Service Journalism Desk at  The Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Observer • 30th June 2023

Will your trash be picked up on July 4th in Charlotte? What to expect on the holiday

Charlotte-Mecklenburg city and county offices will be closed along with CharMeck 311 in observance of the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. However, trash pick-up will operate on its regular schedule for the entire week, according to 311.

While there will be no changes to Charlotte’s regularly scheduled garbage collection, July 2-8 is an orange week for recycling.

Residents should “place their collection materials curbside on their scheduled day of collection,” the city said.

Solid Waste Servi

Charlotte Observer • 30th June 2023

What does affirmative action ruling mean for Charlotte universities? Leaders speak out

The Supreme Court ruled that colleges and universities across the nation won’t be allowed to consider race as a factor when deciding admissions

Schools, including those in North Carolina, are now forced to look for new ways to diversify their student bodies.

The nation’s highest court removed what many considered a precedent that benefited Black and Latino students.

The original intention of affirmative action was to minimize “state-imposed racial segregation,” according to the Congressional

Charlotte Observer • 29th June 2023

Going to an NC beach with your dog this summer? Here are rules you should know

Looking to take your canine out on the beach during the dog days of summer? Well, North Carolina beaches have some rules to abide by and advice for protecting your pup.

“Not cleaning up after your dog presents health hazards to humans and is detrimental to our beach and oceans,” according to Sunset Beach officials on its website.

Sunset Beach is located 3 hours and 25 minutes east of Charlotte, near Wilmington, NC.

While you share the beach with vehicles and fishing activities, Shackleford Ba

Charlotte Observer • 28th June 2023

Flying out of CLT airport this July Fourth? Prepare to pack patience

Charlotte Douglas International Airport officials are encouraging travelers not to fly by the seat of their pants this holiday as it anticipates record-breaking crowds for the upcoming Fourth of July travel period.

Starting Thursday until July 5, the airport expects about 229,000 passengers to venture through Charlotte Douglas. This is a 13% increase from this time last year and “23% busier than 2019,” according to CLT officials. The airport also expects an additional 367,000 connecting passeng

Charlotte Observer • 26th June 2023

An Amber Alert helped locate a missing NC teenager. Here’s how the system works

A Durham 16-year-old kidnapped by three masked men on Friday was found safe after an Amber Alert was issued for her disappearance, according to The News and Observer.

It was the most recent instance in which an Amber Alert was used in an effort to locate a child missing and considered in danger.

Here is what an Amber Alert is, when it’s issued, and what are the system’s protocols.

What is an Amber Alert?

Amber, which stands for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response, has criteria fo

Charlotte Observer • 23rd June 2023

NC will start losing daylight after the summer solstice. Here’s how quickly

Prepared for another hot summer in North Carolina? Well, it’s officially here.

Wednesday was the start of the summer solstice, marking the beginning of the summer season.

During the summer solstice, we’re seeing a peak in the amount of sunshine and daylight hours. And according to the U.S. Naval Observatory’s Daylight Data for Charlotte for 2023, we are still seeing the highest amount of daylight right now.

WHAT IS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE?

Marking the astronomical start of summer, the summer sol

Charlotte Observer • 22nd June 2023

Publix has an ice cream truck that is touring the Southeast. How to see it in NC

For anyone who’s ever had trouble catching their neighborhood ice cream truck, Publix will be on a roll with one of their own as part of a tour across the Southeast this summer.

The food chain, with stores all over North Carolina, is promoting free samples this summer.

At its scheduled stops, you can expect to play lawn games and enjoy a “vintage-style photo booth for customers to commemorate their experience,” Jared Glover, spokesperson for Publix, told The Charlotte Observer in an email.

He

Charlotte Observer • 22nd June 2023

A ‘Doritos Ranch Flavored’ wildfire? Officials explains why they chose this goofy name.

A Reddit user recently asked why someone was allowed to name North Carolina wildfires.

“OK, who is letting their teenager name wildfires in North Carolina? I mean, it isn’t a big fire, but seriously,” the user wrote, including a screenshot of a wildfire near Antioch, NC, titled “Doritos Ranch Flavored” for reference.

“In this instance, the first responder on site was either eating Doritos or had some close by. There was a Doritos Cool Ranch bag of chips in his eyesight when he arrived on scene

Charlotte Observer • 22nd June 2023

Charlotte teens could win a scholarship by signing up for a gym membership. Here’s how

Remember the boredom of being a teen with nothing to do over summer break? Well, Planet Fitness has just the program to keep TikTok loving and fitness fascinated youngsters busy in real life.

The national fitness club chain is offering high school students the opportunity to workout for free as part of its High School Summer Pass program.

Teenagers 14-19 can get a free membership to use at any of Planet Fitness’ 2,400 locations, many of which you can find in the Charlotte area.

By signing up

Charlotte Observer • 21st June 2023

The McDonald’s Grimace Birthday Shake is here. Where to get one in Charlotte

Everyone’s favorite purple blob, Grimace is taking over menus as McDonald’s celebrates the beloved character’s birthday.

A special meal for Grimace is available at all participating McDonald’s locations for a limited time. But, prices vary by location.

You can order a milkshake that also includes the option to choose a Big Mac or 10-piece chicken McNuggets. The Grimace birthday meal is available in Charlotte at McDonald’s locations like 2625 South Blvd. or 2745 Freedom Dr.

Grimace, a “lovable

Charlotte Observer • 17th June 2023

Tired of paying for parking? Here’s where you can park for free in South End

Free parking may be harder to come by after the city of Charlotte got rid of free public parking on Saturdays.

Generally, you’ll shell out $1.50 an hour since “all vehicles parked in metered parking spaces are required to pay the meter or pay station for the corresponding time the vehicle occupies the space,” according to the City of Charlotte.

Charlotte officials say its parking is “more convenient than ever,” with over 1,200 metered spaces in uptown and South End.

But in South End, there ar

Charlotte Observer • 16th June 2023

Can you have vehicle insurance without owning a car? Here’s what NC law says

Some licensed drivers in North Carolina may want to buy a car or currently drive a vehicle without insurance. But is it even possible or legal?

A Reddit user recently asked, “I don’t plan on owning a vehicle or insurance for much longer. Does this mean I will need to surrender my license? I need a license to drive vehicles once at work but don’t plan on having a car or insurance of my own.”

North Carolina Motor Vehicle Law requires that automobile liability be continuously maintained, accordin

Charlotte Observer • 14th June 2023

Tryon Street. Touch-Me-Not Lane. How some Charlotte streets got their names

Several Charlotte street names were recently changed after some were found to have ties to Confederate leaders, The Charlotte Observer reported.

A few streets The Charlotte Legacy Commission recommended in 2021 to be renamed were Jefferson Davis Street, W Hill Street, Stonewall Street, Jackson Avenue, and Phifer Avenue.

“During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, monuments were erected in public spaces, and streets were named for local and regional Confederate leaders,” The Lega

Charlotte Observer • 14th June 2023

Have you lost a pet in Charlotte? Here’s what to know to bring them home

On an online platform where missing pets are a frequent topic of discussion, a Charlotte resident posted to Nextdoor about a stray dog.

“This dog was seen in Wedgewood today, and behind Publix on 901. Not sure if it was found by owner yet? Anyone missing this dog,” the commenter wrote.

Many Charlotte residents have shared photos of the pets in recent search efforts, while others have shared their experiences with encountering stray animals.

In another post, the same person detailed coming acr

Charlotte Observer • 12th June 2023

See a Charlotte street sign that needs to be replaced? Here’s who to call

The Charlotte Observer Service Journalism desk is committed to providing answers to questions that matter to you and your community. In this space, reader-submitted inquiries -- such as the one below -- will be investigated each day by our team of reporters.

A Charlotte resident recently expressed concern over “increasingly dirty” street signs in parts of the city that have become hard to read.“

“This is creating a dangerous situation in some places,” Laurie Graybeal wrote to Know Your 704. “T

Charlotte Observer • 12th June 2023

Not ready for hurricane season yet? Here’s how to prepare in NC right now

Despite its distance from the nearest beach, Charlotte can experience the effects of hurricanes and tropical storms.

In 2022, about 11,600 Duke Energy customers in Mecklenburg County lost service, including residents in Charlotte, due to Hurricane Ian.

More than 300 flights were canceled between Charlotte Douglas International Airport and others in the southeast, The Charlotte Observer reported. There were also five deaths, statewide power outages, and significant storm damage.

This year, the

Charlotte Observer • 9th June 2023

Going to Taste of Charlotte in uptown? How to beat traffic and where to park

Charlotte’s in for a summer filled with festivals taking place starting this month through the fall.

Taste of Charlotte, a three-day food festival featuring samples from local restaurants and live performances, will return to Tryon Street this weekend.

Taste of Charlotte is preceded by Eat Black Charlotte Week, which kicked off last week. The annual festival to celebrate the week is being held at a new venue location on East 7th Street after record-breaking attendance last year, CharlotteFive

Charlotte Observer • 8th June 2023

Lightning strike caused two-alarm fire in Charlotte. Could one hit your home?

A lightning strike in the midst of the thunderstorm hit a Charlotte apartment complex Sunday morning that caused a two-alarm fire, The Charlotte Observer reported.

While homes, building structures and hard top vehicles offer the safest shelters during thunderstorms, open structures and open outdoor spaces still are places you should avoid during a thunderstorm.

If you’re worried about the likelihood of lightning striking your house, here’s what you should know.

How likely are homes and struct

Charlotte Observer • 7th June 2023

Former Panther claims to have lost 100 pounds in 40 days. Experts say not so fast

Former Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Russell Okung recently shared his 100-pound weight loss story on Twitter.

Answering the question, “How did you do it?” Okung says the weight was lost through fasting in just 40 days of drinking water.

The once 310-pound player tweeted out before and after photos of himself after undergoing the dramatic transformation.

“The journey from being a 330+ lbs @NFL football player to 100+ lbs lighter - has been unreal! A new me, a new chapter,” Okung tweeted