News

Recommended county budget calls for property tax hike

Thursday, May 23rd, 2013, 2:19pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- If Mecklenburg County officials have their way - home owners will be paying more in property taxes.

Interim County Manager Bobbie Shields presented his 2014 recommended budget to county commissioners Tuesday night.

Shields says the property tax increase will help pay for services in the current budget and deal with increased demand.

The county says funding is needed to "address the growth in CMS student population, opening of new parks, libraries, and merit increases for employees."

According to county officials, a 2.5 cent tax increase would mean about $50.00 higher property tax bill for a $200,000 home.

WBTV checked in with some homeowners to see how they feel about possibly paying more in taxes.

John O'Neill of Huntersville says "if the money is gonna be well spent, ensure financial - fiduciary - responsibility to make sure we're paying our debt - I think it's necessary."

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Foxx questioned on leadership, how to fund infrastructure at Senate hearing

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, 7:05pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Mayor Anthony Foxx was questioned Wednesday on his experience leading Charlotte and how he would fund future transporation projects amid a tight budget environment if he was confirmed as the next U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

Foxx gathered before a crowded room of Senators and media at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, DC.

The hearing, which started around 2:30 p.m., began with opening remarks from North Carolina Senators Kay Hagan and Richard Burr.

The list of senators who are questionsing Foxx include South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott. No North Carolina senators are on the list.

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"Click It or Ticket" Campaign Now Under Way in NC

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, 3:31pm

"Click It or Ticket" Campaign Now Under Way in NC

The Governor’s Highway Safety Program today officially launched its Memorial Day "Click It or Ticket" campaign, marking 20 years of seat belt safety awareness efforts that have saved countless lives.

To honor this milestone and show support for the cause, GHSP is asking North Carolinians to get out their cell phone cameras, snap a self-portrait of them buckled up while parked and share it on social media, using the hashtag, "#SafetySelfie."

"As the state that started "Click It or Ticket" two decades ago, we're known for finding unique ways to encourage people to fasten their seat belts," said Don Nail, interim director of GHSP. “The ‘#SafetySelfie’ is just one more example of our innovative approach to changing motorists' behavior for the better. By harnessing the power of social media, we hope to convince the small percentage of people who aren't buckling their seat belts that it's the right thing to do."

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Voters scold Mecklenburg County Commissioners at Tuesday meeting

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, 7:26am

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Mecklenburg County Commissioners got an earful from the public Tuesday evening during their weekly meeting in Uptown Charlotte.

The meetings comes on the heels of a tense few weeks, originally prompted by the public firing of former county manager Harry Jones.

Jones, who was fired on May 7^th, asked to speak and thank his staff and supporters, but Chairwoman Pat Cotham denied Jones' request, asking him to leave immediately.

Tuesday night was the first time, residents could publicly address the board over Jones' firing. Many came to the aid of Jones, threatening board members they would lose votes.

"You better get on board and understand that Charlotteans do not work that way," said Sandy Copeland.

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Michael Jordan: Bobcats changing name to Hornets

Submitted by Nick Needham on Tuesday, May 21st, 8:49 pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (AP/WBTV)- Charlotte Bobcats Owner Michael Jordan announced Tuesday that he has asked the NBA to allow him to change his team's nickname to the Charlotte Hornets.

Jordan made the announcement at the Bobcats practice facility at Time Warner Cable Arena Tuesday evening.

"You guys wanted the Hornets name back," Jordan told the crowd gathered. "I was always astounded by the way the fans supported the team."

If approved, the Hornets nickname would go into effect for the 2014-15 season. The NBA Board of Governors will vote on the name change at its July meeting in Las Vegas.

"Let's bring the buzz back, and bring that energy back on the basketball court and make this city proud again," Jordan said.

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Some upset over handling of Harry Jones firing

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 8:44pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- WBTV has learned that Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners will pay more $260,000.00 in severance payout to fired County Manager Harry Jones.

Meanwhile, tonight is the first regular meeting since commissioners fired Jones - the longtime county manager.

The agenda is packed with county business, including a budget presentation by interim County Manager Bobbie Shields.

But some people are still talking about the meeting two weeks ago when commissioners voted 6-to-2 to terminate Jones without cause.

Commissioner Trevor Fuller says "I don't think people have forgotten. They were tough decisions that had to be made. They were consequences of that decision and we're all trying to live through the consequences of it."

Commissioner Fuller says he stands by his vote to terminate Jones but he's not happy with the way it was done.

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Police: Duo arrested, admitted to B&E's

Submitted by John Cominsky on Tuesday, May 21st, 8:25 pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department have arrested two men they say were involved in a felony breaking and entering and larceny case.

On May 21, a victim called 911 to report that his vehicle had been broken into on the 10,000 block of Orchard Grass Court. The victim told police that an Apple iPad and a cell phone had been stolen

Officers were able to use the GPS on the iPad to track its location to a vehicle traveling along South Tryon Street.

Once the vehicle came to a stop, officers initiated contact with the occupants of the vehicle, later identified as , Jeremy Valssingane, 19, and Christopher Green, 20, who gave consent for the officers to search the vehicle.

The iPad was located inside, and both occupants were detained.

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