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iamarocketbuilder · 6 years

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South Carolina recruiting: Gamecocks host big running back from Charlotte

Whenever Will Muschamp lands a commitment, the South Carolina coach drops a #SpursUp on Twitter. Come to SEC Country for the latest news, notes and observations in South Carolina recruiting. For previous editions of SpursUp Surveillance, check out the link.

Trenton Simpson visits South Carolina

Last Saturday, South Carolina running backs coach Bobby Bentley hosted 2020 running back Trenton Simpson, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound prospect from Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte, N.C.

It was visit No. 1 to Columbia for Simpson, whose offer list includes South Carolina, North Carolina, Charlotte and Colorado State.

“Got to tour the school, look at the field, look at the locker room,” Simpson said. “I was able to just walk around the campus and see how nice it was.”

Simpson and his parents were at Bentley’s side throughout the visit. The Gamecocks’ assistant, who also recruits the Charlotte area, left Simpson with a simple message.

“Right now, just focus on my next season, doing as good as I can,” Simpson said. “I want to make sure I get up there for camp this summer, so I can get some work and see how the coaches are up there at South Carolina.”

So far, Simpson has visited North Carolina, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech. He also made camp stops at N.C. State and Clemson last summer. This summer, he’s slated to camp at Tennessee, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech, along with South Carolina.

Several factors will be considered as he moves further into his recruitment.

“Just where I have a bond with the program, the coaches, teammates,” Simpson said. “Making sure that me going to that school is going to help further my [education]. Making sure that it’s the right choice for me.”

As a sophomore, Simpson rushed for 700 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Feeling good before the weekend

Three-star linebacker Derek Boykins (Concord, N.C.) detailed his upcoming official visit to South Carolina during a recent interview with SportsTalkSC’s Phil Kornblut.

“Everything is moving in the right direction with me and South Carolina,” Boykins said. “The fact that they really need me for me. I’m a real need for them. That’s a big thing. I’m feeling good about the visit.”

Boykins, a 6-foot-1, 224-pound prospect from Central Cabarrus High School, is ranked as the No. 30 outside linebacker in the Class of 2019, according to the 247Sports composite.

An official visit to Kentucky is set for the second weekend in June. He’s set to take an unofficial visit to Clemson on June 13. A commitment is expected to be reached at some point this summer, but there is no specific timeline.

“Whenever I feel it, I’m going to do it,” Boykins said. “It might be this weekend. It might be the week after that.”

For more South Carolina recruiting notebooks, check out the link.

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iamarocketbuilder · 6 years

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Princess Charlotte Reportedly Took Charge of the Other Bridesmaids at the Royal Wedding

"She was really organized."

Meghan Markle may have been at the center of attention at Saturday’s royal wedding, but there was another lady in white who nearly stole the show. Princess Charlotte was every bit the adorable bridesmaid and actually took her role very seriously. In fact, she reportedly took charge of all of the other little bridesmaids before they walked down the aisle.

“She was really sweet,” a royal wedding guest told People. “There was one girl who wanted to go and she said, ‘No, you can’t go yet. We have to wait until we are asked.’ She was really organized!”

Princess Charlotte is already a seasoned wedding-party member—she previously served as a bridesmaid at her aunt Pippa Middleton’s wedding in 2017—so it’s hardly surprise that she knew exactly how to behave. Once the ceremony started, though, she needed a little encouragement, care of every child’s (and parent’s, and nanny’s) favorite bribing mechanism: candy.

“I was sitting right in front of [Maria, Charlotte’s nanny] and she was bribing the youngest bridesmaid with Peppa Pig sweets and Smarties, which was quite funny,” the guest said. Wedding photographer Alexi Lubomirski previously noted that he also bribed the young bridal party members with treats to get smiles for the official wedding portraits.

On the day of the wedding, Charlotte and the three other itty-bitty bridesmaids wore white Givenchy dresses that were meant to be the mini versions of Duchess Meghan’s."Each dress is sculpted in Ivory silk Radzimir, and is high-waisted with short puff sleeves and hand finished with a double silk ribbon detail tied at the back in a bow. The Bridesmaids’ dresses include pockets and pleated skirts to create a relaxed and luxurious silhouette," Kensington Palace wrote of the tiny looks. Markle gifted each young lady with a pair of white leather Aquazzura shoes monogrammed with their initials and the wedding date, which they wore for their walk down the aisle.

With her take-charge attitude already in place at age three, Princess Charlotte seems like she’s already well on the way to being a wedding queen.

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iamarocketbuilder · 6 years

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At least one potential Panthers owner reportedly wanted to move team to South Carolina

David Tepper to purchase Panthers pending league approval

The home of the Carolina Panthers, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, nearly straddles the South Carolina border. It turns out, if at least one of the bidders on the Panthers had their way, the team’s next home would’ve crossed over the border into South Carolina, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

On Tuesday, Rapoport reported that at least one of the potential owners of the Panthers wanted to move the team to South Carolina. However, as CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora has reported, David Tepper is set to become the new owner of the Panthers for a reported price of $2.2 billion, and he is not expected to move the team away from Charlotte, which gave him an edge in the process.

"(Tepper), as you mentioned, is committed to keeping this team in Carolina. That was a big thing for him. He’s expected to make some stadium enhancements. … Certainly not a new stadium right now, but the team is expected to stay there," Rapoport said. "Meanwhile, I’m told there was at least one potential owner who wanted to move the team to South Carolina. That was something Jerry Richardson was not having — something that helped him settle on Tepper."

From Up to the Minute: Here are the next steps for soon-to-be #Panthers owner David Tepper, along with what we know about his intentions. pic.twitter.com/4IhWxGlN9G

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 15, 2018

According to the Charlotte Observer, there were four known bidders on the Panthers. It’s not known which of the four bidders wanted to move the team.

I’ve been to North Carolina once in my life, and it was for like two days when I was 18, so I am not at all familiar with the area. Thankfully, my colleague Will Brinson lives in North Carolina. So, I asked him about the idea of the team moving to South Carolina. Let’s just say that Brinson didn’t think it was a good idea.

"This is patently absurd," Brinson said. "Not the report, but the idea that someone wants to take a professional football team out of Charlotte, one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the entire South, and shove it into any city in South Carolina. Not only would you be unnecessarily moving a professional franchise an hour south or an hour west — it’s either Columbia or Greenville we’re talking here — but you would very quickly eliminate an entire state’s worth of your fanbase by virtue of taking the team south of the border."

So, the Panthers fanbase seemingly won’t now have to worry about a relocation after a selling process that only began when team owner Jerry Richardson was accused of workplace misconduct in December. Instead, it sounds like Tepper will try to upgrade Bank of America Stadium in the near future. On Tuesday, the Charlotte Observer reported that "Charlotte has set aside $75 million for a second round of renovations to Bank of America Stadium — but that money isn’t available for four years."

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iamarocketbuilder · 6 years

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Affordable housing, police pay would grow as part of next Charlotte city budget – Charlotte Business Journal

Property tax rates would increase for the third time in six years if City Council follows budget recommendations made Monday by the city manager. An increase of one penny, to 48.87 cents per $100 of valuation, is included in the $694 million operating budget for fiscal 2019.

Taxes on a home worth $150,000 — the median price in Charlotte — would go up $15 per year if the rate increase takes effect. Annual fee increases of $23 for water, $6 for storm water and $7 for garbage collection are also in the budget proposal, meaning most residents would pay $50 or more combined in higher taxes and fees over the next year.

In fiscal 2018 — which ends June 30 — there was no property tax hike, but garbage fees went up by $6 while water rates increased by $21.

Top priorities in this budget include raising salaries for police to help close a vacancy gap of 10% among the department’s 1,900 approved jobs and other incentives, including city contributions to a retiree health-care fund, and tripling the amount of money for affordable housing over the next two years.

Marcus Jones, the city manager, noted that his recommendations include pay raises of 3% for city employees, with the exception of public safety employees. Police officers would receive an average pay bump of 6.5%, including starting salaries as high as $51,000 for new hires who have a four-year college degree. Starting pay for policemen, now $43,492, would go to $46,352. Mid-range and top-level raises would also increase to reduce turnover.

Police sought raises of 15% in February during a presentation by the Fraternal Order of Police to council.

Firefighters would receive raises of 4% to 6.5%, with the exception of the most senior employees, who would see salaries grow 1.5%. The fire department has a job vacancy rate of 1.9%, about 80% lower than CMPD.

Health-care premiums for all city employees will be flat in the fiscal year that begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2019. The city employs 8,000 people. Jones called the flat premiums “great for our employees” because it increases the net gain of employee salary gains.

A majority of the 11 council members must approve the city budget before it takes effect. Council will consider adjustments to Jones’ recommendations at the end of this month and finalize the new budget on June 11.

“We now have the manager’s budget and it’s our time to begin to analyze it,” Mayor Vi Lyles said after Jones outlined his budget Monday afternoon to council.

Citizens can ask questions and comment on the budget during a public hearing on May 14 at the Government Center, followed by adjustments by council on May 15 and 30 before the final vote.

Republican councilman Ed Driggs responded to Jones’ budget by asking why Jones and city administrators failed to avoid pushing for a tax hike despite a long-running construction boom and low unemployment rates that have led to rising property and sales tax revenue.

“Even so, it appears we can’t pay our police properly without a tax increase,” Driggs, who is vice chair of the council budget committee, told me. “Those are questions I feel should be answered.”

He also expressed frustration over the tax rate increase surfacing for the first time Monday. “It was not mentioned in any council meeting before today,” Driggs said, noting council colleagues declined his request this spring for a special meeting to delve further into police pay and compensation.

Including all spending, Charlotte’s budget would grow to $2.6 billion under Jones’ plan, compared with the current $2.4 billion. So-called enterprise funds — fee-driven city departments overseeing water, storm water, transit and the airport — account for $1.4 billion of that amount.

General operating funds, the portion of the budget driven by property and sales tax revenue, would grow 3.7%, to $694 million, with another $506 million dedicated to paying for long-term investments such as roads and other infrastructure approved by voters every two years.

Operating spending increased 5.3%, or $34 million, last year to $669 million, while Jones is seeking 3.7%, or $25 million, more in fiscal 2019.

“We provide a basket of services,” Jones said of city government during a press briefing. “We, as residents, hope to have value in that basket of goods and services. … We’re providing more enhanced services, a better product at the end.”

Before the budget process began, city departments found a combined $14 million of savings through contract revisions and improvements, spending reductions and shifts in how some city jobs are done without hurting existing services, Jones said.

Adding a penny to the tax rate will generate $9.8 million. Police pay raises and incentives, including a phased-in program to have officers use their vehicles at work and at home, would cost $7.4 million. About a quarter of the additional property tax money would be used to help pay for a two-year $50 million investment in affordable housing, up from the current $15 million.

Affordable housing has become an increasingly prominent topic in local politics, driven, in part, by protests and riots in uptown in 2016 as well as Charlotte’s dead-last ranking among major cities in economic mobility.

Because of existing bond commitments, the affordable housing budget would shrink to $25 million in 2020 — still higher than the current two-year spending cycle. Beginning in 2022, council and the city manager would determine whether to increase that amount while balancing other priorities.

Efficiencies realized in health-care costs would also allow for a one-month health care premium holiday in August, a potential savings of as much as $1,200 for city employees. Another incentive Jones included in his budget: Offering all-access transit passes, which cost $1,400 per year, to city workers for $33 annually. The city manager said that idea stems from an opportunity to give employees a benefit while encouraging transit use, a service the city wants to support and expand.

Property taxes last increased in 2015, also by a penny, to the current rate of 47.87 cents per $100 of valuation. That year, the combination of higher taxes and adjusted fees, including a reduction in homeowner garbage fees, cost the majority of residents between $6 and $20 more combined per year. In 2013, property rates increased 3.17 cents, or 7.25%.

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iamarocketbuilder · 6 years

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Grow up Charlotte, stop obsessing over city’s image | Charlotte Observer

Stop fretting over Charlotte’s image

In response to Matt Olin “Hey Charlotte, let’s get messy” (April 27 Opinion):

We moved here almost 17 years ago, and we love Charlotte. But it’s sad to listen to the drumbeat obsession over “what other people think of us.”

It has always reminded me of the junior high student who (normal for that age) is constantly worried about “Am I pretty?” or “Do people think I belong with the big dogs?”

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People and cities, as they become more adult, stop fretting so much over their image and get on with being the best they can be, as they define what that means.

Charlotte is getting there, but it’s past time.

Ralph Milligan, Charlotte

Stop talking and start building

The Charlotte City Council talks about affordable housing, but does nothing but talk.

City Council continues to approve the building of new upscale apartments. Builders buy and tear down old apartments and build upscale apartments. But – no affordable housing.

But we can find money for a park and “landmark sculpture” at the Hal Marshall site. Projects are already underway along North Tryon with hundreds of apartments, hotels, shops and more. Oh yes, now we have a $10 million project for the SouthPark area with a 3-mile Cultural Loop.

Still – no affordable housing.

Armit Mundorf, Charlotte

So should we call it a ‘bullet crash’?

In response to “Don’t treat guns differently” (April 26 Forum):

That was an interesting letter from Forum writer Mike Quinn. It is in fact “car violence” if somebody runs me down on purpose. And if I’m not mistaken, it’s against the law.

So what would Mr. Quinn have us call it when somebody gets shot on purpose? A bullet crash?

Greta West, Charlotte

I draw the line at conspiracy peddlers

In response to “Let conservatives speak up too” (April 26 Forum):

As a registered Independent who votes across party lines and a gun owner, I was struck by Gary Ludwick’s Forum letter on a couple of counts.

His less than veiled jab at the mainstream media must be skewed by his choice of news sources or by blinders. I have regularly learned of protests toward conservative speakers on college campuses, but I believe distinctions must be made between protests against legitimate speakers like David Brooks and conspiracy peddlers like Alex Jones.

Curt Dansby, Charlotte

I want assurance from Sen. McConnell

Sen. Mitch McConnell, if you are so sure that President Trump will not fire Robert Mueller in his investigation, then put your job on the line and assure the American public that you will resign as Senate Majority Leader if he does.

Chip Stout, Charlotte

Put away fears of Mexican immigrants

In response to “On immigration, what are we afraid of?” (April 25 Opinion):

Keith Larson’s perception of Mexican people is spot on. My son married a beautiful, talented Mexican woman who is now a well-respected IB Spanish teacher at East Mecklenburg High School. Her family in Mexico is educated, English-speaking, and welcoming to all.

I wish everyone who fears immigration of Mexicans could meet her and her family. I consider myself to be so fortunate to be a part of her life and I’m thankful for the many opportunities I have had to broaden my horizons because of her.

Karen Callahan, Charlotte

Give Southwest pilot what Sully got

Why hasn’t there been more coverage of a hero who saved over 140 lives?

It’s tragic that one person died in the Southwest Airlines incident, but all others got to live. That plane was a death trap for all after the engine exploded.

Everyone admires “Sully” for the Miracle on the Hudson. Pilot Tammie Jo Shults is a hero, too. Let’s give her the appropriate accolades she deserves.

Ed Gerard, Charlotte

Congress, get a grip on how to budget

Elected leaders, I have decided to follow your stellar example. I will run my household budget as you do the government’s.

It is my intention to be perpetually in the hole and I expect my progeny to pay my debts. This is the path your budgets are taking our nation.

The concept of tax cuts without a substantial budget reduction defies logic. I can only image the chaos that will result for our children and grandchildren. I apologize for your extreme short-sightedness.

Douglas Sherrow, Mint Hill

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Mike Pence: Tax cuts are already working for North Carolina | Charlotte Observer Dummy Post

This week was the deadline for working families in Charlotte and across America to file their taxes. Now for the good news: Next year, because of the leadership of President Trump and North Carolina’s Republicans in Congress, tax day will be a very different and far less painful experience.

This year is the last time you’ll ever pay taxes under the complicated old system. Next year, you’ll see the full effects of the tax reform law that President Trump signed just over four months ago – which included historic tax cuts and tax reform.

Our tax cuts are exactly what North Carolina’s families need. For instance, the first $24,000 in income for a married couple is now tax free – nearly double what it was before. The child tax credit is also now twice as big, rising from $1,000 to $2,000 per child.

These reforms, combined with others in the new law, will give the average North Carolina family of four a tax cut of more than $2,000. All told, 90 percent of American workers will see a tax cut reflected in their paycheck before this year is out.

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And you can say goodbye to the days of complicated, time-consuming forms. Next year, millions of Americans will be able to file their taxes on a simple, single sheet of paper.

We also eliminated the unfair individual mandate tax at the heart of Obamacare, so North Carolinians will no longer be forced to buy government-mandated health insurance you don’t want and can’t afford.

We cut taxes for businesses large and small, so they can compete and win with companies anywhere in the world. And as North Carolinians are already learning, a tax cut for business is a pay raise for workers.

American companies now have unprecedented opportunities to invest in their employees and in communities like Charlotte. That’s exactly what they’re doing.

All told, in just the past four months, nearly 50,000 North Carolina workers have received a tax-cut bonus, while thousands more have received raises or better benefits.

Charlotte’s own Bank of America has given bonuses to many of its North Carolina workers. American Airlines, with a major hub in Charlotte, gave bonuses to more than 11,000 employees in the Tar Heel State. Local manufacturer Charlotte Pipe and Foundry has also given bonuses to more than 1,400 workers. And the list goes on.

As more and more businesses respond to our tax cuts, our administration estimates that working families across the nation will see a pay raise of $4,000 in the years ahead – and that’s on top of the tax cuts they’re already seeing.

The evidence is clear: our tax cuts are working for North Carolina. And so is the rest of our agenda.

In addition to letting hardworking Americans keep more of what they earn, working with North Carolina’s Republicans in Congress, President Trump has signed more laws rolling back federal red tape than any president in American history. We’ve also been unleashing our nation’s boundless natural resources that power North Carolina’s families, farms and factories. And our President has taken decisive action to ensure that America’s trade agreements are free, fair and reciprocal and put American workers first.

Be assured: We’re going to keep delivering for North Carolina. You can take that promise to the bank – and come tax day next year, you can cash it.

Mike Pence is Vice President of the United States.

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iamarocketbuilder · 6 years

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Mike Pence: Tax cuts are already working for North Carolina | Charlotte Observer

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And you can say goodbye to the days of complicated, time-consuming forms. Next year, millions of Americans will be able to file their taxes on a simple, single sheet of paper.

American companies now have unprecedented opportunities to invest in their employees and in communities like Charlotte. That’s exactly what they’re doing.

All told, in just the past four months, nearly 50,000 North Carolina workers have received a tax-cut bonus, while thousands more have received raises or better benefits.

The evidence is clear: our tax cuts are working for North Carolina. And so is the rest of our agenda.

Be assured: We’re going to keep delivering for North Carolina. You can take that promise to the bank – and come tax day next year, you can cash it.

Mike Pence is Vice President of the United States.

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iamarocketbuilder · 6 years

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North Carolina Headlines

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iamarocketbuilder · 6 years

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ACC Title Game to Be Held in Charlotte for Another Decade

Charlotte has been the host of the ACC Championship Game for a number of years now but they have now secured to host the game for the next decade.

Bank of America Stadium has been a great host sight to this game that has seen Clemson dominate for the past few seasons. Clemson better get used to traveling to Charlotte on a yearly basis because of how talented they are.

Charlotte will be the home of ACC football until 2030. It is unique to see a conference lock into a location for this amount of time, but clearly the ACC loves the city of Charlotte as a host.

The ACC has a lot of talented teams and it will most likely be a marquee matchup every single year. The ACC continues to improve as a conference as many teams a fighting to get on the level of Clemson.

Watch out for teams like Miami, NC State, Florida State, and Virginia Tech in the near future.

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iamarocketbuilder · 6 years

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McDonald’s All-American Game: North Carolina signee Nassir Little takes home MVP honors

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Breaking down Duke’s 2018 recruiting class

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How Duke’s blue-chip recruits would fare in the 2018 McDonald’s All-American Game was the biggest storyline to follow entering Wednesday night’s contest, but it was future North Carolina Tar Heel Nassir Little who ultimately stole the limelight.

Little scored a game-high 28 points and added five rebounds, one assist and one steal and earned MVP honors at the All-Star game. His West squad also took home a 131-128 win over the East.

Little flashed all the ingredients of what has earned him a slot as a bonafide top-10 prospect in the 2018 class; he played above the rim, slashed and dashed inside the paint off the dribble, and even flashed an outside game by hitting two of his four 3-point attempts. He also threw down some pretty impressive dunks. Lots of dunks.

According to ESPN Stats and Information, Little’s 28 points were tied for the third most in the event’s 41-year history. Only Jonathan Bender and fellow Tar Heel Michael Jordan, who scored 31 and 30, respectively, have racked up more points in the illustrious history of the event.

Duke recruits R.J. Barrett, Cameron Reddish, Zion Williamson and Tre Jones — the four members of the Blue Devils’ No. 1 recruiting class who were under microscopic review — had impressive showings despite Little’s MVP honors. Barrett, the No. 1 player in the 2018 class, scored 26 points. The other three Duke stars combined to score 26 points, however an apparent hand injury suffered by Williamson put a damper on the game’s feel late in the second half.

As for Little, his McDonald’s All-American foe and future teammate, Coby White, finished with six points on 2-of-6 shooting.

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Charlotte is missing the big picture on tiny houses | Charlotte Observer

I was born and raised in Charlotte. While there’s a lot about the town I grew up in that I miss, on balance, I wouldn’t trade it for the city I live in today. The most recent commotion caused by change involves construction of “tiny houses�� on tiny lots. Charlotte’s City Council is considering “Neighborhood Character Overlay Districts” in an effort to prevent the houses in west Charlotte and other communities. This “not in my back yard” behavior could have significant consequences, given that Charlotte faces a true crisis with its lack of affordable, workforce housing.

What often screws us up in life is that picture in our heads of how things are supposed to be. For a lot of us those pictures are black and white Polaroids and not digital 1080p. Ultimately this is less about pictures and more about math. And whatever it is, it’s not about neighborhood character. It’s about what happens when we meet at the corner of Then Street and Now Avenue.

Of course, people have been tearing down early and mid-century houses for decades to build “McMansions” on the valuable dirt they occupy. There’s been grumbling for sure. But nothing about preserving (or regulating) neighborhood character ever got mentioned. Because as much as we complain about the size of those monsters, deep down inside we kind of like seeing rich folks move in next door. If nothing else, it validates how savvy we were many years ago when we bought for a lot less than they paid. Worse, we pretend those giant homes will show up as comparables when we go to sell our bungalows. Hell hath no fury like a vested interest masquerading as a moral imperative.

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The math we do in our heads often gets skewed by irrational assumptions. Euclid’s first common notion in his ancient book of mechanical law says, “Things which are equal to the same things are equal to each other.” In other words, if A = B and B = C then A = C. For purposes of this conversation, if small houses = small incomes and small incomes = undesirables, then small houses = undesirables.

Who said math doesn’t lie?

Speaking of math, Charlotte’s own analysis reveals a shortage of almost 40,000 affordable housing units. City Hall clearly can’t build or buy itself out of that hole. Momentum will only be created when government harnesses the wealth, creativity and energy of the private sector. When it’s profitable and efficient, builders and developers will partner with government efforts to solve the problem.

We should start today. Housing costs are devastating lower and middle income people. I’m a progressive, so I’m not afraid of regulation. But I love me some affordable housing even more. And this is a case where we really need to make choices. We just can’t solve the affordable housing equation and protect popular notions from the 1940s at the same time. First, they’re not making any more dirt, meaning the price of land will continue to go up. Second, every time we tighten the regulatory environment to build, even when it’s for a really good reason, it makes it more expensive to do. Industry then passes costs on to consumers or abandons markets altogether for better investments … or in this case, more expensive houses on bigger lots. Just what we don’t need.

Affordable housing has never been an easy ask and it never will be. Few communities want it located nearby because of the people they think it attracts. Here we have private industry trying to profitably build affordable houses. Our city should be working to clear barriers to build affordably, making it easier, not harder. If used to prevent small houses, Neighborhood Character Overlay Districts will be more aptly called Neighborhood Inertia Overlay Districts. And you don’t need to be a mathematical genius to figure that out.

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iamarocketbuilder · 6 years

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Charlotte Flair Needs Heel Turn to Save Title Run After Retaining vs. Ruby Riott

Charlotte Flair retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Ruby Riott at WWE Fastlane on Sunday night, but The Queen is in dire need of a character change in order to liven up her title run.

Charlotte retained after spearing Riott and locking on the Figure-Eight Leglock. The referee had ejected Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan, so the members of The Riott Squad were unable to come to their leader’s aid. That left Riott with little choice but to tap out.

WWE

THE QUEEN continues to reign as @MsCharlotteWWE retains the #SDLive #WomensTitle! #WWEFastlane https://t.co/YDTOo42XBD

Although Charlotte has held the SmackDown Women’s Championship since November, her reign has left something to be desired.

Part of the issue was the fact that she and Raw women’s champion Alexa Bliss weren’t involved in the inaugural women’s Royal Rumble match, which meant there wasn’t much emphasis placed on her title.

An even bigger problem, however, is that Charlotte has been stuck in a role that doesn’t play to her strengths from a character or in-ring perspective.

Charlotte largely rose to prominence as a heel with her father, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, by her side.

While she came up to the main roster from NXT as a face and first won the Divas Championship as a face, she reached another level once she embraced a villainous persona.

Because of her pedigree and overall skill set, Charlotte is a natural heel who all other women on the SmackDown roster should be chasing.

Over the past several weeks, Flair has been embroiled in a feud with The Riott Squad, as Riott, Logan and Morgan have attempted to overwhelm her through the numbers advantage.

After a few weeks of that working in The Riott Squad’s favor, Becky Lynch and Naomi stepped up to help Charlotte stave them off.

While the story of The Riott Squad ganging up to take down the bigger and stronger Flair makes sense, it’s difficult to build sympathy for someone with the physical gifts Charlotte possesses.

She is also far better on the mic when she is a heel since it allows her to be cocky and put her "better-than-you" attitude on full display.

The fact that Charlotte is hugely popular plays a role in why she is a face, but there are far more intriguing feud options available to her as a heel, including women’s Royal Rumble winner Asuka and best friend Becky Lynch.

It looks like Asuka is changing brands in order to challenge Charlotte. The Raw star showed up at Fastlane after Charlotte’s win and confronted the champion before pointing to the WrestleMania 34 sign:

WWE

SHE’S MADE HER DECISION. The first-ever Women’s #RoyalRumble match winner @WWEAsuka wants @MsCharlotteWWE at @WrestleMania! #WWEFastlane https://t.co/aBXpfVFyFF

Asuka didn’t utter a word, but her actions certainly indicate she’s using her title opportunity to wrestle Charlotte.

Because of her athleticism, ability and link to a wrestling legend, Charlotte has the ability to be a massive crossover star and perhaps the biggest star in the history of women’s wrestling.

Her best path to getting there is by making moments and memories as a marquee performer; however, that hasn’t happened much since she made the move from Raw to SmackDown.

With WrestleMania on the horizon and the SmackDown Women’s Championship still in her possession, the time is perfect for Charlotte to turn heel and return to her comfort zone ahead of the biggest match of the year.

Listen toRing Rust Radiofor all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below (warning: some language NSFW).

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iamarocketbuilder · 6 years

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Sarasota-Manatee housing sales strong; nation and state are weak

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Supply of homes, rising prices cause affordability concerns

The Sarasota-Manatee housing market outperformed both the national and state marks in January sales, new statistics and reports released Wednesday indicate. While closed sales rose locally in year-over-year comparisons, they fell across the country and state.

Median home prices also increased again in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton market, Florida Realtors data showed. But increases in pending sales and new listings bode well for the months ahead. Statewide, both of those figures also rose.

“The increase in home sales and prices is a good indicator of a strong housing market in Manatee and Sarasota,” said Greg Owens, president of the Realtors Association of Sarasota and Manatee. “The trend continues to show economic strength and positive growth to our area.”

For the most part, Charlotte County’s market slumped in many categories.

Nationally, existing home sales — single-family homes, condos, townhomes and co-ops — dropped for the second consecutive month and recorded the largest decline on an annual basis in more than three years, the National Association of Realtors reported.

In Florida, closed sales of all housing types fell 1.3 percent.

In Sarasota-Manatee, January’s closed single-family home sales rose 10.9 percent in a year-over-year comparison and condo sales jumped 17.1 percent.

The median sales price on homes increased 7.6 percent to $289,495 and condo prices ticked up 0.3 percent to $210,583. On single-family median prices, only Collier County ($438,500) and South Florida ($330,000) topped Sarasota-Manatee.

Statewide, the median sales price for single-family existing homes was $240,000, up 9.1 percent from the previous year, with condo-townhouse properties at $179,900, up 11.7 percent last month over the year-ago figure. January marked 73 consecutive months that the statewide median sales prices for both single-family homes and townhouse-condo properties rose year-over-year.

Nationally, the median existing-home price for all housing types in January was $240,500, up 5.8 percent from January 2017′s $227,300. January’s price increase marked the 71st straight month of year-over-year gains.

Scarcity and affordability

Locally, the inventory of single-family homes and condominiums tightened last month compared with January 2017. The slackening inventory and price increases have implications for affordability.

“There’s an ongoing shortage of housing inventory in many markets across Florida,” Florida Realtors president Christine Hansen said Wednesday in a news release. “January’s statewide homes sales reflected the tight supply, and — when combined with rising median sales prices — it puts pressure on potential homebuyers.”

Lawrence Yun, the national Realtors group’s chief economist, said January’s slump in closings highlights the housing market’s striking inventory shortage to start 2018.

“The utter lack of sufficient housing supply and its influence on higher home prices muted overall sales activity in much of the U.S. last month,” he said. “While the good news is that Realtors in most areas are saying buyer traffic is even stronger than the beginning of last year, sales failed to follow course and far lagged last January’s pace.

“It’s very clear that too many markets right now are becoming less affordable and desperately need more new listings to calm the speedy price growth.”

The country’s total housing inventory at the end of January rose 4.1 percent to 1.52 million existing homes available for sale, but that figure is still 9.5 percent lower than last year’s 1.68 million and has fallen year-over-year for 32 consecutive months.

In Florida, last month’s for-sale inventory remained tight, with a 3.9 months supply of single-family homes and a 5.9 months supply for condo-townhouse properties, according to Florida Realtors. Inventory often is expressed in how many months it would take to sell the existing supply of homes. A market is considered in equilibrium between buyers and sellers when it has a six month supply.

Sarasota County had a 4.5 months supply of homes, a 10 percent decline year-over-year, and a 5.5 months supply of condos, a 6.8 percent drop. Manatee had a 4.4-month supply of homes, a 2.2 percent decrease, and a 5-month inventory of condo-townhouse properties, a 4.2 percent increase.

“The underproduction of single-family homes over the last decade has played a predominant role in the current inventory crisis that is weighing on affordability,” Yun said. “However, there’s hope that the tide is finally turning. There was a nice jump in new-home construction in January and homebuilder confidence is high.”

Local pending sales

In Sarasota-Manatee, pending sales increased by 14.8 percent from January 2017. Condo pending sales jumped 20.9 percent, while single-family homes rose 11.8 percent. When compared with December 2017, combined pending sales in the two-county area increased by 45.5 percent, an indicator of future closed sales this season. New listings, or the number of properties put onto the market during the month, increased from last year by 7.3 percent.

In Charlotte County’s single-family home market, January 2018 sales fell to the lowest monthly total in the past 12 months to 278 closed deals. The previous January logged only seven more sales, while March through August performed best, with more than 400 sales each month. December came close with 397 purchases.

The median sale price rose $15,000 to $210,000 in January year over year, but fell by $7,500 from December. Dollar volume decreased last month to $71.3 million, its lowest level since the previous January

Pending inventory, active listings and months supply of inventory all dropped year over year. New pending sales hit the same mark this past month as in January 2017 — at 438. New listings surpassed the number in every month last year, hitting 662.

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iamarocketbuilder · 6 years

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Check Out These 40 New Jobs In The Charlotte Area

CHARLOTTE, NC — Companies across the Charlotte and Lake Norman region are looking for new employees, and Patch and Zip Recruiter have heaps of openings on our searchable jobs board.

Here are recent postings for job openings in the Queen City area. Click on the job title for more information.

Find more jobs on the Charlotte Jobs board found here.

Part-Time Client Service Representative L&E Research Charlotte, NC JOB SUMMARY: L&E Research prides itself in the professional, computer proficient and friendly staff we hire to work in our facilities with our clients on a study by study basis. This is a …

Sales Assistant Biesse America Charlotte, NC Key Responsibilities * Receives requests and process quotations from salesmen and distributors * Verifies accuracy of information and coordinates with various Sales team * Back up support for order …

Customer Support Representative Association of Construction Professionals & EngineersCharlotte, NC As the economic recovery unfolds, many executives with supply chain and logistics responsibilities are moving out of ?survival mode? and beginning to make their supply chains more flexible …

Now Hiring Call Center Supervisors Association of Construction Professionals & EngineersCharlotte, NC Reducing the freight costs, which continues to be the largest logistics cost, often shows directly on the bottom line since the costs are external and variable. These costs and levels of service are …

Client Support Rep Ajilon Professional Staffing Charlotte, NC Ajilon is recruiting a Client Support Representative job in Charlotte, NC. Do you have business to business customer service experience? Are you seeking a job with the opportunity for growth? Apply …

Order Fulfillment Associate/Customer Service Exacta Workforce Solutions Charlotte, NC Fulfillment / Customer Service Representative to join our customers corporate business group located at our Charlotte, NC office. Our customer is looking for a positive, highly motivated team player …

Customer Relationship Manager Niagara Machine Charlotte, NC Job Description Customer Relationship Manager Overview: This position entails developing long term customer relationships over the phone and via email. Representatives must call current and potential …

Call Center Operations Manager Healthgram Charlotte, NC We are seeking a proven leader dedicated to customer satisfaction, employee development, and process improvement. The Call Center Operations Manager will support departmental needs and execute …

Service Manager Crave Dessert Bar Charlotte, NC Charlotte’s home for small plates, desserts, and cocktails is currently interviewing for the Service Manager role. The core of this coveted position is to orchestrate and motivate our exemplary staff …

Allstate Customer Service Representative Allstate Insurance – The Bohman Agency Charlotte, NC Our agency is growing rapidly and we are looking to find the right individual to help support our customers! This Customer Service Representative position will involve answering multiple phone lines …

Client Service Representative Cornerstone Staffing Solutions Charlotte, NC Warehouse searching for a Client Service Rep. Assist customers in the retail store all 5 days, then on phone and email other times. Microsoft Office experience; Excel is required. Great people skills …

Customer Service Representative Joerns Healthcare Charlotte, NC Joerns Healthcare is a leading national distributor of therapeutic support surfaces, bariatric care equipment, negative pressure wound therapy systems, and safe patient handling solutions. We serve …

Transportation Planning Specialist Ajilon Professional Staffing Charlotte, NC Transportation Planning Specialist & This position will be tasked with managing daily operations of emergency roadside service nationwide and assessing to diagnose cause and appropriate service to …

Plant Care Specialist – Ambius Rentokil Charlotte, NC Are you passionate about customer service with an interest in horticulture? Looking to build your career in an exciting industry and a growing world class organization? Come see why so many of our …

Salesforce Business Analyst Artech Information Systems Charlotte, NC Duration: 12+ Months Job Description: 1. 8+ Years of Business analysis experience. 2. Salesforce CRM UI or Salesforce CRM integration experience in a software development environment. 3. Ability to …

AUSS_Technical Service Representative Allied Universal Charlotte, NC Allied Universal, a leading facility services company and the largest security force in North America with over 150,000 employees, provides unparalleled security services and solutions. With …

Customer Service Representative Armstrong Transport Group Charlotte, NC Armstrong Transport was started in 2006 with a simple plan: offer more than our competition. More support, more service, better rates, and great follow though. Over the past 10 years, weve grown from …

Customer Service Specialist Community Blood Center of the CarolinasCharlotte, NC Our Customer Service Specialist (also known as Donor Services Specialist) ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Other related duties may be assigned. * Follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for collection …

Technical Resolution Specialist Consolidated Claims Group Charlotte, NC Company Description Consolidated Claims Group (CCG) is a leading provider of objective damage assessments for specialty and complex claims on behalf of insurance carriers across the United States

Licensed Customer Sales & Service Representative Allstate Insurance – The Bohman Agency Charlotte, NC Our Charlotte agency is growing and we are looking for a Customer Sales & Service Representative to help support our customers! Please apply if you already have the required Property & Casualty …

Support Customer Service Representative Quality Custom Distribution Charlotte, NC JOB SUMMARY : Processes orders accurately and efficiently for QCD customers to ensure high quality customer service and support the distribution centers in the assigned region. 1. Receives and enters …

Client Service Representative ( CSR) DMS Technology Charlotte, NC Client Services Representative (CSR) Who we are: DMS Technology Inc. is a leading IT Consulting and Management Services firm. We are a dynamic organization that thrives on being successful for our …

Call Center Representative BMF-NC JOBS Charlotte, NC Come join our BMF-NC Contracting team! We are looking for customer service representatives to provide excellent customer service to our clients. This is a full-time or part-time position that will …

Kiosk Agent Advantage Rent A Car Charlotte, NC Company Overview: AEZ operates nationwide, with 75 locations in 44 domestic markets, including 23 of the 25 major U.S. airports, and globally through its partnership with Europcar. AEZ operates two …

Client Service Representative LiniumIT Charlotte, NC Our client a premier investment bank is searching for a Client Service Representative to join their growing team in Charlotte, NC. Job Responsibilities: * Working within a call center environment …

Entry Level Ecommerce Project Manager Halo Brands Charlotte, NC Hey! Are you interested in working remotely (yes, seriously!) with a fun and talented team? Then maybe you can come work with us! Who are we? We design, market and ship consumer health products to …

Call Center Representative Oracle 20/20 Magazine Charlotte, NC Company Description Oracle 20/20 Magazine is a metaphysical publication that is just a little ahead of its time. It was founded in 1995. In 2000, we opened our publication for articles and …

Digital Traffic Coordinater Brookdale Associates Charlotte, NC Monday – Friday 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM $18/HR Coordinate order entry. Ensure orders are completed accurately and on time. Communicate traffic functions and capabilities back to customers. Monitor …

Client Service (Series 7 & 63) LiniumFSAF Charlotte, NC Job Responsibilities: * Working within a call center environment, responsible for new business development of investment product solutions to prospective clients. * Through inbound and outbound call …

Technical Customer Service Manager On-Board Companies Charlotte, NC *6 month contract to hire opportunity* Qualifications: MS Office Experience Customer Service Experience Engineering Experience preferred Service Industry Experience –Food Service Equipment –Hotel …

Customer Service Representative CRG Charlotte, NC South Charlotte Company is seeking 6 Customer Service Representative to assist with their Leave of Absence department! Customer Service Representative- Leave of Absence Assist associates in the …

Appointment Setter – Lead Generator – Part-Time Carolina Home Remodeling Charlotte, NC Appointment Setter Lead Generator Part-Time Are you outgoing, motivated and looking for a flexible part-time job with the opportunity to earn commission on top of a good base pay? Carolina Home …

Residential Services Representative – Silos Southend – Charlotte, NC Simpson Property Group Charlotte, NC Who Is Simpson Housing/Simpson Property Group? Headquartered in Denver, Colorado we are a large, fully integrated real estate company with a rich and successful history dating back to 1948. Our …

Customer Service Representative Cornerstone Solutions Charlotte, NC We are looking for a customer-oriented service representative. What does a Customer Service Representative do? A customer service representative, or CSR, will act as a liaison, provide product …

Wireless Customer Service/Sales- (Entry Level-Full Time-Paid Training) Hiring Company Charlotte, NC We are looking for outgoing individuals with great communication skills to join our team as customer service associates. The position duties are primarily composed of sales, marketing, dealing with …

Customer Care Representative The Fountain Group Charlotte, NC Hello, My name is Kevin, and I am a Recruiter with The Fountain Group. We are a national staffing firm and are currently seeking a Customer Care Representative for a prominent client of ours. This …

Call Center Representative Crane Systems Inc Charlotte, NC Company Description At Garrelts and Sons plumbing company we service plumbing, heating, air conditioning & water treatment experts with a family tradition in McHenry Illinois. We are proud to be the …

Lead Passenger Service Agent Menzies Aviation Charlotte, NC Responsible for coordinating passenger service related activities. * Computerized check-in of passengers for international and domestic travel. * Designate seat assignments. * Verify documentation …

Customer Master Data Specialist Joerns Healthcare Charlotte, NC Joerns Healthcare is a leading national distributor of therapeutic support surfaces, bariatric care equipment, negative pressure wound therapy systems, and safe patient handling solutions. We serve …

Customer Service Representative ($800+ Weekly) Professional Properties LLC Charlotte, NC We are seeking qualified Customer Service Representatives to join our team! Duties: * Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other …

Charlotte, NC Job Board

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iamarocketbuilder · 6 years

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Indictment reveals Charlotte rally was spurred on by Russian interference

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The first criminal charges against Russian nationals and businesses were filed on Friday by special counsel Robert Mueller in regards to what he called a wide-ranging effort to undermine the 2016 presidential election and assist in the election of President Trump. And according to the indictment, part of Russia’s interference occurred right here in the Queen City.

The indictment charged 13 Russian nationals and three businesses – including an internet firm tied to the Kremlin – with conspiracy, identity theft, and failing to register as foreign agents.

Related: Mueller charges 13 Russians, three entities for interfering in U.S. elections

The indictment claims that some of the Russians posed as Americans to “organize and coordinate U.S. political rallies supporting then-candidate Trump.” These rallies occurred in Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. However, their involvement continued after Trump’s victory as the indictment says the false American personas organized events to both support and protest the President Elect.

The indictment names Charlotte as a city that hosted of one of the events seemingly organized by the Russian defendants.

“Defendants and their co-conspirators organized a rally entitled ‘Charlotte Against Trump’ in Charlotte, North Carolina, held on or about November 19, 2016,” the indictment said.

The event occurred at Marshall Park in Charlotte’s uptown.

At the event, organizers asked people to sign a petition to get the state of North Carolina to create a "hate crime" phone line. They claimed that following President Trump’s election, the number of hate crimes increased in the United States.

Trump responded shortly after news of the indictment broke on Twitter.

"Russia started their anti-US campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I would run for President. The results of the election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did nothing wrong – no collusion!" Trump tweeted.

Russia started their anti-US campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I would run for President. The results of the election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did nothing wrong – no collusion!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 16, 2018

To read the full indictment, click here. For information on the rally held in Charlotte, scroll to page 23.

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iamarocketbuilder · 6 years

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North Carolina man claimed to be Army general, flew helicopter to tech company, feds say

A North Carolina man pretending to be an Army general headed into a classified briefing and flew a helicopter to the headquarters of a major tech company in November, federal officials announced Wednesday.

Christian Gerald Desgroux, 57, was indicted by a grand jury on charges of pretending to be a U.S. Army lieutenant general, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina said in a news release.

Desgroux allegedly claimed to be headed to a classified briefing, and "asserted authority" to land a helicopter at the headquarters of Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS), in Cary, N.C. on Nov. 6.

No details about the incident were released, but a company spokeswoman told WRAL Desgroux was "not a SAS employee and had no affiliation with our company.

"At the time of the incident, SAS Security contacted local authorities, who handled the situation," spokeswoman Shannon Heath told WRAL. "This was an isolated incident."

According to state criminal records obtained by The News & Observer, Desgroux has pending charges from an alleged assault on a female from April 2017, misuse of the 911 system and violating a domestic violence protection order from May 2017. He also has pending charges on interfering with emergency communications, felony fleeing to elude arrest, misuse of the 911 system and misdemeanor stalking from December 2017.

The 900-acre campus of SAS in Cary, North Carolina. (Google Maps)

SAS is the developer of analytics software based in Cary and turns "large amounts of data into knowledge you can use."

The company employs nearly 6,000 workers at its 900-acre campus, which features a soccer field, pool, daycare, and 9-hole disc golf course, according to a profile last year by Business Insider.

If convicted, Desgroux faces a maximum of three years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a term of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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iamarocketbuilder · 6 years

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Clemson basketball: Tigers end 10-game losing streak vs. North Carolina Tar Heels

Clemson head coach Brad Brownell after win over UNC. BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff

CLEMSON – Well, the streak in Chapel Hill may live on, but the one at Littlejohn Coliseum came to a halt Tuesday night.

No. 20 Clemson jumped out to a 16-point halftime lead, then held on for an 82-78 victory against 17th-ranked North Carolina in Atlantic Coast Conference play Tuesday night at Littlejohn Coliseum.

The victory snapped a 10-game losing streak against North Carolina, including a four-game losing streak at Littlejohn, that dated to the 2010 season.

The win boosted the Tigers’ record to 18-4 overall as they continued pursuit of their first NCAA Tournament bid since the 2010-11 season. Clemson also moved to 7-3 in the ACC and into a tie for third place with preseason favorite Duke in the league standings.

Clemson head coach Brad Brownell reacts after a Tiger basket and foul by North Carolina during the 2nd half on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum.

(Photo: BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff)

Clemson was picked to finish 13th in the ACC preseason poll.

The Tigers improved to 12-0 at home this season and are 6-1 in games decided by five points or less.

Even as Tuesday night’s game drew close in the second half, Clemson coach Brad Brownell reminded his team to savor the experience.

“One time I told them to smile, let’s enjoy this moment,” Brownell said. “We’ve got a sellout crowd, we’re playing well. Let’s enjoy what we’re doing.

“Fortunately, we’ve got good players and they made big plays.”

They had to.

Playing their third game since losing senior forward Donte Grantham to a season-ending knee injury and its first without Mark Donnal, who is in concussion protocol after a blow to the head Sunday at Georgia Tech, the Tigers led by 15 four minutes into the second half, but the Tar Heels went on a 13-1 run to pull within three points, 52-49, with 11:19 left. Clemson responded by pushing its lead back to 10, but North Carolina methodically chipped away at the Tigers’ lead and eventually tied the game at 74 with 2:04 remaining.

That’s when junior guard Marcquise Reed took over. He buried a 3-pointer from the left wing to give Clemson the lead for good with 1:41 left, then had a nifty under-the-basket assist to Elijah Thomas for an easy layup with 27 seconds remaining.

Fellow guard Shelton Mitchell made three of four free throws in the final 16 seconds to seal the win.

Clemson fans storm the court after the Tiger’s 82-78 win over North Carolina on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum.

Reed filled the stat sheet. He played 37 minutes without a turnover and led the Tigers in scoring (20), rebounds (8) and assists (5).

Mitchell finished with 14 points while Gabe DeVoe had 17. DeVoe made five 3-pointers for a second straight game and is shooting 47.5 percent from beyond the arc over the Tigers’ six games.

Clemson guard Gabe DeVoe (10) shoots a jump shot over North Carolina guard Cameron Johnson (13) during the 1st half on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum.

“When our three perimeter guys are rolling, they’re pretty good players,” Brownell said. “We really attacked them early and we were trying to play with them pace-wise. We wanted the crowd to get into the game. That helped us. It set a mindset for our team that was real good.”

Clemson’s first 21 points all came on 3-point shots as they build an early 21-9 lead. The Tigers kept the pressure on and took a 16-point lead – their largest of the game – when freshman Clyde Trapp made a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer.

North Carolina, the defending national champion and picked second in the ACC preseason poll, fell to 16-7 (5-5) with its third consecutive loss. It marked the first time the Tar Heels have lost three consecutive games since January of 2014.

Clemson forward David Skara (24) guards North Carolina forward Luke Maye (32) during the 1st half on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum.

Guard Cam Johnson led North Carolina with 32 points. The graduate transfer from Pittsburgh made 6-of-10 3-pointers and in two games against Clemson this season has made 12 from long range – the same number he’s totaled against all of the Tar Heels’ other opponents combined.

Senior guard Joel Berry II added 27 points, including 19 in the second half. Clemson held Luke Maye, North Carolina’s leading scorer in check, to only four points.

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