Observer

CATS driver’s mother pleads for help finding his killer + Harris Teeter changing hours

By Kristen Kornbluth
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Happy Tuesday, everybody. This is Kristen. Heads up, racing fans: Speedweeks started today at Daytona International Speedway, kicking off NASCAR’s 2022 season. The stock car racing series will hold its 64th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday. Get ready for the big race with the Observer’s Alex Andrejev.

Let’s put some rubber to the road and hit today’s headlines:

1. ‘He was doing his job’: Mother of slain CATS driver pleads for help finding his killer

Sylvia Rivera, mother of slain Charlotte bus driver Ethan Rivera, pleads for information about the suspect in her son’s shooting death during a news conference on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022.
Sylvia Rivera, mother of slain Charlotte bus driver Ethan Rivera, pleads for information about the suspect in her son’s shooting death during a news conference on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

CATS bus driver Ethan Rivera was shot around 9:30 p.m. in a Friday night uptown road-rage incident on West Trade Street and died at a hospital on Saturday. Now, his mother pleads with the public for their help identifying the suspect.

“Please somebody if you know anything, say something,” Sylvia Rivera said during a CMPD news conference Tuesday. “This animal has to be taken off the street. If it happened to my son, your child could be next because this person didn’t seem to care who Ethan was or who he was leaving behind.”

CMPD on Tuesday released photographs of the suspect and his vehicle — a 2003-2005 black Honda Pilot.

Find the rest of the update here with the Observer’s Jonathan Limehouse.

2. As COVID cases drop, Harris Teeter grocery store hours are changing again

Last month, Harris Teeter temporarily shortened store hours, closing at 9 p.m. at all but 13 locations. Those stores will return to previous closing hours this Wednesday.

The original change was put in place to help employees restock and clean stores as COVID ravaged the state. Now, the number of reported COVID-19 cases is falling in North Carolina.

On Tuesday, NC Department of Health and Human Services reported 2,888 new COVID cases, down from 3,383 the day before. However, positivity rates remain high.

Learn more with the Observer’s Catherine Muccigrosso.

In other business news, a national online used car dealership is expanding service to Charlotte and throughout NC. Muccigrosso has the details.

3. Here’s what else to know in the city of Charlotte today

With the resignation of its recently-appointed director, the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative has come under new scrutiny.
With the resignation of its recently-appointed director, the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative has come under new scrutiny. Jeff Siner jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

The Mayor’s Equity Initiative is a $250 million effort, and is largely seen as Charlotte’s most ambitious move to atone for racial discrimination and harm.

“Racial equity is a tough issue to resolve,” Mayor Vi Lyles said about the mission, “and we are going to do our very best, but we are not going to be perfect all the time.”

What’s next for the effort? Dive in here with the Observer’s Hannah Lang and Will Wright.

Vendors of the Central Flea Market hold signs during a press conference held outside the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center in uptown Monday afternoon. On Feb. 11, city of Charlotte staff and CMPD officers went to the site of the open-air market at the former Eastland Mall site and told the vendors they could no longer be on the site. The flea market has been operating there for years, but there’s been some uncertainty to its future due to a recent rezoning and a proposed mixed-use project.
Vendors of the Central Flea Market hold signs during a press conference held outside the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center in uptown Monday afternoon. On Feb. 11, city of Charlotte staff and CMPD officers went to the site of the open-air market at the former Eastland Mall site and told the vendors they could no longer be on the site. The flea market has been operating there for years, but there’s been some uncertainty to its future due to a recent rezoning and a proposed mixed-use project. Khadejeh Nikouyeh knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com

Plus, late last Friday afternoon, City of Charlotte staff and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers went to the open air market at the former Eastland Mall site off Central Avenue. They then told vendors who were setting up for the weekend they had to leave immediately and could no longer be on the property.

What could be next? Learn more with the Observer’s Gordon Rago and Will Wright.

The Charlotte City Council on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, approved a five-year, $4.2 million contract Axon Enterprise that would replace Charlotte-Mecklenburg police body-worn cameras and tasers.
The Charlotte City Council on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, approved a five-year, $4.2 million contract Axon Enterprise that would replace Charlotte-Mecklenburg police body-worn cameras and tasers. T. Ortega Gaines Observer file photo

Finally, a law enforcement update: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers will get upgraded body-worn cameras and stun guns under a new contract unanimously approved by City Council on Monday night. The Observer’s Jonathan Limehouse has the details.

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This story was originally published February 15, 2022 at 3:56 PM.

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