electrician in Indian Trailo, NC

NEW ORLEANS – James Madison’s Todd Centeio, Troy’s Carlton Martial and Louisiana’s Kenneth Almendares led their teams to key victories to secure Sun Belt conference weekly honors.

Football Offensive Player of the Week Todd Centeio, James Madison (Gr., QB – West Palm Beach, Fla.)

Dukes graduate student quarterback Todd Centeio was named MVP of the 72nd annual Oyster Bowl following James Madison’s dominant 37-3 win over Old Dominion. The West Palm Beach, Fla., product connected on 18-of-21 passes for 306 yards, while adding 12 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. Centeio connected on his first 11 passes of the contest, as the Duke built a 17-0 first-half lead. The victory was James Madison’s first-ever over the Monarchs and clinched a winning season in the program’s first year competing at the FBS level.

???????? ??????????????. ??Completed 18-of-21 Passes for 306 Yards ??Named MVP of 72nd Annual Oyster Bowl pic.twitter.com/PxuNJyF36c

— Sun Belt (@SunBelt) November 14, 2022

Football Defensive Player of the Week Carlton Martial, Troy (Sr., LB – Mobile, Ala.)

Trojans senior linebacker Carlton Martial registered a career-high 22 tackles in Troy’s 10-9 win over Army—becoming the all-time FBS leader in career tackles in the process. The Mobile, Ala., native is the first player in Troy history to tally 20-or-more tackles in multiple games, having done so against Coastal Carolina in 2021 (21). Martial helped the Trojan defense hold Army scoreless in the second half and to just 75 rushing yards in the win, securing his fourth Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week nod of the season. He needs just 16 tackles to surpass the all-time Troy record held by Gerrick Pimienta (1985-88).

?????????????? ??????????????. ??Career-High 22 Tackles ??Became All-Time FBS Leader in Career Tackles pic.twitter.com/g3OyEnPB2Q

— Sun Belt (@SunBelt) November 14, 2022

Football Special Teams Player of the Week Kenneth Almendares, Louisiana (RS So., K – Clute, Texas)

Ragin’ Cajuns redshirt sophomore kicker Kenneth Almendares accounted for 18 points in Louisiana’s 36-17 victory over Georgia Southern to move within a game of bowl eligibility. The Clute, Texas, native was a perfect 5-for-5 on field goal attempts and 3-for-3 on extra points. Almendares connected from 48, 34, 27, 42 and 40 yards out to become the first player to repeat as Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week this season. His 18 points in a single game are tied for the most among FBS kickers this season.

?????????????? ????????????????????. ??Accounted for 18 Points ??Tied Program Record with 5 Field Goals pic.twitter.com/ahGsPwQV05

— Sun Belt (@SunBelt) November 14, 2022

2022 Sun Belt Football Offensive Players of the Week Week 1 – Chase Brice, App State (RS Sr., QB – Grayson, Ga.) Week 2 – Kyle Vantrease, Georgia Southern (6th Yr., QB – Stow, Ohio) Week 3 – Christan Horn, App State (So., WR – Columbia, S.C.) Week 4 – Todd Centeio, James Madison (Gr., QB – West Palm Beach, Fla.) Week 5 – Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina (RS Jr., QB – Indian Trail, N.C.) Week 6 – Todd Centeio, James Madison (Gr., QB – West Palm Beach, Fla.) Week 7 – Kyle Vantrease, Georgia Southern (6th Yr., QB – Stow, Ohio) Week 8 – Ben Wooldridge, Louisiana (RS Jr., QB – Pleasanton, Calif.) Week 9 – La’Damian Webb, South Alabama (Jr., RB – Opelika, Ala.) Week 10 – La’Damian Webb, South Alabama (Jr., RB – Opelika, Ala.) Week 11 – Todd Centeio, James Madison (Gr., QB – West Palm Beach, Fla.)

2022 Sun Belt Football Defensive Players of the Week Week 1 – Jason Henderson, Old Dominion (So., LB – Dingmans Ferry, Pa.) Week 2 – Jalen McLeod, App State (So., LB – Washington, D.C.) Week 3 – Nick Ross, App State (Jr., DB – Kennesaw, Ga.) Week 4 – Carlton Martial, Troy (Sr., LB – Mobile, Ala.) Week 5 – Carlton Martial, Troy (Sr., LB – Mobile, Ala.) Week 6 – Tory Spears, Texas State (RS Jr., S – Houston, Texas) Week 7 – Tre Hawkins, Old Dominion (Sr., DB – Temple, Texas) Week 8 – Owen Porter, Marshall (RS Jr., DL – Huntington, W.Va.) Week 9 – Shane Bruce, Coastal Carolina (RS So., LB – Carrollton, Ga.) Week 10 – Carlton Martial, Troy (Sr., LB – Mobile, Ala.) Week 11 – Carlton Martial, Troy (Sr., LB – Mobile, Ala.)

2022 Sun Belt Football Special Teams Players of the Week Week 1 – Eric Garror, Louisiana (Sr., RS – Mobile, Ala.) Week 2 – Matthew McDoom, Coastal Carolina (Fr., RS – Winter Garden, Fla.) Week 3 – Natrone Brooks, Southern Miss (Sr., RS – Starkville, Miss.) Week 4 – Caullin Lacy, South Alabama (So., RS – Mobile, Ala.) Week 5 – Johnnie Lang Jr., Arkansas State (RS Sr., RS – Palmetto, Fla.) Week 6 – Seth Keller, Texas State (RS Jr., K – Colleyville, Texas) Week 7 – Kenneth Almendares, Louisiana (RS So., K – Clute, Texas) Week 8 – Mike Rivers, Troy (Sr., P – Wilmington, N.C.) Week 9 – Evan Crenshaw, Coastal Carolina (Fr., P – Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.) Week 10 – Rece Verhoff, Marshall (Fr., K – Columbus Grove, Ohio) Week 11 – Kenneth Almendares, Louisiana (RS So., K – Clute, Texas)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North American commercial truck drivers are still in high demand due to a shortage, impacting the ability to get goods, merchandise and other items shipped around the country.

What You Need To Know

The American Trucking Associations says the country needs 80,000 more drivers.

In Charlotte, a commercial truck driving school operator said he’s put about 500 drivers on the road the last two and a half years, and is attempting to get more driving.

“We’re finding out a lot of jobs that required six months, a year, maybe two years of experience are now calling us for our students. There is a higher demand for truck drivers,” said Christian Leguizamon at the newest campus of his CL Driving School.

Leguizamon opened a second location on Old Statesville Road this summer, due to high demand from both potential students and employers.

“It started earlier with the pandemic, there was a lot of layoffs and a lot of businesses closing, and so people wanted some job security. And with CDL you always have a job available. Everybody’s always hiring,” Leguizamon said.

In addition to the pandemic, Leguizamon said requests to enroll in the school have increased, along with fears of a potential recession, as applicants want a guaranteed job if the economy dips.

“Most truck drivers start off making about 52,000 a year, right out of school. It’s not terrible pay at starting, we’ve even seen it climb up to 80,000 to a 100,000 in their first year,” Leguizamon explained.

He first opened an Indian Trail location off Independence Boulevard about two and a half years ago. The waitlist for the campus had grown to four months, so he decided to add the Statesville Road spot this summer. Now, both campuses have a two-month waitlist.

Leguizamon has seen all sides of the commercial truck driving business, which is why he decided to start teaching drivers.

“Started off in warehouse work, with loading and unloading trucks, worked my way through dispatching. Came really familiar with the truck drivers themselves, caught interest in that, and then we started a school in New Jersey, and then slowly made our way down here to North Carolina,” he said.

There is high demand on both sides. Leguizamon said his two schools are inundated with job offers from large and small companies looking for drivers, with open job postings, usually in the hundreds.

Despite, all the time spent around trucks, he said he’s content staying behind the desk instead of a wheel.

“It’s a huge accomplishment for them, but it’s very fulfilling to see the growth. And, to see their next steps and follow them throughout their career. I’d love to get behind the wheel, but this is very gratifying for me,” Leguizamon said.

Trucking companies often offer signing bonuses, reimbursements or scholarships for students receiving their commercial license. Large companies, like Campbell’s Soup, Schneider, US Foods, and others have all reached out to hire Leguizamon's students in the last two years.

Health officials advise people experiencing respiratory symptoms to go indoors.

SARASOTA, Fla. — Water samples taken earlier this week show elevated levels of red tide at some Sarasota County beaches, health officials warn. They say it is also affecting air quality.

Several beaches in Sarasota County will have signs warning of red tide, including:

Red tide can cause some people to experience respiratory symptoms including eye, nose, and throat irritation, according to the Florida Department of Health. People who have existing breathing problems could experience more severe effects, officials said.

People are advised to go indoors if they experience symptoms. Red tide also severely impacts marine life. Beachgoers are also advised not to touch any dead fish that washes up ashore.

"I certainly feel for the fish, I understand about the balance in the ecosystem so really, you know, that should be everybody's concern," said Stanley Kivlan, a tourist from Indian Trail, NC.

In 2021 a several months-long red tide event impacted marine life and local businesses, including tourism. Many are hoping this is not the beginning of a repeat of that scenario

"I wouldn't overreact but I would definitely make sure that we are tracking it and observing what's going on," said Kivlan.

Although not yet directly connected, scientists have been concerned that an influx of runoff from land into the Gulf of Mexico from Hurricane Ian's surge and rainfall could touch off such a harmful algal bloom.

After Hurricane Ian hit 3 weeks ago, massive flooding followed. Several days later the area began to experience what's known as 'reverse storm surge'. That's when all the excess wastewater, filled with land nutrients and other pollutants -- finds its way into the Gulf.

Experts have been monitoring the more than 800 miles of beach along the Gulf coast for any development of red tide

"That relationship between red tide and hurricanes is kind of a difficult one. There has been the notion that a hurricane could actually disrupt a red tide because it mixes the water column to move water offshore. But also numerous times we've seen that we sometimes get a red tide following a hurricane. Now whether or not that has anything directly to do with the hurricane is a little difficult to tell," said Dr. Vincent Lovko, Senior Scientist, at Mote Marine Laboratory.

"All that water going onto the ground and rushing through the rivers and estuaries and into the coastal waters can certainly bring nutrients," said Lovko.

Sixth-seeded Dudley's bid for a second consecutive NCHSAA Class 3-A championship ends with a shocking 74-41 loss to No. 11 Belmont South Point at J.A. Tarpley Stadium.

Yes, Dudley really did give up 74 points. Records are spotty, but that is believed to be the most points ever surrendered by a Panthers football team. It was more than Dudley surrendered in all but five of its 29 boys basketball games last season.

The Panthers knew they would have to play disciplined, assignment football against South Point’s triple-option attack, as they did in a 38-0 win in last year's regional final. Coach Steven Davis’ team failed miserably Thursday night. After Dudley held the Red Raiders to 24 yards on 10 rushes in the first quarter, South Point broke loose for 306 yards on 37 carries the rest of the way and only punted once after the first quarter.

“It was assignments,” Davis said. “We have a TV on that sideline, and every time we’d go to the TV it was somebody not carrying out their assignment. On top of that, poor tackling came into effect.”

Cam Medlock had 22 of South Point’s carries and finished with 134 yards and two touchdowns, but it was quarterback Patrick Blee who did the most damage. The freshman made great reads and ran through arm tackles for 194 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries. He also hurt Dudley on the rare occasions when he threw, completing four of six passes for 86 yards and two TDs.

“Several times he had long runs and the guy who was supposed to get him went up the field, gave him a crease and he took it,” Davis said of Blee. “All week in practice we said, ‘You’ve got the quarterback.’ They did it in practice and got out here and went brain-dead.”

Offensively, the Panthers had some big plays and 41 points typically would be more than enough to win for a team that had given up a total of 18 points in its last eight games. But Dudley failed to sustain drives and left its defense on the field too long. That took a toll as South Point scored on all but one of its possessions in the second half.

Senior defensive lineman Logan Wright, who came into the game leading the state in sacks, echoed what his coach said about the Panthers’ performance.

“As a team we weren’t very disciplined tonight,” Wright said. “We didn’t play assignment football. That’s everybody and it starts with me up top as a leader of the team. We just didn’t get the job done tonight.”

As if South Point’s offense wasn’t potent enough, Dudley gave the Red Raiders two touchdowns when Andrew Attmore threw a pick-six on the Panthers’ first play from scrimmage and Attmore couldn’t handle a shotgun snap that resulted in a fumble recovery in the end zone midway through the fourth quarter.

It was that kind of night for a Dudley team whose dream of a second straight NCHSAA Class 3-A title ended in the second round.

1. Triple-option offenses are poison for Greensboro teams in the playoffs. Last year it was Lake Norman knocking off Northern Guilford in the first round in Class 4-A and Indian Trail Porter Ridge upsetting Grimsley in the second round in Class 4-A. Those two teams came to Greensboro and knocked off higher-seeded teams, and South Point did it Thursday night.

2. The service academies should offer Patrick Blee now. South Point’s freshman quarterback was poised and dangerous against a bigger, faster Dudley defense. Blee makes great reads, takes care of the football and would be a perfect fit for the offenses Air Force, Army and Navy have run so effectively in recent years. “He’s a special kid,” Hodge said.

3. Nasir Newkirk and Koredell Bartley are just getting started. Dudley’s sophomore receivers accounted for nine catches and 166 of Attmore’s 182 passing yards. Bartley also returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown. With Attmore back next season for his senior year, they should continue to develop into future Division I college players.

South Point — QB Patrick Blee 17 rushes, 194 yards, 4 TDs, 4-of-6 passing, 86 yards, 2 TDs; RB Cam Medlock 22 carries, 134 yards, 2 TDs; RB/QB Elijah Phifer TD catch, TD run.

Dudley — QB Andrew Attmore 10-of-22 passing, 182 yards, 2 TDs, 2-point conversion pass, 2 INTs; ATH R.J. Baker 10 carries, 139 yards, 3 TDs, 2-point conversion run; WR Nasir Newkirk 6 catches, 106 yards, 2 TDs, 2-point conversion catch; WR Koredell Bartley punt-return TD, 3 catches, 60 yards.

“We were down 21-6 in the first (quarter) and to come back like that, that shows a whole lot of faith, a whole lot of courage and a whole lot of belief in one another.” – Adam Hodge, South Point coach

“The guys played their tails off, but we obviously didn’t want it to end this way. I really thought the defense was ready, but it just goes back to assignment football.” – Steven Davis, Dudley coach

“We had the potential, but you have to follow it up. It’s based off work ethic, off practice, off discipline. It caught up with us a little bit tonight, and we just have to learn from it.” – Logan Wright, Dudley senior defensive lineman

South Point: 11-1.

Dudley: 9-3.

South Point: At Boiling Springs Crest (9-3), Nov. 18.

Du – R.J. Baker 4 run (Yero Woodson kick), 1st, 8:00

Du – Nasir Newkirk 35 pass from Andrew Attmore (kick failed), 1st, 4:25

SP – Dawson Tobin 22 pass from Patrick Blee (Birtwistle kick), 2nd, 6:06

Du – Baker 32 run (Newkirk pass from Attmore), 2nd, 2:25

SP – Blee 69 run (Birtwistle kick), 2nd, 2:00

SP – Blee 7 run (Birtwistle kick), 2nd, :28

SP – Medlock 11 run (Birtwistle kick), 3rd, 6:51

SP – Blee 1 run (Birtwistle kick), 3rd, 3:00

Du – Baker 80 run (pass failed), 3rd, 2:41

SP – Elijah Phifer 26 pass from Blee (Birtwistle kick), 3rd, :37

Du – Newkirk 34 pass from Attmore (pass failed), 4th, 11:02

SP – Blee 1 run (Birtwistle kick), 4th, 6:59

SP – Jack Milford fumble recovery in end zone (kick failed), 4th, 6:50

SP – Phifer 8 run (kick blocked), 4th, 1:44

Contact Joe Sirera at 336-373-7034, and follow @JoeSireraSports on Twitter.

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A Union County hardware store is in trouble with the state after inspectors found the business overcharged customers. Their recent inspection of Ace Hardware Indian Trail flagged widespread problems in the checkout line.

State records reveal the store's scanners overcharged inspectors by nearly $90 over the advertised prices on a sample size of 50.

"There's no excuse for that amount of overcharge," North Carolina Department of Agriculture Standards Division Measurement Manager Chad Parker said. "It's just someone, personnel, neglecting their job."

Parker said the overcharging at the store in question is by far the worst he's witnessed in recent years.

"All it takes is a little bit of work and you're a whole lot better than that," he said.

Inspectors visited the store in early March after receiving a complaint. Their final report lists more than 20 items that rang up at a higher price, ranging from 40 cents up to $5 per item.

Parker said inspectors are finding more and more businesses overcharging customers. State records identify an extraordinarily high number of stores across the state, 22 in all, fined in the fourth quarter of 2021 for overcharging and Parker expects the problem to continue. He believes it's a sign of the times, the result of a labor shortage coupled with inflation.

"It's just getting very bad right now as far as overcharges," he said. "Inflation causes the prices to go up and it's hard to hire the correct people or enough people to help change the prices."

Overcharging costs customers like Jerry Griffin.

"I got to pay for it," he said. "It comes out of my pocket in ways I don't like."

Inspectors will visit the Indian Trail store again in the coming weeks and depending on what they find then, could fine the company up to $5,000.

WCNC Charlotte is always asking "where's the money?" If you need help, reach out to WCNC Charlotte by emailing money@wcnc.com.

Customers, while shocked by the problem, said they trust the store will make things right.

"I would assume they are going to correct it one way or the other," Frank Witkowski said.

The store’s owner originally agreed to an interview with WCNC Charlotte, but canceled. He later sent a statement.

"The Helpful Hardware Company acquired Indian Trail Hardware, where this incident occurred, in 2021 and has been undertaking the painstaking process of converting it from its previous wholesaler to Ace Hardware," owner and CEO Darin Workman said. "Unfortunately, during this transition there have been isolated discrepancies between our shelf price and our scanned price. Our ongoing policy states that whenever such discrepancies are identified, we will honor the lower of the two. We are currently inspecting our entire inventory to identify and eliminate any such discrepancies and are confident that the Department of Agriculture will be satisfied upon its return to reinspect the store. We deeply appreciate the opportunity to serve Indian Trail and will continue making every effort to be regarded as a respected, appreciated member of this community."

If you believe a store you frequent is overcharging customers, you can reach out to the Standards Division at (984) 236-4750.

WCNC Charlotte only found out about customers getting overcharged at this store because a viewer sent in a tip. If you have a tip you want our team to investigate, we'd love to hear from you too.

We've made it easy for you. Just email investigators@wcnc.com

WCNC Charlotte is committed to reporting on the issues facing the communities we serve. We tell the stories of people working to solve persistent social problems. We examine how problems can be solved or addressed to improve the quality of life and make a positive difference. WCNC Charlotte is seeking solutions for you. Send your tips or questions to newstips@wcnc.com.