Happy Friday everyone! Hope you have a fun and relaxing weekend ahead of you.
If you’re feeling lucky like many people in Charlotte, you might be looking to play the Mega Millions lottery. I would be in shock if I won and I wouldn’t know what to do next. Do you feel the same way? If so, journalist Evan Santiago has a story that may answer your questions.
Learn more about what’s happening in the Charlotte area:
1. Mega Millions jackpot is a ‘chimera’, but that doesn’t stop Charlottens from dreaming
Feel lucky? You’re not the only one.
The attraction of a Friday Night Mega Millions $1.28 Billion Jackpot drawing is too much for some Charlotte residents, even those who rarely play the lottery.
It’s Mega Millions second largest prize in its 20-year historyand the third time the jackpot exceeded $1 billion.
Heard from Charlotte Residents who don’t let the slim chances of winning stop them from dream big. Journalist Charlotte Kramon has the whole story.
2. Mecklenburg County now at risk for ‘code red’ COVID as subvariant push continues
Mecklenburg County announced on Friday that it is now classified as high risk of COVID-19 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Under the new risk factor, the county recommend taking a COVID test before gatherings, meeting outside if possible and masking inside.
Mecklenburg joins several neighboring counties like Rowan, Cabarrus and Gaston, which were classified as high risk on July 25. Journalist Blake Douglas has the full report here.
3. Former Monroe Pool gets historic marker after fight for racial integration
Beneath a Monroe Country Club putting green lies an unlikely piece of civil rights history: a former public swimming pool.
On Thursday, A Few Good Men, Inc., a Monroe-based nonprofit organization, placed at the bowl site a marker assigned to them by the African American Commission of North Carolina, where young black people were denied access to swimming 65 years ago. “It was a landmark event that brought about positive and constructive change,” Jonathan Blount, a Monroe native and co-founder of Essence Magazine, told the Charlotte Observer.
“It was a time when we were looking for change.” Check out this story by Jonathan Limehouse to learn more about why the old pool is a piece of civil rights history.
4. South End Loses That Sweet Smell Of Honey Buns As Carolina Foods Moves To Pineville
South End residents who savor sweet scent of honey rolls and other treats made for decades at Carolina Foods facilities must prepare to say a bitter goodbye.
Carolina Foods announced this week he leaves Charlotte – his home for 88 years – and moving on Pineville Road. It was there that he built a 423,000 square foot facility, at 12031 Carolina Logistics Drive. The company – known for its Duchess-branded snacks like Honey Buns and Wrapped Donuts – is teaming up with real estate firm Beacon Partners to build the new site.
Want to know more? Douglas has the details.
5. Some other stories to read
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