🌱 Hornets Honor Late NBA Legend + Knights Search For Anthem Singer

Hello, everybody. Alexis Goring here with your fresh copy of the Charlotte Daily, filled with all the local information you need to know right now. Today's briefing includes news about:

• The Charlotte Hornets will unveil a banner at Spectrum Center honoring NBA legend Bill Russell during Saturday's game against the Boston Celtics.
• Charlotte Knights baseball team needs people to perform the national anthem at Truist Field in uptown Charlotte. In-person auditions will be held on Feb. 8 at Truist Field.
• Mental health advocate Fonda Bryant said suicide is a public health crisis.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 45 Low: 27.

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Here are the top five stories in Charlotte today:

1. "The Charlotte Hornets will unveil a banner at Spectrum Center honoring NBA legend Bill Russell during Saturday's game against the Boston Celtics. The banner will commemorate Russell's No. 6 jersey, which was retired throughout the NBA following his death in July. Russell's iconic career included an NBA-record 11 championships, five MVPs, 12 All-Star Game appearances and 11 All-NBA selections," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
2. "Charlotte Communication & Marketing on Friday launched the City of Charlotte's new City Speaks newsletter. The newsletter is a creative channel that will inform and engage all Charlotte residents. The digital newsletter will be distributed monthly. In it, readers will find the latest information on city initiatives, services, events and programs, and other relevant, trending topics about America's Queen City," City of Charlotte Government reports. (charlottenc.gov)
3. "With another season of Charlotte Knights baseball starting on March 31, the team is in need of people to perform the national anthem at Truist Field in uptown Charlotte. Do you have what it takes to belt out “The Star-Spangled Banner” in front of 10,000 people? In-person auditions will be held on Wednesday, February 8, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at Truist Field (324 S. Mint Street). Only 75 audition slots are available so fill out the online form to secure your spot," K104.7 reports. (K104.7)
4. "The Charlotte-Mecklenburg police SWAT team took a person who was barricaded inside a southeast Charlotte home into custody Friday morning. CMPD tweeted its SWAT team was called to a home along Wheeler Drive, near Lynbrook Drive and Redcoat Drive, a few minutes after 10 a.m. The suspect, who hasn't been identified, surrendered to SWAT agents," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
5. "Mental health advocate Fonda Bryant said suicide is a public health crisis. “We lose 130 Americans to suicide every day,” Bryant said. It’s a struggle she faced 28 years ago when she tried to take her own life, but now as a survivor she focuses on helping others. “The three simple words on my sign say you are not alone. It lets people know someone understands what you’re going through and the information on the signs can lead to somebody getting help and getting better,” Bryant said. In 2019, she starting putting up suicide prevention signs in parking decks like Center City Green, after learning the deck had six suicides in four years ... She’s now expanded to 10 parking decks in Charlotte to reach people who may use the tall buildings in an attempt to commit suicide," WCCB Charlotte reports. (WCCB Charlotte)

Today in Charlotte:

• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• STEAM 101: Sewing Basics (Online) | Virtual Event (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
• Confessions of a Former Bully at Children's Theatre of Charlotte (11:00 a.m.)
• The Culture Market Expo 2023 at Big Chill (12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
• Charlotte Checkers vs. Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins at Bojangles Coliseum (4:00 p.m.)
• A Soldier's Play at Knight Theater (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools leaders give first-half-of-year recap. (WBTV)
• North Carolina Has Highest Migration Pattern Rate In United States (WCCB Charlotte)
• DWI Task Force Officer Louis McFry continues to lead the way in cracking down on drunk driving. He was named CMPD's 2022 DWI Enforcer of the Year! It's the second straight year he's gotten this honor. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• Congratulations to Austin Edwards on his promotion to the rank of Captain. He joined us in 2015 and graduated with recruit class 97, and in just over 7 years, he will now lead crews and continue to serve our community. (Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• Congratulations to Todd Lindroth on his promotion to the rank of Captain. In 2009, Todd was part of recruit class 80, and today nearly 14 years to the date he was hired, we celebrated his promotion to Captain. (Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• We're excited to celebrate a member of the Classroom Central family. Join us in congratulating Mixed Media Artist and High School Art teacher Tina Vincent (also the beautiful wife of Jon Vincent, our Warehouse Coordinator)! (Classroom Central via Facebook)
• Choreographer Spotlight // Meet Innovative Works Choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo! Alejandro Cerrudo was born in Madrid, Spain. His professional career includes work with Victor Ullate Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, Nederlands...(Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• Interim Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill says the Charlotte Mecklenburg School district is strong and positioned for greatness! Dr. Hill was joined by members of the executive staff to update the public on key topics...(Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• The City of Charlotte's Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) Applications are now OPEN – Apply by January 26! It is a free 13-course program designed for Charlotte residents who are ready to take the next step...(City of Charlotte Housing & Neighborhood Services via Facebook)
• If you've considered serving as a peer leader, Brave Step's upcoming peer leader training is the place to learn more. For more information, visit https://bravestep.org/peer-lea... (Brave Step via Facebook)
• All Charlotte Mecklenburg Library locations and book drops will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16 in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Library services will resume Tuesday, Jan. 17. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• Starting Monday, join Classroom Central in our 7 Days of Service to celebrate the life and leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Classroom Central via Facebook)
• Check out the first edition of the new City Speaks newsletter, your monthly connection to what's going on in Charlotte government. Read it first: https://bit.ly/3QzAH6Z Subscribe at publicinput.com/cityspeaks. (City of Charlotte Government via Facebook)
• Join the Atkins Reading Challenge and you could win a $40 gift card! Submit your book reviews 👉 http://bit.ly/AtkinsReadingChallenge. (UNC Charlotte Atkins Library via Facebook)
• On Jan. 18, Mecklenburg County commissioners will hold the first budget hearing to receive resident input on the fiscal year 2024 budget. The county is also in the process of drafting the next five-year Capital. (Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
• Join us for the inaugural meeting of the Build Your Village Book Club at South County Regional Library on Jan. 19 at 6:00 p.m.! This book club is for parents, caregivers, and other parent-figures. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• I found a good doggy in the middle of the road on Cambridge Commons toward the front of the neighborhood. If you’re missing your dog, call this number: 704-773-2673. (Nextdoor)

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Events:

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• SAT Master Strategies In-Person Class (January 29)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be in your inbox 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 Daily? Contact me at charlotte@patch.com