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INSIDE ▼ Lawmakers call for removal of judge PAGE 2B Friday, September 12, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 37
thecharlotteweekly.com
@southcltweekly
Mayor addresses fatal light rail stabbing By Vi Lyles Contributor
As I reflect on the tragic murder of Iryna Zarutska my heart continues to go out to her family and our community as we try to make sense of this horrific and senseless loss. Over the past several weeks as our community has worked to understand this, what we know is that this was a tragic failure by the courts and magistrates. Our police officers arrest people only to have them quickly released, which undermines our ability to protect our community and ensure safety. We need a bipartisan solution to address repeat offenders
who do not face consequences for their actions and those who cannot get treatment for their mental illness and are allowed to be on the streets. We have partnered before on legislation like North Carolina’s pre-trial integrity act, and we stand ready to partner again at the local, state, and federal level. I want to assure the community that we are taking action, and we will continue to take action. Last week CATS leadership presented to Charlotte City Council and the Metropolitan Transit Commission about the ongoing work to address safety and security on our public transit system. Over the past two years, we
have doubled the number of CATS security personnel, tripled the safety and security budget from $5.8 million to nearly $18 million, and are shifting from a corporate security model towards a stronger transit policing model. Effective immediately, CATS security personnel will be re-deployed for a stronger presence on Blue Line platforms and to increase fare enforcement. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department will also be increasing patrols at key areas across the transit system. These changes will allow CATS to fully execute the transit system policing plan, including the Blue Line. Over the next two to three weeks CATS will
be rolling out new safety operations including bike units and urban terrain vehicles. CATS is actively recruiting and will be adding nearly 30 additional security personnel over the next few months. CATS will also be bringing an agreement for council approval to council’s next business meeting on Sept. 22 which will expand the authority of CATS to provide security around the transit system. Residents across our community and visitors to our region depend on public transit. We owe it to them to make sure our public transit system and our city are safe and secure. Vi Lyles serves as mayor of Charlotte.
MY BREAST FRIEND’S WEDDING RETURNS OCT. 23
CMS celebrates academic gains CHARLOTTE – Newly released data from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction shows Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools improved across numerous metrics during the 2024-25 school year, including School Performance and Academic Growth.
Local TV personality Molly Grantham will emcee the festivities. Photo courtesy of My Breast Friend’s
Wedding
CHARLOTTE – Grab your gown, fluff your veil and get ready to catch the bouquet at My Breast Friend’s Wedding on Oct. 23.
“Slip into your best wedding attire and join us for a ladies-only celebration like no other as we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” said Shawna Dye Culik, event chair of My Breast Friend’s Wedding and board vice chair for The Go Jen Go Foundation. “It is the perfect night for women to connect, make memories, and support an incredible cause.” The event takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Hyatt Centric, 3100 Apex Drive, Charlotte. Attendees will be treated to wedding cake, hors d’oeuvres, champagne, wedding punch, a DJ, prizes, and wedding favors. Molly Grantham will emcee the festivities. “Whether you are rocking your original wedding dress, a bridesmaid gown that has been hiding in your closet, or any fabulous wedding-inspired look, this is your chance to walk down
Women can get a little more mileage out of their wedding dresses with a wedding-inspired fundraiser.
Photo courtesy of My Breast Friend’s Wedding
the ‘friendship aisle’ and raise a glass to good times, connection and making a difference,” Dye Culik said. Tickets cost $50 and include admission to the event and a raffle ticket. Proceeds benefit The Go Jen Go Foundation, a nonprofit that provides financial assistance to more than 105 families per month in the Greater
Charlotte area who are facing the financial burden of a breast cancer diagnosis. “We look forward to this event every year and are incredibly grateful to be its beneficiary,” said Susan Evren, executive director of Go Jen Go. “Everyone’s support helps us make a direct impact on our local breast cancer community.” RSVP at mybreastfriendswedding.com.
Ballantyne's Backyard to host walk-through light show CHARLOTTE – The Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular will return to Ballantyne's Backyard, starting the Thanksgiving weekend and running from Nov. 28 to Dec. 30.
More than 90,000 visitors from across the region attended last year’s event. The biggest new attraction of the season brings the joy of a holiday fair to Ballantyne’s Backyard. Included with general admission, the Winter Wonderland Carnival features the Sooper Jet kiddie coaster for young thrill-seekers, the Bear Affair spinning ride and a rapid slide. Returning attractions include: • A half-mile walking trail
featuring 40% more light displays and dazzling new scenes. • The glowing walk-through Ice Castle and Princess Carriage. • Frosty’s Fun Land with real snow and the illuminated Elf Playground. • Nightly appearances by Santa Claus through Dec. 23 • Life-sized snow globes and performances by ballerinas and live entertainers on select evenings • The Holiday Village features local boutiques, food trucks and festive drinks. Tickets start at $10. Visit ncholidaylights.com for ticket information.
The Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular is now in its fourth year.
Photos courtesy of Drink Eat Relax Events, LLC
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In the 2024-25 school year, CMS outperformed North Carolina in overall grade-level proficiency with significant increases in: • Reading Grades 3-8 (+5.2%) • Math Grades 3-8 (+4.6%) • Math III (+8.2%) • 156 (89.1%) schools met or exceeded growth, with the highest number and percent in CMS history. • 115 (65.7%) schools exceeded growth, highest number and percent in CMS history. • Ranked 10th out of 115 public school districts in North Carolina for percent of schools meeting or exceeding growth, highest ranking in CMS history. • 123 (70%) schools earned a school performance grade of A, B or C, an increase of 21 from 2023-24 and the largest single year increase in CMS history. • 55 schools improved school letter grades; the largest single year increase in CMS history. • 31 schools no longer have a state low-performing designation, largest single year decrease in number of schools with the low-performing designation in CMS history. "These results are a testament to the hard work and perseverance of our students, teachers and families," Superintendent Crystal Hill said. "We are not just improving numbers. We are expanding opportunities, raising expectations and proving what’s possible for every student in CMS." Hill said these achievements align with the CMS Strategic Plan, which focuses on raising academic achievement, closing opportunity gaps and ensuring students graduate ready to be enrolled, enlisted or employed. “While there is more work ahead, the district is committed to building on this momentum and ensuring that all students benefit from the progress being made,” Hill said. CMS began its 2025-26 school year on Aug. 25.
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