🌱 Carowinds Rejects SeaWorld + Shooting Violence + March Madness

Happy Friday, neighbors! Here's everything worth knowing in Charlotte today.

First, today's weather:

Breezy; cooler in the morning. High: 63 Low: 31.

Here are the top stories in Charlotte today:

1. 'Take Their Masks Off': Mask Mandate Lifted In Mecklenburg County (Charlotte Patch)
2. Charlotte's Greatest March Madness Moments: 1961-Today (Charlotte magazine)
3. Person Struck And Killed On I-85 Near Freedom Drive (Charlotte Patch)
4. 'If you see something, say something': Community leader urges people to call police in wake of deadly shooting (WBTV)
5. Carowinds parent company rejects increased SeaWorld takeover offer (Charlotte Observer)

Today's Charlotte Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community — and to get access to this amazing technology — click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Charlotte!

Today in Charlotte:

• National Pancake Month at Flying Biscuit Cafe Park Road (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• ArtPop Street Gallery: "Head out to @adventcoworking tomorrow, Thursday, Feb 17th at 6pm for the opening of their art exhibition "Faces 2022!" ⁠ ⁠ This free event will include the artwork of our very own #ArtPopCLT Cities Program artist, Liz Haywood! (@lizhaywo..." (Instagram)
• Charlotte Pride: "WE'RE BACK! 🌈 The Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade makes a full-scale return to Uptown. Dates Announced! Join us in Uptown August 20-21, 2022. Vendor and parade applications, entertainer interest forms, award nominations, and more are ..." (Facebook)
• CMPD Animal Care and Control: "Sophie was in the Auger & Auger Doghouse this morning! She's available for pre-adoption. https://www.wccbcharlotte.com/... Auger & Auger Law Firm; WCCB News Rising; WCCB Charlotte's CW" (Facebook)
• Charlotte Fire Communications "Fire Alarm": "On this date in 1968 the 1st ever 911 call was placed by Alabama Speaker of the House Rankin Fite, from Haleyville City Hall, to U.S. Rep Tom Bevill, at the City's Police Station. It is reported that he answered the phone with "Hello" Ha..." (Facebook)
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: "Thank you Leading On Opportunity for your work to support college and career readiness for students. We stand together in this important work. #WeAreCMS" (Facebook)
• Charlotte Mecklenburg Library: "South Charlotte is a growing community full of residents from all over the world. To assist them to the best of our ability, South County Regional Library houses an extensive collection of world language materials for all ages. Get to kn..." (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (February 21)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (February 22)
• Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month (February 28)
• Get A ‘Taste Of Paradise’ During This Exclusive Event At Atlantis (February 28)
• Add your event

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Cassie Fambro

About me: A Texas-native, I've spent most of my life in Alabama but have recently moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. I have an avid interest in motorsports, so this makes the Carolinas an ideal region to call home. I have a decade of experience in journalism, graduating from the University of South Alabama with honors in journalism with a double major in psychology and a minor in criminal justice. I spent roughly five years of my career in front of a camera in TV news but I have spent years in print journalism and even earned a couple of cool awards like an Edward R. Murrow award along the way. I enjoy covering stories in education, healthcare, government and most of all, stories that directly help people and improve their lives in some way. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my partner Matt, and our two cats, Kenly and Gotenks, going to new restaurants and hanging out at racetracks.