'She was everywhere I went' | Family mourns the loss of 12-year-old drowning victim: Wednesday, May 11

A white wreath hangs on a house on ACL avenue in Cheraw, South Carolina, just up the road from the Lanely Landing on the Great Pee Dee River.There are other new floral arrangements in the front yard and a sign from a local funeral home.“We are dealing with this the best we can,” Thomas Gary said about the sudden death of his 12-year-old granddaughter Stori Gary. “She was everywhere I went.” He said about his youngest grandchild who drowned last week in the river," he said.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/wake-up-charlotte/drowning-cheraw-sc-mourns-loss-wake-up-charlotte-wcnc/275-699ca5d8-e844-47ee-bb67-59ef85931869Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools has hired Crystal Hill as the new chief of staff.Hill comes from Cabarrus County Schools. She became the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in Cabarrus County after the resignation of her predecessor.Hill's hire was announced at Tuesday night's board meeting. CMS Interim Superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh says Hill's focus is on the district's Title IX office, which ensures CMS is following federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation.In November 2021, the district added additional staff to its office after multiple students claimed complaints of sexual harassment were mishandled by the district. "She'll be dealing with Title IX, which is a big issue, critical issue, strategic management, and other issues," said Hattabaugh.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-board-meeting-may-10-2022-local-education/275-a3334c80-afb8-485d-97ae-23e4fa0330acWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!