Are you ready for some football?
Twelve team members in Cabarrus County are getting scholarships from Autobell. Overall, the company is awarding $150,000 this year to its employees.
Gov. Josh Stein poses for a photo with the staff at W.M. Irvin Elementary School.
It was Spirit day at W.M. Irvin Elementary School when gov. Stein visited.
I sure am
I think every three or four months, this is my favorite time of year. I sure do like football season. I will say the same thing when basketball season starts, too.
No. 1
Gov. Josh Stein made a special delivery to W.M. Irvin Elementary School in Concord, bringing supplies collected through the eighth annual State Employees School Supply Drive.
During the visit, Stein spent time with Principal Wells, students and Rachel Gillcrist, the 202627 Cabarrus County Schools Teacher of the Year. The governor's visit coincided with Spirit Day at Irvin, where students and staff were decked out in the Eagles' school colors.
"Students learn better in classrooms that are equipped with the tools they need to succeed," Stein said in a social media post, thanking those who contributed to the supply drive.
Cabarrus County Schools also thanked Stein and everyone who donated supplies to support classrooms across North Carolina.
No. 2
We got an early start to the football season on Thursday with threatening weather in the forecast for Friday. I went to the Northwest Cabarrus game at West Cabarrus. Radio Free Cabarrus/485 Sports was broadcasting the game on the NFHS Network.
Claire Geary and James "Red" Melick were the announcers. I ran the camera. It was 94 degrees at kickoff, according to my watch. Into the third quarter, it was still in the upper 80s.
We saw a lot of cramping among players, and Claire mentioned that at this time of year, players need to get plenty of electrolytes.
I guess this is a sign I am getting old — at that point, I remembered I did not take my daily meds. My potassium has been low, so I am taking supplements, but they are hard to swallow. That's when I realized I didn't take any of my meds.
No. 3
A few months ago, our parent company, Lee Enterprises, announced that we would be getting Hudl video on our website. I was excited about that, and so were some of you.
Well, it seems there's a catch to that. Our advertising department needs to find a sponsor for it. Hopefully, they will.
In the meantime, I plan to upload some highlights from the NFHS Network broadcast of the West Cabarrus game. It might be sometime on Friday or Saturday. I would say it would be posted before the Friday Five, but I often struggle with video.
No. 4
Autobell Car Wash has awarded scholarships to 12 team members working at its Concord and Harrisburg locations as part of the Charlotte-based company's annual scholarship program.
Autobell is awarding $150,000 in academic scholarships to 182 employees across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland for the 2026-27 academic year.
Cabarrus County recipients are Stephen Buie, Brady Drake, Addison Long, Samuel Rodriguez, Reagan Thivierge and Hayden Williams, all working in Concord; and Elizabeth Baker, Marcella Diaz, Brett Doering, Joshua Edwards, Grant Ellis and John Patalak, all working in Harrisburg.
Drake, Long, Williams, Diaz, Edwards and Patalak attend UNC Charlotte. Rodriguez attends Appalachian State University; Thivierge attends Loyola University Maryland; Baker attends High Point University; Doering attends Rowan-Cabarrus Community College; and Ellis attends UNC Chapel Hill. Buie's school was not provided.
"Our team members show up every day with energy, purpose, and a genuine commitment to their communities," Autobell Vice President of Human Resources Katie Sens said. "Helping them reach their academic goals is something we're proud to do and a reflection of who we are as a company."
Scholarship recipients are selected through a competitive process considering academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community involvement and leadership. Applicants also submit recommendations and an essay based on their experience working at Autobell.
Autobell established its scholarship program in 2000 and says it has awarded more than $2.6 million to more than 2,400 team members pursuing higher education.
Four Autobell employees also received $2,500 scholarships this year from the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association.
Founded in 1969, Autobell is a family-owned company based in Charlotte and operates 91 car wash locations in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic.
No. 5
Knowing what to do in the first moments of an emergency can make all the difference. Cabarrus EMS will demonstrate lifesaving techniques for CPR and helping a choking child, along with important safety tips for seniors, during the August meeting of The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary (TSAWA).
The meeting will be held Tuesday, Aug. 25, at The Salvation Army of Cabarrus/Stanly Counties headquarters, 216 Patterson Ave. SE in Concord. Socializing and refreshments begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by the meeting at 10 a.m. Visitors are encouraged to attend.
In addition to the EMS presentation, attendees can learn about new Salvation Army volunteer opportunities and programs. Pre-owned books will also be available for purchase, with proceeds helping provide new books for the Salvation Army's Christmas Angel Tree project.
TSAWA is a fundraising and volunteer service organization supporting The Salvation Army's many programs and activities in the community.
If you have a Friday Five, story suggestion, or something I can rant about, email mplemmons@ independenttribune.com or call or text 704-786-0001.
