Latest news with #EliBrand
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
More people are experiencing homelessness this year, PIT Count shows
The Point-in-Time Count for Mecklenburg County shows more people are experiencing homelessness this year than they were last year, but efforts to solve the problem are also ramping up. The results of the count show there are over 2,400 people experiencing homelessness in Mecklenburg County. Of those, 444 are unsheltered. That is a 16% increase from last year and the highest unsheltered count since 2010. Channel 9's Eli Brand spoke to Jessica Lefkowitz, the executive director for Hearts for the Invisible Charlotte Coalition, about what these numbers mean for the community. The organization helped lead the count for the last two years. She says the actual unhoused count is likely higher than the numbers show because it was taken during the winter. 'It's something I think we should all think about with this year's point in time count is that it was like 17 or 18 degrees,' Lefkowitz said. 'So, we definitely didn't capture the real, true number because there might have been people in a hotel for the night instead of outside in that extreme weather.' Earlier this month, Mecklenburg County Council passed their budget for 2026. ALSO READ >> Mecklenburg County to vote on new budget It included around $27 million for nonprofits and mental health services. Even with the added funds, Lefkowitz said many nonprofits are still concerned since money they depend on from the American Rescue Plan Act is set to expire. 'We have businesses that are obviously impacted by the unhoused,' she said. 'If they could put some investment into this work, I think we could also help them.' Over the last two years, Heart for the Invisible said they have been able to get 214 people into permanent housing. VIDEO: 'Nowhere to go': Owner asks for community's help after her restaurant catches fire, closes
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Real ID deadline hits for airports, travelers. Can you still fly without one?
Ready or not, the deadline to get a Real ID is here, and airports all across the country are bracing for the first day of enforcement. Channel 9's Eli Brand was at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, where security officials are preparing for longer lines. Officials tell us that they'll still let you through security if you don't have that Real ID yet, but you need to be ready for more screening. They told Brand it could take an extra 30 minutes to get through the security line. The Real ID Act dates back to 2005 after a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission to streamline how people get IDs. It's meant to make travel safer. RELATED: People flock to DMVs ahead of Real ID deadline As of Wednesday, the only way to avoid extra security screening if you don't have a Real ID is to bring a current passport. For some passengers, they're just hoping they can get to their gates in a timely manner. 'It's a bit annoying, I will say. We have had ample warning,' one passenger told Brand. 'We've been told the last few years; I've had mine for four years. I'd say it's ridiculous because an ID is an ID no matter what.' There are still long lines at DMVs across North Carolina as people try and get Real ID compliant. Some locations have extended hours, and the state is considering extending expiration dates for driver's licenses to give people more time before they need to renew their Real ID and ease the strain on DMVs. RELATED: NC could extend driver's license expiration dates as RealID deadline approaches (VIDEO: Airport implements new elevator communication plan after traveler complaint)
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested in Ballantyne after slashing tires on dozens of cars in Publix parking lot
Dozens of Publix shoppers ended their grocery trip with an unpleasant surprise Saturday afternoon. A man slashed the tires on nearly 40 cars in the parking lot. Some cars with flat tires remained in the parking lot at the Ballantyne Town Center Publix on Monday morning when Channel 9's Eli Brand visited. 'You're lucky if you only have one tire slashed because you could put the spare on and get out,' one victim told Brand. 'But a lot of people had 2 or 3 tires slashed.' Sean Gray said he was still in his car when his tires were stabbed. 'I realized someone was walking by the front of the car and I didn't think anything of it until I saw my wife's car's tire pressure monitor go from 35 all the way to zero for the front left tire,' he said. And he wasn't the only one. Some of the tire slashing was caught on video and posted on the CltUncensored Instagram and TikTok accounts. The video shows at least one other victim was still inside their car when their tires were stabbed. READ: Sexual assault survivor waits hours but Novant SANE nurses didn't show Gray said he called 911 once he realized what was happening. 'I decided just to sit there because I wasn't about to go after a person that was mentally not all there for whatever reason, with a knife,' he said. The man with the knife was 30-year-old Darren Ransom, police said. Police reports show he slashed the tires on dozens of cars before being taken into custody. Gray took his car for repairs, but he said he was told there would be a wait. 'They said 'we can't make any promises' because everyone from Publix had taken their cars to Firestone and they were backed up,' he said. Gray's tire could not be patched, and he had to buy a new one that cost him $100. Ransom has been charged with ten counts of injury to personal property. His bond has been set at $500. His next court date is set for August. WATCH: Sexual assault survivor waits hours but Novant SANE nurses didn't show
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mecklenburg County ABC stores now carry kits with lifesaving drug
Mecklenburg County ABC stores now carry a new product – the lifesaving overdose reversal drug naloxone. Channel 9's Eli Brand learned the goal for Mecklenburg County is to be a model for other counties, so they can follow the same blueprint. Brand went to the ABC Spirits on North Graham Street, which is one of 31 locations in Mecklenburg County with a naloxone kit inside the store. The kit includes a dose of naloxone and instructions on how to use it. ALSO READ: Local organization uses opioid settlement grant money to spread hope Naloxone, better known by the name brand Narcan, reverses opioid overdoses. 'They're not breathing well. Their pupils are dilated, maybe their lips and fingernails are turning blue,' said Scott Minderlein, a senior officer with the Mecklenburg County ABC Board. Minderlein is also an instructor with ABC University, a class that teaches useful skills like how to administer naloxone. Minderlein told Channel 9 he's personally had to administer the medication. He said the board's main concern is saving people who accidentally touch something potent like fentanyl. 'Maybe someone is using this drug and it gets on their hands and they wind up touching the doorknob, or maybe they end up touching one of the bottles, and the clerk rings it up and wipes their nose,' Minderlein said. 'Now they have inhaled or ingested the drug, so to speak.' Harry Parker works across the street from an ABC Spirits. He told Channel 9 he's apprehensive about the program and whether it's safe to have non-medical staff administer the medication. 'Let the police handle the situation,' Parker said. 'I mean you're not a medical physician what are you going to do?' Minderlein said the first call from employees will be to 911 to get medical officials on the move. He also said ABC law enforcement have the kits on them and know how to use them. The in-store dosages are there so employees can start the lifesaving process. ABC University also teaches other useful skills outside of how to use naloxone, including things like how to identify someone in danger of overdosing. The Mecklenburg County ABC Board said they want to help other counties get naloxone in their stores. They also want to get naloxone into nightclubs and bars across the county. WATCH BELOW: Nonprofit empowers formerly incarcerated with second chances
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘A regional issue': Police investigating link between thefts at hotels in Matthews
If you visit a hotel in the Charlotte area, it's not unusual to see a sign in the parking lot warning about potential thefts in your car. One in Matthews, in particular, has seen a few break-ins in recent weeks. Police in Matthews told Channel 9′s Eli Brand that it's not just a problem in the town, it's region-wide. 'This seems to be a regional issue, and of course, we're fortunate, everyone in the area is fortunate to have the citizens and the partners that we do,' said Tim Aycock with the Matthews Police Department. We've reported in recent weeks about cars being broken into in hotel parking lots in Huntersville. Now, Matthews police reported the same problem at two hotels just off Independence Boulevard: the Courtyard by Marriott and the Wingate by Wyndham. RELATED >> Huntersville hotels hit by series of vehicle thefts and break-ins Police released surveillance photos of a white Jeep they say the thieves were using. Chris Craft told Channel 9 he was visiting from Atlanta and travels frequently for business. He stayed in the Wingate Thursday night. 'I park where there are other cars, I park where there's a lot of walking traffic and visibility,' Craft said. Matthews PD says many times when people break into cars, they're looking for guns. 'There are weapons issues a lot of times in hotel parking lots. Check with the hotel to see if you can secure it inside of the room. A lot of the time these rooms will have safes there,' Aycock said. Matthews police are working with neighboring agencies to find out if these thefts are part of a larger ring. Police say if you're visiting a hotel, make sure your car is locked before you go inside. Make sure anything of value is brought inside with you, as well. (VIDEO: Mecklenburg County introduces hotel for those experiencing homelessness)
