Volunteers key to making summer camps run

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, 7:48am

Volunteers key to making summer camps run

The summers are busy for this Charlotte teacher.

When Courtney Blosser is not in her first grade classroom, she is busy at a Charlotte YMCA.

"If you can offer them any extra support than you should do that," said Blosser.

Last summer, she signed up be a teacher volunteer for the Y readers program.

The Huntintowne Elementary School teacher volunteered six weeks and fell in love with her job.

"I love reading," said Blosser.

"I want our children to love reading and I think that for some of our struggling readers that is an amazing program."

The YMCA's Y Reader's program is just one month away.

"This summer we are going to be located at 10 schools across the greater Charlotte area," said Blair Campbell, YMCA communications and partnerships specialist.

The program preps students for the next reading level and helps struggling readers retain information usually lost over the summer.

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Mecklenburg commissioner calls on chair to resign

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Monday, May 13th, 2013, 7:27pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- There is more drama with the Mecklenburg County Commissioners.

This time a commissioner is calling on the Chair of the board to step aside. It comes on the heels of Commissioners firing Harry Jones, the long time County Manager.

Commissioner Dumont Clarke, a democrat, sent an email to fellow democrat - Chairwoman Pat Cotham - telling her "you need to seriously think about stepping aside and letting someone else lead this county commission and speak for us."

Chairwoman Cotham tells WBTV she's not thinking of stepping down as Chair. She says she has" the support of majority of the board", and in her view - "they're moving forward."

This all started Friday when the Charlotte Business Journal ran an article about the commissioners terminating Jones.

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New City Manager recommends City move forward with streetcar

Submitted by Melissa Hankins

Monday, May 13th, 2013, 7:15pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- New Charlotte City Manager Ron Carlee is recommending that the city move forward with the streetcar extension plans that have deeply divided City Council.

In a plan he's unveiling Monday night, he says his endorsement is based on a feeling that Charlotte has a window of opportunity open to it now to secure a lot of federal funding. His implication – that Mayor Anthony Foxx will serve as a prop to that window if he is confirmed as President Obama's next Secretary of Transportation.

Carlee says that if the city can obtain 50% of the funding from the federal government, the remaining portion can be paid through reallocating unobligated city funds.

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Walk/Run to fund lung cancer research

Submitted by Joe Hester, Community News Producer

Monday, May 13th, 2013, 1:45pm

The Levine Cancer Institute and Carolinas Imaging Services are presenting their Free to Breathe 5k and 1 Mile Run/Walk this weekend.

Those who participate in the fundraiser help to raise awareness and fund vital research programs dedicated to doubling lung cancer survival.

Runners and walkers can join the fun at Park Road Park, located at 6220 Park Road in Charlotte, Saturday May 18, from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m.

Online registration is $10 for children ages 12 and younger. For all others, the cost is $25.

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Parents fighting to keep Teacher Assistants

Submitted by Dedrick Russell on Friday, May 10th, 6:21 pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Some Providence Spring Elementary school parents are on a mission. They have started a petition to keep Teacher Assistants (TA's) on the job.

NC Governor's budget includes slashing 3,000 of them to make ends meet. In Charlotte - Mecklenburg school district (CMS) about 400 TA's could be on the chopping block.

"I think there would be a giant hole." CMS parent Julie Knafelz said.

Knafelz signed the petition. She says TA's have played a major role in her son's education. He has special needs and his teacher assistant keeps him on track.

"That person helps them when the teacher is helping other students," the parent said. "Helping with reading groups, helping with math."

Parent Julie Cho came up with the idea of a petition. She wants to save all Teacher Assistants especially the 15 at Providence Spring Elementary.

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CMS Police Chief retires while on administrative leave, officials say

Submitted by John Cominsky on Friday, May 10th, 5:23 pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Police Chief Bud Cesena has chosen to retire while on administrative leave, effective immediately.

The former Chief was placed on administrative leave Wednesday, pending an internal investigation, a CMS spokesperson told WBTV Thursday.

Cesena, who has held the title of CMS Police Chief since late 2006, was put on leave as the result of a personnel matter. Officials told WBTV that school policy prevents them from discussing the matter publicly.

Deputy Chief Randy Hagler was appointed Interim Police Chief during Cesena's leave, CMS said.

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Charlotte ranks in Top 25 Mom-Friendly Dining Cities

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Friday, May 10th, 2013, 2:09pm

Charlotte ranks in Top 25 Mom-Friendly Dining Cities

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Charlotte ranks in the top 10 of Mom-friendly dining cities, according to a new ranking by OpenTable.

The online restaurant reservation company compiled the list ahead of Mother's Day: Top 25 Mom-Friendly Dining Cities in the U.S.

"Whether it's a meal with the kids in tow, a romantic dinner with a spouse, or a night out with the girls, each of these cities has a diverse dining scene to satisfy mom's appetite for food and fun," said Caroline Potter, Chief Dining Officer of OpenTable. "And, it's very clear from the number of folks dining out locally on Mother's Day that area restaurants have mastered the art of pampering mothers and pleasing their palates."

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