🌱 Grant Will Help Reduce Auto Crashes + Legendary HS Coach Dies

Hi all. It's me, Alexis Goring, your host of the Charlotte Daily. Let's get this Monday started off right with a quick dive into everything you need to know about what's happening in town, including updates on...

• A U.S. Senator helped secure a $4.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to reduce traffic crashes through infrastructure improvements in the Charlotte area.
• Police are asking for the public’s help finding John Corrigan, 70, who did not return home.
• A legendary Charlotte-area high school baseball coach passed away after a battle with cancer.

But first, today's weather:

A little morning rain. High: 59 Low: 47.

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Here are the top four stories in Charlotte today:

1. "U.S. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced Friday he has helped secure a $4.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to reduce traffic crashes through infrastructure improvements in the Charlotte-area. The grant will help implement systemic Vision Zero strategies and will focus on intersections and pedestrian-involved crashes. Projects will include pedestrian hybrid beacons, a pedestrian refuge island, traffic signals, buffered bicycle lanes, leading pedestrian interval upgrades, and safe routes to school activities, according to Tillis," WSOC Charlotte reports. (WSOC Charlotte)
2. "Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are asking for the public’s help finding John Corrigan, 70, who did not return home. Police say Mr. Corrigan left around 9 a.m. for an appointment on Hoskins Road, but called during the appointment to say he would not be able to return to his home on Ambleside Drive. Mr. Corrigan reportedly has many health conditions, and his family is concerned for him. He stands at 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 127 pounds. Mr. Corrigan has brown hair and brown eyes," WCCB Charlotte reports. (WCCB Charlotte)
3. "The Charlotte 49ers women's tennis team dropped a 4-0 decision to the No. 2-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday afternoon as part of the 2023 ITA Kickoff Weekend. Charlotte (3-3) finished the weekend in second place at the Chapel Hill site while the Tar Heels (9-0) advance to the ITA National Team Indoor Championships in February. The second-place finish for the Green and White improves on the third-place finish from last season, in what was CLT's first-ever appearance in the ITA Kickoff Weekend. The 49ers held an early lead in the top two doubles flights but couldn't hang on to it as the round progressed," Charlotte Athletics reports. (Charlotte Athletics)
4. "A legendary Charlotte-area high school baseball coach has passed away after a battle with cancer, Charlotte Christian School announced on Saturday morning. “It is with great sadness that we share that Varsity Baseball Head Coach Greg Simmons has passed away after a battle with lung cancer,” the school said in a press release. Simmons coached at the school for 30 years, tallying 733 wins along with 16 NCISAA state titles and 22 CISAA conference titles. A whopping 95 of Simmons’ former players went on to play baseball in college, and 10 were drafted by Major League Baseball (MLB) clubs," WBTV reports. (WBTV)

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Today in Charlotte:

• Monday Music Bingo at Harris Teeter Riverbend Village (6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
• The Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session at Petra's (7:00 p.m.)
• Puzzle Challenge at Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte (7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's University City Division was treated to a special appreciation breakfast at IHOP at Highland Shoppes. The IHOP staff decked out the restaurant with balloons and signs...(Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• CHARLOTTE FIREHOUSE 20 FEATURE: For nearly five decades, the crews of firehouse 20 have been working as part of the strength of Charlotte Fire's battalion 5. When the bay doors went up in 1974...(Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• The ArtPop Team and the Cities Program Class of 2023 had the pleasure of visiting the Dimensional Fund Advisors office in South End Charlotte to take a tour of their corporate art collection! Led by curator, Heather Pesanti...(ArtPop Street Gallery via Instagram)
• Locally owned @genodspizza inside @themarketat7thst has been listed on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. in 2023! @genodspizza ranks #32 on the list! Make sure to stop by and celebrate...(Charlotte Center City via Facebook)
• Congratulations to all our recent volunteers who reached their 1000 hours milestone! Pictured is Janis Cook and Marguerite Rupar, both very dedicated to our mission and always willing to help out...(Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• “It’s one of the most memorable opening statements in all of music history.” Experience Grieg’s stunning Piano concerto played by Grammy-nominated pianist Joyce Yang with the CSO, Feb. 10 & Feb. 11 at Belk Theater. (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Our first On Tap at Midnight Mulligan Brewing was a success! We enjoyed fantastic works by Classical and Contemporary composers, like Mozart & Roger Zare, led by Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees. Thanks to all who joined us! (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Sharing some of the many smiling faces of CMS National Board Certified Teachers, both new and renewed! We're so proud to honor the accomplishments of these educators. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Love to shop? What could be better than shopping and volunteering at the same time? Register as a volunteer to get started. (Classroom Central via Facebook)
• Only a few dinner dates left in February! Be sure to get your group signed up soon at the link below. Contact Darrell McGill with any questions about group volunteering at darrell@rmhclt.org. (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• Want to learn how to set your own print on the 3D printers? This training is open to current UNC Charlotte students, staff, and faculty. (UNC Charlotte Atkins Library via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next 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 Daily? Contact me at charlotte@patch.com