🌱 NC COVID Metrics Decrease + Student Found With Gun In School

Good morning, friends! It's me, Alexis Goring, your host of the Charlotte Daily — here to tell you all the most important things happening in town these days. Today's briefing includes updates on:

• COVID-19 metrics in North Carolina and Mecklenburg County continue to decrease.
• A gun was found on a student at South Mecklenburg High School on Wednesday.
• Ayersly community offers a place to eat, grab a drink or catch a movie.

But first, today's weather:

Chilly with rain at times. High: 47 Low: 41.

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Here are the top four stories today in Charlotte:

1. "COVID-19 metrics in North Carolina and Mecklenburg County continue to decrease with most of the Charlotte area in the CDC's "low" community spread level. The trends of this winter are very different than the last few when COVID-19 quickly spread. There was a spike in COVID-19 activity after the holidays, but it wasn’t as intense as the last few years. Health experts said that’s because of the built-up immunity in the community," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
2. "The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division has fined 52 stores across 31 counties due to excessive price-scanner errors, the agency said in a press release. ... The department conducts periodic, unannounced inspections of price-scanner systems in businesses to check for accuracy between the prices advertised and the prices that ring up at the register," WBTV reports. (WBTV)
3. "A gun was found on a student at South Mecklenburg High School on Wednesday, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. In a message to parents, CMS said the weapon was found on campus. A CMS spokesperson said the student involved had gotten into a fight and security searched them, which is when they found the gun. Authorities said law enforcement arrived promptly and all students and staff and safe," WSOC-TV reports. (WSOC-TV)
4. "Are you looking for a place to eat, grab a drink or catch a movie? Maybe you’re searching for a place to run errands like the cleaners, dentist’s office, or a barbershop or salon. If so, look no further! The Ayersly community has it all. Located off of I-485 and South Tryon, the location is equipped with everything a person could need including housing, a college campus, gym facilities, and more. The multiple-use community also offers various activities for city goers to indulge in," WCCB Charlotte reports. (WCCB Charlotte)

Today in Charlotte:

• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Anna J performance at SouthBound (6:00 p.m.)
• Beginner Calligraphy at The Auto Pour (6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Our Board of Directors and ArtPop Street Gallery Staff met yesterday for an excellent 2023 planning session! We're driven by our mission every day, but the incredible people on our team power that drive. (ArtPop Street Gallery via Instagram)
• 15 influential African-Americans in Charlotte's history (WCNC.com)
• Black History in Bronze: 5 Public Artworks to Visit in Charlotte (Charlotte magazine)
• The annual 'Scouting for Food' donation and pick- up event is this weekend (WCNC.com)
• Charlotte Area Pets Newly Up For Adoption: Meet Alden, Benedict, Blair & More (Charlotte Patch)
• Center City Weekend With Moira Quinn: Rail Trail Lights ... (WCCB Charlotte)
• A huge wave of gratitude to the Arts and Science Council (@asccharlotte) for selecting ArtPop Street Gallery as a recipient of your Cultural Vision Grants as you support creative organizations and individuals...(ArtPop Street Gallery via Instagram)
• We can't wait for opening weekend of Innovative Works THIS FRIDAY! We're excited to announce two opening weekend events that you can join after attending our first performances. (Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• Looking for a new job? Don't miss your chance! Today (Feb. 2), CMS Transportation is hosting a hiring fair. Bus drivers and maintenance techs needed. Learn more here: https://www.cmsk12.org/careers (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Did you know Grieg’s Piano Concerto was the first concerto to be recorded? Don’t miss the colorful, virtuosic work played by Grammy-nominated pianist Joyce Yang with the Charlotte Symphony. Feb. 10 & Feb. 11 at Belk Theater. (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• To fulfill America’s promise for all, Charlotte Fire continues to celebrate Black Americans' immeasurable contributions and honor the legacy and achievements of generations past. National Black History Month...(Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is closing the application for the MeckTech Computer Kit Program on Feb. 2 at 5:00 p.m. Approved applicants will be notified within 7-10 business days after submission...(Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• Nerd Night is a new club hosted by the staff at Mountain Island Library. Each month, the group will meet to enjoy an activity centered around a different "nerdy" interest, ranging from board games to movies to trivia and more! (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• Take a look at our 2023 Sport A Shirt, Share A Night t-shirt design! We're so excited for the sea of RED representing RMHC of GC and our love for families! You can purchase yours today for $15 at the link below. (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• We're excited to share Will Pitts has been named Chief Operating Officer of the Charlotte Sports Foundation. Full Release: https://charlottesports.org/wi... (Charlotte Sports Foundation via Facebook)
• Thank you to the fantastic volunteers who spent time with us yesterday to help build summer kits for our scholars. We enjoyed having friends from both Foundation For The Carolinas and UNC Charlotte. (Charlotte Freedom School Partners via Facebook)
• Classroom Central today honors the life of the late Mary McLeod Bethune. Ms. Bethune is considered one of the twentieth century's most influential black educators and civil and women's rights leaders. (Classroom Central via Facebook)
• We’re pleased to announce that the 11th annual Sustain Charlotte Awards will be held on April 27! Do you know a person or organization that deserves to be honored for advancing sustainability in Charlotte? (Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
• As Black History Month begins, we want to take a moment to celebrate the life and legacy of Rosa Parks. A civil rights icon, she was most well known for the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott in Alabama. (Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
• The Smart Growth America Equity Summit is fast approaching! The virtual summit will be held Feb. 7 to Feb. 9. Hear from thought leaders and practitioners working to ensure that racial equity is a key priority in smart growth approaches. (Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
• This week in the BE Interview Series, we interview Dr. Nicole Calhoun, owner of Simply Skin Face & Body Spa in South Charlotte. Find out how she got her start, some challenges along the way and her goals for the future...(Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Alexis Goring

About me: My name is Alexis A. Goring. I'm an East Coasåçt 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