Where’s the cheapest gas in Charlotte? + Behind CMPD’s new adult diversion plan

Hey folks! KJ here. This week, we’ve talked about donuts and cookies. Now, we’re adding ice cream to the list.

CharlotteFive wants to know: Do you have a favorite ice cream spot in the Charlotte area? You can nominate as many places as you’d like (I couldn’t chose between my two favorites!).

Here’s the rest of your afternoon news, with contributions from our audience engagement intern Sydney Bergan.

1. Charlotte drivers can use this interactive map to find the cheapest gas in the city

Have you noticed gas prices starting to rise again?

Prices in the United States hit an all-time high of $4.95 this week and the cost of fuel is expected to keep rising throughout the summer.

If you need a break at the pump this weekend, Evan Santiago has an interactive map of Charlotte gas stations with the cheapest prices right now. It includes a good list of reward programs you can sign up for that should be able to save you a bit of cash.

Plus, Evan also wrote this in March: The cost of gas continues to surge in North Carolina. Is price gouging to blame?

2. New CMPD diversion program aims to keep young adults from committing crimes again

Lowe’s and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are working together to create an Adult Diversion Program, aiming to provide education and employment skills to those with lower-level offenses.

The program is modeled off of the Youth Diversion training, which has been completed by around 4,000 juveniles since 2013, 92% of whom do not commit new offenses.

The new training program is for people aged 18-24 and goes into action immediately upon arrest, when an individual is referred by the arresting officer. Eligibility is for those who commit low-level, non-violent offenses, and have no previous criminal history or arrest record.

Read more about the new CMPD program from Kallie Cox.

3. Former chief justice who helped Trump on election challenges named NC law school dean

High Point University has hired former North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Martin, who reportedly advised Donald Trump as he worked to overturn the election.

Martin made a name for himself in North Carolina as the youngest person to ever be elected to the state’s Court of Appeals and the youngest to serve on the state’s Supreme Court. The Washington Post reported that Martin was one of the first people Trump contacted on Jan. 6, 2021, while rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol. A university spokesperson told WGHP, “Speculation about what may have happened between a lawyer and client is just that — speculation.”

“Chief Justice Mark Martin has led a distinguished judicial career in North Carolina, and he’s demonstrated tremendous results as a law school dean,” university President Nido Qubein said in a news release about the hiring. “We welcome him to HPU and look forward to his extraordinary partnership as he champions HPU’s newest professional program.”

You can read more from Danielle Battaglia.

4. Mickelson and some of the world’s top golfers can’t play in the Presidents Cup in Charlotte

If you were excited to see some of your favorite golfers at Quail Hollow in September, I may have some bad news for you.

A number of the big-name golfers, who were originally eligible to participate in the Presidents Cup, have been suspended or are otherwise ineligible to play, the PGA Tour announced Thursday.

Among those golfers are six-time major champion Phil Mickelson and two-time major winner Dustin Johnson. Jonathan M Alexander has the full list, which you can find here. If you’re planning to go not just for the golf, there’s a lot of great food from local restaurants you can expect, too.

Scott Fowler also has a new column on President’s Cup: How will a controversial Saudi-financed golf series affect the Presidents Cup in Charlotte?

5. Some more stories to read

• Has your power gone out and come back quickly? Here’s why that might have happened.

• ‘Shoppers will notice.’ Carolina Place mall adds gun-sniffing dog for increased security

• Poll: Share your opinion of Spectrum Center renovations, Charlotte Hornets practice facility

• Cockroaches are annoying pests. Here’s how to keep them out of your Charlotte home

• Medical debt burdens millions of NC residents. Here’s how to get help

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