Survey: Panthers, Bobcats dead last for fan loyalty

Saturday, March 26th, 2011, 12:16am

By Tom Roussey - bio l email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - New survey results rank the Bobcats as dead last in the NBA when it comes to sports loyalty, while the Panthers rank dead last in the NFL.

To see the best and worst teams in football, basketball, baseball, and hockey, click here.

This is at least the third straight year the Bobcats have come in last in the annual "sports loyalty index," but it's the first time during that span the Panthers have even been in the bottom five.

The survey looks at factors like how strongly fans bond with their local team, plus tradition, and on-field success.

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Charlotte Checkers Pooch Party to benefit Humane Society

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Friday, March 25th, 2011, 5:05pm

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - The Charlotte Checkers announced today the second annual Pooch Party, benefiting the Humane Society of Charlotte, on Sunday, Mar. 27 at 5 p.m. when the Checkers take on the Norfolk Admirals.

Fans can bring their four-legged companions to enjoy an afternoon filled with dog-themed videos, concourse demonstrations and hockey.

Last year's inaugural event raised more than $2,100 for the Humane Society of Charlotte and attracted more than 300 dogs.

Back by popular demand is the infamous "Weiner Dog Race" where Dachshunds will race on the ice during an intermission. Fans can enter their Dachshund for inclusion in the race by submitting a picture and 'race name' to socialnet@gocheckers.com.

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3 days later, school auditorium still closed after ceiling tiles fall

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Friday, March 25th, 2011, 3:45pm

By Jeff Rivenbark - email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - It's been three days since ceiling tiles forced the closure of a school auditorium in south Charlotte, and officials say they still don't know what caused the tiles to fall.

The incident occurred at Myers Park High School located along the 2400 block of Colony Road Wednesday morning.

A concert that was supposed to be held that evening in the auditorium had to be canceled after a small section of the ceiling plaster/tiles fell earlier in the day.

On Wednesday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Spokesperson Lauren Bell said the fallen plaster was in an area less than one percent of total ceiling. Since the ceiling is 25 feet high, Bell said if any more plaster were to fall, it could be dangerous.

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CMUD talks water hikes...again

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Friday, March 25th, 2011, 11:44am

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - It's been less than a month since city leaders approved a hike in your water bill.

Now, Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities District says it needs more money - $25 million more.

And there's a good chance the utility company will try to find at least some of it in your wallet.

Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx said CMUD told him last night that it will probably ask the city to approve a rate hike.

"The report actually was pretty thorough last night in terms of making points about why they think they need the resources," Foxx says.

But the mayor says it'll be hard to get his approval.

"We're still hearing from citizens not just in the city of Charlotte but all over the county about the water bill issues which still need to get addressed," he says.

WBTV had brought you dozens of reports on the issue, spotlighting citizens who say they're being significantly over-charged.

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On The Road: Charlotte Symphony Concerts

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Friday, March 25th, 2011, 11:42am

By Liz Horton - bio l email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - This season, the Charlotte Symphony is making a big noise in the community, offering cheap tickets and fun family entertainment.

"The value you get from the symphony in terms of the product that we produce, I think can't be beat, really," said Jacomo Bairos, assistant conductor of the Charlotte Symphony.

"There's nothing else for children in Charlotte that is like this," said Meg Whalen, the Director of Public Relations for the symphony. She says the goal is simple: to make music as accessible as possible.

"Yes there are people that are turned off by what they think of as the staid or reserved or very serious orchestral concerts, but we have a lot of concerts that are really very different," she said.

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Want to get your hands on tickets to the 2011 Wells Fargo Championship?

Submitted by Chris Dyches

Thursday, March 24th, 2011, 3:36pm

Want to get your hands on tickets to the 2011 Wells Fargo Championship?

SOUTH PARK - Once again the Wells Fargo Championship will provide a convenient option for patrons to obtain tickets for Charlotte’s only PGA TOUR event.

Starting Friday, March 25, area fans can visit the Wells Fargo Championship kiosk at SouthPark Mall, and purchase tickets for the May 2-8 tournament to be held at Quail Hollow Club. All ticket packages will be available.

With this option, fans will save the $10 shipping and handling fees plus, be able to walk away with tickets in hand.

The Wells Fargo Championship kiosk at SouthPark Mall will be located at Center Court, near the escalators.

Operation hours will be Monday-Friday 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m.

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Charlotte Running Club to Attempt World Record

Submitted by Jay Holder on Thursday, March 24th, 3:07 pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – A world record attempt is happening in South Charlotte this weekend. Members of the Charlotte Running Club will spend nearly a day and a half, trying to run the fastest 100 x 5K relay ever run.

Going into the weekend, the record is held by the Florida Striders. The Jacksonville based club completed the feat in 37 hours and 13 minutes.

“We hope to shatter that record,” said Ben Hovis, competition director for the Charlotte Running Club. If the club’s calculations are correct, that should be an easy goal to accomplish.

To break the current record, runners need to average 22 minutes and 30 seconds for 3.1 miles. A pre-relay projection has the average runner completing their three-point-one mile leg in 18minutes and 45 seconds. That would have the relay completed in 31 hours.

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