Average NC Family Spending $238 on Airport Food & Drinks Due to Flight Delays

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Average NC Family Spending $238 on Airport Food & Drinks Due to Flight Delays

A surge in flight delays this summer has created chaos in airports around America, with the delay domino effect leaving travelers spending more time (and money) inside airports while they await their unpredictable departure. Airports are infamously renowned for their massively marked-up food and drink charges. In fact, an outrageously-priced $28 beer from a vendor at LaGuardia Airport recently made headlines due to its alarming cost. For passengers on standby (and who perhaps weren’t expecting to spend much money at the airport), flight delays can result in unforeseen, but unavoidably exorbitant, purchases of meals, snacks, and drinks. This can rack up significant costs – especially for traveling families – and particularly so if there are specific dietary requirements that are necessary.

FamilyDestinationsGuide.com analyzed flight data, including the average air ticket fare per family, in each state to determine how much more of families’ vacation budgets are being eaten into (literally) by flight delays. This found that overall, the average family flying out of airports across North Carolina spends the equivalent of 26% of their flight ticket costs on food & drink surcharges alone, while awaiting their departure – that’s $238.06. The average family flying out of South Carolina spends even more, averaging $293.95, or 27% of their flight ticket cost. Some of the least affected states are North Dakota, Vermont, and Maine, where flyers are averaging around $215 each.

You can read the full report here.

NC Governor Officially Lifts Covid-19 ‘State of Emergency’

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NC Governor Officially Lifts Covid-19 ‘State of Emergency’

NC Governor Roy Cooper has just officially ended the state of emergency for Covid-19 in our state.

According to a press release about the decision, state officials note that since vaccines, boosters, new treatments, and other Covid-fighting tools are so widely available, we no longer need for the official ‘State of Emergency’ (first issued in March of 2020) to remain in place.

“The pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to our state and people now have the knowledge and the tools like vaccines, boosters and therapeutic treatments to keep them safe,” said Governor Cooper. “Executive orders issued under the State of Emergency protected public health and helped us save lives and livelihoods. North Carolina is emerging even stronger than before and my administration will continue to work to protect the health and safety of our people.”

You can read the full Executive Order here.

CMPD Offering Reward For Info Related To Deadly Hit-And-Run

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CMPD Offering Reward For Info Related To Deadly Hit-And-Run

CMPD in partnership with Crime Stoppers have just announced a $5,000 reward for information related to a deadly hit and run that took the life of a Charlotte man this past April.

According to a press release from the NC Highway Patrol, the original incident took place as follows:

“On Sunday, April 17, at approximately 8:49 a.m. the State Highway Patrol responded to a fatal collision on the 1-485 Outer Loop near mile marker 12 involving three vehicles.

Vehicle 1 collided with the rear of vehicle 2, then swerved into an adjacent lane and struck vehicle 3 (a motorcycle). Vehicle 1 fled the scene, and the operator of the motorcycle was killed as a result of the crash.

The suspect vehicle is believed to be a dark gray 2011-2012 Honda Accord with the front bumper missing completely. The vehicle also had a Honda of Concord front license plate on its front bumper and may be local to the region.”

Last night, CMPD sent out the following alert with the new reward for any information about this case:

The Carolinas Largest Shooting Range Just Got Even Bigger With A $1.3 Million Expansion

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The Carolinas Largest Shooting Range Just Got Even Bigger With A $1.3 Million Expansion

The largest shooting range in the Carolinas just got even bigger with the $1.3 million dollar expansion of the Foothills Public Shooting Complex, located just west of Charlotte.

The expansion will add a new skeet range, two combination skeet ranges, trap ranges, and a 5-stand range. The complex already houses three 50-yard pistol ranges, two skeet/trap and pistol ranges, a 250-yard rifle range, a 3-D archery range.

The expansion of the public facility is mostly being paid for by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and Cleveland County with additional funding coming from the Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council.

“The Foothills Public Shooting Complex has drawn people from all 50 states and 14 countries,” said County Commissioner Johnny Hutchins. “Since it opened in April, 2016, we have had more than 85,000 visits.”

Charlotte Stories was given access to their drone flyover video of the entire complex;

They are located just outside of Gastonia in Cherryville, NC at 283 Fielding Rd. – about a 45 minute drive from Uptown Charlotte;

Foothills Public Shooting Complex

You can find out more on their Facebook page here.

What do you think of the complex?

Top 5 Largest Deals Signed By A Center In NFL History

Sharon Anderson
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Top 5 Largest Deals Signed By A Center In NFL History

The NFL is probably the most popular sport in the United States of America, and its infamy bellows across the Atlantic and Pacific, with people watching the Super Bowl all over the world. 

We can’t tell you exactly why it is so popular. Perhaps it’s the NFL player props bets, maybe it’s the half time Super Bowl show, or maybe it’s just a fascination with how popular it got so fast? We don’t know, but what we do know is players. 

While we are often focusing on quarterbacks, since they are often the most famous members of the team, we forget that other players are just as significant and tend to also be raking in the dollars just as well. 

So, what are the highest contracts signed by center players in the NFL?

Is An NFL Center A Good Position? 

If quarterbacks are the most important players in an NFL team, then Centers are the second most important. They are one of the more essential player positions in an NFL team. 

They are a part of the offensive lineup, and their duty is to make and call out reads to the quarterback, as well as including linebackers and also the defensive line up too. 

As well as the quarterback, the center player is seen as being a really crucial part of the offensive team, although they only get a tiny bit of attention in comparison to the infamy of the quarterback. 

Center players are big men, who have broad shoulders, able to bear a very heavy load in any game or play. 

What Does A Center Do?

At the beginning of each play, the center will snap the ball between their legs to the quarterback. If you think of any game you have watched you will recall this move being played. 

As well as this, during the play, they heavily guard the quarterback and provide blocking for running backs. 

They are basically protectors. They also deconstruct and study the game heavily, anticipating every move and looking into why particular actions may fail or succeed. 

This is because during the game play they need to make speedy decisions, as the defense of the opposition will be glaring at them, waiting for them to make a move. 

Since modern day NFL offensive teams are complicated, once the offense goes back to the sideline, the center is usually the one who works as a bridge between the offensive line’s coach and other members. 

How Much Do Centers Make?

So, if you were playing this highly protective position in the NFL, what kind of paycheck could you expect? Well, pretty much every NFL active player needs to sign a contract for a single year at a minimum of $610,000! So, definitely enough to pay off a decent mortgage! 

The highest ever paid center made a whopping average of $13,500,000 each year! Which is an impressive amount for a center! 

The Highest Paid Centers

Okay, so we told you how much the average is for the highest paid NFL center in history, but who is it, and what are the 4 runners-up? 

There are many centers in the NFL, and have been countless over time, so we will take a look. 

However, before we do get into it, we want to remind you that while we often associate higher pay checks with people in the NFL who have been active the longest, this is not always the case. 

Sometimes, new blood that performs well can get a higher paycheck than a center-playing veteran of the game.

#1. Frank Ragnow

Frank Ragnow is a good example of what we just said. He is 25 years old, and he agreed to terms with the Lions on a 4-year contract for $54,000,000, with a whopping signing bonus of $6,000,000 and a guarantee of $42,000,000! Making his average yearly salary a beautiful $13,500,000. 

His base salary is $1,209,111 and his 2022 signing bonus of $6,000,000 has a cap hit of $4,070,954. This makes him the highest paid NFL center in history! 

#2. Corey Linsley

Then we have Corey Linsley. He is 30 years old playing for the Chargers on a 5-year contract which includes a signing bonus of $13,000,000, a guarantee of $26,000,000 and a yearly salary of $12,500,000. 

He is not all that far behind Raglow! 

#3. Ryan Kelly

Ryan Kelly is up next. He is 28 years old and signed a $50,000,000 contract with the Colts. He has $50,000,000 guaranteed and has an annual salary the same as Linsley at $12,500,000. 

#4. Mitch Morse

Mitch Morse signed up with the Bills for a 4-year contract. His contract sits at $44,500,000 with an $11,000,000 bonus and $26,175,000 guaranteed. 

His yearly salary is $11,125,000.

#5.  J.C. Tretter

Finally, we have Tretter. He signed with the Browns for three years for a $32,550,000 contract with a yearly salary at $10,850,000.

Best Service Dog Breeds: Canines Reporting For Duty

Sharon Anderson
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Best Service Dog Breeds: Canines Reporting For Duty

Dogs are wonderful companions and affectionate cuddle buddies. But there is so much more to these majestic animals – dogs are diligent workers.

If it could talk, a canine would probably apply for a job at your local sales company!

However, not all dogs are tireless workers. Some are more lazy than others and won’t bother moving a muscle. This is why we’re going to distinguish the best service dog breeds from professional procrasti-canines!

So, does a service dog really work at a sales company? Well, not quite. But you can find a service dog that is working full-time as someone’s personal assistant!

Service dogs are four-legged wonders that have been socialized and trained to help ease difficulties that are associated with their owner’s mental and physical state. How cool is that?

The majority of service dogs are employed as hearing, guide, and medical alert service dogs. But, let’s not forget mobility, psychiatric, and autism assistance dogs.

Are you wondering what are the best service dog breeds? Take a look!

Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is undeniably a man’s best friend, especially when it comes to assisting in day-to-day tasks. Both male and female Goldies are intelligent, outgoing, enthusiastic, and always in the mood for cuddles! But, when they’re on duty, Golden Retrievers take their tasks seriously.

What makes the Golden Retriever a great service dog is its smart head and how fast it picks up commands. As a fast learner, the Golden Retriever manages to effortlessly memorize daily instructions and task patterns.

Thanks to its large size, there are almost no obstacles for the Golden Retriever dog. This golden canine easily opens doors, picks up things for its owner, carries grocery bags, and moves items around the house.

Moreover, its size makes it stand among the crowd. So, the Golden Retriever can be a great guide dog for owners with hearing and/or sight impairment.

Labrador Retriever

Inheriting a large and muscular body, the Labrador Retriever is a perfect assistance pooch for the disabled. It is a very obedient dog with eagerness to please, which makes every daily chore as easy as pie! The calm demeanor and friendliness of a Labrador Retriever is enough to brighten its owner’s day.

Beside being a hard-working service dog, the Labrador Retriever provides emotional support with its goofy yet lovable temperament.

Moreover, these canine wonders make incredible drug detection dogs, as well as search and rescue dogs.

It seems that Labs have a sixth sense with which they detect low blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. Labs can also predict upcoming seizures and panic attacks and  will immediately alert the owner or anyone in their vicinity.

German Shepherd

Are you wondering what makes the German Shepherd one of the best service dogs? Its fearless and alert personality of course! The German Shepherd is a courageous and protective dog that is always by its owner’s side.

Due to the fact that it is a large dog, the German Shepherd is a perfect match for people with physical disabilities. In fact, the German Shepherd is the best physical assistance canine. And, it is all thanks to its size, intelligence, and trainability.

It seems that the intelligent German Shepherd understands every word you say because it responds with great action that deserves all the attention and yummy treats!

Collie

As a working dog, the Collie has a constant urge to perform various tasks. This unique personality trait is what paved the way for the Collie to become one of the most distinguished service dogs!

Collie’s sociable personality topped with a calm demeanor is what makes it the perfect service dog for youngsters with physical and/or mental disabilities.

Not only is the Collie a helpful buddy for kids, but it is also a loyal and dedicated companion to adults. The Rough Collie is frequently seen assisting people that suffer from psychiatric disorders such as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and autism.

Poodle

Not only does the Poodle have a soft coat that provides comfort to its owners, but it possesses an almost magical property – the Poodle’s coat is hypoallergenic.

Besides being the perfect choice for dog allergy sufferers, the Poodle has a super sense which helps it detect various allergens in the environment.

The Poodle’s special powers are predicting the owner’s panic attack or seizure, providing a helpful distraction during a panic attack, reminding its owner to take his/her medication, alerting diabetic owners whose sugar levels drop.

Pomeranian

To everyone’s surprise, tiny Pomeranian dogs are frequently employed as full-time service dogs! When you think about how intelligent Pomeranians are, then this does not come as a surprise.

Poms are known for their alertness which puts them right onto the best service dog breeds list. As alert and intelligent as they can be, Pomeranians notify their visually or/and audibly impaired owners whenever their doorbell or phone rings. Pomeranians even sense when their owner is having a nightmare!

Moreover, Pomeranians can help around the house with maging smaller objects. With such an affectionate and kind personality, Pomeranians are of great help to people that suffer from anxiety, PTSD, autism, and other psychiatric disorders.

Conclusion

Bright, energetic, loyal, and thoughtful – service dogs are miraculous little helpers that never cease to amaze us. A service dog is living proof that a canine can really save a person’s life.

While dogs on this list are most commonly seen working as service dogs, there are other dog breeds that do the job just as well! Besides our top favorite, other popular service dog breeds include: Pit Bulls, Border Collies, Bernese Mountain dogs, Boxers, and Great Danes.

These furballs are trusted with very important tasks of keeping their owners safe and happy. But, not all dog breeds make good service dogs. To become eligible for service dog training, a dog must possess the right temperament.

Service dogs are fluffy superheroes and this world would be so boring without them! Don’t you think so too?

Carowinds Opening New Aviation Park To Celebrate Their 50th Year in Operation

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Carowinds Opening New Aviation Park To Celebrate Their 50th Year in Operation

To celebrate their 50th year in operation, and to honor North Carolina’s ‘first in flight’ history, Carowinds has just announced plans to open a massive new section of the park next year – Aeronautica Landing. The theme park first opened their doors on March 31, 1973.

“At the center of the 50th anniversary celebration will be Aeronautica Landing, a tribute to the Carolinas’ spirit of invention, exploration, and aviation, where guests can immerse themselves in the history and future of flight,” Carowinds said in a press release.

The new section will feature a number of new rides, attractions, and restaurants, including; Air Racer, Gear Spin, Gyro Force, Hover & Dodge, and Air Walker.

What do you think about the new rides and themed section? 

Earthquake Strikes Troutman, Just 20 Miles North of Charlotte

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Earthquake Strikes Troutman, Just 20 Miles North of Charlotte

Early this morning at about 6 am, an earthquake rattled the small Lake Norman town of Troutman, about 20 miles north of Charlotte.

According to the USGS, the quake had an epicenter of 35.684°N 80.858°W, a magnitude of 1.8 and a remarkably shallow depth of just 0.1 km.

Earthquakes have been increasing in frequency around the Charlotte region over the past few years. Last year, we experienced the largest earthquake in over 100 years when a 5.1 magnitude quake hit Sparta, NC, and since then, dozens of aftershocks have continued to rattle our state.

According to USGS.gov, “Moderately damaging earthquakes strike the inland Carolinas every few decades, and smaller earthquakes are felt about once each year or two.”

Did you feel this morning’s quake? 

North Carolina Workers Reached Peak Burnout on June 29th, Reveals Study

Sharon Anderson
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North Carolina Workers Reached Peak Burnout on June 29th, Reveals Study

Thanks to technology that has made us reachable whenever, wherever, many peoples’ jobs have morphed into round-the-clock activities, and remote working has made it even more difficult to unplug. Phones are set to mirror work-related email and calendar notifications (even after hours). But this continual hustle can result in chronic workplace stress, leading to debilitating fatigue; negative feelings towards work; and reduced efficacy. These are defining characteristics of burnout, which often goes hand in hand with both anxiety and depression, and it’s even been suggested that burnout may be a form of work-related depression. While burnout and stress may feel the same in the moment, burnout is chronic stress that hasn’t been managed effectively.

MyBioSource.com, a biotechnical products distribution company, conducted a survey of 4,031 workers across the country to determine a burnout benchmark of the exact date they experience work burnout. The average employee in America experiences burnout as early as 191 days in the year, which took place on July 10th. Employees in the Legal industry experience the earliest on-set burnout, just 163 days into the year: June 12th. This is perhaps expected, given the long hours and stressful circumstances often involved in legal work. Comparatively, those in the Real Estate industry seem to experience it latest in comparison to others, 234 days into the year on August 22nd. This could be due to home sales picking up more over Spring and Summer.

Broken down across states, the average employee living in Vermont experienced burnout before those in other states: just 127 days into the year on May 7th. By comparison, employees in North Carolina experienced their peak burnout 180 days into the year, on June 29th.

Industries in which workers experience the earliest burnout in the year:

1.     Legal: burnout by June 12th

2.     Finance: burnout by June 13th

3.     Tourism: burnout by June 14th

4.     Education: burnout by June 14th

5.     Media: burnout by June 27th

 

Industries in which workers experience the latest burnout in the year by comparison:

10.  Retail: burnout by July 22nd

11.  Energy: burnout by July 23rd

12.  Public sector: burnout by July 29th

13.  Tech: burnout by August 1st

14.  Real Estate: burnout by August 22nd

 

Infographic showing burnout forecast in each state and across various industries

 

Burnout Recovery Strategies

The APA’s 2021 Work and Well-Being study discovered that more than three-quarters of employees had experienced stress related to work matters in the month prior to the survey, and almost 3 in 5 employees reported experiencing negative impacts of work-related stress. Meanwhile, 32% reported emotional exhaustion, while 36% reported cognitive weariness and an overwhelming 44% said they had experienced physical fatigue.

Here are 5 tips to help with recovering from burnout:

1.     Try taking short breaks throughout the workday

Even though they’re quick, five- or ten-minute micro-breaks between tasks during the day can help reset your energy levels, especially if you’ve been sitting down for a prolonged period. During these quick refuel breaks, you could practice mindful breathing exercises; take a short walk up and down the stairs; meditate or simply doing some stretching.

2.     Set balanced work-life boundaries (and stick to them)

Especially if you work remotely, these boundaries are essential to help ensure your work life doesn’t intrude on your personal life. Stick to a day schedule and make sure to delineate strict hours for the start and end of the workday.

3.     Open discussions about burnout in the workplace

It can feel isolating when you’re experiencing negative symptoms onset by burnout, therefore, creating space for informative discussions about this occupational phenomenon can be helpful in sharing advice, as well as prevention and management strategies.

4.     Make sure you’re getting enough rest

Many employees think they can push through the debilitating symptoms of burnout, but the truth is that adequate rest is often the best remedy. Try slowing down your daily pace and pay attention to what your body and mind need.

5.      Get professional support

If you’ve tried a variety of measures and methods to alleviate burnout symptoms to no avail, it could be worthwhile to look into support programs or counseling to receive professional help. When mental health is on the line, it’s important to help manage the issue at hand effectively and sustainably.

Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Now Ranks Among The Top 5 Golf Courses

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Now Ranks Among The Top 5 Golf Courses

The NC Golf Panel has just released their latest rankings of the top 100 golf courses in the state and for the first time in history, a Charlotte golf club ranks among the top 5.

The new 2022 ranking bumped up Quail Hollow 2 full spots from number 7 last year, to number 5 this year.

The Club has made some significant upgrades over the past few years and they were recently selected to host the PGA Championship for the second time in history.

Some other notable ranking shifts for Charlotte-area clubs include; Waxhaw’s Club at Longview moving up from not ranked to number 46, the Charlotte Country Club moving down 1 spot from 13 to 14, the Myer’s Park Country Club moving down 2 spots from 38 to 40, and Trump National taking the biggest hit, moving down 5 spots from 35 to 41.

According to the NC Golf Panel, these are now the top 50 golf clubs in the state:

TOP 50 COURSE RANKINGS ( 2022)

Ranking Year Prior Course Location Par Yardage Course Rating Slope
1 1 Pinehurst No. 2 Pinehurst 72 7,588 76.5 138
2 2 Grandfather Golf and Country Club Linville 72 7,085 74.3 145
3 4 Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club Southern Pines 71 7,015 73.5 145
4 3 The Country Club of North Carolina (Dogwood) Pinehurst 72 7,204 75.2 134
5 7 Quail Hollow Club Charlotte 72 7,396 75 140
6 5 Mountaintop Golf and Lake Club Cashiers 70 7,126 73.9 145
7 6 Elk River Club Banner Elk 72 6,826 73.4 141
8 8 Pinehurst No. 4 Pinehurst 72 7,227 74.9 138
9 10 Sedgefield Country Club Greensboro 71 7,117 72.9 130
10 9 Old North State Club New London 72 7,102 74.8 142
11 11 Cape Fear Country Club Wilmington 72 7,005 74.3 139
12 12 Old Town Club Winston-Salem 70 7,042 74.5 140
13 15 Wade Hampton Golf Club Cashiers 72 7,154 74 144
14 13 Charlotte Country Club Charlotte 71 7,335 75.9 146
15 14 Pinehurst No. 8 Pinehurst 72 7,099 74.1 137
16 19 Old Chatham Golf Club Durham 72 7,210 74 131
17 16 The Country Club of North Carolina (Cardinal) Pinehurst 72 7,212 75 141
18 17 Eagle Point Golf Club Wilmington 72 7,170 74.5 137
19 20 Raleigh Country Club Raleigh 71 7,394 75.9 143
20 33 Dormie Club West End 72 6,927 73.7 138
21 18 Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club Southern Pines 72 6,732 71 126
22 21 River Landing (River) Wallace 72 7,009 74.1 141
23 22 MacGregor Downs Country Club Cary 72 7,003 73.4 134
24 25 Forsyth Country Club Winston-Salem 71 6,784 72 136
25 24 Biltmore Forest Country Club Asheville 70 6,606 71.5 127
26 23 Rock Barn Country Club (Jones) Conover 72 7,126 74.4 141
27 26 Governors Club Chapel Hill 72 7,062 75.1 144
28 27 Forest Creek Golf Club (South) Pinehurst 72 7,067 74.6 143
29 29 Country Club of Landfall (Dye) Wilmington 72 7,026 74.3 142
30 28 Prestonwood Country Club (Highlands) Cary 72 7,082 74.4 138
31 30 Pinehurst No. 9 Pinehurst 72 7,125 75.1 143
32 31 Treyburn Country Club Durham 72 7,175 74.1 137
33 34 Forest Creek Golf Club (North) Pinehurst 72 7,139 74.7 144
34 32 Country Club of Landfall (Nicklaus) Wilmington 72 7,100 75.7 144
35 36 Linville Golf Club Linville 72 6,946 73.4 139
36 37 River Landing (Landing) Wallace 72 7,112 74.2 134
37 46 Starmount Forest Country Club Greensboro 71 6,728 72.7 140
38 40 Mid South Club Pinehurst 71 7,003 73.8 144
39 — Champion Hills Hendersonville 71 6,510 71.7 144
40 38 Myers Park Country Club Charlotte 71 7,120 74.3 138
41 35 Trump National Golf Club Mooresville 72 7,037 74.2 140
42 39 High Point Country Club (Willow Creek) High Point 72 6,972 73.9 139
43 41 The Hasentree Club Wake Forest 71 7,074 73.9 139
44 43 Greensboro Country Club (Farm) Greensboro 72 7,302 75.1 140
45 45 Balsam Mountain Preserve Sylva 70 6,859 73 145
46 — The Club at Longview Waxhaw 72 7,065 74.5 140
47 42 Finley Golf Course Chapel Hill 72 7,223 74.9 138
48 44 Bald Head Island Club Bald Head Island 72 6,855 73.7 143
49 48 Country Club of Asheville Asheville 71 6,672 72.3 134
50 47 Pinehurst No. 7 Pinehurst 72 7,216 75.5 143
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