🌱 City Makes Southern Living List + COVID Still Affecting Doctors

Hello all. It's me, Alexis Goring, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this Thursday started off right with a quick review of everything you need to know about what's happening around town, including updates on...

• Local doctor’s offices are still dealing with the changes, costs and damage the pandemic caused for the health care industry.
• Southern Living released its list of best cities in the south and Charlotte made the list!
• The city of Charlotte is expecting a record crowd on March 11 as people pour in for St. Patrick’s Day and other various sporting events happening across Uptown.

But first, today's weather:

Sun giving way to clouds. High: 62 Low: 48.

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Here are the top four stories today in Charlotte:

1. "Roughly three years ago this month, North Carolina was dealing with its first few confirmed cases of COVID-19. Fast forward three years, and the pandemic has now led to over 3 million cases in the state and nearly 29,000 deaths. Meanwhile, local doctor’s offices across the state are still dealing with the changes, costs and damage the pandemic caused for the health care industry. For example, at Oncology Specialists of Charlotte, masks are still required at the office every day," Spectrum News reports. (Spectrum News)
2. "Detectives from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department have arrested and charged three people in connection to a string of robberies in west Charlotte. Police have charged Joshua Blount, Messiah Blair and Andrew Jackson in connection to the series of robberies. Each one was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon. Police said the robberies happened within a week at the end of January. Two businesses on Beatties Ford Road, a Family Dollar store and Dunkin Donuts, were both robbed at gunpoint. Police think the suspects are also responsible for an armed robbery at a 7-Eleven on Brookshire Blvd," WBTV reports. (WBTV)
3. "Southern Living has just released its list of best cities in the south and Charlotte made the list! Charlotte took 11th in the ranking just below Austin, Texas. The magazine said the Queen City is now on everyone's radar in 2023. Despite being a "financial epicenter," Southern Living said there's no shortage of fun in the city," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
4. "The City of Charlotte is expecting a record crowd on Saturday, March 11, as people pour in for St. Patrick’s Day and other various sporting events happening across Uptown. St. Patrick’s Day events will include the annual parade and festival, as well as multiple bar crawls planned throughout the city. The parade will start at 11 a.m. The City of Charlotte says organizers expect 10,000 marchers and 50,000 spectators to be in attendance. The parade will travel along N. Tryon Street from 9th Street, turning onto 3rd Street and ending at S. College Street," Spectrum News reports. (Spectrum News)

Today in Charlotte:

• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Pop Up Picnic Park Date for Couples at McAlpine Creek Park (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Ballantyne Game Night at Smashburger (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
• Queens March at Studio 229 on Brevard (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
• Charlotte Black Love Matchmaking & Networking hosted by Invitation Homes Carolinas (6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Congratulations to Candice Brown, our School Social Worker of the Year from Palisades High School! We were honored to have Pachovia Lovett, School Social Work Consultant from the NC Dept. of Public Instruction.(Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• It's that time again to announce our MARCH employee of the month! This month we are celebrating TC-I Michele Beaulieu! Michele has been with us a short time, but already her personality has shined. (Charlotte Fire Communications "Fire Alarm" via Facebook)
• Congratulations to our Mallard Creek High School student, Aria Lane, for receiving the Maverick Award and a $1,000 scholarship from Spectrum, presented by Representative Cummingham!(Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• The Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room and the Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library are proud to present Dr. Sonya Ramsey who will discuss her new book, Bertha Maxwell-Roddey: A Modern-Day Race Woman.(Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• SAVE THE DATE: The annual Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns on March 11! This year’s parade will feature various marching bands, drill teams, and a pack of Irish Wolfhounds making their way down Tryon Street. (Charlotte Center City via Facebook)
• Thanks to the amazing efforts of Butler High School’s Student Government Association (SGA), $10,000 was raised for Make-A-Wish recipient, Lucan, sending him on a magical adventure to Disney! (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Congratulations to the Hidden Valley Community Association for finishing their little libraries project. The neighborhood organization installed five Little Free Libraries around their neighborhood. (City of Charlotte Housing & Neighborhood Services via Facebook)
• We are so excited to welcome Allie Larkin as our signature author for Community Read 2023. Join us for a virtual discussion with her on March 21 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss her book "The People We Keep" and the theme of friendship. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• Our students are fueling up for success during National School Breakfast Week! At Harding University High School, students took their exams and enjoyed a special breakfast-for-lunch meal. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Happy Women's History Month! We celebrate the amazing women who have made an impact on our past, present and future. We honor the courageous women in history who fought for equal rights and representation. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Join us on March 21 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. for a virtual session focused on Social Emotional Health, hosted by the Title I Family and Community Advisory Council. Receive valuable information. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• How much do we love our scholars and their families? There isn't a character limit high enough for us to express! One way to show scholars and their families support is through our monthly supply drive. (Charlotte Freedom School Partners via Facebook)
• Help us help you! Please take a short anonymous survey about Homework Help services at the Library. Your feedback will determine future educational support for school-age children. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with a new update.

— Alexis Goring

About me: My name is Alexis A. Goring. I'm an East Coast Girl with a pulse for people, news and feature stories! I've worked as a freelance writer/editor/proofreader in the media industry for 15 years. I'm also a published author, experienced blogger, and founder of Writer at Heart Editorial Services. Visit my website for more details about me and my work. Here's the link: https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Charlotte Patch newsletter? Contact me at charlotte@patch.com