🌱 Housing Crisis Hits Charlotte + Local Chicken Up For 'Favorite Pet'

Hello, hello! It's me, Alexis Goring, your host of the Charlotte Daily — here to explain all the most important things happening in town. Let's do this...

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 85 Low: 61.

Here are the top six stories today in Charlotte:

1. A housing crisis is taking place in America and Charlotte is taking the heaviest hit. "It’s estimated that Charlotte needs an additional 21,000 new homes to tackle the housing shortage, according to "Housing Underproduction." On top of high demand, which is good business, builders also deal with higher construction costs," Fox 46 Charlotte reports. (Fox 46 Charlotte)
2. A shooting involving an officer took place recently in west Charlotte. "An officer-involved shooting investigation is underway in west Charlotte, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said. Officers said they responded to a call about a stolen vehicle along Onyx Street, not far from LC Coleman Park shortly before 5 p.m. on Thursday evening ... they believed there was an imminent threat and fired their weapons," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
3. "Pink Energy, formerly known as Power Home Solar, is facing hundreds of complaints and lawsuits from customers in North Carolina and across the country. A new WBTV Investigation shows this is not the first time the CEO of the North Carolina-based company has faced pressure because of his company’s tactics," WBTV reports. Jayson Waller, Pink Energy CEO, was interviewed by WBTV "to lament most of the problems at his company aren’t his fault but caused by another company that supplies their batteries." (WBTV)
4. Operation Bunny Hop is a hit! "Just one day after 30 bunnies were brought in to CMPD’s Animal Care and Control shelter, 28 have already been given new homes. The facility was already housing six rabbits, and did not have adequate space to take care of 36 bunnies for a long period of time, especially when considering the general overcrowding local animal shelters were already experiencing," WBTV reports. (WBTV)
5. "A chicken from New Bern North Carolina is up for the title of America’s Favorite Pet. The chicken named Pluma is already an international sensation. This crown would only add to Pluma’s accolades which include 20,000-plus followers on Instagram," K104.7 reports. America’s Favorite Pet is the world’s largest pet competition that is open to animals from every species. The pet who wins will receive $10,000 and be featured in InTouch Magazine. (K104.7)
6. Charlotte VegFest will happen this weekend! "The 9th Annual Charlotte Vegfest is back and scheduled for Saturday, Sept 17 from noon until 4 p.m. at The Ford Building at Camp North End, located at 1774 Statesville Avenue. Admission to the family friendly event is complimentary and attendees can expect more than 150 vegan food vendors, vegan friendly trucks and businesses providing vegan-friendly products and services," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)

Today in Charlotte:

• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (9 a.m.)
• Baby Storytime: Sing & Sign - Charlotte Mecklenburg Virtual Programming (9:15 a.m.)
• Wacoal Fit for the Cure Event on September 16th at the Belk in Northlake Mall (10 a.m.)
• Charlotte International Arts Festival at the Belk Theater (10 a.m.)
• Unseen Oceans Exhibition at Discovery Place Science (10:30 a.m.)
• NAPCP Charlotte September Gathering at CAVA (11:30 a.m.)
• Funny Bus Comedy City Tour at First Ward Park (3 to 4:30 p.m.)
• EMBRZ performance at The Music Yard at SouthBound (6 p.m.)
• Axing Out Men's Event - Joni & Friends Charlotte (6:30 p.m.)
• Tracy Morgan: Working It Out Tour at The Comedy Zone (7 p.m.)
• Comedian/Moonshiner Killer Beaz Invades Charlotte: Best Buzz in Town! (7:30 p.m.)
• ACMS Presents the Rolston Quartet with Pianist Michael Stephen Brown (8 p.m.)
• Judith Hill performance at Middle C Jazz (9:15 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• What can archery teach you about life? This week Centershot Blue teamed up with CMPD Community Engagement and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office. Participants learned to shoot and how the steps of archery can apply to life.(Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• Beverly Woods Elementary student, Jack Lucke, recently won 1st place in the U9 category at the 2022 North American Irish Dance Championship in Montreal. Congratulations! (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• The Charlotte City Council on Monday approved allocating $8 million in federal coronavirus relief funding to preserve affordable housing at Peppertree Apartment Homes in east Charlotte. (City of Charlotte Government via Facebook)
• On Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Charlotte Fire will hold a firefighter application signup at Charlotte Fire Headquarters, located on 500 Dalton Avenue in Charlotte. (Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• Christopher Stuart is currently the Director of Charlotte Ballet II. His vast experience as a dancer and performer helped him articulate his choreographic voice. (Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• The CMS Learning Community Principals of the Year have all been announced. The impact they have made on their staff, students and community is incredible! Stay tuned for the CMS Principal of the Year announcement in October. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Join us on Sept. 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Charlotte Art League to share your perspective on local arts and culture and your priorities for the future of our creative sector. (City of Charlotte Government via Facebook)
• 'Creativity is oxygen' is our Arts Education motto. Creativity is all around us. All students are creative, and all students are welcome! (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, recognizing the histories, cultures, and contributions from the community. (UNC Charlotte Atkins Library via Facebook)
• Research shows that 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before they reach their 18th birthday. In more than 90% of child abuse cases, the child knows and trusts the abuser. (Brave Step via Facebook)
• I’m currently looking for either a cat/dog/animals to adopt! Preferably young (around months) because I want them to grow around me and my pets. (Nextdoor)
• Does anyone know of a food bank or church that helps the sick and shut in with food during quarantine? Please let me know if you know of any. (Nextdoor)
• Can anyone recommend a good heating and air company? (Nextdoor)
• Anyone missing a couple of well behaved dogs in the College Downs/ University area? One is a pit and the other is a small dog. They are obviously friends as they are laying together in my Mom's yard. They have a collar but no tags. (Nextdoor)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with 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