As North Carolina continues to ease COVID-19 restrictions, April home sales, unhampered by the pandemic-induced lockdowns of last spring, rose 24.8 percent year-over-year, with 4,678 homes sold across the Charlotte region. This time last year, residential home sales activity was interrupted and declined nearly 21 percent year-over-year, as both buyers and sellers were sidelined during lockdowns, imposed to slow the spread of the virus. According to data from Canopy MLS, there were 3,749 properties sold in April 2020, which roughly equates to the same level of sales activity the region had in April 2015, when the market fully recovered from

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Near the end of last year, numerous instances of aggressive driving and street racing compelled several members of the Charlotte community to reach out and express their concerns to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).  Over the next six months, a multi-agency effort to address the issue has resulted in more than 2,500 traffic stops, nearly 3,500 violations and the seizure of 60 vehicles. In October of 2020, the CMPD received several complaints from community members who expressed their concerns for the growing and dangerous activity of aggressive driving and street racing.  This behavior transcended minor traffic violations and rose to

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The City of Charlotte on Wednesday announced a paper bag mandate requiring residents who receive city collection to use compostable paper bags or reusable personal containers no larger than 32-gallons for yard waste collection. Yard waste includes leaves, grass clippings, small limbs and brush. The mandate will begin on Monday, July 5, 2021. Reasons for the change Environmental impacts of plastic bags, as well as operational efficiency, were factors in this change. Single-use plastic creates numerous, negative environmental impacts in both its manufacturing and disposal. Conversely, paper bags are extracted from unbleached, recycled brown kraft paper, which saves natural resources

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In commemoration of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, HopeWay – an accredited nonprofit mental health residential and day treatment center for adults – is shining a light on societal mental health and inspiring mental wellness for all. “We have seen mental health challenges surge during the pandemic, so Mental Health Awareness Month is more important than ever this year to bring light to these issues.” Dr. Alyson R. Kuroski-Mazzei, a triple-boarded psychiatrist who is HopeWay’s chief executive officer and chief medical officer. “We will continue to help shift society’s mindset and combat the impact that mental illness has on

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The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) is graduating the largest group of women to start and complete the academy together in recent history. The seven women join 33 others who have completed rigorous training to now serve the Charlotte community. “These women and this entire class have answered the call to serve and I am so glad they are ready to work alongside the community for a better and safer Charlotte,” said CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings. “We know that there is a lot of work to be done, and CMPD can’t do it alone. I am glad that we are able

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Atrium Health has opened new, state-of-the-art facilities in Charlotte’s Midtown neighborhood. Atrium Health Kenilworth Medical Plaza I and II is a $228.1 million investment into improved care. The more than 400,000 square-foot plaza integrates a range of top-rated specialty services across disciplines into one location. Patients will have access to outpatient care across the medical spectrum, including teams from Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, Atrium Health Neurosciences Institute, Atrium Health Pharmacy, Atrium Health Perspective Health & Wellness, gastroenterology, infectious disease, palliative care, pulmonology and urology. “With this innovative medical plaza, we’re extending our mission of bringing health, hope

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The fast-growing California financial tech company Robinhood has announced it is locating a customer experience and account operations center in Charlotte, investing $11.8 million in new office space and bringing nearly 400 new jobs to the city. “With the second-largest financial center in the nation, North Carolina is one of the fastest growing tech hubs where companies like this know they can flourish,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. Robinhood is a mobile-first investing platform known for pioneering commission-free trading with no account minimums, lowering the barriers for millions of investors to participate in the financial markets. Founded in 2013,

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