CATS Receives First Modern Streetcar for CityLYNX Gold Line Phase 2 Project

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The first modern streetcar has been delivered by Siemens to CATS’ South Boulevard Rail Facility. These vehicles will operate on the CityLYNX Gold Line, replacing the Gomaco old-style replica vehicles, once Phase 2 opens for revenue service.  A total of six Siemens S70 streetcar vehicles have been procured as part of the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase 2 project. The vehicles are equipped with hybrid technology, allowing them to operate off-wire, without the use of overhead electrical systems, from the Spectrum Arena/CTC stop to Mint Street in Uptown Charlotte.  The new streetcars, which resemble a smaller version of CATS Blue Line

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TSA PreCheck Services Available In Charlotte Area To Reduce Long Airport Waits

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Travelers interested in breezing through security lines and cutting down wait times at the airport, should enroll for the TSA PreCheck® program. There are several locations in the Charlotte area where they can sign up. In March 2021, TSA announced more than 10 million travelers have enrolled in the popular PreCheck® program since its inception. This summer, TSA expects to screen upward of 2 million passengers a day, and could continue to trend higher as more individuals are vaccinated and become more comfortable with travelling again. One way travelers can beat long airport security lines is by enrolling in the

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Hungry Harvest Brings Food Waste Fighting Produce Delivery to Charlotte Area

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Hungry Harvest, the farm to doorstep produce delivery service fighting food waste by saving at least 10 pounds of produce with every box, is excited to announce that they will be expanding to the Charlotte market. Every year, 1.2 million tons of food goes to waste in North Carolina, while 1 in 6 residents live in food insecurity. “Food waste is not only a moral and economic travesty, it is one of the largest threats to the environment today” says CEO and Founder of Hungry Harvest, Evan Lutz. “That’s why Hungry Harvest has decided to expand our reach from the

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Krispy Kreme® Provides Taste of Brand’s Future, including Doughnut Customization, at New Shop in Concord

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Krispy Kreme debuted its first comprehensive shop redesign in more than a decade on Tuesday, July 23, treating fans in Concord to a taste of what’s to come from the brand: doughnut-infused ice cream available in both milkshakes and scoop sandwiches, as well as an array of new shop experiences, including the ability for guests to customize the iconic Original Glazed® Doughnut. Krispy Kreme’s new Concord location, about 25 miles north of the brand’s Global Product & Innovation Center in Charlotte, is one of 45 new shops it will open in both new and existing markets across the country through

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City of Charlotte To Add One-Stop CLT Development Center For All Kinds of Permitting

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Charlotte City Council voted Monday (July 8) to approve construction of the first floor of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center for a collaborative, multidepartmental development permitting facility.  Known as the CLT Development Center, the space will provide developers and design teams access to city review staff in a single location for city development permitting services. This initiative brings together staff from all departments involved in permitting to create a more collaborative culture with new services to better meet customer needs.  “The CLT Development Center is the product of our efforts to have collaborative partnerships with the development community,” said City Manager

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‘Power To The Family’ Campaign Encourages You To Consider Becoming A Foster Parent

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Omni Visions – a foster-care placement agency that provides services for adults and children throughout North Carolina – has launched a new campaign under the theme “Power to the Family,” aimed at encouraging qualified adults to consider joining the network of foster parents across North Carolina who are making positive, direct impacts on young lives each day. “In every state we serve, including North Carolina, the demand for stable, caring foster homes far exceeds current availability, based on the volume of children in need,” said Omni Visions North Carolina Executive Director Michelle Brewer. “To our team, empowerment is the most uplifting

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Lowe’s Selects Charlotte For New Global Technology Center, Creates More Than 1,900 Jobs

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Lowe’s Companies Inc. announced Thursday (6/27) it has selected Charlotte as the future home of its new global technology center, creating more than 1,900 net new jobs in the city. Lowe’s will invest $153 million in the technology center, which will be located in Charlotte’s South End neighborhood. The dedicated technology hub will help accelerate the FORTUNE® 50 company’s technology transformation, serving as the epicenter for the team Lowe’s is hiring to help modernize its IT systems and build future retail experiences. Available roles will include software and infrastructure engineers, data scientists, analysts, architects, user experience (UX) and user interface

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Local Vegan Food Lover Launches ‘Lotus Land Eatsz’ To Share Amazing Vegan Dishes

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My name is Megan Pippins. I moved to Charlotte in 2013 to go to Johnson & Wales for culinary arts. As a kid I’ve always loved food. My family has a restaurant, which allowed me to start getting all types of experience early on. I’ve always had a passion for cooking and managing. I went plant-based in 2017 for health benefits and going plant-based I knew I still wanted to eat soul food, basically just good food. I started a job at a vegan restaurant and did not expect to learn as much as I did. Before starting I didn’t

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CMPD Sees Reduction In Crime Through QuikTrip Safe Zone Exchanges Of Online App Purchases

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The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has seen a reduction in the number of robberies during transactions set up using online apps since teaming up with QuikTrip convenience stores to create exchange zones across the jurisdiction. In November 2017, CMPD and QuikTrip announced the creation of 14 designated areas in QT parking lots, where people can meet to conduct online transactions. The zones are parking spots marked with red paint and they are monitored by 24-hour camera. Officers also periodically check those areas. In 2017, CMPD investigated at least 40 robberies during transactions set up using online apps such as LetGo, OfferUp,

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Bungalo Brings Its Innovative Online Home Buying Platform to Charlotte

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Bungalo, an online platform that empowers buyers to search, tour, finance and close on exclusive listings all in one place, officially launches its modern home buying platform in Charlotte on June 19. “Bungalo gives consumers a step-by-step guide through the home buying process and offers transparent, no-haggle pricing,” said a company spokesperson. “All homes are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and consumers pay Bungalo the exact price that’s listed – no bidding wars.” Bungalo currently owns more than 50 homes in the Charlotte area, with prices ranging from $295,000 – $750,000. Every home is renovated and quality is guaranteed

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