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• Local News

  • 🔋North Carolina Leads the Charge in Clean Energy and EV Manufacturing Boom

  • 🏀March Madness Tonight: UNC vs. Florida State Today @ Noon on ESPN

  • 💰Hillsborough Resident Strikes Gold with Lottery Win Outside Best Buy

• Business Spotlight: Truffletopia and 5-star Recipe!

• Event Highlight: Jazz in Downton Chapel Hill and Standup Comedy

• 🗓️Chapel Hill Local Event Listings (new added)

• 💫Just for Fun: A Landlord Gives a Masterclass on How Facebook Works

North Carolina Leads the Charge in Clean Energy and EV Manufacturing Boom

North Carolina has experienced a significant surge in clean energy investments, making it a pivotal center for the battery and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing sectors. After implementing national clean energy incentives in 2022, the state has emerged as one of the top beneficiaries, with nearly $19 billion in investments and the creation of 10,000 new jobs anticipated.

Notably, Albemarle is committing over $370 million to lithium mining operations in Kings Mountain, while Wolfspeed is preparing to launch a $5 billion facility in Chatham County. This facility, expected to open this summer, will employ 1,800 workers to produce materials crucial for EV chips.

Toyota's expansion in Liberty for an EV battery manufacturing site represents an additional commitment of more than $8 billion, aiming to employ over 5,000 individuals by 2025. Similarly, companies like Vinfast and Kempower are investing heavily in the region, with Kempower establishing a $41 million EV charger production plant a little closer to home in Durham and expanding its workforce by more than 100.

The strategic location of these investments, primarily in rural and low-income communities, highlights a growing market supported by favorable policies. Despite some resistance from Republican lawmakers, the bulk of the clean energy development is happening in districts they represent, underlining the widespread economic impact of these initiatives.

March Madness: Unexpected Victories Set Stage for Thrilling Quarterfinals

The second round of the tournament on Wednesday, March 13, showcased thrilling matchups and unexpected victories. Florida State, seeded ninth, outplayed Virginia Tech, the eighth seed, with a final score of 86-76. Meanwhile, Wake Forest, the fifth seed, triumphed over twelfth-seeded Notre Dame with a score of 72-59. In a surprising turn, tenth-seeded NC State overcame seventh-seeded Syracuse with an 83-65 victory, and Boston College, the eleventh seed, secured a significant win against sixth-seeded Clemson, 76-55.

The excitement continues into the quarterfinals today, Thursday, March 14, with four games slated. The top-seeded North Carolina will face Florida State at noon and will broadcast on ESPN/ESPN2. Following this, Pittsburgh, the fourth seed, will go head-to-head against Wake Forest at 2:30 p.m. The evening games include second-seeded Duke against NC State at 7 p.m., and Virginia, the third seed, versus Boston College at 9:30 p.m., both on ESPN/ESPN2.

The semifinals on Friday, March 15, promise more intense action. The winners of the noon and 2:30 p.m. games from Thursday will compete at 7 p.m., and the victors of the evening games will battle it out at 9:30 p.m., with both games airing on ESPN/ESPN2.

The tournament will reach its climax on Saturday, March 16, with the championship game. The finalists, determined by Friday's semifinals, will compete for the title at 8:30 p.m. and will broadcast on ESPN.

Hillsborough Resident Strikes Gold with Lottery Win Outside Best Buy

In an unexpected turn of events, Nichalis Rider's routine wait outside a Best Buy store turned into a life-changing moment. While killing time, Rider decided to engage in an instant lottery game on his phone, a decision that led him to win a staggering $100,000. This remarkable victory was confirmed by the North Carolina Education Lottery in a news release on March 13. Rider, hailing from Hillsborough, was overwhelmed by his win. "It was pure insanity," he exclaimed, finding it hard to believe his sudden fortune.

Rider's choice of the Robo Cash game was influenced by his previous success in lottery endeavors, where he once won $5,000. Opting to try his luck again, he played from the parking lot of a Best Buy, a decision that paid off massively. The odds were steep, with Rider beating a 1-in-2 million chance to secure the game's top prize, which ranges from 50 cents to $10 to participate.

Upon realizing his win, Rider immediately shared the news with his wife, who initially doubted the authenticity of his claim. To prove his point, he sent her a screenshot of the winning notification. After taxes, Rider took home $71,503 from his winnings. He plans to allocate a portion of his prize towards home improvement projects and intends to invest the remainder.

Hillsborough, where Rider resides, is located in Orange County, about 15 miles northwest of Durham's downtown area. Rider's story is not unique in the sense of unexpected lottery wins during ordinary moments. For instance, a college student in South Carolina once secured a lottery jackpot while waiting for her food order, as reported by McClatchy News.

While stories like Rider's highlight the thrilling aspect of gambling, it's important to recognize the potential risks associated with it. Gambling can become an addictive behavior for some individuals, leading to significant personal and familial distress. Those facing gambling challenges can seek assistance through the national gambling hotline or the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Pittsboro's Truffletopia Sets the Stage for Affordable Luxury in the Culinary World

Just down the road a ways, the entrepreneurial duo behind Truffletopia is experiencing a surge in business. Their local products gained national attention after being featured on a shopping network show, resulting in hundreds of orders and several sold-out items. Josh Esnard, who appeared on ABC's "Shark Tank" in 2017, and his partner Tony Huey are expanding their truffle venture beyond European collaborations to local cultivation.

They've embarked on growing truffles on a 30-acre farm in Pittsboro, leveraging North Carolina's clay soil, similar to that of the Mediterranean region in Europe. A groundbreaking technique developed by a biologist from North Carolina A&T allows truffles to be grown around indigenous trees, specifically the Loblolly Pine, marking a significant innovation in local truffle cultivation.

The focus is on the high-end white truffle variety, known for its robust flavor and high market value, potentially reaching over $1,000 per pound. Aiding in their cultivation is Coco, a Bernese Mountain-Poodle mix, trained to sniff out the valuable fungi.

Esnard and Huey aim to make these luxurious truffles more accessible to a wider audience by growing them locally, which they hope will lower costs. They're excited about the culinary diversity this endeavor could bring, blending their Caribbean, Japanese, Chinese, and Irish heritages into new dishes. However, fans will have to wait until next spring for the first harvest of these white truffles.

Huey also shares many delicious recipes on their website, such Truffled Tuna Pasta w/ Betty Crocker Tuna Helper, shown below. You can access instructions to make this five-star dish by clicking the picture. Bon Appetit!

Marc Puricelli, David Kreimer and the Jazz Posse at Rougarou (Imbibe)

Check out this Downtown Chapel Hill Partnership Event: Marc Puricelli, David Kreimer, and the Jazz Posse will perform improvisational Jazz and Blues at Rougarou Cajun Kitchen TONIGHT, March 14th, from 7:00-9:00 p.m.!

The Last Draft Comedy Showcase highlights a diverse group of local comedians, including Jonah Lewis, a rising star who has performed across the East Coast, Charles Andrews, a comic writer destined for New York, Isatu Kamara, a notable figure in the local comedy scene, and Jenna Hall, a storyteller and podcast co-host. Each comedian brings their unique flavor to the stage, offering audiences an evening filled with laughter and originality. This stand-up comedy showcase is a new monthly feature for the Carrboro-based art-focused nonprofit, bringing back comedic entertainment to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro scene in a big way.

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