🌱 Local Appears On National Baking Show + Pasta Company Brings Jobs

Hi all. It's me, Alexis Goring, your host of the Charlotte Daily. Here's all the community news you need to know right now. In today's issue, we'll cover these stories and more:

• A pasta company brings jobs and an estimated $6 million investment to the greater Charlotte area.
• The Duke Energy Recipe Book is inspired by students at Paw Creek Elementary in Charlotte.
• A Charlotte-based cake decorator will star on the "Baking It" TV show in hopes of winning $50,000.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 50 Low: 33.

Here are the top five stories in Charlotte today:

1. "In a surprising reversal, the Chief Operating Officer of Charlotte Area Transit System has rescinded his retirement and is staying at the city. WBTV first broke the news of Allen Smith’s retirement in October, but CATS officials confirmed Friday that he is no longer leaving the city. Smith’s decision to stay comes at a critical juncture for the transit organization. Smith’s retirement announcement was confirmed one week before CATS CEO John Lewis announced he was resigning his position to take a job in the private sector. City leaders said Lewis’s last day was November 30," WBTV reports. (WBTV)
2. "The Duke Energy Recipe Book has grown to become a favorite staple for many of the company's 8.2 million customers. Distributed annually in time for the holidays, each edition features a different theme. Over the last two years, the recipe book has featured local restaurants and community organizations across the company's territories celebrating unique efforts to tackle the impacts of the pandemic. This year's offering, "The Grassroots Garden," began distribution on Dec. 11 via newsletters to Duke Energy's customers and was inspired by students at Paw Creek Elementary in Charlotte, N.C. It was curated by chefs at Johnson & Wales University's Charlotte campus," Yahoo Finance reports. (Yahoo Finance)
3. "The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) says mobile security video is a key part of insurance and resolving legal claims imposed against the city. On Monday, Charlotte City Council is expected to vote on a new video security system for CATS. The decision will come after security concerns expressed by transit workers. In February, CATS bus driver Ethan Rivera was shot and killed while driving his bus in Uptown Charlotte," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
4. "After baking for two years, a cake decorator in Charlotte is taking her craft to a national stage. Owner of The Cake Florist, Sevn Strickland, will be on the new season of "Baking It" with her girlfriend Kandyy Pittman as her assistant. The show, airing Dec. 12 on Peacock, will give bakers from across the country the chance to win $50,000. ... She says it is therapeutic. Strickland was a make-up artist and says when the pandemic hit and she couldn't do her work, she became depressed. Baking helped,"Spectrum News reports. (Spectrum News)
5. "Pasta Piccinini, a pasta maker that has been operating a plant in Pasadena since 1971, is moving to Newton, in North Carolina’s Catawba County. The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance said the company will bring 27 jobs and an estimated $6 million investment to the greater Charlotte area. The Italian family that owns Pasta Piccinini started the business in Pasadena after purchasing Gourmet Fresh Pasta Inc.," Pasadena Now reports. (Pasadena Now)

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Today in Charlotte:

• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Sugar Creek Preschool Storytime | Virtual event (10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.)
• Gingerbread Lane at the Ballantyne Benefitting Levine Children's Hospital (11:00 a.m.)
• Book a Librarian: Business Research | Virtual event (11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
• Independence Regional English Conversation Club (12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
• JAZZ ROOM Holiday Edition: Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Swing at Belk Theater (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Who's Hiring In The Charlotte Area? Browse New Local Jobs (Charlotte Patch)
• Looking for cheap flights? Here are the cheapest months (WCNC.com)
• Get your tickets for Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. (Children's Theatre of Charlotte via Facebook)
• Restaurants Openings and Expansions Coming to Charlotte in 2023 (Charlotte magazine)
• We're #Hiring! Associate Director of Corporate Relations The Associate Director of Corporate Relations is an essential member of the Development Team, working alongside all staff members...(Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• For many, the kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during the holidays. In Charlotte, cooking fires are the leading cause of reported home fires. Here are a few tips to help keep you and your family safe...(Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• Need CharMeck 311? Remember, you can call 3-1-1, chat online, or submit any of these requests on the CLT+ app! (City of Charlotte Housing & Neighborhood Services via Facebook)
• The Davidson Street entrance/exit to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center garage will be closed to all vehicular traffic from Dec. 21 – Jan. 22 and will open on Jan. 23, 2023. (City of Charlotte Government via Facebook)
• Reserve a Study Room to prepare for your finals. Here you go: https://groupstudy.uncc.edu/ (UNC Charlotte Atkins Library via Facebook)
• Is this your beautiful cat? Found behind a house on Shadow Ridge Lane. (Nextdoor)
• There's a lost dog in my back yard. Message me if you are missing one. (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Events:

• ACT Master Strategies In-Person Class (January 1)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop 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