Top Charlotte news for May 18: I-77 mixed feelings, CMS Teacher of the Year

In Charlotte, Monday’s news includes more I-77 discussions, a deadly weekend shooting and celebrations of local talent. Here’s a roundup of the stories shaping the city.

- Residents left a series of community meetings on the $3.2 billion Interstate 77 South toll lane project with mixed reactions, as NCDOT weighs a design that could acquire about 29 homes in the Wilmore neighborhood through eminent domain.

- A dispute Sunday evening in a northwest Charlotte subdivision on Paw Club Drive ended with one person fatally shot by an acquaintance, and CMPD said officers are not searching for additional suspects.

- Rebeckah Hauss, who teaches students ages 18-22 with complex physical disabilities at Metro School, was named CMS 2026 Teacher of the Year at the Gem Awards on May 5 from a pool of 11 finalists.

- A record-breaking 59 schools participated in the 13th annual Blumey Awards on Sunday at Belk Theater, with best actor and actress winners Harold Garcia of North Lincoln High and Anna Jernigan of Carmel Christian School advancing to the national Jimmy Awards on June 22.

- Did you see unusual crowds at SouthPark this weekend? Hundreds of shoppers wrapped around the mall Saturday for the release of the Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop pocket watch collection, which retails for $400 to $420 but was reselling online for around $1,500 shortly after launch.

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