Tax hike likely for Charlotte residents

Wednesday, May 29th, 2013, 7:18pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- If you live in Charlotte, there's a pretty good chance your taxes are going up. In a preliminary vote Wednesday afternoon, council members voted Nine-to-two for a new budget.

Tax increases don't normally happen when folks are running for reelection, but that didn't stop some council members from taking a big chance. The package of more than 800 Million dollars buys new streets and sidewalks.

It also pays for new affordable housing initiatives, and this funding plan allows the next eight years allows Bojangles Arena to be up-fitted as well.

But will voters take it out on incumbent council members this fall? Some council members say they're not overly concerned.

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The cost of being a wedding guest

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Wednesday, May 29th, 2013, 8:40am

Brides and grooms can easily spend tens of thousands of dollars on their big day.

But now the cost of being a wedding guest is on the rise too.

"The average gift for a wedding is around 100 dollars you have some people depending on if they are family members they'll spend a lot more than that," said event and wedding planner Ivy Robinson.

And if you're part of the wedding?

"If you are in a wedding and you're part of the wedding party your cost are a little bit more."

An American Express survey released this month found wedding guests and bridal parties expect to spend more than 4539 per wedding. That's a 59% increase from last year.

"You're paying for dress - shoes - jewelry," said Robinson.

"Typically they're going to be covering their flights and hotel stay to get to the wedding so it can tend to be quite costly."

Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to cut down on the cost.

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Prosecutors seek to increase charges against hit and run driver

Submitted by John Cominsky on Tuesday, May 28th, 7:06 pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Prosecutors plan to seek second degree murder charges against a young man accused in a hit and run from Memorial Day.

Twenty-year-old Billy Ladario Neal appeared in court Tuesday on several charges, including driving while impaired and driving with a revoked license. He has previous charges for driving with a revoked license.

Monday was Neal's fifth arrest in six months, and his most serious.

Early that morning, Jose Aguilar, 45, was sitting at a red light waiting to make a left turn from East W.T. Harris Boulevard onto Idlewild Road.

Police say the light turned green, and as Aguilar was in the middle of the intersection making the turn, he was struck by a 2012 Nissan Xterra being driven by Billy Ladario Neal, 20, who was traveling straight on Idlewild Road.

Police said Neal ran the red light, and eventually ran from the crash scene after the vehicles came to rest.

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Meck Co. Commissioners begin to look for new County Manager

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Tuesday, May 28th, 2013, 6:34pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Mecklenburg County Commissioners are beginning to tackle the process of recruiting for the County Manager position.

Commissioners spent part of Tuesday's Special Meeting talking about the next step.

According to the County's Human Resources suggested timeline, it could be October before Commissioners hire the new County Manager.

Commissioners will decide if they want to keep that timeline or accelerate it.

The Board, in early May, voted 6-to-2 to immediately terminate longtime County Manager Harry Jones for no cause.

The head of the County's Human Resources Office recommended that the recruitment process includes Human Resources and an Executive Search Firm.

The Board of County Commissioners will decide whether to have a sub-committee of Commissioners oversee and guide the recruitment process.

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Officials: Arrests down, Lynx ridership up during 2013 Food Lion Speed Street

Submitted by Jessica Sells, Web Producer

Monday, May 27th, 2013, 1:32pm

Officials: Arrests down, Lynx ridership up during 2013 Food Lion Speed Street

Good news from the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Joint Information Center (JIC) about the 2013 Food Lion Speed Street festival in uptown Charlotte.

Total arrests were down this year, compared to 2012 and 2011:

In 2011, 95 adults and 9 juveniles were arrested.
In 2012, 33 adults and 11 juveniles were arrested.
This year, 19 adults and 10 juveniles were arrested.

Breakdown of Charges: 2012 vs. 2013

2012 Adult Arrests

2013 Adult Arrests

2012 Juvenile Arrests

2013 Juvenile Arrests

Alcohol-Related

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Isolated Memorial Day storms possible

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Monday, May 27th, 2013, 10:40am

With warm temperatures in the forecast and moisture increasing, there will be a chance for an isolated shower or thunderstorm Monday afternoon.

There's no real trigger for thunderstorm activity, so coverage will be limited to a few storms fueled by daytime heating. That puts the most likely time frame from around 4-8 p.m.

The majority of us won't see any interruptions, and most Memorial Day outdoor plans in the area should go off without a hitch.

Severe storms are unlikely and any showers or storms that do pop up should move on very quickly.

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Business owners reminded to renew Privilege Licenses

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Monday, May 27th, 2013, 9:31am

Business owners reminded to renew Privilege Licenses

The Mecklenburg County Tax Collector is reminding business owners that their annual privilege license must be renewed on or before July 1, to avoid paying a penalty. Notices will be mailed May 28 through 30 to approximately 39,600 business owners in the County.

Most businesses operating in Mecklenburg County are required to obtain a privilege license. That includes businesses that are home-based, sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, and those who have full-time and part-time operations.

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