Traffic creates safety concerns at schools
Traffic around schools can be fast and furious, and districts across the country turn to police officers to direct the mayhem.
In Charlotte, some schools are struggling to hire off-duty officers, potentially putting students and staff in danger, morning and afternoon.
The Observer’s Payton Guion takes a look this week at how public schools are falling behind private schools in dealing with traffic safety.
Out of prison but can’t vote
The voting rights of North Carolinians released from prison and on supervised probation for felony convictions remains in limbo.
A state court ruled last week that the law barring them from voting was unconstitutional, but Republican lawmakers asked the court to put a hold on its ruling until appeals are complete. As of Friday, it was unclear whether the court will grant that request.
This week in the Observer, staff writer Will Wright talks with Mecklenburg County residents whose excitement over the possibility of voting again has turned into confusion.
Hornets still playing
For the first time since the 2015-16 season, there will be NBA postseason basketball in Charlotte. Though, it may not quite be the playoffs.
The Hornets clinched a spot in the NBA’s play-in tournament with their win over the Knicks last Wednesday in New York.
The tournament takes place April 12-15 and includes the teams with the seventh- through 10th-highest winning percentages in each conference. The survivors move on to the playoffs, which begin April 16.
LaMelo Ball and company still have four regular-season games left: at Miami on Tuesday, at home against Orlando on Thursday and at Chicago on Friday before ending at home against Washington next Sunday.
Still, if you’ve got NBA postseason fever, tickets to possible Hornets home games in the play-in tournament and opening round of the playoffs go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday at hornets.com or ticketmaster.com, or on the Hornets app.
Rock and ‘Culture’
Rock star Jon Bon Jovi tells the Observer’s Théoden Janes he’s “holding my breath right now.”
Why?
COVID.
The frontman for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Bon Jovi says a few staff members recently came down with the coronavirus. If he also contracts it, then “show’s canceled.”
Let’s hope that doesn’t happen. Bon Jovi is set to rock Charlotte’s Spectrum Center at 8 p.m. Friday.
Before that, however, 1980s heartthrobs New Edition brings its “Culture Tour” to the uptown arena this Sunday night.
Look for Janes’ concert reviews at CharlotteObserver.com on Monday and Saturday.
More sports in Charlotte
▪ After ending Mike Krzyzewski’s 42-year career at Duke in the men’s Final Four on Saturday, North Carolina will play Kansas for the NCAA championship in New Orleans on Monday night. Tipoff is 9:20 p.m. on TBS.
▪ Charlotte FC returns home next Sunday to face Atlanta United. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. ABC and ESPN Deportes will broadcast the match.
▪ The Charlotte Knights open the regular season with a six-game set at Norfolk at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday. The Class AAA Knights’ home opener is scheduled for April 12 against Memphis.
City, county government
The Charlotte City Council will hear an update on restoring misdemeanor penalties for some ordinances, including the camping ban that drew criticism for its potential to criminalize homelessness.
Last week, the council voted to bring back penalties on some local laws, including ordinances about animal abuse, weapons, noise violations and states of emergency.
The council will hold its strategy session at 5 p.m. Monday. The meeting will be broadcast on the Government Channel and the city’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners: The board will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The meeting can be watched on the Government Channel or online at watch.mecknc.gov.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education: The CMS board will meet in Room 267 of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
3 from CharlotteFive
▪ Charlotte SHOUT! continues its 17-day run with a variety of events. Admission is free.
▪ The new Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas are now open at Prosperity Village, and movies are $5 all day on Tuesdays.
▪ Former competitive gymnast Sarah Klein, a victim’s attorney and advocate who was among the women abused by then-U.S. Olympics women’s gymnastics team Dr. Larry Nassar, will speak at annual Everyday Heroes Philanthropy Luncheon. Tickets are $250+. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Westin Charlotte, 601 S. College St.
Don’t Miss
▪ The Ford GT40 driven to a Le Mans victory in the 2019 film, “Ford v Ferrari,” will make its first off-screen appearance at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s AutoFair, which runs Thursday-Sunday. Tickets start at $10, and gates open at 8 a.m.
▪ The farmers market at Camp North End returns at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Expect an eclectic mix of farmers, food artisans, and other small businesses popping up along Keswick Avenue every Wednesday through October.
▪ Camp North End will host the inaugural Empanada Fest, a celebration of Latin America’s tasty pastry turnovers. Count on live music and dancing beginning at noon Saturday.
▪ “The Price is Right” is coming on down to Ovens Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Tickets start at $43.
Compiled by Rogelio Aranda
This story was originally published April 3, 2022 at 6:30 AM.