trading company Jane Street and J.P. Morgan were appointed APs.

VanEck

Already invested in a cash redemption model, VanEck is yet to reveal specific details about their APs selection. The company ranks among the first to submit such proposals to the SEC and BlackRock. What the company disclosed, instead, is that they’ll charge a management fee on the ETF if the investment tools gain endorsement.

Fidelity

Jane Street was also chosen as AP, thanks to a decent total service cost. An exchange has already accepted the company’s proposal to list ETFs for BTC, and reps said shares should be registered as securities there.

Other unenumerated players with a significant role include but are not limited to Hashdex, Bitwise, Invesco/Galaxy, and WisdomTree, among others that compel the issuers’ group of 14 players. Market makers’ authorized participants (APs) and the SEC represent the towers of the following moves in the financial cryptosystem.

Grayscale, on a potential approval: the move could draw “new net demand” for BTC

Grayscale, a primary crypto management business, made the newspaper headlines when it won a lawsuit against the SEC in August of last year, marking a milestone in the history of crypto. According to the company’s reps, the triumph solidified a foundation for a spot BTC ETF to be birthed and launched. The voices of all of those who supported this development in the US to push the nation among the countries that have already launched spot BTC ETFs have been echoed the time Grayscale turned triumphant in the face of the SEC.

A rep of Grayscale expressed on their blog that approval from the SEC of trading spot BTC ETFs could not only allow more extensive exposure but also see investors leverage it and build a larger community of individuals using the entry into the digital asset investment world. All these perks could lead to a fresh net demand for the leading cryptocurrency since more and more investors would see a more viable and credible investment venture in Bitcoin.

The larger the mainstreamness, the better cemented the asset’s position is in the future and among the other well-established investment tools, like stocks and gold. Given the somewhat jammed supply backdrop and the upcoming halving reward in April of this year, fresh net inflows into BTC could favorably impact the cryptocurrency’s price.

All in all, to make sure that every considerable chunk of capital trades properly, authorized participants known as trading firms and market makers will conduct plenty of work.