Santa greets special needs kids + Charlotte man charged with armed robbery in Biloxi

Tamia Boyd
·2 min read

Hey, everyone! It’s Tamia here. And it’s Friday. Cue up Katy Perry’s Last Friday Night.

We have 16 days until Christmas and to get you in the holiday spirit CharlotteFive began round two of the best Christmas lights in the area. Your presents is requested to go vote and if you don’t? Yule be sorry!

But wait, there’s myrrh - let’s get into the news!

1. ‘Caring Santa’ brings Christmas cheer to special needs kids in Charlotte

Robert Bosche smiles for a photo with Santa Claus at the SouthPark Mall in Charlotte, NC on Sunday, December 4, 2022. The event is for children with disabilities and are adversely affected by high sensory events such as a loud, busy mall. The Caring Santa event was hosted before regular mall hours.
Robert Bosche smiles for a photo with Santa Claus at the SouthPark Mall in Charlotte, NC on Sunday, December 4, 2022. The event is for children with disabilities and are adversely affected by high sensory events such as a loud, busy mall. The Caring Santa event was hosted before regular mall hours.

“What kid doesn’t deserve a chance with Santa?”

Caring Santa is a private photo experience designed for children who need a sensory-friendly environment. SouthPark mall partnered with Autism Speaks, an autism advocacy organization, for the event.

Inclusive opportunities like Caring Santa allows people of all ages and abilities to enjoy photo traditions with Santa Claus. Each family has their own reservation time to keep lines from becoming overwhelming and to reduce interruptions.

Evan Moore has more on the sensory-friendly event designed for children with autism.

2. Customers detain armed North Carolina man after robbery at Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi

Slot machines at the 12 Coast casinos will be spinning again on Thursday, May 21 , the first day they are allowed to open after the cronavirus shutdown. Mississippi Gaming Commission ordered the casinos closed on March 16 to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Slot machines at the 12 Coast casinos will be spinning again on Thursday, May 21 , the first day they are allowed to open after the cronavirus shutdown. Mississippi Gaming Commission ordered the casinos closed on March 16 to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

While others were in hopes of winning jackpots and table games, a Charlotte man pulled out a weapon and demanded money from a cashier at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi.

An undisclosed amount of money was recovered, police said. Aime Joseph Gelinas, 44, was arrested and charged with armed robbery.

Mary Perez has the story.

3. Walmart, Dollar General fined again by NC for overcharging Charlotte-area customers

A state consumer-protection program performs random inspections of price scanners for accuracy in retail stores.
A state consumer-protection program performs random inspections of price scanners for accuracy in retail stores.

North Carolina continues to see a record number of store price scanning errors resulting in customers paying more than they should, according to a state agency, resulting in over $40,000 in fines for Charlotte-area retailers.

Some 70 stores were fined in 38 counties for scanning errors, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division said Friday.

Catherine Muccigrosso shares which locations were cited for overcharging customers.

4. Some long reads for your weekend

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