WCNC.COM
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'It wasn't equal" | How the Blumenthal is working to make theater accessible
Since 1995, Blumenthal has interpreted certain performances for the hearing impaired. That includes the Sunday matinee for each of the Broadway Lights engagements. WCNC.com, July 21, 2022 CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Starting Tuesday, July 26, the Tony Award-winning play To Kill a Mockingbird will make its home at the Belk Theater in Uptown Charlotte. The 24-person cast includes Anthony Natale, a deaf actor playing the non-deaf role of Link Deas. Natale has spent his life on the stage and screen, performing non-traditional roles across the country. “It’s right to portray that we as deaf persons are able to play any role that doesn't traditionally have to be a deaf character,” Natale said. “This is an awesome way to allow the audience to then see the importance of showing the skills of deaf persons and that we can portray a caring character. Natale uses American Sign Language (ASL) with his character and hopes that it can inspire deaf members in the audience to audition for hearing roles, adding that “in the 70s, and 80s, typically traditional roles stayed with traditional [actors], but now the skin color, the disability, that doesn't matter anymore. It's becoming more focused on the story itself.” This month’s performances will not be the first time ASL will be used at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, as it has been offering services for those who are deaf or visually impaired for decades. Since 1995, Blumenthal has interpreted certain performances for the hearing impaired. That includes the Sunday matinee for each of the Broadway Lights engagements. Anita Baker has interpreted about a dozen shows at Blumenthal and said it all started for her at Central Piedmont Community College. “I decided to take an American Sign Language class just to see if I could get an easy A to tell the truth, and it wasn't easy. As I got more engrossed in deaf culture, I noticed how it likened to my culture as a minority," she said. That class caused her to take more classes and eventually became her major. After earning a degree in educational interpreting from the University of Northern Colorado, she returned to Charlotte and became the director of interpreting for Sorenson Communications. Baker said it takes about seven years to master the language, so the nerves on stage are nonexistent. “Because I've seen the show previously, I've been preparing for the show for weeks, and sometimes up to two months; I am ready,” Baker added. While she’s confident, Baker said it still takes quite a bit of preparation. Read more on wcnc.com 1 person dead after shooting in south Charlotte, police say
Officers said it happened along Deep Rock Circle, which is near the intersection of E Arrowood Road and Nations Ford Road. WCNC.com, May 8, 2022 CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One person is dead following a shooting near a south Charlotte apartment complex early Sunday morning, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Just after midnight, CMPD officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call near the 1200 block of Deep Rock Circle, which is near the intersection of East Arrowood Road and Nations Ford Road. When officers arrived, they found a man who'd been shot. The victim, identified as 19-year-old Maurice Paige Jr., was pronounced dead at the scene. No arrests have been made in connection with Paige's killing. Another person was shot and killed on the same street back in July, according to police. No one was charged in the case. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective. Historians say D-Day was among the greatest military achievements ever
US and British leaders took years to plan the massive invasion of mainland Europe in hopes of toppling Hitler's regime. WCNC.com, June 6, 2022 CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Historians regard D-Day as among the greatest military achievements ever. After nearly five years of war, most of western Europe was occupied by German troops or fascist governments. American and British leaders took years to plan the massive invasion of mainland Europe in hopes of toppling Hitler's regime. Let's connect the dots. It combined over 156,000 U.S., British and Canadian troops, along with nearly 7,000 ships to pull it off. The goal was to trick the Nazis into thinking the invasion would take part on a different part of the French coast. Troops and supplies were in place by May, but bad weather delayed the launch by a month. All five beaches were secured within five days of the invasion, which brought 2.5 million troops and 4 million tons of supplies. Peter Smoothy, 97, served in the British Royal Navy and landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. “The first thing I remember are the poor lads who didn’t come back ... It’s a long time ago now, nearly 80 years ... And here we are still living,” he told The Associated Press. “We’re thinking about all these poor lads who didn’t get off the beach that day, their last day, but they’re always in our minds.” The massive influx of troops marked a decisive turning point in World War II and Germany surrendered less than a year later. |
Thousands march across Carolinas, America to demand gun law changes
This weekend's protests come at a time of renewed political activity on guns and a crucial moment for possible action in Congress. WCNC.com, June 11, 2022 By Reems Landreth and Jesse Pierre WASHINGTON — Thousands of people streamed to the National Mall for the highest-profile of countrywide demonstrations Saturday marking a renewed push for gun control after recent mass shootings from Uvalde, Texas, to Buffalo, New York, that activists say should compel Congress to act. Organizers hoped the second March for Our Lives rally would draw as many as 50,000 people to the Washington Monument. While that would be far less than the original 2018 march that filled downtown Washington with more than 200,000 people, they decided to focus this time on smaller marches at an estimated 300 locations. Six of those marches were in the Carolinas with rallies Saturday in Weaverville and Asheville, North Carolina, as well as in Columbia and Greenville, South Carolina. Rallies are planned for Sunday in Charlotte and Salisbury. "I don't see it as a partisan issue; I see this as a parental issue,” said Alissa Redmond, a mother of two and organizer of the march in Salisbury. “I'm very concerned about the safety of my children when they go to public school and I feel that, having marched in 2018 with my young daughter, during that march for our lives, that it was a no-brainer. I was obviously going to help either organize or participate in anything that happened close to my home." The first march was spurred by the Feb. 14, 2018, killings of 14 students and three staff members by a former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. That massacre sparked the creation of the youth-led March For Our Lives movement, which successfully pressured the Republican-dominated Florida state government to enact sweeping gun control reforms. The Parkland students then took aim at gun laws in other states and nationally, launching March for Our Lives and holding the big rally in Washington on March 24, 2018. The group did not match the Florida results at the national level, but has persisted in advocating for gun restrictions since then, as well as participating in voter registration drives. Now, with another string of mass shootings bringing gun control back into the national conversation, organizers of this weekend’s events say the time is right to renew their push for a national overhaul. “The second amendment is not absolute. It does not mean that you can take an AK-47 and you can kill 21 folks in Texas," said Charlotte city council member Malcolm Graham, who wants stronger gun laws in place. “It doesn’t mean you can go to a grocery store and gun down 12 African Americans… or go into a church and kill my sister Cynthia Graham Hurd who was at bible study.” “When you look at other countries that have stricter gun laws the number of mass shootings is much lower and that speaks for itself,” said Eliana Hannon. Hyatt Guns, store owner, Larry Hyatt said when it comes to restrictions lawmakers should focus on mental health. “I think this mental health stuff will really help us as a firearm dealer because if we run that background check to know someone is turned down because they have mental health issues,” Hyatt said. “We don’t need to know why. We don’t need details, we just need a good yes or no from our background system.” “I think when something of this magnitude happens, you hope that the people that haven't already given this the same level of thought would perhaps sit down and have a deeper conversation with themselves about what needs to change in our society,” Redmond said. “We are the only country on this planet with this magnitude of a problem when it relates to gun violence, specifically in schools." Charlotte’s march starts Sunday at 11 a.m. at First Ward Park on East Seventh Street. Salisbury’s rally will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Rowan County Government Administrative Offices. Redmond says they plan to march around the Bell Tower Green Park before reassembling in front of government offices for informal remarks from concerned community members. Friday the 13th: Why are we so afraid of the date?
Historians aren't sure of the origins of when it started, but we do know that Fridays and the number 13 have been unlucky throughout history. WCNC.com, May 13, 2022 CHARLOTTE, N.C. — So why did people become so afraid of Friday the 13th? Let's connect the dots. Historians aren't sure of the origins of when it started, but we do know that Fridays and the number 13 have been unlucky throughout history. The ancient Sumerians developed a number system based on 12. So, on the heels of a 'perfect' number, 13 was unusual. And Fridays have been unlucky for some since biblical times. It's said to have been the day Eve ate the forbidden fruit, Cain murdered Abel and when Noah's ark set sail. So, when the two collide, a lot of people think it's a recipe for disaster, which is just bad news since any month that starts on a Sunday will have a Friday the 13th. |
13WMAZ.COM
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'I'm used to going through tough times': Why Gov. Kemp says voters should give him 4 more years
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp says he has no intention of having his position snatched away this election season. 13WMAZ.COM, Feb. 24, 2022 HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — 13WMAZ sat down with the leading Republican Gubernatorial candidates ahead of the May primary to learn why they are running and why they believe they alone can win in November. “I think Georgians realize, now more than ever, it's important who your governor is," said Kemp. The incumbent governor says he has no intention of having his position snatched away this election season. “I've got a successful record of being a governor who's done what they said they would do and our state being the #1 state for business,” said Kemp. “Best job and economic environment that I've seen in my lifetime.” Kemp also wants to remind voters he accomplished that in the face of a fierce pandemic by refusing to shut Georgia down. “You look around the country, you've got states that are still locked down," said Kemp. “You have people that have lost generational businesses. The employees there have had to move to other states because they don't have a job.” The job of being governor doesn't come without heavy criticism. Kemp has taken shots from President Donald Trump and his supporters for certifying the 2020 election results. He says he is used to a little bit of controversy and critiquing. “That's been going on for two years now, but I had plenty of that when I was Secretary of State," he said. Some of that criticism centered around Kemp purging inactive voters from the registration rolls and refusing to resign from his position as Georgia’s Secretary of State while campaigning for governor in 2018. Since being elected governor, he's come under fire for signing SB 202, which set down a new slate of voting laws. “Georgians want to know they have confidence in their elections process,” said Kemp. “Democrats, Republicans, and people that are not affiliated with a party -- they want to have secure, successful and fair elections, and that's what we have in Georgia.” Kemp grew in up in Georgia, graduated from the University of Georgia, and spent many years as a small business owner before entering politics. “I was fighting to survive every week to make payroll and potentially losing it all, so I'm used to going through tough times, but we're in good times now," he said. As for the current political landscape? “Politics is more challenging now than it's ever been in the country,” he said. “But we're just in one of those polarizing times. I mean, the pandemic's caused that, elections have caused that, and it's gonna be here for a while.” Polling of 872 registered voters conducted by the University of Georgia Survey Research Center for the Atlanta Journal Constitution shows as of mid-January 2022, Perdue would beat Stacey Abrams, 47% to 43%. That same poll shows Gov. Kemp would also beat Abrams, but by a wider margin (48% to 41%). However, other polls conducted by Quinnipiac University during the same time show Perdue and Abrams tied at 48%, while Kemp edges Abrams by 2 points (49% to 47%). The general primary election date is May 24, 2022. Voters must register by April 25, 2022. The winner of that Republican primary will face off against the presumptive Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams on Nov. 8, 2022. Currently, Abrams is the sole Democratic candidate for governor. Tune in at 11 p.m. Thursday for 13WMAZ's sit-down interview with David Perdue. VERIFY: Facebook post about alleged Warner Robins stalking contains inaccuracies
13WMAZ.com, Aug. 7, 2020 WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — A Facebook post about an alleged stalking incident in Warner Robins has been shared thousands of times. It recounts the shopping trip of an unnamed women who was allegedly stalked from store to store by an unnamed man. THE QUESTION Does the Facebook post correctly tell what allegedly happened? THE ANSWER Not exactly. Warner Robins Police Lt. Mark Wright says, "the things described in the Facebook post were not how they unfolded." WHAT WE FOUND The Facebook post tells the story of an unnamed woman's shopping trip from the craft store Michaels, to an unnamed location for lunch, then to At Home -- a home goods store. The post says that the woman first saw the man at Michaels, where she "got a strange feeling about him." It continues saying that she saw him again where she ate lunch and again at At Home, where the post says he tried to enter her car through the passenger side door. According to Lt. Wright, who was briefed by the detective involved with the case, the alleged stalker never approached or spoke to the woman. Lt. Wright also says the Facebook post is "not true" when it says the "man [went] to the passenger side and tries to open the door. Realizing it is locked, he starts to walk away." Lt. Wright says that the man never touched the car and never tried to open the door. Warner Robins Police Chief John Wagner says they are awaiting footage from At Home of the incident. |
'A people vs. politician race': Former U.S. Senator David Perdue on why he's running for governor
Perdue’s entrance into the race set off a debate about whether a contentious Perdue-Kemp primary could benefit Stacey Abrams in November. 13WMAZ.COM, Feb. 24, 2022 HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — 13WMAZ sat down with the leading Republican Gubernatorial candidates ahead of the May primary to learn why they are running and why they believe they alone can win in November. “I'm doing it because I think the people of Georgia need to have an alternative," said David Perdue. That's the former U.S. Senator's response on his decision to challenge incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp in the May 24 Republican Primary. “This is unusual for me,” said Perdue. “It's outside my character to run against a fellow Republican -- an incumbent governor -- first time in the history of Georgia politics it's ever been done.” His entrance into the race set off a debate about whether a contentious Perdue-Kemp primary could benefit Stacey Abrams in November. “People say, 'David, you can't run against an incumbent. You'll divide the party,'” he said. “Well, the party's already divided, so what we want to do is get somebody in there from June to November who can unite us.” The former senator is back in the political arena a little over a year after he lost the Jan. 2021 runoff to Democrat Jon Ossoff. He picked up more votes than Ossoff in the Nov. 2020 general election -- 2,462,617 to 2,374,519 -- but not enough to avoid a runoff. “I got caught by a few thousand votes by this 50% rule. Otherwise, in every other state but one, I would have been reelected in November,” said Perdue. He's part of a lawsuit claiming Fulton County counted fraudulent or counterfeit ballots in Nov. 2020, even though investigations found no evidence of voter fraud. “I'm not trying to undo an election, but I'm trying to figure out what happened and make sure it never happens again," said Perdue. He also doesn't buy into claims Georgia’s new election laws make it difficult for certain segments of the population to vote. “In 2020, more people voted, more Democrats voted than any other time in Georgia history. I got more votes than any Republican in Georgia history, so this voter suppression thing is not backed up with any facts at all," said Perdue. Now, months away from the Republican primary, Perdue believes he can separate himself from Gov. Kemp. “I've learned to do things a little differently in an unorthodox way, and that's what this race is really about,” he said reflecting on his business background. “This is about a 'people vs. politician race.' Brian Kemp has been in office for 20 years. My question to the voters in Georgia in the primary is, 'If he were able or willing to bring us together, wouldn't he have done it already?'” Perdue admits the Peach State is doing well economically and credits it to President Donald Trump. “We're riding the economic wave that Donald Trump created -- don't let anybody kid you on that,” Perdue said. “I was a part of that. We helped work that agenda. We implemented regulations, energy, taxes, and we saved our community banks and we helped six-and-a-half million people pull themselves out of poverty.” When asked why voters should choose Perdue instead of the current Republican governor, Perdue did not mince words: “Because I'm the only Republican that can beat Stacey Abrams.” Polling of 872 registered voters conducted by the University of Georgia Survey Research Center for the Atlanta Journal Constitution shows as of mid-January 2022, Perdue would beat Stacey Abrams, 47% to 43%. That same poll shows Gov. Kemp would also beat Abrams, but by a wider margin (48% to 41%). However, other polls conducted by Quinnipiac University during the same time show Perdue and Abrams tied at 48%, while Kemp edges Abrams by 2 points (49% to 47%). The general primary election date is May 24, 2022. Voters must register by April 25, 2022. The winner of that Republican primary will face off against the presumptive Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams on November 8, 2022. Currently, Abrams is the sole Democratic candidate for Governor. The general primary election date is May 24, 2022. Voters must register by April 25, 2022. The winner of that Republican primary will face off against the presumptive Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams on Nov. 8, 2022. Currently, Abrams is the sole Democratic candidate for governor. One injured in shooting at Georgia National Fairgrounds
According to Perry Police Chief Steve Lynn, people are detained in connection with the shooting. 13WMAZ.com, May 30, 2021 PERRY, Ga. — One person was injured in a shooting Saturday night at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry. According to Perry Police Chief Steve Lynn, people are detained in connection with the shooting. Lynn says a search is underway in a wooded area for an additional suspect. According to a post on the Georgia National Fair's Facebook page, a 15-year-old male was shot west of the clock tower. Chief Lynn says a victim is being treated at a Macon hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Multiple agencies including the Houston County Sheriff's Office are at the scene, according to a 13WMAZ reporter. Georgia National Fairgrounds Chief of Marketing Keaton Walker says May Days on the Midway will continue Sunday and Monday as planned. Walker says law enforcement will be present at normal levels. If anyone has any information on the shooting, you are asked to call the Perry Police Department at (478) 988-2800. |
FSCSOUTHERN.COM
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Lakeland honors victims of Pittsburgh synagogue shooting
Previously in the Southern, Nov. 2, 2018 (Vol.133 No.5) By Reems Landreth and Jillian Kurtz A message of light and love united the Lakeland community on Oct. 28 during a service of unity and remembrance at Temple Emanuel. Mike Scolnick, former Vice President of Temple Emanuel, wipes away tears during the service on the front lawn of Temple Emanuel on Oct. 28, 2018.The service was in response to the deaths of 11 at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA. on Saturday, Oct. 27. According to The New York Times, this event has been described as one of the deadliest attacks against the Jewish community in the United States. Florida Southern freshmen Gabby Araguiz and Melina Ramirez attended the event after being notified by an email sent out to all students from President Anne Kerr at 4:15 p.m. “I just feel a really strong connection to my community and we prayed here [Temple Emanuel] about a month ago for the high holidays,” Ramirez said. Araguiz stated that her former rabbi used to attend Tree of Life synagogue. “I feel like you need to show that you care and this matters and this shouldn’t be happening,”Araguiz said. Dr. Catherine Eskin, advisor for FSC Hillel, was in attendance. “It isn’t about faith,” Eskin said. “Generally, when this kind of thing happens, it doesn’t have to do with whether you believe in God, it has to do with whether you love other human beings.” Temple Emanuel Rabbi David Goldstein spoke to reporters before the service that he was disheartened but not surprised that an incident like this occurred. Rabbi David Goldstein and Sheriff Grady Judd embrace during the service at Temple Emanuel on Oct. 28, 2018.Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd spoke during the service addressing the Jewish community saying, “You are not alone. We will do everything possible to protect you. You already know that we love you.” He went on to say that his officers will do whatever it takes to protect the citizens of Polk County and bring swift justice to anyone who opposes their freedoms. “Personally I never thought that safety in a temple would ever be an issue because that is a spiritual and safe zone,” FSC Hillel President Andrew Gapinski said in a message. “We shouldn’t have to hide from the world to practice our religion.” Men’s basketball back on track after 24 point comeback victory
Previously on the Southern Online, Jan. 24, 2019 Jonathon Lawton (29 pts) and Brett Hanson (23 pts) led Florida Southern to a 24 point comeback tonight as they defeated Saint Leo, 86-83. Florida Southern (14-4, 7-3 SSC) came off a 14 point loss to Rollins College last Saturday while Saint Leo (8-10, 5-5 SSC) came into the matchup on a four game win streak with wins over major conference opponents. The Mocs stumbled in the opening minutes as they quickly took a 7 point deficit (2-9) before Jack Rauch and Hanson each put in two to hold a 6 point deficit (6-12) with 16:23 left in the half. Southern failed to match Saint Leo through the bulk of the first half, letting the point margin slip through their hands to a 24 point deficit (25-49) with 4:49 left in the half. Ben Marello and Rauch put together a small comeback in the first half to narrow the margin to 15 (53-38) at the half. The second half brought out a completely different Moccasin team. Lawton opened the half with 5 points in the first two minutes to start off a 22 point rally by Lawton and Hanson over the first 10 minutes of the half to put the Mocs within 4 points of the lead (63-67). The Lions found their groove again, holding their four point lead before Lawton tied the game up with 2:39 left and Rauch retook the lead 40 seconds later. Lawton and Marello finished it off for the Mocs, scoring the final 7 points. Hanson had 23 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists in today’s match up while Lawton recorded 29 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Marello also had 12 points while Rauch put in 15 points and 9 rebounds. The Mocs will have the weekend off before making the trip down Interstate 4 to play the University of Tampa (9-9, 3-7 SSC) at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center in Tampa, Fla.. That game will start at 7:30 p.m. and can be viewed on the Sunshine State Conference Digital Network. |
Hannah Flemming marks sixth school record
Previously in the Southern, April 19, 2019 (Vol. 133 No. 14) Sophomore Hannah Flemming marked her sixth all-time Moccasin track record as she ran the 5,000 meter run in a blistering 17:30.58 at the 2019 Bison Outdoor Classic on April 13 in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Just one week prior, she reset her own school record in the 1,500 meter run at the UNF Invitational on April 5 in Jacksonville, Florida . Flemming ran in the 1,500 meter invite race as one of two Division II runners in the field of 13 and with her 4:42.40 personal-record time, she now holds the top four spots in the Florida Southern record books. Flemming also holds individual records in mile run (5:21.99) and in the 800 meter run (2:22.46), and team records in the 4×800 relay (10:08.38) and in the distance medley relay (12:59.54). She holds a total of eleven top-10 times in two years so far as a Moccasin. “It’s honestly really fun to be at the point where I’m breaking my own records,” Flemming said in a message. “I started out this season pretty rough, starting the first two months of the year completly out of running because of an achilles injury.” Flemming is expected to break her 800 meter record at the South Florida Invitational this weekend, her third school record in as many weeks. At the UNF Invitational, Addison Cantor (4th – 18:03.17) marked the fifth-fastest time in school history while Jolene Vergauwen (21st – 19:08.89) ran her own personal record in the 5,000 meter run. Madison Santore (35th — 19:57.37) also completed the race. The 1,500 meter run saw Alayna Goll (3rd – 4:52.16) run the seventh-fastest time in school history while Amber Winton (25th – 5:27.94) also finished in the mixed Division I and Division II field. The 800 meter run saw Haley Rodriguez (30th – 2.39.18) and Winton (32nd – 2:45.88) finish in a mixed field. On the men’s side, Thomas Gardner (7th – 11:10.91) marked a top-10 finish and a personal record in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the UNF Invitational. In the 5,000 meter run, Michael Balseca (14th – 16:11.05) and Mikey Papa (28th – 18:36.86) also ran in a mixed division field. A week later, Florida Southern Track headed to Lewisburg, Penn. for the 2019 Bison Outdoor Classic where Goll (50th – 17:45.14) also recorded the fourth-fastest time in school history. In the 10,000 meter invitational run, Ysabella Guerra (41st – 38:22.04) ran a personal record to enter the record books with the second-fastest time in school history while Hannah Nelson (16th – 41:41.82) marked the eighth-fastest time in school history in the 10,000 meter unseeded run. Mitchell Kozik (33rd – 9:39.59) marked the second-fastest time in school history for the 3,000 meter steeplechase. In the 5,000 meter run, Josh Wagner (53rd – 14:55.99) marked the ninth-fastest time in school history with his personal record performance while Mason Jones (74th – 15:28.26) also competed. Florida Southern will be running again on April 19-20 at the South Florida Invitational in Tampa, Florida. |