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Community Corner

🌱 School Supply Drive Donations Needed + Local Battle Over Toll Lanes

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Charlotte.

Alexis Goring, Neighbor
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Hello again, everybody! It's Monday in Charlotte and I'm back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town. Let's have at it...

First, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 91 Low: 75.

Here are the top seven stories in Charlotte today:

  1. An environmental cleanup company is guilty of breaking the law due to an accidental release of a chemical that cast a bad smell across Charlotte earlier this month. According to The Virginian-Pilot, the company violated the county's "objectionable odor rule" by doing this. The Charlotte Observer reports that "the area's 911 system was flooded with calls July 14 from people who thought they smelled a leak of natural gas. Climate conditions around the city seemed to spread the smell broadly." (The Virginian-Pilot)
  2. It's the time of year when students are preparing to return to school and the school supply drives are in full swing! According to WCNC, "families are expecting to pay more as a result of higher prices and inflation. According to the National Retail Federation, 84% of families are expecting to see higher prices when back-to-school and back-to-college shopping this year. But for those who make less money, this back-to-school shopping season could be a struggle." (WCNC.com)
  3. Mecklenburg County is facing an increase in monkeypox cases. The county health department recently announced that there were "12 reported cases of monkeypox, more than half of the cases confirmed in North Carolina." According to the Charlotte Post, "As of June 20, there were 13 reported cases of monkeypox in North Carolina according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ... All vaccine appointments are booked and county officials are working to have more vaccine available soon." (Charlotte Post)
  4. Charlotte FC is not coming to Eastland. According to WCNC, "David Tepper confirmed Charlotte FC's headquarters will not be on the site. This news rattled some in the East Charlotte community. For a while, the city of Charlotte worked with Tepper, owner of the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC, with the goal of building a multi-million dollar soccer headquarters facility. Councilman Ed Driggs said with Tepper pulling out, the city is back at the drawing board." (WCNC.com)
  5. CMPD Animal Care & Control shelter is too full! It's asking for help to get the animals into homes. According to WBTV, "Julia Conner, the humane education specialist at the shelter describes it as a crisis, saying they have not been this packed since 2018 or 2019. Conner noted they have about 180 animals in the shelter, several of which are perfectly adoptable." (WBTV)
  6. Chevon Faulkner moved to Charlotte 18 years ago. Since then, she has been displaced four times! But thanks to volunteers in west Charlotte, she has hope. These kind hearts spent Saturday working on a Habitat for Humanity home. According to WSOC Charlotte, "In October, Olympic High School students built the house at the school. Then, in April, crews moved it to her neighborhood." (WSOC Charlotte)
  7. A battle is starting in Charlotte over toll lanes. According to WBTV, "the plan and the people behind it are a secret. The proposal was brought to the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) meeting, and the lack of transparency didn't go over well with local leaders. People WBTV talked to agrees something needs to be done about the traffic we see on I-77 daily during rush hour." (WBTV)

Today in Charlotte:

From my notebook:

  • Your Charlotte Mecklenburg Library wants to ensure you have all the knowledge you need before heading to the polls this week or on July 26 during the general election. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
  • Thank you Helping Hands Ministry at Polar Tent Presbyterian Church who always makes sure our families are warm and feel right at home! Sandy's group regularly donates handmade gift blankets and have been doing so for years! (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
  • Does anyone know anyone who could look at my A/C unit? I'm not able to pay anything. I have my three grandchildren here and it's so hot. I also have breathing issues. (Nextdoor)
  • My husband is very ill with cancer. He's homebound and needs oxygen 100% of the time. I'm looking for someone to come to the house and give him a shave and hair cut. (Nextdoor)
  • There is a police impersonator that pulled my sons over tonight. I called CMPD to confirm, no legitimate CMPD call made that coincides with the time. Be aware! (Nextdoor)
  • If anyone can please donate whatever you can to my friends Go Fund Me, it would mean a lot. He received a call stating his storage unit was burned down. (Nextdoor)
  • I found this dog running on Hilliard Drive. He was very skittish and hard to catch. We wore him down after an hour. Does anyone recognize him? (Nextdoor)
  • I'm looking to find someone that can install outdoor security cameras. I'll be happy to take some recommendations. (Nextdoor)
  • Is anyone else in Cambridge Commons struggling to receive all of their mail? I have had quite a few pieces show up in my USPS Informed Delivery but have never made it to my mailbox. Is it a neighborhood issue or just me? (Nextdoor)
  • Still looking for my Mom's cat! I was watching him before he ran out the door! He doesn't have a collar. If anybody has seen him or found him, please PM me. I will give you a reward for helping me! (Nextdoor)
  • Anyone know the kinds of mushrooms these are? Currently, they are growing in our backyard. (Nextdoor)
  • My neighbors always park their cars by my front yard, blocking the postman to deliver mail or trash day creating inconvenience to trash truck. What can I do? (Nextdoor)
  • Has anyone had mini blinds replaced? I know larger blinds are better liked but won't fit in the small windows as well. Thanks for info! (Nextdoor)
  • Does anyone know what happened to 4 Paws on Selwyn? I'm just a tad frustrated because I was a loyal customer and was never communicated anything about closing. (Nextdoor)
  • Found these two off of Maltese Drive with leashes still attached. Animal control is on the way to scan for microchips. (Nextdoor)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday off right! I'll see you around.

— 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

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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