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Voters scold Mecklenburg County Commissioners at Tuesday meeting

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff
Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 11:32pm

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 7th, 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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High school football to kickoff on Thursday night

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff
Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 3:38pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- For the 2nd straight season, the high school football season will kickoff on a Thursday.  This year, there will be a doubleheader at Memorial Stadium in the first ever CharlottePreps Kickoff Night powered by OrthoCarolina.  The event will be August 22nd.

In game one, defending NCISAA Division 1 state champ Charlotte Christian will take on Sun Valley.  Kickoff is set for 5:30.

In the 2nd game, former conference rivals South Meck and Independence will take on each other 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.

These 2 games will be the only games played on a Thursday in the first week of the season so they will be on the big stage.

Part of the money raised in this event will benefit CMS middle schools athletics. 

Last year, A.L. Brown took on Shelby on a Thursday night in a game not related to this event.

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Officials: Testing underway after TB discovered at high school

Submitted by Chris Dyches
Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 11:32am

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Nearly three-dozen people are being tested on Tuesday after a former high school student in Charlotte tested positive for Tuberculosis (TB).

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg school officials, a former female student from South Mecklenburg High School tested positive for TB.  The school found out last week, officials told WBTV.

The sick student graduated in January. School officials looked at her school schedule to determine who she may have come into contact with.

WBTV has learned that 33 students and one teacher will have to undergo testing. Officials with the Mecklenburg County Health Department told WBTV testing was underway on Tuesday.

According to a parent, who contacted WBTV, the school sent out an automated call to parents and said information would be sent home with students, as well.

Copyright 2013 WBTV. All rights reserved.

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What's Ripe Now at Charlotte's Farmers' Markets

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff
Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 9:02am

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- The smell of fresh fruits and vegetables greets Tracey Rosenberg and her children for dinner most days.

"They absolutely love it," says Tracey.

She's picky about what's on her family's plate. Her first choice? The farmer's market.

"They actually eat fruits and vegetables because we come here," added Tracey.

And around this time of year they are easier to come by.

"We are starting to get a lot of local things in," said Norman Simpson the owner of Kings Drive Market.

"We are getting some tomatoes, cucumbers and squash in now, greens and collards."

The growing popularity of farmers' markets is evident from the people massed around with baskets slung over their arms.

In Charlotte farmers markets are now in full swing offering produce from local growers and merchants.

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Senate budget proposal changes SBI

Submitted by Melissa Hankins
Monday, May 20th, 2013, 7:32pm
Senate budget proposal changes SBI

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- The North Carolina Senate released its state budget proposal late Sunday night.

It's a  $20.6 billion dollar plan that includes adjustments to Medicaid, education reform, and a big change for the State Bureau of Investigation.

Senate leaders have been looking for ways to trim costs, and to prevent any tax increases, and they're proposing consolidation as a tool to do so.

But the SBI proposal is starting to look like a convoluted case.

Attorney General Roy Cooper stood with a dozen law enforcement officers today to oppose the move. Cooper says putting the SBI under McCrory's control could create a conflict of interest, and that it would cripple the organization's independence and investigative techniques.

The SBI currently handles public corruption cases, and in the past it's investigated more than 500 public officials, including the past two governors' administrations.

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