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Friday, April 22, 2016
News Lunch Break (4/22/16): UNC Charlotte council calls for immediate repeal of HB2
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Fri, Apr 22, 2016 at 11:49 AM
The UNC Charlotte Faculty Council approved a resolution calling for the immediate repeal of House Bill 2 at its monthly meeting yesterday. The UNC Charlotte Faculty Council consists of representatives from each department of the college. There were two council members in abstention at yesterday's meeting, which was attended by about 70 people, including Chancellor Philip Dubois and deans of various colleges within the university. (Ryan Pitkin)
A lesbian couple has joined an already filed lawsuit against HB2 after they say they were discriminated against by a local fertility clinic. The couple said they received a call on April 1 from the clinic informing them that the clinic was not working with same sex couples "because we are a busy clinic." HB2 took away the couple's right to file a complaint with the state for discrimination. (Ashlee McGeehan, Fox46)
BREAKING: Three More Plaintiffs Join Lawsuit Against North Carolina’s Discriminatory #HB2 https://t.co/dEBV6aDwiV pic.twitter.com/lGYrnEZzOj
— ACLU-North Carolina (@ACLU_NC) April 21, 2016
Two men were arrested following a nine-hour standoff in Concord last night. The men refused to come out of their homes when U.S. Marshals local officers showed up to serve a search warrant. The standoff, in a neighborhood called Sheffield's Manor off Weddington Road, lasted from about 4 p.m. to around 1 a.m. this morning. (WBTV Web Staff)
UPDATE: SWAT standoff ends peacefully in Concord. https://t.co/JjkPU2bWDu pic.twitter.com/tRYqGIyOxc
— NBC Charlotte (@wcnc) April 22, 2016
Police have charged six people with the murder of Kynyatta Tshionna in northwest Charlotte last year. On Wednesday, CMPD announced the arrest of four men and a woman, all between the ages of 23 and 25 years old. Last night, police announced the arrest of a sixth suspect, 23-year-old Tevin Faulkner, for his involvement in the murder. Police found Tshionna suffering from gunshot wounds in a wrecked car on Rozzelles Ferry Road last July while responding to a nearby shots-fired call. The incident was presumably a robbery gone wrong, as attempted robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery were part of all six suspects' charges. (Ryan Pitkin)
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Thursday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Thu, Apr 21, 2016 at 5:34 PM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, April 21, 2016 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• GayCharlotte LGBTQ Cinema Shorts Competition at Theatre Charlotte
• Neil degrasse Tyson at Ovens Auditorium
• Sustain Charlotte Awards + Earth Day Celebration at LaCa Projects
• Workshop with Tom Thoune at McColl Center for Art + Innovation
• Tori Kelly at The Fillmore
• GayCharlotte LGBTQ Cinema Shorts Competition at Theatre Charlotte
• Neil degrasse Tyson at Ovens Auditorium
• Sustain Charlotte Awards + Earth Day Celebration at LaCa Projects
• Workshop with Tom Thoune at McColl Center for Art + Innovation
• Tori Kelly at The Fillmore
News Lunch Break (4/21//16): Gettleman speaks on surprising Panthers move, Trump speaks surprisingly on HB2
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Thu, Apr 21, 2016 at 12:16 PM
Carolina Panthers General Manager Dave Gettleman spoke at a pre-draft press conference this morning about the departure of cornerback Josh Norman, a move that furrowed brows around Charlotte and much of the country. Yesterday, the Panthers announced they would remove the "franchise tag" from Norman's contract, making him an unrestricted free agent. Gettleman stated that the one-year deal that would come with Norman's non-exclusive franchise tag became "less and less attractive" and implied that Norman wasn't "all in" with the Panthers when asked what message his departure sends to the locker room. (Fox46 Staff)
@Panthers Gettleman says "all communications were professional, we respect Josh & wish him well." #nfl pic.twitter.com/II4S3gYoiu
— Lawrence Gilligan (@GilliganWSOC9) April 21, 2016
If the tenants of hell noticed a chill this morning it was due to the fact that Donald Trump made a good point while speaking out against HB2, saying that state leaders should "leave it the way it is," referring to the fact that many transgender people have always used the bathroom of the gender they identify with and there hasn't been any problems or danger for those that HB2 proponents have said are vulnerable. We at Creative Loafing are at a loss for words. (Jim Morrill, Charlotte Observer)
On NC's #HB2 (gender-specific RR laws), here are the two leading GOP candidates. Trump (left) and Cruz (right) pic.twitter.com/LbMuIrDWLT
— LMR (@LilMissRightie) April 21, 2016
Part of I-485 in west Charlotte was blocked off during rush hour this morning due to a wreck. Two cars were involved in the accident near Moores Chapel Road. There's no word on injuries or cause. The road has since been fully reopened. (WBTV Web Staff)
A 72-year-old woman was killed when the car she was riding in was struck head-on by a drunk driver on Wilkinson Boulevard yesterday evening. Police say 31-year-old Christopher Goss was driving recklessly when he crossed the yellow line and hit a Hyundai Elantra head-on at about 6:23 p.m. The passenger of the Elantra, Joyce Hinson, was transported to the hospital and died about an hour later. Goss and Shannon Young, the driver of the Elantra, were both seriously injured. Goss has been charged with felony death by motor vehicle, felony serious injury by motor vehicle and careless and reckless driving. (Ryan Pitkin)
@CMPD tells us one person died in this bad wreck on Wilkinson Blvd this afternoon. #cltnews pic.twitter.com/FqwcuUJ5Vg
— Ron Lee WBTV (@WBTVCamMan) April 21, 2016
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Photos PHOTOS: Moo & Brew: Craft Beer & Burger Festival, 4/16/2016
Posted By Anita Overcash on Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 2:37 PM
Creative Loafing held its annual Moo & Brew: Craft Beer and Burger Festival on April 16, 2016, at AvidXchange Music Factory. It was complete with gourmet burgers from local eateries, craft beer from local and regional breweries and live music from Ancient Cities, Truckstop Preachers, Sinners & Saints, Bubonik Funk and DJ Overcash. Bang Bang Burgers picked up the "Best Burger" bragging rights for the second year in a row. Photos by Brian Twitty.
News Lunch Break (4/20/15): American Lung Association report card says Mecklenburg County has failed ozone class
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 11:45 AM
Mecklenburg County got mixed results in a new report measuring air quality released this morning by the American Lung Association. Mecklenburg got an “F” grade for days in which a high concentration of pollution was recorded in the ozone and ranked 56 out of 197 metropolitan areas. When it came to short term particle pollution, however, Mecklenburg made an “A” and came in first place for cleanest metropolitan areas.
A University City Walgreens remains closed as CMPD investigates a robbery that occurred this morning. Police say that a man walked into the 24-hour pharmacy on North Tryon Street at around 6 a.m. and robbed the store, then fled the scene by foot. Initial reports don’t indicate whether the suspect was armed, or what was stolen, but police say there were no injuries to report. Investigators continue to search for the suspect, and are using K-9 dogs to track him. (WCNC Staff)
A ruling regarding a transgender student's bathroom use in Virginia by the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over North Carolina, could have a large impact on North Carolina House Bill 2. A three-judge panel ruled that policy prohibiting the student from using the bathroom of the gender he identifies with is discriminatory. The ruling establishes legal precedent that could affect a current lawsuit filed against the state and those responsible for enforcing a similar policy that was written into HB2. (TWC News Staff, Associated Press)
"Appeals Court Backs #Trans Bathroom Rights, Slaps at HB2" https://t.co/d4QWi9ov6N pic.twitter.com/zJVfi5SGJF
— The Advocate (@TheAdvocateMag) April 19, 2016
A Cleveland County man identified as Derek Pruitt was killed Tuesday night on Highway 150 after striking another vehicle that failed to yield while backing out of a driveway. Witnesses on the scene allege that Pruitt was traveling an estimated 90 m.p.h. The other driver was hospitalized following the crash, and the district attorney will determine whether they will be cited for failing to yield. Speed was also determined to be a factor in another fatal crash Tuesday night in Shelby. Montavas Lawton was driving on Sanders Road when he allegedly began racing another car. He was killed when he lost control of his vehicle and flipped multiple times. There were no other injuries reported. (WSOC Staff)
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Wednesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 7:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, April 20, 2016 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Belk Theater
• Sick of Stupid Comedy Tour at The Comedy Zone
• Koji at The Oddroom
• Uptown Raptors: The Wildlife Around Us at Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library
• Triptych Collective at Snug Harbor
• Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Belk Theater
• Sick of Stupid Comedy Tour at The Comedy Zone
• Koji at The Oddroom
• Uptown Raptors: The Wildlife Around Us at Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library
• Triptych Collective at Snug Harbor
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
News Lunch Break (4/19/16): Man killed by police during SWAT situation
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Tue, Apr 19, 2016 at 11:34 AM
A 41-year-old man was killed by members of CMPD's SWAT team responding to a call about a man threatening suicide on Tuckaseegee Road early this morning. Police say Sylasone Ackhavong was holding a firearm when officers originally responded, and that's when the SWAT team was activated. Ackhavong allegedly pointed the gun in the direction of police at one point, and two members of the SWAT team opened fire. Officer Olin Lester, a 15-year veteran of the CMPD, and Officer Derek Rud, who has served since July 2005, have both been placed on administrative leave while an investigation is carried out, as is standard procedure. (Ryan Pitkin)
SWAT responded to another call in west Charlotte this morning that ended peacefully as the man CMPD officers had believed was barricading himself in a home on Shad Court ended up not being there at all. SWAT members entered the home and did not find the suspect. (Fox46 Staff)
Police are still looking for a woman who was last seen leaving her mother's northwest Charlotte home on Saturday night. Police say 18-year-old Michaelia Camm (pictured right) was wearing a black tank top and pink/blue pajamas. (Ryan Pitkin)
Neighbors voiced opposition to a proposed development in Elizabeth that would feature a 60-foot building with apartments, restaurants and retail on the site where Jackalope Jack's currently sits at a city council meeting last night. The plan was presented at Monday's meeting and drew opposition from some council members, such as Patsy Kinsey, who represents that district and called the proposal too high, too intense and too long. City council will vote on the development at a later date. (Ely Portillo, Charlotte Observer)
Rendering of new apartments that could replace Jackalope Jack's, Hare of the Dog in Elizabeth. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/NL3BA89Hqd
— Jenna Deery (@JennaWSOC9) April 18, 2016
A three-year-old girl died after falling off an ATV in Monroe yesterday evening, officials said. The girl, whose name has not been released, reportedly hit her head after falling from the vehicle at around 6 p.m. She passed away about two hours later. (WBTV Web Staff)
Monday, April 18, 2016
News Lunch Break (4/18/16): Police search for missing teen, Independence construction resumes
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Mon, Apr 18, 2016 at 11:30 AM
Police are looking for a boy they say went missing this morning while trying to make his way to Myers Park High School. CMPD says that 18-year-old Jeremiah Glover left his residence sometime between 2 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. this morning. He was last seen in blue jeans and a brown, tweed-style jacket. (Ryan Pitkin)
Construction along Independence Boulevard resumed this morning after being delayed in late January due to a pay dispute between the NCDOT and the company that had spent three years on the project. The NCDOT hopes the new company, Lane Construction, will be able to stick to an October 2016 completion date set for the project. (Brittney Johnson, WSOC)
Police have arrested Duncan Carl Gray for the sexual assault of a student that allegedly took place at West Mecklenburg High School several years ago. The victim said he was a member of the band when he was assaulted by Gray, the band director, inside the school. Gray was arrested yesterday without incident. After interviewing Gray, detectives charged him with two counts of indecent liberties with a student. (Ryan Pitkin)
Twenty North Carolina pediatric endocrinologists have released an open letter to Governor Pat McCrory calling for the repeal of the "inherently flawed and potentially harmful" House Bill 2. The doctors raise issue with the mandate stating that people can only use restrooms assigned to the gender listed on their birth certificate, citing the many ways this is problematic. (Eric Frederick, News & Observer)
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office is unsure what caused one of its vehicles to go up in flames this morning. Officers said the vehicle was parked in the parking lot at its Uptown offices for a few days before bursting into flames. Nobody was hurt in the incident. (Fox46 Staff)
Incredible pics of Mecklenburg Co. Sheriff's cruiser on fire on Elizabeth Ave. #WatchWBTV pic.twitter.com/jJUp4un279
— Ashton Pellom WBTV (@Ashtonpellom) April 18, 2016
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Sunday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Sun, Apr 17, 2016 at 7:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, April 17, 2016 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Cirque Mechanics Pedal Punk at Knight Theater
• Voices of the City: Spoken Word Slam at Booth Playhouse
• Loch Norman Highland Games at Rural Hill
• Art on the Green at Davidson Village Green
• Alton Brown: Eat Your Science Tour at Belk Theater
• Cirque Mechanics Pedal Punk at Knight Theater
• Voices of the City: Spoken Word Slam at Booth Playhouse
• Loch Norman Highland Games at Rural Hill
• Art on the Green at Davidson Village Green
• Alton Brown: Eat Your Science Tour at Belk Theater
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Saturday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Sat, Apr 16, 2016 at 7:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, April 16, 2016 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• 2nd Annual Craft Beer and Burger Festival at AvidXchange Music Factory
• Record Store Day at Lunchbox Records, Repo Records and Manifest Discs
• Spring Open Farm Days at Wish We Had Acres
• South End Bazaar at C3 Lab
• Studio Party 16 at McColl Center for Art + Visual
• 2nd Annual Craft Beer and Burger Festival at AvidXchange Music Factory
• Record Store Day at Lunchbox Records, Repo Records and Manifest Discs
• Spring Open Farm Days at Wish We Had Acres
• South End Bazaar at C3 Lab
• Studio Party 16 at McColl Center for Art + Visual
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Question the Queen City: Who set fire to the nightlife? 3
From 1971 to 1976, 17 nightclubs in Charlotte burned to the ground. Who did it?
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Rango / Gnomeo & Juliet: Tale of two toons
Toon Western triggers a good time for all, but silly Shakespeare spin is solely for the kids.
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Question the Queen City: An unsolved double murder 5
Did they ever catch the killer from the Mulberry Church Road murders?
