🌱 Operation Hope Helps Underserved People + Local Woman Wins $100K

Hello again, Charlotte! I'm here with your Monday edition of the Charlotte Daily, full of everything you need to know about what's happening locally. Today's issue includes:

• A Charlotte man founded Operation Hope to help the underserved in Queen City and beyond.
• Police search for a NC man who suspiciously engages with girls at school bus stops.
• Sports news: Charlotte falls by 16 points, Boston gets 6th straight win on Saturday night

But first, today's weather:

Sun mixing with clouds. High: 54 Low: 47.

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Here are the top five stories today in Charlotte:

1. "Operation Hope is officially in motion. Charlotte native Jeremy Davis says he had been pondering his purpose when he was blessed with the gift to give. "God gave me a vision. My passion is people," Davis, founder of Jeremy’s Heart Foundation, said. "I love essentially meeting the needs of people, helping the deprived, the underprivileged as well as the disadvantaged." So he began Jeremy’s Heart Foundation, sharing these blessing packages filled with hygiene kits, food and winter weather essentials first offering the goods to those experiencing homelessness on the streets of Charlotte," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
2. "A man who has been suspiciously pulling over at school bus stops and engaging with middle school-aged girls is wanted for questioning, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said Saturday. Officers began investigating after multiple complaints were filed regarding the suspicious activity of an individual around school bus stops in south Charlotte. The individual is driving a light blue or grey sedan, possibly a Tesla, according to the police report. He is pulling over at bus stops and engaging with middle school-aged females," WGHP FOX8 Greensboro reports. (WGHP FOX8 Greensboro)
3. "Jayson Tatum scored 17 of his 33 points in a pivotal third quarter, Malcolm Brogdon added 30 points and the Boston Celtics beat the Charlotte Hornets 122-106 on Saturday night to push their winning streak to six. Al Horford had 16 points and Marcus Smart added 13 points and 12 assists for the Celtics, who made 19 3-pointers. ... Terry Rozier had 21 points for the Hornets, who have lost seven of their last eight games," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
4. "A group of puppies that were stolen during a home robbery that ended with a car chase and a crash has been safely recovered. ... Officers responded to calls regarding a burglary in the Charlotte area Friday night near 300 Tribune Drive in northwest Charlotte. Upon arrival, officers encountered the suspects, who fled in a vehicle and a lengthy pursuit ensued all the way across the South Carolina border into Fort Mill, where the suspects wrecked their vehicle near Country Lodge Road and tried to flee on foot," CBS17 reports. (CBS17.com)
5. "Georgia Richardson of Charlotte became the first winner of the $100,000 top prize in the new Cash 5 Bonus Cash promotion. Her good luck occurred Monday in the first drawing for the promotion. Each drawing offers one prize of $100,000 and 40 prizes of $500. Richardson’s entry won the $100,000 prize. She arrived at lottery headquarters Friday to collect her prize and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $71,250. The Cash 5 Bonus Cash Drawing promotion runs through Jan. 29. Three more drawings are scheduled. ... Richardson purchased her Cash 5 ticket from the Harris Teeter on Providence Road in Charlotte," WCCB Charlotte reports. (WCCB Charlotte)

Today in Charlotte:

• Children's MLK Day of Service at Sardis Presbyterian Church (9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.)
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: It Takes A Village (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Kids Mega Challah Bake at Chabad Center for Jewish Life (10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
• River's Edge Craft Dinner (7:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Why Charlotte's baby boom is a "good sign" for the city. (Axios Charlotte)
• 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 like academics. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Imagine sitting back to relax while enjoying this gorgeous LED digital display wall! Located at @achotelcharlotteballantyne, this iconic display is now showcasing our ArtPop Cities Program Class of 2023! (ArtPop Street Gallery via Instagram)
• What made Charlotte Ballet stand out, they noticed, was the individual attention and sense of care that they felt from the faculty and staff. Auditions for Charlotte Ballet's 2023 Summer Intensive are underway! (Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• Violinist Bella Hristova masterfully played Korngold’s Violin Concerto last night! Plus, guest conductor Kwamé Ryan led the CSO in Copland’s Symphony No. 3 and Adams’s Short Ride in a Fast Machine. Great seats still available. (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• When we talk of Brave Step's mission to provide personalized services for adult survivors, it's this woman pictured here who delivers compassionate and nurturing care. Today, we celebrate Yenting Liu for three years of amazing service. (Brave Step via Facebook)
• Join us for the WOLD PREMIERE of Queens Composer-in-Residence Malek Jandali’s Elegy, a powerful work about “the loss of Syrian culture and its people, especially the children,” on January 18 at the Sarah Belk Gambrell Center. (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Did you know the first pilot to land successfully at the South Pole is from North Carolina? On October 31, 1956 U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Conrad “Gus” Shinn became the first pilot to land at the South Pole...(Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• City offices will be closed Monday to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Join us this weekend for events and celebrations honoring Dr. King's legacy. (City of Charlotte Government via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. We are observing the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. So I will see you again on Wednesday (Jan. 18) 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