Coyote Attacks, Arming Teachers: Charlotte's February In Review

CHARLOTTE, NC — Even though February is the shortest calendar month in the year, there's been no shortage of news around Charlotte and the Lake Norman region.

Between a coyote attacking a family’s car and talk of arming teachers with gun following the Florida school shooting, there was some good news like eight North Carolina restaurants making a “most romantic” list and Sir Wally Walter, the groundhog, making his annual weather predictions.

Here's a look at the top stories in and around Charlotte in February:

Huntersville Family’s Car Attacked By Coyote Believed To Be Rabid
A family driving in their neighborhood near downtown Huntersville got a fright Saturday night that could be the makings of a Hollywood horror movie or maybe your worst nightmare: a likely rabid coyote bearing bloody teeth circling their vehicle before attacking it. The disease, which attacks the nervous system, is fatal in both animals and humans.

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Charlotte Vet Shot In Combat Says Arming Teachers ‘Asinine’
As the national debate over school safety and gun restrictions continues in the aftermath of the Feb. 14 school shootings that killed 17 students and teachers in Parkland, Florida, some gun rights enthusiasts are widely advocating hardening schools and protecting classrooms by putting more guns in them. Lawmakers, parents and students have shared their take on whether arming teachers is a deterrent, but one North Carolina military veteran who was wounded twice in Afghanistan calls that "an asinine idea."

Groundhog Day: Sir Walter Wally Makes Prediction For NC
With all due respect to that rodent in Pennsylvania, it's Sir Walter Wally who makes the call on Groundhog Day in North Carolina. And, this year, North Carolina's own four-legged prognosticator says that we're due for an early spring.

Out-Of-Date Food, Dirty Nozzles: Charlotte Restaurant Inspections
Five Charlotte-area restaurants received health score downgrades recently after health inspections found a range of infractions, from an employee handling raw chicken before touching clean utensils, to open beverages perched atop raw meat and knives stored as clean with stuck-on food.

NC Man Killed By Hunter Who Mistook Him For Coyote
A Baptist pastor and father of two small children hunting coyotes was killed this week when another hunter in the area heard his electronic coyote call and shot him twice in the chest, mistaking him for a coyote.

Facebook Live Shooting Suspect Turns Himself In: Report
The suspected gunman behind a broad-daylight shooting Monday that killed a man while he was on Facebook Live has turned himself in, according to reports.

8 NC Restaurants Among Most Romantic In U.S.: New List
Valentine's Day is fast approaching and if you're still looking for a restaurant to take your loved one to on Feb. 14, a new list from OpenTable can help. The company released its list of 100 of the most romantic restaurants in the country Tuesday and eight of those restaurants are right here in North Carolina.

Charlotte’s Flu Severity Level Among Highest In US: Report
Charlotte is a national flu hot spot, with one of the most severe levels of influenza in the U.S., according to a new report analyzing national doctor office data.

Daylight Saving 2018: When Does NC Move Clocks Forward?

As if the recent record-warm days weren't enough of a sign that winter is almost finished, the days start getting longer in a month. While spring doesn't pop up on the calendar until March 20, the first hint of it comes when Daylight Saving Time officially begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 11.

Funeral Plans Set For Evangelist Billy Graham
The memorial program for famed North Carolina evangelist Rev. Billy Graham, begins Saturday, touching off a week of events that will allow the public to pay respects in Charlotte and Washington, D.C.

Photo courtesy of John Schroter