Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How you can serve Charlotte at United Way’s 2026 MLK event

Also check out District One Holiday Market on the Charlotte Patch calendar

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Greetings Charlotte! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How you can serve Charlotte at United Way’s 2026 MLK event
  • Why a repeat violent offender was free before a Charlotte mother’s death
  • How CMS budget cuts could affect hiring and teacher pay next year

Also on today's calendar: District One Holiday Market and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Charlottefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Charlotte? Post it to Charlotte photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Charlottefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 52 and low of 33 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 56, low: 39.
  • Thursday: Cloudy; breezy in the p.m., with a high of 60 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. MLK Day Call to Service with United Way of Greater Charlotte 2026 (charlotteonthecheap.com) — Charlotte residents are invited to honor Dr. King by volunteering at United Way of Greater Charlotte’s MLK Call to Service on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at The Park Expo. You can help assemble school-supply and snack kits, meet local nonprofits, play bingo for prizes, and bring the whole family with advance registration required for each attendee.
   

2. ‘He's a monster': Judge denies bond for man accused of killing Charlotte mother (wbtv.com) — A Charlotte man previously convicted in a violent case is being held without bond after police charged him in the killing of local mother Frejza Baker, whose body was found in her car. Family members are mourning her loss while questioning how he was free on probation, as court records detail years of serious charges and a new court date set for early January.
   

3. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to cut hiring next year as it feels budget squeeze (charlotteobserver.com) — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is planning about a 10% cut in new hires next year as enrollment declines and federal and state funding remain uncertain, but leaders say reductions will come through attrition, not layoffs. District officials also warn that shrinking state funds tied to student counts will force “right-sizing” staff, even as the superintendent plans to again seek a teacher supplement increase to push pay closer to a local living wage.
   

4. Inmate's estate says he hoarded medicine in Charlotte jail, died from overdose (charlotteobserver.com) — A federal lawsuit claims a 71-year-old man died from a quetiapine overdose at the Mecklenburg County jail in Charlotte after staff allegedly failed to monitor his medication or check on him as required. The suit, which also cites earlier in-custody deaths, names the county, the sheriff’s office’s former medical provider, and several individuals, while the sheriff’s office declines comment on pending litigation.
   

5. Charlotte man accused of raping teenage girl met through Snapchat, sheriff says (wbtv.com) — A Charlotte man is facing multiple serious charges in Stanly County after deputies say he contacted a 13-year-old girl on social media and was later found nearby and arrested. Investigators also executed a search warrant at a Charlotte address, while leaders of Sycamore Brewing in Charlotte publicly condemned the alleged actions and emphasized support for the victim and community.
   

📸 Around Charlotte

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Charlotte

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please help us find our lost dog!
    Lucy is a red cavapoo, about 20 pounds with a pink collar. She got out around 7:30am this morning. Last seen in Rozzelle's Landing area. The collar… (Nextdoor Susanna Place)
  • Mia update, she’s home safe and tucked in.
    She lost some weight and is exhausted but she’s still herself. 7.5 days missing. So relieved to have her home. Thank you again to anyone who shared… (Nextdoor Wilson Glen)
  • Schools to operate on two-hour delays due to dangerously cold temperatures... (X: wsoctv)
  • Homicide Investigation In The Providence Division... (X: CMPD)
  • Sunrise Senior Living posted a job opening for Activities Assistant in Charlotte. Apply here.
  • TIBCO Software, Inc. posted a job opening for Banquets Houseperson in Charlotte. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Charlotte here.

Ok Charlotte! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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