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Hurricane season begins in the eastern Pacific

Hurricane season begins in the eastern Pacific

While hurricane season is still two weeks away in the Atlantic, Wednesday is the start of hurricane season in the eastern Pacific.

On average, more storms will form in the Pacific basin, but rarely make landfall. The ocean waters off the west coast are far to cold to sustain a hurricane, which requires sea surface temperatures of at least 80 degrees.

Additionally, the trade winds usually carry the storms westward, away from the coast. Rarely, storms can recurve back toward the coastline and make landfall along Baja California. Occasionally, they can bring heavy rain to southern California, but by then have lost their tropical characteristics.

Forecasters expect an average to below-normal year in terms of cyclone activity in the eastern Pacific.

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"Baker's Dozen" indicted on meth charges, more arrests likely

NEWTON, NC (WBTV)- 13 people from Burke and Catawba Counties have been indicted on 99 counts involving the sale and manufacture of methamphetamine.

The "Baker's Dozen" as they are called by the State Bureau of Investigations, had been operating methamphetamine operations in and around the town of Longview. Authorities say the group worked together to obatin the raw materials, most important of them, pseudoephedrine, an ingredient in many cold medicines. "The sale is restricted as to how much and how often you are allowed to buy it, said Pharmcist Chris Kirby.

"It would be hard to get enough of it to make much meth unless it was a big operation," he said. 

Volunteers key to making summer camps run

Volunteers key to making summer camps run

The summers are busy for this Charlotte teacher.

When Courtney Blosser is not in her first grade classroom, she is busy at a Charlotte YMCA.

"If you can offer them any extra support than you should do that," said Blosser.

Last summer, she signed up be a teacher volunteer for the Y readers program.

The Huntintowne Elementary School teacher volunteered six weeks and fell in love with her job.

"I love reading," said Blosser. 

"I want our children to love reading and I think that for some of our struggling readers that is an amazing program."

The YMCA's Y Reader's program is just one month away.

"This summer we are going to be located at 10 schools across the greater Charlotte area," said Blair Campbell, YMCA communications and partnerships specialist.

The program preps students for the next reading level and helps struggling readers retain information usually lost over the summer.

52 Weeks of Giving

52 Weeks of Giving

For select nonprofit charities, it will be like Christmas, whether it comes in May, August, or December.

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Changing overtime pay for some workers?

Changing overtime pay for some workers?

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- There could be a new way to pay employees who work for the private sector.  Members of the House have passed a bill to change overtime pay.  The law would give employees the option to either get overtime pay or comp time.

Republican Congressman Robert Pittenger favors the bill and thinks this will empower families to take time off when needed - time that will best fit their schedule. 

"You may have young kids at home," Pittenger said. "Or go to a soccer game and you may need to go to the dentist or you have aging parents. This is a good bill for hard working American families. It gives those choices back to the families and employees."

While Pittenger thinks this will help families, some hourly workers are not so sure.

Sunshine is back, but for how long?

Sunshine is back, but for how long?

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- The sunshine is back, but only for a limited time!

For the third straight weekend, rain is in the forecast as an area of low pressure moves in from the west.

Friday will start off sunny, but clouds build in for the afternoon with a few showers possible in the evening.  The major moisture surge moves in Saturday, with showers and thunderstorms making a return along our next cold front. 

The rain should taper off early Sunday, followed by much cooler temperatures early next week.

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Who wants to Go Pro with Steve Smith?

Who wants to Go Pro with Steve Smith?

Every year, thousands of young football fans dream of breaking the huddle with hero Steve Smith. Showmars, a proud sponsor of Steve Smith’s Football ProCamp, is making that dream a reality for four Charlotte-area children this summer.

Showmars is giving away four spots to the 2013 Steve Smith Football ProCamp. Football fans can sign up by filling out an entry form at any of Showmars 28 Charlotte-Metro locations.

ProCamp is a youth athletic camp for children in grades 1- 8. Established in 1998, the camp provides thousands of youth the opportunity to attend camp with their sporting heroes. At the camp, attendees learn football fundamentals and meet children their own age with like interests.

This year’s ProCamp event will be held at Ardrey Kell High School on Monday, June 10, and Tuesday, June 11.