In light of recent coyote sightings throughout the Charlotte area, the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department, in cooperation with the Towns of Cornelius and Huntersville, would like to provide the community some brief information on coyotes and what to do in the event that you encounter one. Identifying Coyotes – Coyotes stand 23-26 inches tall and usually weigh between 30 and 40 pounds. They are predominantly brownish-gray, but colors can vary between individuals and by season. There are four identifying characteristics that can help distinguish a coyote from a small dog: · Long slender snout · Large erect ears

Read more

A $250,000 sponsorship agreement with Hendrick Automotive Group will allow Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to offer a complete program of middle school sports for the 2011-12 academic year. Due to budget cuts, CMS had expected to reduce the number of middle school sports offered in previous years. The Hendrick sponsorship, combined with a contribution from an unidentified donor, provides the remaining amount necessary to fund the full lineup of 13 sports at all 32 middle schools for more than 6,500 students participating in athletics across the district. “We believe that sports play a crucial role in students’ education and development,” said CMS

Read more

Boasting the only $100,000 purse in Legend Car racing and a 100-lap main event, the Legends Big Money 100 will take place Aug. 1-2 on the frontstretch quarter-mile oval at legendary Charlotte Motor Speedway. The two-day grassroots racing spectacular will feature fierce competition among the nation’s best Legend Car and Bandolero racers. “This is the kind of big money these competitors usually don’t see unless they reach the NASCAR level,” said Don Hawk, vice president of business affairs, Speedway Motorsports, Inc. “The winner of the A-Main will take home $25,000. Even the last-place payout for the Legends Big Money 100

Read more

State test scores declined overall for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, according to results released by the district recently, and the graduation rate rose by nearly three percentage points. The district showed improvement in seven of 22 areas tested, district officials said. Scores rose slightly in math for grades four and seven, reading in grades six, seven and eight and science in grades five and eight. Scores declined in seven of eight areas tested for high school students, and stayed flat in one. Tenth-grade writing tests showed a slight decline, although CMS continued to outperform the state in writing. “We are disappointed that

Read more

Warrior Dash is the ultimate event for thrill-seeking athletes and party-goers. On Saturday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Aug. 28, fearless runners will head to 4431 Neck Road, to take on 11 intense obstacles over 3.08 miles of extreme terrain and celebrate with friends and family during an all day festival with live music, food and beer. Warrior Dash will have participants jumping through fire, crawling through mud pits, climbing over vehicles and working their way through nine additional grueling obstacles. The first wave of the race will begin at 10am, followed by waves of 500 racers taking off to battle

Read more

NBC’s popular reality series “The Biggest Loser” will be in Charlotte Aug. 6 holding casting calls as part of a 13-city cross-country search to find new contestants. Casting producers will be at the Planet Fitness at 10215-B University City Blvd. in Charlotte that Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Individuals and teams of two who have at least 85 lbs. to lose and want to compete for a grand prize of $250,000 are encouraged to apply for the new season that will begin airing in January, 2012.. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and legal U.S. residents.

Read more

If you think the Charlotte region’s economy seems to be looking up, you’re right. Southern Business & Development has named the Charlotte region its 2011 Major Market of the Year, along with New Orleans. Among the 2010 deals that catapulted Charlotte to the top spot were Siemens Energy’s $135 million expansion that is bringing 825 new jobs, Hewitt Associates’ 463-job expansion and Fifth Third Bancorp’s $2 million location that is adding 250 jobs. Charlotte has received four Honorable Mentions in the last six years. “From Clearwater Paper’s $260 million investment in Cleveland County that is creating 250 jobs to NutraMax’s

Read more

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Providence Division recently received a generous donation from donors with the “Self Help” http://www.self-help.org/contact-us/locations/#NC organization and a long time resident of the Grier Height’s Community. This gesture has enabled the Providence Division the ability to purchase two bicycles, uniforms and equipment that will be used to patrol the community of Grier Heights. This effective approach to patrolling has proven to provide for much greater accessibility to different areas of the neighborhood and allows police officers a much more personal level of engagement with neighbors. It gives the officers the ability to be much more proactive in

Read more

Kids Heart Felt Health has received an $8500 grant from the Mecklenburg Medical Alliance and Endowment, Inc. (MMAE).  Kids Heart Felt Health is a Charlotte area nonprofit organization that provides children with hands-on activities to instill healthy-living habits and a spirit of community service. The purpose of the grant is to enable Kids Heart Felt Health to expand its program as an after-school enrichment activity for Charlotte area students. Kids Heart Felt Health is a program that addresses the current childhood obesity problem, while extending its nutritional and healthy-living focus to the broader population of children. “Rarely have we seen

Read more

Findings in a review of four separate domestic violence fatalities will help Mecklenburg County as a community understand more about the crime, the victims, the perpetrators and the agencies and organizations working to prevent it. “If You Leave Me I Will Kill You” is the title of the first report from the Mecklenburg County Domestic Violence Fatality Prevention and Protection Review Team. At its meeting on July 12, 2011, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners heard from team representatives. Retired District Court Judge Jane Harper is chair of the DVFRT and she presented the report. “The title for this report

Read more