GAINSWave® Treatment In Charlotte, NC

The Truist Foundation will give over $20 million for Hurricane Helene recovery in Western North Carolina.

The Charlotte-based bank’s foundation is partnering with Center for Disaster Philanthropy to provide disaster recovery grants in Western North Carolina for housing and small business recovery, Truist Foundation said Wednesday.

The partnership will pull resources together to help support families with rebuilding homes and entrepreneurs with restoring their businesses, Truist Foundation president Lynette Bell said in a statement.

Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina in September, causing historic flooding that destroyed or damaged more than 250,000 homes across 39 counties. There are 104 verified storm-related deaths as of Dec. 23, according to NC Department of Health and Human Services.

The over $20 million in grants is part of Truist Cares for Western North Carolina, a three-year, $725 million commitment to support small business, housing and infrastructure recovery needs, according to the foundation.

The initiative includes loans for small businesses, residents and municipalities from Truist Bank and other humanitarian support.

Truist Foundation and Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s effort joins other Charlotte-area companies and organizations supporting recovery efforts in Western North Carolina. Contributions include Mooresville-based Lowe’s with over $20 million since October and the Duke Endowment with over $14 million.

In November, FEMA approved over $213 million for more than 126,000 households and other types of assistance in Western North Carolina as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s $2.7 billion recovery assistance for hurricanes Helene and Milton.

FEMA also approved more than $202 million for debris removal and reimbursement of emergency protective measures for.

Last month, Congress passed a bill where North Carolina is set to gain $9 billion in aid to help those impacted by Helene, The News & Observer in Raleigh reported.

Truist Foundation Western North Carolina Recovery and Resiliency Fund will provide grants over the next several years to address medium- and long-term needs. Grantmaking decisions will be guided by Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s assessments. Nonprofit groups also may apply for funding.

Truist Foundation also will provide grants to The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina for its Emergency and Disaster Response Fund, which will help nonprofits, like the American Red Cross’ long-term recovery program.

The foundation, established in 2020, has an operating budget independent of Truist Financial Corp. Its focus is on economic mobility and strengthening small businesses.

Five new teams join this week’s N.C. statewide high school basketball rankings from The Charlotte Observer and the News & Observer of Raleigh.

Two of those five teams are from Duplin County.

Meanwhile, all 10 No. 1 teams held onto to the top spot, including the boys’ and girls’ teams at Lake Norman, seeking to become the first school to win NCHSAA 4A titles in both sports in more than 30 years.

The rankings are compiled by longtime N.C. basketball experts Rick Lewis and Alex Bass, co-hosts of The Charlotte Observer’s “Talking Preps” streaming show.

A little on this week’s new teams:

▪ Saint John Paul II joins the girls’ private rankings. The Saints, based in Greenville, have won seven straight games, led Aaliyah Hinnant (18.6 ppg), who is making 50 percent of her field goal attempts.

▪ East Duplin joins the 2A girls’ poll this week. The Panthers, from Beulaville — a town of 1,200 people about 90 minutes from Raleigh — have won four straight games and 13 of their past 14. Senior Jamyah Pickett (10.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg) and Sophomore Kinsey Cave (10.1 ppg, 3.8 apg) lead East Duplin, which plays a home conference game against South Lenoir (1-11) Tuesday.

▪ North Duplin joins the 1A girls’ poll. The Rebels, from Calypso — a town of fewer than 500 about an hour’s drive from Raleigh — have won five straight games. Led by senior Tateyawna Faison (15.5 ppg, 14.1 rpg, 3.5 bpg, 2.5 spg), North Duplin has a big home game Tuesday with Neuse Charter (14-4)

▪ Carmel Christian joins the private school boys’ rankings. The Cougars (12-5) started the season 1-3, but have hit their stride since star player Bryce Slay has returned from injury. Carmel has won 11 of its 13 games, including an upset of Concord Academy last week. Concord Academy fell two spots, from No. 2 to No. 4 this week.

▪ A three-game win streak has helped return past NCHSAA 4A state champion Charlotte Catholic to the 4A boys’ rankings. The Cougars (13-3) play East Mecklenburg at home Tuesday.

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If you’ve spotted (or heard) a coyote in North Carolina during the last few weeks, you’re not alone.

It’s mating season for coyotes, which means sightings are more common during this time of year, Roland Kays, a zoologist and professor at N.C. State University, told The Charlotte Observer.

While you probably won’t see them in urban areas — like downtown Raleigh, Charlotte or Durham — they’re more common in suburbs, farms and fields, he said.

Since coyotes can look like some dog breeds, you may be tempted to approach them — but experts say that’s not a good idea. Here’s everything you need to know about the nocturnal mammals.

They can be, Kays told the Observer.

Coyotes are “opportunistic hunters,” which means they hunt whatever is available to them, Kays said, noting they can eat anything from fruit to insects.

But they’re also known to go after humans and domesticated animals.

“They are known to attack cats and sometimes small dogs, and sometimes they end up attacking people that are trying to defend their dogs,” said Kays. “Sometimes they’re known to go after adults or something more likely, young children under five.”

Coyotes often resemble some dog breeds, such as a Siberian husky, but there are ways to tell them apart, Kays explained.

Coyotes are a little bit skinnier, Kays said, with ”pointier ears and pointier noses.”

You can also tell the difference by looking at their patterns, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission biologist Falyn Owens previously told the Observer, noting that, unlike many canine breeds, coyotes are typically one color and do not have patterns or spots.

Coyotes also have different facial and body structures than most dog breeds, she said.

“Coyotes tend to have a pretty sloping forehead, but domestic dogs tend to have a really flat forehead,” said Owens.

“Also, coyotes don’t have that big barrel chest that some large dog breeds have. With any animal that’s roughly the size of a coyote that’s free-roaming, and isn’t on a leash or behind a fence, you probably just need to be a little bit careful. Just don’t expect to be able to walk up to a strange canid [a mammal in the dog family] and pet it.”

If coyotes are common near your home, it’s usually because there’s a key resource nearby, Kays said.

“A lot of times, these attacks end up happening if somebody’s feeding the coyotes,” Kays said. “So that’s number one. If you want to reduce the likelihood of a coyote attack, you want to make sure nobody’s feeding the coyotes.”

Kays also pointed out that fences can help deter coyotes, but they have been known to jump fences.

“If you have a small dog and you’re letting them out at night, you might want to keep an eye on them,” Kays said.

If a coyote bites or attacks your pet, the first thing you should do is get it away from your pet, according to Washington state-based Angel Pet Hospital. You can do that by distracting the coyote with an object or loud noises.

Once the coyote is away, you can assess your pet’s injuries. If your pet suffered severe injuries, you should wrap them in a towel or blanket and seek immediate medical attention, the hospital advised.

You should also check if your pet is up to date on their rabies vaccination. If your pet’s vaccination has expired, you may have to quarantine them to ensure they didn’t contract rabies during the attack.

Reach out to your pet’s veterinarian to learn more and get proper care.

Have a question about your community you’d like answered? Or maybe a tip or story idea you’d like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you.

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PowerHouse Data Centers

PowerHouse Charlotte Project Team Currently Developing Huge Site for Upcoming Powered Shell Construction

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PowerHouse Data Centers, a leading real estate developer for next-generation hyperscale data centers and division of American Real Estate Partners (AREP), is excited to announce significant progress in the development of its groundbreaking data center campus located on a sprawling 122-acre site along University City Boulevard in Charlotte, North Carolina. Designed to redefine industry standards, the campus incorporates innovative features like advanced cooling systems, flexible powered shells, and infrastructure tailored for AI-driven workloads. Currently in the permitting phase, the project underscores PowerHouse's commitment to delivering state-of-the-art solutions that meet the growing demand for cutting-edge data center space in the Southeast United States.

"Our campus is uniquely designed to set a new standard for next-generation deployments and hyperscale tenants."

"The PowerHouse Charlotte campus is a game-changer," says Doug Fleit, Co-founder & CEO of PowerHouse. "We're redefining the data center landscape with a flexible design that, in a world where compute densities and architecture are in constant flux, lets hyperscale tenants tailor to their specific needs and vision. This project embodies our commitment to pushing boundaries and delivering next-gen facilities that stay ahead of market demands."

What sets the PowerHouse Charlotte campus apart is its total responsiveness to the demands of today's most advanced hyperscale and AI-driven applications. The modular powered shell design offers unparalleled flexibility, enabling hyperscale tenants to configure their spaces with precision while accelerating deployment timelines. This forward-thinking approach positions the campus as a leader in delivering cutting-edge data center solutions.

"Our campus is uniquely designed to set a new standard for next-generation deployments and hyperscale tenants," explains Karen Petersburg, PowerHouse VP of Development & Construction, who is leading the project. "Unlike traditional designs, our adaptable powered shells are purpose-built to meet a wide range of needs, including the latest AI-specific configurations. We've prioritized innovative features like advanced cooling solutions, heavy-load-ready roofs to support cooling towers, and reinforced floors to handle the demands of AI-driven rack systems, ensuring our infrastructure is truly future-ready."

The project will feature four buildings constructed across two phases, with building construction planned to commence in March 2026 and all buildings scheduled for completion in 2027. Phase 1 of the project is set to begin in Q1 2025, focusing on site preparation, including road construction and substation pad development. Substation equipment has already been ordered to align with the timeline for power delivery from Duke Energy, ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place to support the buildings. Substation construction is scheduled to commence in October 2025, with energization targeted for April 2027.

For more information about this project or to inquire about leasing opportunities, visit www.powerhousedata.com.

About PowerHouse Data Centers

PowerHouse Data Centers, a wholly owned division of American Real Estate Partners (AREP), is a developer and owner of next-generation data centers and provides technical real estate solutions for hyperscalers nationwide. Starting in Northern Virginia's Data Center Alley, the world's largest data center market, before strategically expanding to key markets across the United States, PowerHouse owns its land sites, offering unparalleled fast-track approvals and zoning approvals in its full suite of development services. As an industry disruptor, PowerHouse provides flexible next-generation data center models with the quickest speed to market of any data center while meeting hyperscalers' growing market, data, utility, and space demands. The company has 86 buildings currently in planning, underway or completed, representing over 5.9 GW of power in six major US markets. Operating as the data center division of AREP, PowerHouse is uniquely positioned as a leader in world-class data center development. With some of the industry's deepest real estate relationships, PowerHouse leverages its strategic joint venture partnerships, proven leadership, and best-in-class technical expertise to deliver innovative real estate solutions nationwide. Visit our newsroom for more information, and follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube, and X.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/powerhouse-powers-ahead-hyperscale-data-center-rising-in-charlotte-nc-302350025.html

SOURCE PowerHouse Data Centers

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Imagine a blend of a Las Vegas-style sportsbook, the energy of a sports bar and the design aesthetic of a cocktail lounge — that’s the vibe behind a new concept for sports lovers in South End soon.

The team behind a new sports lounge opening in Charlotte called Blinders told us this combination will make fans “feel like more than just spectators and a part of the action” with what they believe is the biggest sports viewing screen on the East Coast outside of a stadium or casino.

“I think there’s definitely an undeniable buzz and excitement in South End … and at the end of the day, what we’re trying to do is create something unique,” Kush Anandani, director for OmShera Holdings, the group behind the concept, told CharlotteFive on Monday afternoon.

“We wanted to add a bit of variety to what Charlotte has to offer and so, ultimately, just trying to create a new type of viewing experience for people, whether you like sports or not. We just wanted to offer something new,” Anandani explained.

Similar to the viewing experiences at Platform Sports Bar in LoSo and Sports & Social in the Triangle area, Blinders’ “showstopper” screen — which Anandani says is nearly 60 feet wide and 15 feet tall — will have the ability to showcase multiple games and events at the same time. The bar will be in good company in our sports-centric city, where there is a long list of bars and restaurants around town to cheer on your favorite team.

Nestled in what was originally a manufacturing facility in the 1950s, the new sports lounge will have multiple bars and an outdoor patio for guests who want to catch screenings of popular games, finales, movies, and other streamed occasions, along with food and drink.

Blinders is expected to open this spring.

Location: 225 W Tremont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203

Instagram: @blindersclt