Right to Keep and Bear Arms Strengthened in North Carolina

NC Lawmakers Pass Sweeping Changes to Gun Laws

From The Associated Press, July 24, 2013

North Carolina lawmakers have approved a bill greatly expanding where concealed handguns are legally allowed.

The bill approved by both the House and Senate on Tuesday allows concealed-carry permit holders to take firearms into bars and restaurants and other places where alcohol is served as long as the owner doesn’t expressly forbid it.

The measure will also allow concealed-carry permit holders to store weapons in locked cars on the campus of any public school or university. Guns will also now be allowed on greenways, playgrounds and other public recreation areas.

The final bill dropped a controversial provision that would have repealed the long-standing law requiring a background check and permit issued by county sheriffs for handgun purchases.

The measure now heads to Gov. Pat McCrory’s desk.

Man Accused of Burning Items in Charlotte Hardware Store

From http://www.wsoctv.com, July 24, 2013

A man remains in jail after he was arrested for allegedly burning items in a hardware store.

Officers arrested Joseph Carter after they said he set fire to the property in Blackhawk Hardware on Park Road on Saturday.

Carter faces shoplifting and burning personal property charges.

City Council Accepts $76,000 Grant to Help Juvenile Offenders

From http://www.wsoctv.com, July 22, 2013

Charlotte City Council accepted a $76,000 grant to help juvenile offenders avoid hard time.

Juvenile rehabilitation program receives $76,000 grant

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Juvenile Offender Diversion Program helps young offenders develop better communication and decision-making skills.

It is available for juvenile offenders who have committed a first offense such as a simple assault, larceny or trespassing.

$10,000, Dozen Cellphones Stolen From Charlotte Store

From http://www.wsoctv.com by Trish Williford, July 22, 2013

Police said $10,000 and more than a dozen cellphones were stolen from a south Charlotte cellphone store.

Police said the thieves cut security lines to the building so they would not be caught, but on Monday night, Eyewitness News learned investigators still found clues that help them track down the thieves.

The robbery occurred at the Boost Mobile store on South Boulevard in the early morning on Sunday.

CMPD detectives said three thieves first cut the store’s security lines before they used to a crowbar to pry open the back door.

Once inside, police said the thieves smashed open a safe and stole over $10,000.

Store owners told Eyewitness News that the thieves also stuffed 14 cellphones in two backpacks before they made their getaway.

Police obtained surveillance video from a store next door that captured the crime.

Business owners in this complex didn’t want to be identified but admit they’re disturbed by the crime.

When Eyewitness News asked the owner if he was disturbed by the crime he replied “Yes. It is the same plaza. If they can break in one place then they can break into another easily.”

Earlier in July, at least five police departments between North and South Carolina investigated break-ins at cellphone stores that stretch across the area, with two in Charlotte, one in Hickory and the rest in York County.

At most of the stores, the thieves threw rocks or concrete into the front door to get in.

Right now, investigators have not linked these robberies to the one on South Boulevard on Sunday.

Charlotte Drug Use Prevention Groups Warn of New Teen Drug Trend ‘Dirty Sprite’

From http://www.wsoctv.com by Torie Wells, July 22, 2013

Some local drug prevention groups said they are seeing a new trend when it comes to teens and drugs.

“I’m seeing what’s called dirty Sprite,” said Begg, a student assistant specialist with Caron, a nonprofit drug and alcohol addiction treatment center.

In the past year she said more teens are talking about something called dirty Sprite, also known as “purple” and “drank.”

“It’s a combination of alcohol, a drug called Promethazine, which is an anti-nausea medicine, or codeine,” said Begg.

She said it is also sometimes made with cough medicine and Jolly Ranchers or gummy bears for taste.

Begg said there is a danger from mixing drugs and that the anti-nausea medicine takes away the body’s natural defense from alcohol poisoning.

“Unfortunately, a lot of them are just not aware of what it’s doing to their body or what it can potentially can do,” she said.

Anuvia Prevention and Recovery Center in Charlotte told Channel 9 it’s hearing more about these mixtures as well.

Both groups said it’s being sung about in rap songs and popular music and that parents need to talk to their kids about the dangers.

Rule Could Enact Work Requirements for Public Housing Residents

From http://www.wsoctv.com, July 22, 2013

People who live in public housing may have to follow a new rule if they want to keep their homes.

The Charlotte Housing Authority currently requires at least one able-bodied person in each household to work if they live in certain neighborhoods. It’s thinking of extending that rule to all CHA properties.

CHA spokesperson Zenica Chatman said CHA constantly helps residents land jobs, but if they can’t or refuse, they could eventually get evicted.

“We believe that all able-bodied citizens should be working,” she said.

CHA resident Brittney Roberts is all for the work requirement. She’s a nursing assistant, said her brother works too, and feels if you can, you should.

“Everybody needs to be involved in something. That’s how I feel period, so, doing something. Not being lazy,” she said.

CHA doesn’t know when it would change the rule. Chatman said the priority right now is helping people find jobs.

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CHA properties that have work requirement

Arbor Glen

Ashley Square

Fair Market Square

First Ward Place

Glen Cove

McAden Park

Montgomery Gardens

Nia Point

Rivermere Apartments

Seigle Point

South Oak Crossing

Springfield Gardens

Stonehaven East

The Park at Oaklawn

Mill Pond

Seneca Woods

The Renaissance

CMPD Investigating After Man Robbed, Duct-Taped at Barber Shop

From http://www.wsocv.com, July 19, 2013

Police are searching for a person they say duct-taped a man’s arms and legs and robbed him at a Charlotte barber shop.

It happened on Sugar Creek Road at Mar Cuts.

Police said a man entered the store and stole shoes, car keys and the victim’s car.

As the robber was leaving the area, police said he fired his gun multiple times, but only hit the business’ front door.

Pineville Police Searching for 2 Men After Fire Set Inside Toy Store

From http://www.wsoctv.com, July 19, 2013

The Pineville Police Department, along with the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshall’s Office, is investigating a fire that was intentionally set inside the Toys R Us store in Pineville on Friday just after noon.

Police are asking for help in identifying two young men.

The first man was seen wearing a white T-shirt and black backpack. The second suspect was a wearing a short-sleeve green, white, and black shirt with khaki pants.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Pineville Police Department at 704-889-2231 or the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshall’s Office at 704-336-3762.

Man Robs Charlotte Animal Hospital, Kidnaps Employee in Broad Daylight

From http://www.wbtv.com By John Cominsky, July 19, 2013

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Armed Robbery Unit are investigating an armed robbery and kidnapping at a local animal hospital.

The incident occurred at the Freedom Animal Hospital on Freedom Drive Friday afternoon.

At approximately 12:45 p.m., officers responded to the hospital for a report of an armed robbery. Once on scene, they were told that a black male, approximately 6’0″ to 6’3″, 260 lbs., bald or shaved head, in his mid-to-late forties, had entered the business armed with a gun and taken money.

He then forced an employee at gunpoint into the business’ vehicle left the scene, police said.

The man then drove the victim to an ATM and tried to force the victim to pull money from her bank account. He then released the victim, without withdrawing any money from the account.

Officers then received a 911 call from the victim who had been released on the 5400 block of Freedom Drive a short time later. The victim was unharmed.

Police are still searching for the gunman. The vehicle was found unoccupied around 3:15 p.m. on the 4000 block of Freedom Drive.

The man was captured on the ATM’s surveillance camera.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Crimestopper’s tip-line at 704-334-1600, or visit http://charlottecrimestoppers.com .

Man Charged in Fatal Hidden Valley Drive-By Shooting

From http://www.charlotte.news14.com, July 19, 2013

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s SWAT unit and VCAT arrested Levi Johnson Jr. Friday morning on Cottonwood Street in connection with a deadly drive-by shooting near Hidden Valley Elementary School.

Police say Johnson fatally shot Davion Funderburk and Inna Gonzalez and wounded two other people last Thursday while they sat in a car on Reagan Drive. Johnson is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and four counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle causing serious injury.

Jonson is being held at the Mecklenburg County Jail.