🌱 Helicopter Crash On I-77 + Local Teen Gets Lifetime Opportunity

Hey, friends! It's me, Alexis Goring, your host of the Charlotte Daily — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in our community. Today's briefing includes updates on...

• Deadly helicopter crash occurred in the southbound lanes of Interstate 77 in south Charlotte.
• Charlotte Knights introduce a new ice skating rink and snow tubing hill at its annual Light the Knight holiday festival at Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte.
• A North Carolina teen will have the opportunity of a lifetime this week.

But first, today's weather:

Sunshine mixing with clouds. High: 67 Low: 40.

Here are the top five stories in Charlotte today:

1. "Crews have responded to a deadly helicopter crash in the southbound lanes of Interstate 77 in south Charlotte. The crash is in the area of I-77 near the Nations Ford Road exit. ... According to Medic, two people were pronounced dead on the scene," WBTV reports. (WBTV)
2. "The Charlotte Knights are introducing a new ice skating rink and snow tubing hill at its annual Light the Knight holiday festival at Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte. Running from Nov. 23 through Jan. 6, the annual holiday festival also features a holiday market, light show and visits with Santa. The event runs on select nights at the home of the Charlotte Knights, located at 324 South Mint Street in Charlotte. Select days will also feature special events, including the dog-friendly Bark in the Ballpark on Dec. 4, and a 50% off discount day for veterans and military service members on Dec. 18," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
3. "A lawsuit accuses the online car dealership Carvana of breaking the rules and misleading customers to get an unfair advantage in North Carolina. The federal lawsuit, which asks the court to become a class action, accuses the company of unfair and deceptive trade practices and false advertising. The suit says Carvana was able to take business away from the lead plaintiff, a used car dealership in Lenoir, North Carolina, near Hickory. Asking for the class action, lawyers for the plaintiff say there are at least 1,000 dealerships in North Carolina that could be part of the lawsuit and even more nationally," Spectrum News reports. (Spectrum News)
4. "As food prices continue to climb, a Charlotte sports team is giving back. Players, coaches and Charlotte Hornets staff partnered with Food Lion and Coca-Cola to host its annual food distribution for 1,000 families. Hornets greats, past and present, packed the Spectrum Center to help pass out the food. Officials distributed one thousand bags of food which they say would break down to about 4,000 people," WGHP FOX8 Greensboro reports. (WGHP FOX8 Greensboro)
5. "A North Carolina teen will have the opportunity of a lifetime this week when he leads the Georgia Bulldogs on the playing field Saturday. National non-profit Dream On 3 is helping Mount Pleasant resident Ethan Ford’s dream to lead the team come true. Ford, who attends Mount Pleasant High School, will also talk strategy with Coach Kirby Smart and quarterback Stetson Bennett," WGHP FOX8 Greensboro reports. (WGHP FOX8 Greensboro)

Today in Charlotte:

• Sprouts Farmers Market (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Java and Jive in Ballantyne's Backyard (9:00 a.m.)
• Book a Librarian: Nonprofit Services (11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
• History and Historical Fiction | Virtual event (12:00 p.m.)
• Chess for Children | Virtual event (4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade (5:30 p.m.)
• The "Where Should We Vegan?" Dinner Tour at Camp North End (6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.)
• Wednesday Night Live: Dialogue Dinners at Faith Memorial Baptist Church (7:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Ramona Big Eagle shared her Native American culture with the students of Joseph W. Grier Academy. We get excited when our students open their minds to new experiences and possibilities! #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Holiday gift preview for Black Friday/Cyber Monday (WCNC.com)
• The Thanksgiving forecast is looking better for Charlotte. (WCNC.com)
• Find where to get pet photos with Santa in Charlotte. (K104.7)
• Gifts to go buy NOW for the holidays (WCNC.com)
• An expert offers tips for keeping homes safe while traveling for the holidays. (WBTV)
• Let's Talk Interactive among the 50 fastest-growing companies in Charlotte. (The Bakersfield Californian)
• Performance Learning Center put on an event featuring a “Road to College” scavenger hunt, Career Circle, cookout, “Homecoming Games” and opportunities for students to sit down and discuss their plans for the future. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• The circus meets the symphony! With awe-inspiring acrobatics choreographed to holiday musical favorites, Cirque de Noël will fill you with the wonder of the season, Dec. 21- Dec. 23 at Knight Theater. Get tickets >> bit.ly/csocirque22 (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Solid Waste Services will NOT collect garbage, recycling, yard, or scheduled bulk waste on Nov. 24, in observance of Thanksgiving. Solid Waste Services will operate on a one-day delay following the holiday...(City of Charlotte Government via Facebook)
• Are you ready for Family Literacy Night? We sure are! Blast off with us on Nov. 30 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. for an evening of "out of this world" activities the entire family can enjoy. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• The Polar Express in Concert is coming to Belk Theater THIS WEEKEND! Tickets are selling fast! Get yours before they’re gone for the season. >> bit.ly/csopolar (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• We’re sending a huge thank you to Bank of America for recognizing our work making #Charlotte a healthier, more equitable and vibrant community and naming us a #BofAGrants recipient. (Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
• ICYMI: City of Charlotte Government hosted a Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims yesterday. We were honored to be asked to speak. Safety must become *the* priority on #Charlotte's streets. (Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
• Need to study and care for your children? We have Family Friendly Library Rooms! Students with children ages 0-16 must register in advance of their first visit to the room. For more information. https://bit.ly/3gOH0FQ (UNC Charlotte Atkins Library via Facebook)
• Missing dog. He's a Yorkie mix that got lost at Archdale Flats on Nations Ford Road. He slipped out the house when I was moving furniture. If you can help, please call this number: 704-226-7942. (Nextdoor)

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That's it for today. See you all tomorrow for another 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