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

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.

Senate budget proposal changes SBI

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.

Is CMS in violation when it comes to Teacher Planning?

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- It's part of NC Statute 115C-105.27. It states school districts should have a goal to give every teacher an average of five hours a planning time each week. Charlotte-Mecklenburg School district (CMS) parent Susan Plaza claims that is not happening.

"We hear everything from we get 30 minutes a week," Plaza said. "If I'm lucky to I get 4.5."

Plaza sent out a survey to teachers and some teachers report getting only 1.5 hours a week to plan their lessons.

"It's created more work load," Plaza said. "With less time to do it in, so I imagine they are feeling rushed, stressed and overworked."

The problem started when CMS extended the day for elementary schools so the district could save money in its transportation department.  The district now uses the buses to make double routes.  Plaza and her group have been fighting the longer days since day it started around two years ago.

Marshals: Man arrested for sexual assault of disabled woman

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- A man wanted for the sexual assault of a disabled woman in Connecticut was arrested in Charlotte, according to a release from the U.S. Marshals Service.

Kenneth Wilson, 39, was accused of sexually assaulting a mentally disabled woman multiple times over a several month period, authorities in East Hartford, CT. Investigators say they suspect he fled to the Charlotte area to avoid apprehension.

Wilson was located Thursday in the 300 block of Plymouth Avenue in east Charlotte, and taken into custody by the Western North Carolina U.S. Marshals Violent Offender Task Force with the assistance of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office.

He was charged with first degree sexual assault and first degree reckless endangerment, and was taken to the Mecklenburg County Jail pending extradition back to Connecticut to face the charges.

Copyright 2013 WBTV. All rights reserved.

Police looking for man who cut of monitoring device

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in locating a man they say cut off his electronic monitoring device.

Dajuan Lamont Fleming, 21, is wanted by the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) on outstanding warrants for felony breaking and entering, felony larceny after breaking and entering, felony conspiracy, and interfering with an electronic monitoring device.

Fleming was ordered to wear a CMPD electronic monitor as a condition of his release from jail on February 6. On May 20, he cut off his electronic monitor and was last seen at the 3036 block of Peach Bottom Lane, in east Charlotte.

Anyone with information on Fleming's whereabouts should immediately contact the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) at (704)336-VCAT or call 911.

Copyright 2013 WBTV. All rights reserved.

Library helps women transfer life skills to resume

Library helps women transfer life skills to resume

The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County is inviting unemployed women to a resume workshop.

Women in the Workforce is aimed at helping women to identify life skills that can enhance a resume.

The workshop is most suitable for women who have little or no previous work experience.

Participants can explore how to use the skills they have learned from hobbies, volunteer work, and homemaking to obtain the job they really want.

Women interested in improving their resume should meet at the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County's Main Branch, located at 310 North Tryon Street in Charlotte, Tuesday May 21, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.

The cost is free, and the program is open to women of all ages. Registration is not required.

For more information on the Workshop, call 704-416-0500.

East Charlotte bank robbed, several suspects arrested, police say

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Police have arrested several people they say robbed a Charlotte bank Monday morning.

The robbery was reported before 9 a.m. at the Bank of America on the 6400 block of Albemarle Road, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

The suspects left the scene in a white car and crashed it in a nearby neighborhood off Lawyers Road and Rolling Oak Lane.

No injuries have been reported.

Copyright 2013 WBTV. All rights reserved.