🌱 Gun Found At School + Absentee Ballots + Cheerwine Fun

Good morning, Charlotte! Let's get you started this Friday with everything you need to know going on today in Charlotte.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sun. High: 75 Low: 45.

Here are the top stories today in Charlotte:

1. Gun found at Garinger High School (WCNC.com)
2. NC governor vetoes bill moving up absentee ballot deadline (Charlotte Observer)
3. Charlotte native using lessons learned in prison to keep kids from repeating his mistakes (WCNC.com)
4. Charlotte Chefs Use Cheerwine To Nail Holiday Dessert Challenge (Charlotte Patch))
5. Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte Announce Electric Vehicle Decal Competition for Local College Students (Mecklenburg County)

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:

• Rental - Lower Providence Community House (12:00 AM)
• Networking - Cafe y Pastel Online! - Latin American Chamber of Commerce (8:00 AM)
• Nonprofit Services - Fridays with Rocky - Charlotte Lit (10:00 AM)
• Little Mystery Book Club - Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Main Branch Virtual Events (10:30 AM)
• Basketball vs East Meck (AWAY) - South Mecklenburg High (10:30 AM)

Charlotte Patch Notebook

• Charlotte Fire Communications "Fire Alarm": "Look at who stopped by ALARM today; #HUGO from the Charlotte Hornets. Hugo quickly realized we were just too much. We in ALARM are quick. We #SendTheSwarm and we send it fast! #FirstDueEverywhere" (Facebook)
• CMPD Animal Care and Control: "Thank you to South Charlotte rescue for taking Cocoa (if he is not reclaimed by his owner)." (Facebook)
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg District Attorney's Office: "DA Spencer Merriweather recently presented service awards to two of our public servants. Assistant District Attorney Withrow and Legal Assistant Mobley were both honored with 15-year service awards. Congratulations!" (Facebook)
• Charlotte Ballet: "Are you looking for the perfect holiday gift for the Nutcracker fan in your family?🎁 Make sure to stop by our Boutique at our upcoming Nutcracker performances! Nutcracker-inspired t-shirts, dolls, books, posters and more will all be ava..." (Facebook)
• Children's Theatre of Charlotte: "We did it! With your help, we surpassed our goal of $10,000 for GivingTuesday. Now we will be able to visit underserved daycares for the holidays, and provide the magic of The Winter Wonderland Shop at no cost to families, teacher, or sc..." (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• center for loss and grief counseling — Center for Loss and Grief Counseling- (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• New Year, New You – Charlotte, NC Hub ~ No-Cost Webinar (December 7)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (December 11)
• ACT Master Strategies In-Person Class (December 26)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. See you all tomorrow for another update! If you're loving these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Charlotte Daily? Email me at charlotte@patch.com.