South End odor:

There are people tailgating the opening of Charlotte’s first Wegmans. Another car had a table and was cooking breakfast around 4:30 am @wsoctv

Former County Manager Dena Diorio gave me a call from her vacation in Scotland. She is surprised that the county commission claims they weren't aware of the $14.6 million Discovery Place loan. She pointed out the documents were included in the agenda and says a small group of commissioners met with the former Discovery Place CEO who asked for the loan to be forgiven. She says commissioners shouldn't be surprised.

When Stephanie Sneed and Raki McGregor sought a $400,000 contract from the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, they pitched it under the business name of former CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings. Jennings says he had no idea the pitch was submitted! Former CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings tells @wsoctv that he has no affiliation with former CMS Board Chair Stephanie Sneed and Raki McGregor. That's despite Sneed and McGregor seeking a contract with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office under the name of Jennings' business, JCG704 (Jennings Consulting Group) Jennings says he met Raki McGregor through a friend and McGregor contacted him and asked for support on a project he was working on to provide consulting services for MCSO. Jennings says he expressed interest in assisting because he knows Sheriff McFadden well. Jennings says he met with Raki and Sneed to discuss the proposal and he agreed to work with them if they were awarded a contract. He says that meeting was the end of any formal discussions he had about this. He says he hasn't talked to Raki McGregor or Stephanie Sneed in months. He says he has never discussed the proposal with Sheriff McFadden and he did not even know McGregor and Sneed pitched it to the sheriff. He says he just learned through news stories. He says Raki McGregor and Stephanie Sneed are not business partners with JCG704 and he is not working on any other projects with them. He also says he has no knowledge of any other business ventures between McGregor and Sneed. Sheriff Garry McFadden released a statement today confirming the non-involvement of Jennings, despite the presentation name dropping him and the use of his company's name. From Sheriff McFadden: As discussion continues regarding the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office will refrain from commenting on the broader issue. However, I want to clarify our communications regarding JCG 704 LLC, the company identified in the slide presentation. MCSO has not discussed this subject matter at any time with Chief Jennings. “Chief Jennings has not communicated with me in my capacity as Sheriff, or with my staff, regarding any proposal or contractual discussions related to this matter. Given our longstanding friendship and years of service together in law enforcement, I believe it is important to make this distinction clear,” Sheriff McFadden said.

BREAKING: The I-77 South tolls project will happen after Charlotte City Council votes 7-4 to once again express support for the project. Ed Driggs will vote in favor of the project at CRTPO Wednesday. That will give the toll lane project the green light. Councilmembers Malcolm Graham and Joi Mayo changed their votes. They voted to rescind the project in May. They voted in favor of it tonight. The two changes since May: State lawmakers passed a budget with a provision requiring the repayment of sunk costs for the project by all communities opposed to it. NCDOT estimates $69 million has been spent. City staff said a property tax increase would potentially be necessary to pay the city’s share NCDOT is now promising of a minimum of $300 million in community benefits and will sign a MOU with the city of Charlotte. In favor: Ajmera, Anderson, Driggs, Mayo, Owens, Graham, Mitchell Opposed: Mazuera Arias, Johnson, Watlington, Mayfield

BREAKING: Charlotte City Council’s substitute motion to kill the I-77 tolls project fails with only 4 council members in favor of not moving forward with the project: Johnson, Mazuera Arias, Mayfield, Watlington The I-77 South tolls project is on track to pass. The crowd is growing unruly and Mayor Harrington is threatening to kick people out.