Charlotte’s Ekos Was Just Named One Of The Best Places To Work in America

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Charlotte’s Ekos Was Just Named One Of The Best Places To Work in America

The Business Intelligence Group announced today the winners of its 2020 Best Places to Work award program, with Charlotte’s own software firm Ekos named as one of the best in America.

The nominations for the Best Places to Work award were submitted and then employees of the nominated organizations were asked to complete an online survey to rate their overall satisfaction and company performance.

“Coming off a banner year in 2019 highlighted by our Series A funding round and numerous new hires across the organization, we couldn’t be more pleased to get the news about this ‘Best Places to Work’ honor,” said Josh McKinney, Ekos CEO. “One of our core values is taking care of our employees and making Ekos a great place to work. When we take care of them, they in turn take care of our customers. And when our customers are taken care of, they have a better chance of being successful, which then makes us successful. It’s all connected. Being named to this list validates that we’re on the right path.”

“Congratulations to Ekos for building an organization focused on employee engagement and performance,” said Maria Jimenez, Chief Nominations Officer of Business Intelligence Group. “It was clear from analyzing the employee survey data that this is a great place to work and employee feedback is not only listened to but acted upon. Congratulations to the entire team.”

Ekos plans to hire an additional 40 people in Charlotte this year. Some of their recent executive hires include Christina Kyriazi as VP of marketing, Chris Rosbrook as CFO, Chris Smith as VP of engineering, Trent Terrel as director of sales, and Landon Funsten as director of business development.

North Carolina Just Created A New Board To Meet Growing Demand of Cohesive IT Strategy

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North Carolina Just Created A New Board To Meet Growing Demand of Cohesive IT Strategy

A new board charged with helping determine and shape the top IT priorities for North Carolina will meet for the first time Friday.

The North Carolina Information Technology Strategy Board is scheduled to convene 9 a.m. March 6, at the Innovation Center, 217 W. Jones St., Raleigh.

On the agenda, the N.C. Department of Information Technology’s senior leadership will outline the state’s most urgent needs for cybersecurity investments and major IT projects as well as provide the board an overview of NCDIT’s role in providing services to state agencies.

More information about the board, as well as the full agenda, is available at it.nc.gov/strategy-board.

The N.C. General Assembly established the IT Strategy Board last year to help define and plan the state’s enterprise information technology projects and advise on how to prioritize those projects. The board also is responsible for identifying and sharing industry best practices to foster innovation.

State Chief Information Officer Tracy Doaks serves as the chair of the 12-person board, which also includes six North Carolina citizens appointed by the governor and leadership of the N.C. General Assembly. Each of the members has a background and familiarity with business system technology, information systems or telecommunications.

Other members of the board include the state budget officer, president of the University of North Carolina System, president of the N.C. Community Colleges System and secretary of administration. The state auditor is also on the board as a non-voting member.

CMPD Just Arrested A Suspect In Connection With Scott Brooks’ Murder

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CMPD Just Arrested A Suspect In Connection With Scott Brooks’ Murder

CMPD officers have just made an arrest in the murder of Scott Brooks, the co-owner of Brooks’ Sandwich House.

Early this morning, a joint operation between CMPD Violent Criminal Apprehension Team and SWAT arrested 33-year-old Terry Conner Jr. in connection with the tragic murder.

According to police, Conner currently has outstanding warrants for murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree kidnapping and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

His criminal history also includes serving 6 years for breaking and entering, armed robbery, and 2 counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

Police are still looking for a second suspect in Scott Brooks’ murder and have stated that the $21,000 reward is still in effect for any information that might lead to the second arrest.

The Brooks’ family released the following statement about today’s arrest:

“We are relieved to hear news that an arrest was made for the murder of Scott. We are hopeful the right person or persons will be held responsible for this horrific tragedy. We are grateful for the efforts of CMPD and our community that Scott loved. We ask for continued support from law enforcement and the citizens of Charlotte to seek justice and to make efforts to prevent such violence in our beloved city. It is our hope that our justice system will continue to uncover the facts and will permanently remove those responsible for this murder from our streets to make Charlotte a safer place for us all. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers during this process.”

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Brings Attention To North Carolina’s Disability Communities

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Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Brings Attention To North Carolina’s Disability Communities

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) is proud to recognize March as Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month and to bring attention to the great work being done across the state that promotes inclusion and integration for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Every March, NCCDD observes National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to highlight the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities. This year, DD Awareness Month will cover three main areas: education, employment and community living.

“We are proud to recognize March as DD Awareness Month and bring attention to the incredible contributions of people with I/DD and their families across North Carolina,” said Talley Wells, executive director of NCCDD.

Currently, NCCDD has funded statewide initiatives focused on community living, financial asset development and advocacy across the State – in line with its current Five-Year State Plan. In March, the Council will begin working on its next Five-Year Plan (2022-2026). It will release surveys and host Town Halls across the state to listen and gather information on issues that affect people with I/DD and their families. The first two town halls will be held on March 31 at 5 PM in Raleigh, NC at the McKimmon Center; and on April 1 at 12 PM at Extraordinary Ventures in Chapel Hill. More details to be announced soon.

The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with I/DD in all areas of community life, as well as bringing awareness to the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting within the communities in which they live.

Massive New 385,000 Square Foot Tower Planned For The Heart of South End

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Massive New 385,000 Square Foot Tower Planned For The Heart of South End
via Hastings Architecture

A massive new tower is now being planned for South End that will further transform the area into a true extension of Uptown.

The new 23-story mid-rise will feature over 370,000 square feet of office, 7,000 square feet of street-level retail, and 8,000 square feet of amenity space on an 11th floor “sky lobby”.

via Hastings Architecture

The new tower will be built at the corner of Camden Rd and East Blvd, parallel to the Charlotte rail trail and the Lynx Blue Line at the East/West Station;

The tower will be constructed with a significant number of environmentally friendly features and building practices and will target a LEED Gold designation.

No tenants have yet been announced.

The building is expected to be complete by the fall of 2022.

First Case of Coronavirus Covid-19 Confirmed in North Carolina

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First Case of Coronavirus Covid-19 Confirmed in North Carolina

The NC Department of Health and Human Services has just announced the first verified case of the novel coronavirus Covid-19 in North Carolina. This announcement comes just a day after 2 verified cases were detected in Georgia.

The first case in North Carolina was detected in a Wake County patient who recently traveled to an area of Washington state that’s experiencing an outbreak.

“I know that people are worried about this virus, and I want to assure North Carolinians our state is prepared,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Our task force and state agencies are working closely with local health departments, health care providers and others to quickly identify and respond to cases that might occur.”

NC health department officials are now identifying close contacts of the infected patient to attempt to contain the community spread.

According to the CDC, patients with confirmed CoVID-19 infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

  • fever
  • cough
  • shortness of breath

CDC believes at this time that symptoms of CoVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure. This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS viruses.

Some of the best ways to protect against the coronavirus include;

If you have any questions about CoVID-19 you can call 866-462-3821 or submit questions online at ncpoisoncontrol.org.

This Charlotte School Was Ranked The 3rd Best In The Nation

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This Charlotte School Was Ranked The 3rd Best In The Nation

A South Charlotte elementary school has just been ranked the 3rd best in the nation by Niche.com, a leading school ranking company.

Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy was also ranked the #1 elementary school in Charlotte, and in North Carolina. The only two schools that beat it were Newark Charter School in Newark Delaware, and Self Development Academy in Mesa Arizona.

The top 10 Charter Schools in America, according to Niche are:

#1 Newark Charter School – Newark, DE
#2 Self Development Academy – Mesa, AZ
#3 Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy – Charlotte, NC
#4 Khalsa Montessori Elementary School – Phoenix, AZ
#5 Princeton Charter School – Princeton, NJ
#6 Calibre Academy of Glendale – Glendale, AZ
#7 Montessori Schoolhouse – Tucson, AZ
#8 8 Keystone Montessori Charter School – Phoenix, AZ
#9 Challenge Charter School – Glendale, AZ
#10 Reid Traditional Schools’ Valley Academy – Phoenix, AZ

Metrolina scored an overall Niche Grade of an A+, Metrolina also scored an A+ for its academics and teachers, and earned a B+ for diversity. They have a total of 369 pupils, with a 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio, and an average teacher salary $38,731 per year.

They arrived at their rankings by analyzing the following factors:

Factor Description Source Weight
Academics Grade Based on state assessment proficiency and survey responses on academics from students and parents. Niche 50.0%
District Overall Niche Grade Based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data along with millions of reviews from students and parents. Niche 20.0%
Teachers Grade Based on teacher salary, teacher absenteeism, state test results, and survey responses on teachers from students and parents. Niche 20.0%
Culture & Diversity Grade Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents. Niche 10.0%

They obtained their statistics from the U.S. Department of Education.

Have you ever been to Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy? 

What are your thoughts? 

U.S. Department of Labor Fines Southeast’s Agricultural Industry $1.1 Million For Unpaid Wages

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U.S. Department of Labor Fines Southeast’s Agricultural Industry $1.1 Million For Unpaid Wages

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is currently engaged in an education and enforcement initiative to increase compliance with federal labor laws in the Southeast’s agricultural industry, educate stakeholders, employers and employees, and to provide employers with compliance assistance.

Working with stakeholder organizations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, WHD explores a wide variety of methods for raising awareness among industry employers and provides them with information and tools to help them comply with applicable laws. As part of the initiative, WHD representatives have participated in regional educational outreach events hosted by local fruit and vegetable growers’ associations and farm bureaus. In the months ahead, outreach efforts will extend to various commodity groups, trade associations, agricultural extension agents and other governmental agencies to share information on various programs’ requirements.

Compliance assistance and enforcement work hand-in-hand, as the division continues to focus on decreasing violations in the agricultural industry. In calendar year 2019, WHD concluded investigations of more than 300 agricultural employers in its Southeast region, citing violations in 86 percent of those cases. These investigations found more than $1.4 million in back wages owed to more than 2,800 workers, and resulted in the assessment of more than $1.1 million in civil money penalties. WHD is also holding employers accountable by debarring 10 Southeast growers and farm labor contractors from the H-2A temporary labor certification agricultural program. In addition, the department liquidated more than $275,000 in employer surety bonds to secure back wages owed to workers.

“The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to ensuring that agricultural industry employees receive all the wages they have legally earned, that their employers comply with the law, and that the playing field remains level for law-abiding employers,” said Wage and Hour Division Regional Administrator Juan Coria, in Atlanta, Georgia. “Our outreach staff is available throughout the Southeast to provide employers and associations with compliance assistance resources, answer any questions they may have, and help them avoid costly violations. We encourage them to call us for free confidential assistance.”

WHD may suspend, revoke or withhold renewal of farm labor certificates for contractors that have committed multiple violations under the Migrant Seasonal Protection Act (MSPA) or that fail to comply with a final order requiring the payment of a civil money penalty for a violation. Employers are encouraged to review the MSPA ineligible farm labor contractor and H-2A debarment lists prior to contracting for labor.

WHD offers multiple compliance assistance resources to provide employers the tools they need to comply with the law. The division encourages employers to contact them to find out about upcoming compliance assistance events, to request information, or to ask specific questions. All calls are confidential.

For more information about MSPA, H-2A and other laws enforced by the division, contact the toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Information is also available at http://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd.

Uptown Charlotte’s Only Movie Theater ‘Studio Movie Grill’ Shuts Down

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Uptown Charlotte’s Only Movie Theater ‘Studio Movie Grill’ Shuts Down

Uptown Charlotte’s first and only movie theater has just shut its doors.

Studio Movie Grill (SMG), located in the heart of the Epicenter, was the first theaters in our region to deliver full meals and drinks directly to movie-goers’ seats. They were one of the biggest draws for the Epicenter for years until increased violence in the Epicenter and new theater choices around Charlotte slowly diminished their attendance.

“SMG Epicenter opened seven years ago and is a very special and unique location, so it is with sincere and great sadness that we closed our doors today,” Senior Director of PR Lynne McQuaker McQuaker said in an Email. “With multiple levels and only 5 screens, which is less than our typical location, despite a tremendous team, we faced an unusual amount of operational challenges.”

Earlier this year, Studio Movie Grill opened their second Charlotte location in Prosperity Village.

The new location features a total of 10 screens, 1,022 electric recliners, surround sound laser projectors, and a full bar and restaurant.

via Studio Movie Grill

Being A Foster Parent Has Ups And Downs, But Rowan County Teacher Wouldn’t Trade Experience

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Being A Foster Parent Has Ups And Downs, But Rowan County Teacher Wouldn’t Trade Experience

A year ago Amy Vedeikis was beginning a 10-week foster parenting and adoption class with hopes of one day becoming a foster parent.

Today she is fostering three siblings, two girls, ages seven, six and a boy, one, and even though it’s been a difficult journey at times, she couldn’t be happier.

“Teaching them about how I grew up, about God and watching the three of them together, smiling and laughing are my favorite times together,” said Vedeikis, a teacher in the Rowan-Salisbury School System. “When I am able to see the things I have been teaching them or my family become part of their daily routines and actions put a smile on my face.

“Seeing the baby grow each day and develop into this sweet precious baby boy who babbles and reaches for you has been out-of-this-world fun for us all. Being called ‘momma’ or being told they love you warms my heart.”

There have been some bumps along the way. The sisters came to live with Vedeikis in early June, just weeks after she finished the foster parenting and adoption class presented by Nazareth Child & Family Connection. The next 10-week session beings Wednesday, March 4 with an information session set for Wednesday, February 5 at Nazareth’s office at 165 Mahaley Ave. in Salisbury.

On July 19 the girls were returned to members of their birth family, and Vedeikis, who is single, faced an empty, quiet house.

“That was such a hard day for me and my family,” she recalls. “We all mourned in our own way since we had grown so attached but were happy they were with a family member.

“During that time, I prayed for them and for my family. I prayed that if there was another little one out there who needed me to send them my way. If God thought I needed

 a break, then I understood.”

Vedeikis did her best to get back into a routine without the girls, but they were never far out of mind. School started and she returned to the classroom. Soon after, though, she got another call.

“One day I got a call asking if I would take my littles back at the end of the week. I of course said yes and got the ball rolling.”

Vedeikis knew the girls had a baby brother they had been living with and she didn’t want the youngsters to be apart again.

“During that week I did a lot of praying and soul searching. Something was weighing heavy on my heart,” she said. “You see, these two had a baby brother and if they came back this would be just another separation for them causing yet another trauma. With much prayer, guidance from my family and my licensing agent, I asked to have my board number upped to three and asked if I could get their little brother as well. Paperwork chains started, but it was ultimately up to DSS (Department of Social Services) and what they felt would be best.

“Fast forward a couple of days and DSS decided to have the baby come with me, too. I was now a single foster mom to three!”

Vedeikis said once the excitement of adding the baby to her tribe had subsided a bit, she realized there was much to be done before the baby boy, then eight months old, arrived.

“All of a sudden I realized I had not one baby item in my home! Thanks to my family, friends and members of a local church, I was gifted a crib, a playpen, a highchair, toys, clothes, diapers … you name it and people were offering to help. They even made sure to give things for the girls. I couldn’t have done it without all of these amazing people.”

Vedeikis believes that type of support plays a vital role in any fostering situation, but especially for single parents.

“I’m blessed to have an amazing family, friends and church family,” Vedeikis explained. “My mom, dad and both sisters have been able to watch the kids when they took turns being sick within the same two-week period and I couldn’t take another day off. They have been able to help with babysitting when I had a late meeting at work or if I needed to run to the store.

“I have some awesome foster-parent friends who I also call and talk with when I need to vent or to get suggestions. Friends offer to bring dinner over when they know I’m exhausted or just because. I’m also blessed with an amazing supervisor and coordinator who work with me when I need to take time off for doctor’s appointments or anything to do with the littles. I’ve used more sick days and annual leave days this school year than I have in 18 years.”

Despite sleepless nights, exhaustion, crying babies and the lack of naps, which she truly misses, Vedeikis has zero regrets over her fostering decisions.

“I get a lot of questions about being a foster parent but especially a single foster parent. Those that know me, think this was a natural step for me. I have always wanted to be a mom, so this was how I could be one,” said Vedeikis.

“Those that don’t know me, want to know about fostering, what it takes, support, who I went through, the ups and downs, etc. I’m always honest. I would never want to mislead someone. Is fostering easy? No. Is it worth it? Yes. Would I do it again and again if I could? A million times yes!”

Anyone interested in taking the free 10-week fostering and adoption classes which begin on March 5 or attending the information session on February 4, should call Shawn Squirewell with Nazareth Child & Family Connection, at 704.279.5556 EXT 111.

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