Jack VanderToll.png

Jack VanderToll

City Editor, CLTtoday

Jack lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since graduating college, Jack has worked in local television news. He was most recently a television producer for the local CBS station, WBTV News. Outside of work, Jack enjoys photography, writing, hiking, playing tennis, movies, and being with friends.

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Chef Sam Diminich poses for the camera inside his restaurant.
Restaurants
Charlotte restaurant professionals among James Beard Award semifinalists for 2025
Two Charlotte-based chefs and mixologist are in the running for the nation’s most prestigious culinary honors.
January 22, 2025
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Jack VanderToll
A job representative speaks to job seekers as a booth at a career fair.
Events
Mecklenburg County hosting career expo and workshops
Job seekers have the chance to connect with local companies to set themselves on a new career path.
January 17, 2025
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Jack VanderToll
An artist's rendering of a large brick building at the end of a wooded bridge.
Parks and Recreation
Discovery Place announces name for new nature museum
The reimagined museum in Freedom Park will offer a place of learning and exploring Charlotte’s natural wonders.
January 16, 2025
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Jack VanderToll
Crowds gather for an outdoor concert to see performers on a stage during the Cheerwine Festival.
Festivals
Cheerwine Festival to return May 2025
The annual festival celebrating the iconic Cheerwine soft drink is a major economic driver for Rowan County.
January 16, 2025
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Jack VanderToll
A bottle of wine is being poured into a wine glass atop a decorated table.
Bars
Raise your glass for the Spanish Wine Trade Show
The taste of Spain arrives in the Queen City for a one-day wine showcase.
January 14, 2025
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Jack VanderToll
An artist's rendering depicting the interior of a sportsbook lounge with a massive screen with sports playing on the monitors.
Sports
New sports lounge coming to South End this spring
Blinders Sports Lounge will offer an experience akin to a sportsbook, sports bar, and cocktail lounge.
January 14, 2025
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Jack VanderToll
Chef in hotel or restaurant kitchen cooking only hands. Prepared beef steak with vegetable decoration.
Food
Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week returns
Many of Charlotte’s best restaurants offer three-course dining deals from Friday, January 17, through Sunday, January 26.
January 10, 2025
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Jack VanderToll
An aerial shot of Uptown Charlotte with Bank of America Stadium in the foreground.
City
Ranking Charlotte throughout 2024
The Queen City certainly received a lot of attention so, we’re taking a look back at some of Charlotte’s national rankings and accolades from the last year.
January 10, 2025
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Jack VanderToll
CLTtoday_Chef Sam Diminich Hopeway_Jan. 2025
Restaurants
Charlotte chef bringing culinary expertise to The Hopeway Kitchen
The chef is teaming up with the nonprofit mental health treatment organization to deliver high-quality meals for clients, guests, and staff.
January 8, 2025
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Jack VanderToll
A large line of traffic collects on a Charlotte interstate at rush hour.
Airports and Transportation
Charlotte earns busy traffic scorecard
The 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard ranks Charlotte as the 20th highest congested metro in the US.
January 8, 2025
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Jack VanderToll
An aerial shot of massive crowds attending Lovin' Life Music Fest in Uptown Charlotte.
Events
20+ of the most anticipated events in 2025
The Queen City is preparing for a jam-packed year. There are plenty of things to keep you busy all year long so we’ve compiled 20+ of the biggest events to attend around the Queen City this year.
January 6, 2025
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Jack VanderToll
Plates of Latin cuisine are placed on a table.
Food
Charlotte restaurants offer dishes to start 2025 on a healthy note
Queen City favorites are making it easier to eat healthier menu items year-round.
January 6, 2025
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Jack VanderToll
An artist's aerial rendering of a green park space that will be Eastland Park.
Parks and Recreation
Plans growing for east Charlotte’s Eastland Park
The ~4.5-acre urban park will feature walking trails, covered picnic space, a playground, sprayground, and dog park.
January 2, 2025
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Jack VanderToll
Maryland's head coach is drenched by a massive tub of mayonnaise.
Sports
Duke’s Mayo Bowl to kick off at Bank of America Stadium
Uptown Charlotte will soon celebrate a unique college football tradition involving lots and lots of mayonnaise.
January 2, 2025
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Jack VanderToll
A stretch of road in Charlotte is covered in white dusting of snow.
City
2024-2025 winter weather trends for Charlotte
Prepare for winter weather with these seasonal temperature and precipitation outlooks.
December 19, 2024
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Jack VanderToll
A line of volunteer workers pack crates of food in a warehouse.
Work
25+ volunteer opportunities in and around Charlotte
There are ample opportunities to volunteer and give back to the Queen City community year-round.
December 17, 2024
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Jack VanderToll
Volunteers in a warehouse work in a construction site where tiny homes are being built.
Volunteer
Rush to complete tiny homes for families before Christmas
Lowe’s joins a large-scale volunteer effort to construct and deliver tiny homes to Western North Carolina families during the holiday season.
December 13, 2024
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Jack VanderToll
A dusting of snow covers the roads and hills adjacent to the Uptown Charlotte skyline.
Weather
The history of snow in Charlotte
Bundle up for a story on the biggest snow storms to chill the Queen City.
December 13, 2024
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Jack VanderToll
A row of Christmas trees line an outdoor market.
Small Business
Shop six Charlotte markets selling Christmas trees
There are plenty of options around the Queen City to find the perfect Christmas tree, garland, or wreath.
December 11, 2024
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Jack VanderToll
Business leaders speak in front of a panel with Ballantyne visible in the background.
Business
South Charlotte leaders discuss city’s business future
Topics discussed included change in the city’s rapidly growing job market + importance of returning to the office.
December 9, 2024
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Jack VanderToll
A plate of curry chicken and spices is placed on a table.
Restaurants
Look for these new restaurants in 2025
These upcoming restaurants will provide a tasty flare to every dish in the Queen City.
December 9, 2024
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Jack VanderToll
Tennis stars Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys serve tennis balls on a tennis court.
Sports
Charlotte Invitational brings wave of tennis hype to the Queen City
Some of the biggest names in tennis arrive in Charlotte to compete and share love for the sport.
December 5, 2024
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Jack VanderToll
People eat on covered benches in an outdoor courtyard lines with trees and umbrellas.
Food
Grab food and stay a while at Optimist Hall
Charlotte’s first food hall offers a wide variety of tasty options + space for community that leaves guests coming back.
December 5, 2024
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Jack VanderToll
An artist's rendering of the interior of a movie theater.
Theater
Catch a movie in Independent Picture House’s new auditorium
The nonprofit cinema hopes to build a larger audience welcoming local filmmakers and movie lovers.
December 3, 2024
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Jack VanderToll
Large crowds of travelers funnel through Terminal B of Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Airports and Transportation
Charlotte Douglas International Airport braces for record Thanksgiving travel
More than one million travelers are expected to fly out of Charlotte from Thursday, Nov. 21 to Monday, Dec. 2 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
November 21, 2024
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Jack VanderToll
Rows of crops are planted beneath a massive plastic tent.
Business
Preserving the future of Carolina farmers
The Conservation Fund’s Carolina Farms Fund announced First Farm Project to expand the presence of farming in the Charlotte region.
November 19, 2024
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Jack VanderToll
An artist rendering of a multifamily apartment complex with a vibrant community.
Development
The River District aims to balance city life and conserving nature
Real estate developer Crescent Communities teams with conservancies and wildlife groups to preserve the River District’s natural beauty.
November 15, 2024
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Jack VanderToll
A woman takes a photo with her phone carrying a purse next to a luxury car.
Events
Kicks for Kids promises handbags, heels, and horsepower
The Charlotte Auto Show and the Isabella Santos Foundation are combining luxury fashion and high-performance vehicles for a worthy cause.
November 15, 2024
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Jack VanderToll
Charlotte Hornets players distribute food bags to guests across a table inside Spectrum Center.
Events
Hornets and Food Lion team up to feed local families for Thanksgiving
The 14th annual Cornucopia initiative aims to provide 1,000 Charlotte-area families with Thanksgiving meals.
November 13, 2024
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Jack VanderToll
A map of Charlotte with red pins at distinguished locations.
Culture
Which locations around Charlotte deserve a historical marker?
Historical markers are physical signs, plaques, and statues that commemorate a significant place or event. Where would you like to see a historical marker around Charlotte?
November 13, 2024
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Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
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