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Charlotte’s 10 Worst Restaurant Health Scores in October 2026

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Charlotte’s 10 Worst Restaurant Health Scores in October 2026

A Carrabba’s scored an 80 after a Mecklenburg County inspector found food measuring about 60°F in a broken cooler. Famous Toastery voluntarily closed after two coolers failed to keep food cold enough. Inspectors also found roaches around dry storage buckets at a Charlotte deli.

The following list includes the 10 worst health scores for Mecklenburg County last month. The countdown runs from 88.5 to 80, with tied scores listed alphabetically. The scores reflect the October visits, when staff corrected many of the violations. Many documented food safety violations were corrected during the visits, and later reinspections may show different scores.

In the reports, RTE means ready-to-eat; TCS refers to foods that require time or temperature control for safety; TPHC means using time instead of temperature to limit how long food can be held. WIC means walk-in cooler, PIC means person in charge, EHS means environmental health specialist, HW means handwashing and ROP means reduced-oxygen packaging.

#10 — Famous Toastery (88.5 / B)

101 N. Main St., Davidson — Inspected Oct. 20, 2026

The restaurant voluntarily closed pending repairs to its walk-in cooler and prep cooler. Staff discarded the affected food, according to the report.

Observed violations:

  • “Observed all TCS food products in the walk-in cooler and prep cooler above 41 degrees.”
  • “Observed 0ppm chlorine in the dish machine.”
  • “Observed microbial growth and stains inside of the ice machine.”

The dish machine began sanitizing at the required concentration after staff changed the chlorine container.

#9 — Jersey Mike’s Subs (87.5 / B)

9211 N. Tryon St., Suite 12, Charlotte — Inspected Oct. 8, 2026

Observed violations:

  • “Observed employee handle raw chicken with gloves on, remove gloves, then don new gloves to handle RTE food without hand wash.”
  • “Observed back of slicer heavily soiled with old food debris.”
  • “Observed mushrooms, cheese and ham in prep top holding above 41F.”
  • “Observed lettuce and tomatoes placed on TPHC prior to being cooled to 41F. Lettuce and tomatoes were out of temp for longer than 4 hours.”

Staff discarded the lettuce and tomatoes and took apart the slicer for cleaning.

#8 — King Crab Juicy Seafood (87.5 / B)

7401 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte — Inspected Oct. 12, 2026

Observed violations:

  • “EHS instructed PIC to tell food employee to wash hands, after PIC spoke to the food employee, food employee began washing hands in the prep sink.”
  • “Observed personal raw fish stored above liquid margarine in the WIC.”
  • “Observed raw shrimp and RTE crab legs in make line unit above 41F, Food items were over stacked.”
  • “Observed an open container of milk in a lowboy unit with no date marking present.”
  • “Observed all seafood and other foods in the facilities make line and in the lowboy units stored directly on ice.”

Staff discarded the seafood held above 41°F. The inspector started a plan to address repeat cold storage violations.

#7 — Bob Evans (87 / B)

16706 Northcross Dr., Huntersville — Inspected Oct. 22, 2026

Observed violations:

  • “Observed employee use gloves to handle raw items and then handle plates and ready to eat items with no glove change.”
  • “Observed 3 pans of carrots cooked yesterday still cooling.”
  • “Observed sausage patties and links, and gravy stored in steam table below 135F.”
  • “Observed several items held above 41F on the cook line including but not limited to items in right side of prep top (Mac and cheese, salsa, raw shell eggs(above 45F), etc), pasteurized egg mix on counter, raw shell eggs on counter, half and half in the server prep top, hash brown potatoes on counter, and French toast mix on ice.”
  • “Observed speaker and fan covers in walk in cooler with microbial growth.”
  • “Observed floor drain under 3-comp sink backed up and not draining.”

The inspector reported that the ready-to-eat food handled without a glove change was sold before they could intervene. The employee removed the gloves and washed their hands, and a plumber cleared the backed-up drain.

#6 — Greco Fresh Grille (87 / B)

9820 Rea Rd., Charlotte — Inspected Oct. 29, 2026

Observed violations:

  • “Observed box stored on handwashing sink and garbage can in front of HW preventing accessibility.”
  • “Observed raw lamb and raw fish stored over containers of sour cream and RTE food in walk in cooler.”
  • “Observed equipment being sanitized but sanitizer solution testing 0ppm chlorine.”
  • “Observed blanched fries cooling in deep covered containers inside tall reach in prep unit at 79 degrees F at 1:42. At 2:38 fries were at 76 degrees F. Cooling rate calculation indicates method not effective to reach cooling parameters.”
  • “Observed rice hot held at 120 degrees F in pan.”
  • “Observed blanched peppers and cheese cold held between 44-45 degrees F in low reach in drawer refrigerator.”
  • “Observed, after speaking with PIC, facility using designated mop bucket to squeeze cucumber and their Taziki sauce process.”

Staff moved the fries to shallow, uncovered pans to cool. They discarded the rice, peppers and cheese.

#5 — Spice Charlotte (87 / B)

515 North Ellis Ln., Suite 101, Charlotte — Inspected Oct. 27, 2026

The inspector said the restaurant’s small blast chiller could not handle the amount of hot food staff were cooling. The report called for changes to meet the permit conditions.

Observed violations:

  • “Cart for food was blocking access to handsink.”
  • On shellfish tags: “Date of last use not recorded on tag.”
  • “Dish machine recorded at 0ppm chlorine. All 3 chemical buckets were empty and facility did not have a backup bucket on site.”
  • “Brussel sprouts were placed in blast chiller then sat on cart to finish cooling. Cooling rate was 0 on counter.”
  • “Rice sitting on shelf above grill recorded at 76F.”
  • “Raw eggs, Cooked peppers, brussel sprouts, wings, rice, and cut lettuce recorded above 41F.”
  • “Wings and sushi rice held on TPHC not marked with begin Time.”
  • “Multiple employees prepping food without a hair restraint.”

The report said staff discarded the food found above 41°F and planned to wash dishes in the three-compartment sink.

#4 — Samoha African Cuisine (85.5 / B)

602 W. Sugar Creek Rd., Unit 4, Charlotte — Inspected Oct. 29, 2026

Observed violations:

  • “PIC would answer phone and then began preparing food without washing hands 2 times.”
  • “No paper towels at both hand washing sinks in kitchen and at hand washing sinks in restrooms.”
  • “Wrapped portion of raw chicken stored directly on top of containers of ready-to-eat foods in freezer.”
  • “Sanitizer solution measured 0 ppm in 3-compartment sink.”
  • “Several utensils and pans found with visible food residue.”
  • “2 large bus tubs of rice that began cooling yesterday measured 58-63F.”
  • “Pan of plantains measured 108-130F in hot holding.”
  • “Several TCS foods in upright cooler measured 46-54F (rice, ayomoso, stew).”
  • “Walk-in cooler is broken and not in use. Walk-in freezer door does not close properly.”

Staff discarded the rice that had been cooling overnight and reheated the plantains. The inspector warned that continued cooling violations could lead to permit action.

#3 — Copan Restaurant (85 / B)

3607 N. Sharon Amity Rd., Charlotte — Inspected Oct. 15, 2026

Observed violations:

  • “Observed PIC rinse hands off at spray sink.”
  • “Observed raw carne asada stored over tomato sauce in prep unit.”
  • “Observed raw shelled eggs stored over chicharron pupusas.”
  • “Observed no quarternary sanitizer dispensing from 3-comp sink and no chlorine sanitizer from dish machine.”
  • “Observed beans, chicharron, refried beans, sliced tomatoes, cut cabbage and tomato salsa prepared prior day that did not meet cooling parameters.”
  • “Observed items above 41F in prep unit and WIC.”
  • “Observed multiple items past date mark: cut cabbage 10/5 (discard 10/11), queso fresco 10/6 (discard 10/12) and 9/22 (discard 9/28), mozzarella cheese 10/5 (discard 10/11), housemade habanero sauce (contains cooked habaneros) 10/6 (discard 10/12), cooked beef 9/29 (discard 10/5), beans 9/7 (9/13) ; and multiple items missing date marks: cut cabbage, tomato salsa, heavy cream, and chicharron.”
  • “Observed dead crawling pest in dish stored as clean.”
  • “Observed raw chicken stored on floor of WIC.”
  • “Observed wiping cloths stored in water with no sanitizer.”

Staff moved raw meat and eggs to the correct shelves and discarded food that missed cooling or date requirements.

#2 — New Century Oriental Deli (83 / B)

4500 N. Tryon St., Suite C, Charlotte — Inspected Oct. 15, 2026

Observed violations:

  • “Employee observed washing hands for less than 10 seconds and did not use soap.”
  • “No paper towels at hand washing sink.”
  • “Container of raw chicken stored on shelf above sauces in walk-in cooler.”
  • “Heavy buildup on can opener blade.”
  • “Cutting board at duck station has not be used today but had visible debris on it.”
  • “Underside of lid of of meat seasoning bucket had cobwebs in it.”
  • “Banh mi sandwiches and sliced deli meats in other upright cooler were missing prep date labels.”
  • “5-10 roaches observed around dry storage buckets.”
  • “Several small flies observed at banh mi area.”
  • “Cilantro at banh mi station was stored in bowl lined with newspaper.”
  • “Cardboard lids are being used to cover bao bun baskets.”

Staff moved the raw chicken to a bottom shelf, supplied paper towels and added missing date labels. The inspector flagged all three violations as repeats.

#1 — Carrabba’s Italian Grill (80 / B)

16408 Northcross Dr., Huntersville — Inspected Oct. 14, 2026

Observed violations:

  • “Observed employee handle raw chicken, change gloves then work with RTE foods without hand wash.”
  • “Observed trash can, plates and single service trays blocking hand washing sink on the line.”
  • “Observed raw steak stored above porchetta in walk in cooler.”
  • “Observed several stacks of plates on the line soiled with old food debris.”
  • “Marinara was reheated to 148F when checked with EHS’ thermometer.”
  • “Observed marinara and Marsala in hot well holding below 135F.”
  • On food in the broken cooler: “All food temped was approximately 60F. Food had been in the unit for 2.5 hours.”
  • “Observed spinach pasta in single cold drawer 1 holding above 41F.”
  • “Observed several bags of ROP meat sauce marinara and soup with no date labels.”
  • “No logs or monitoring being conducted for ROP cooling, cooking or reheating process.”
  • “Observed unwashed lettuce being cut prior to washing.”
  • “Observed several gnats in dry storage area.”

Staff reheated the marinara above 165°F and discarded undated bags of sauce and soup. The inspector warned that further violations involving the restaurant’s packaging and cooling process could lead to permit action.

Check a restaurant’s current grade and inspection history in Mecklenburg County’s public health inspection database.

Police Say Man Used Hidden Cameras and Smart Glasses to Record Girls in Charlotte Dressing Rooms

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Police Say Man Used Hidden Cameras and Smart Glasses to Record Girls in Charlotte Dressing Rooms

A hidden camera found inside an Old Navy dressing room at Charlotte Premium Outlets led police to more than 200 videos and multiple cameras inside a Pineville home.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police arrested 25-year-old Dylan Keanu Hampton and charged him with eight felony counts of secret peeping.

The investigation began after an employee found a hidden camera inside an Old Navy dressing room on Oct. 11. Police said the device was positioned near the floor and aimed toward an adjacent stall.

Employees told officers a man had spent nearly two hours inside one changing room. They said he later returned claiming he forgot his keys, then pulled them from his pocket and placed them on a shelf before acting as though he had found them.

An officer identified Hampton from a separate July incident involving allegations of peeping into retail dressing rooms.

Investigators said body-camera footage from that encounter showed Hampton carrying the same type of device found at Old Navy. A victim in the earlier case also reported Hampton was wearing smart glasses capable of recording video.

CMPD says license-plate camera data placed Hampton’s vehicle at Charlotte Premium Outlets about 20 minutes before he entered the store.

Tega Cay Police arrested Hampton on Oct. 26. Officers found two cellphones and a pair of smart glasses in his vehicle, according to investigators.

The case expanded when detectives searched those devices.

CMPD says officers found more than 200 videos on Hampton’s phone, including recordings from inside a woman’s Pineville home.

Police allege hidden cameras had been placed in two bedrooms and a basement. Some videos allegedly showed Hampton installing and checking the devices.

Investigators also found purchases of cameras marketed for hidden recording and reviews attributed to Hampton praising how discreet the devices were.

Hampton was arrested again on Nov. 4 and now faces eight felony secret-peeping charges.

Police have not said how many people may have been recorded or whether additional charges could follow. The allegations have not been proven in court.

Charlotte Hornets Purchase Troubled Epicentre Property at 80% Discount

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Charlotte Hornets Purchase Troubled Epicentre Property at 80% Discount

The Charlotte Hornets just bought into one of Uptown’s most infamous properties — at a fraction of what it was once worth.

Hornets Sports & Entertainment joined Lincoln Property Company and Vision Ventures to purchase the former EpiCentre for $27.5 million.

The 304,000-square-foot complex, now called Queen City Quarter, sits directly across Trade Street from Spectrum Center.

Mecklenburg County currently values the property at about $97.8 million. The new ownership group is paying less than one-third of that amount.

The price also represents a dramatic fall from the property’s peak.

From $132 Million To $27.5 Million

The EpiCentre opened in 2008 as one of Uptown Charlotte’s biggest entertainment destinations.

Restaurants, nightclubs, a movie theater and bowling alley filled the complex beside the light rail. But financial problems surfaced almost immediately.

The original developer defaulted on a roughly $90 million loan within two years of opening.

Vision Ventures later took control and helped rebuild occupancy, eventually bringing the complex close to full.

In 2014, the EpiCentre sold for $132.5 million.

The property struggled with vacancies, growing competition from South End, and repeated public-safety concerns. COVID-19 delivered another major blow to its restaurants, bars, and entertainment businesses.

Its owner later defaulted on an $85 million mortgage.

In 2022, Deutsche Bank acquired the property through foreclosure for approximately $95 million.

The Queen City Quarter Rebrand

New ownership attempted to distance the property from the EpiCentre name.

The complex became Queen City Quarter, accompanied by renovations and plans for a broader mix of restaurants, entertainment and family-friendly businesses.

But vacancies continued.

When the property was placed back on the market this year, only about 32% of its space was leased.

Now the same complex that sold for $132.5 million in 2014 is changing hands for just $27.5 million.

Why The Hornets Want It

The biggest difference this time may be the buyer.

The Hornets already control one of the largest traffic generators in Uptown: Spectrum Center.

Team owners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin have discussed creating more activity around the arena before and after Hornets games, concerts and other events.

They are also spending heavily on the surrounding area.

Hornets ownership is contributing about $160 million toward the new Novant Health Performance Center near the arena. The city is contributing another $30 million.

Charlotte has also spent roughly $245 million renovating Spectrum Center.

The Hornets recently purchased two nearby South Brevard Street properties for another $20.5 million.

Adding Queen City Quarter gives the organization control over another major piece of real estate surrounding the arena.

It could eventually become part of a larger entertainment district similar to developments surrounding arenas in Atlanta and Milwaukee.

The ownership group says it is still evaluating the property and its future uses.

The Carolinas Just Redrew The Political Map: Biggest Surprises From Yesterday’s Midterm Elections

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The Carolinas Just Redrew The Political Map: Biggest Surprises From Yesterday’s Midterm Elections

The Carolinas woke up Wednesday to a political map that would have looked almost impossible two years ago.

Both North Carolina and South Carolina flipped Republican-held Senate seats to Democrats. North Carolina Democrats also broke 15 years of Republican control in the state House, while several supposedly safe GOP congressional districts collapsed.

Around Charlotte, the changes were just as dramatic.

Former N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore lost his congressional seat. Tricia Cotham lost in Mecklenburg County. And across the state line, Republican margins in Ralph Norman’s longtime York County base nearly disappeared.

South Carolina Delivered The Biggest Shock

Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Republican Darline Graham roughly 51% to 47% for U.S. Senate.

That is extraordinary in a state Donald Trump carried by nearly 18 percentage points just two years ago. Andrews ran more than 22 points ahead of the Democratic presidential margin from 2024.

The victory carries some major historical weight.

Andrews becomes the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from South Carolina since Fritz Hollings in 1998. She is also the first woman ever elected by South Carolina voters to the U.S. Senate.

Darline Graham had been appointed to replace her brother, longtime Sen. Lindsey Graham, following his death in July.

President Trump heavily backed her campaign and personally traveled to South Carolina twice during the closing days, including a rally in Rock Hill.

The Ralph Norman Factor

Norman crushed Graham in York County during August’s Republican Senate runoff, winning 63.8% to 36.1% (one of his strongest areas in the state).

After losing the statewide runoff, Norman refused requests to campaign with Graham, and in a recent interview, he said, “My family is not going to vote for Darline Graham,” he urged voters to “vote your conscience.”

His son Warren publicly said he preferred Andrews after meeting with her. A grassroots effort also encouraged conservatives to write Norman’s name onto the Senate ballot.

Trump’s decision to hold his final South Carolina rally in Rock Hill — Norman’s hometown — was an obvious attempt to sway Ralph’s anti-Graham influence.

Graham ultimately lost ruby-red York County with a final result of 50.34% for Andrews to 46.91% for Graham (Trump carried York County by roughly 19 points in 2024).

South Carolina Did Not Simply “Turn Blue”

The rest of South Carolina’s ballot tells a more complicated story.

Republican Alan Wilson won the governor’s race, defeating Democrat Jermaine Johnson roughly 52% to 47%. Republicans also won secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, agriculture commissioner and most other statewide offices.

That means hundreds of thousands of South Carolinians apparently voted for Republicans in state races while rejecting Graham for Senate.

The State House also remained Republican, although Democrats made substantial gains.

One of those flips happened in the York County area, where Democrat Heather Hart defeated Republican Rep. Jackie Terribile about 51% to 49% in House District 66.

Republican James Burns held the open State Senate District 15 seat, defeating Democrat Chad Williams roughly 54% to 46%.

South Carolina also shattered its gubernatorial-election turnout records. The state had already surpassed both its previous raw-vote record and its 30-year turnout-rate record before polls even closed Tuesday.

Another Huge South Carolina Surprise Is Still Unsettled

The Charleston-area 1st Congressional District could produce another upset.

Democrat Nancy Lacore held a narrow lead Wednesday morning over Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt.

The margin is small enough that the race appears headed toward a recount.

What makes that remarkable is the comparison with 2024.

Republican Nancy Mace won that district by 16.6 percentage points two years ago.

Even if Republicans ultimately hold the seat after the final count, turning a 16-point Republican district into a coin flip shows how much South Carolina moved Tuesday.

North Carolina’s Shift Was Even Bigger

North Carolina delivered a more sweeping change.

Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley roughly 59% to 39% for U.S. Senate.

Cooper becomes the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from North Carolina since Kay Hagan in 2008.

He is also the first Democrat to win an open North Carolina Senate seat since 1974.

That alone would have made Tuesday historic.

Then the congressional results started coming in.

Tim Moore Loses In One Of Charlotte’s Biggest Upsets

One of the night’s biggest surprises happened just west of Charlotte.

Democrat LaKesha Womack defeated Republican Rep. Tim Moore in North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District.

Unofficial results showed Womack with about 52% and Moore with roughly 48%.

Before entering Congress, he spent years as North Carolina House speaker and became the longest-serving speaker in state history.

Republicans had also drawn the congressional district to favor their party.

Instead, Womack won heavily populated and fast-growing portions of western Mecklenburg County and erased Moore’s advantage farther west.

Republicans Lost Several “Safe” Congressional Seats

Moore wasn’t alone.

Democrats flipped at least five Republican-held U.S. House districts in North Carolina, several of which had been deliberately redrawn to give Republicans comfortable advantages.

Republican Rep. Richard Hudson, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, lost to Democrat Richard Ojeda in the 9th District.

Democrat Jamie Ager flipped western North Carolina’s 11th District. Paul Barringer defeated Republican Rep. Brad Knott in the 13th.

Democrat Cyril Jefferson also flipped the 6th District, which Republicans had won by about 39 points in 2024.

That district swung from a 39-point Republican victory to a roughly two-point Democratic win in two years.

Those North Carolina pickups helped Democrats win control of the U.S. House, while the Cooper and Andrews victories contributed to Democrats taking the U.S. Senate as well.

Democrats Take The N.C. House For The First Time In 15 Years

The changes in Raleigh could be just as consequential.

Democrats won control of the North Carolina House of Representatives for the first time since the 2010 election.

Republicans entered Tuesday with a 71-49 advantage. By Wednesday morning, Democrats had flipped at least 17 Republican seats, with several contests still being finalized.

Republicans are expected to retain the N.C. Senate.

That creates a divided General Assembly: a Democratic House, Republican Senate and Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.

For most of the past 15 years, Republicans controlled both legislative chambers.

Tricia Cotham Loses In Mecklenburg County

No local legislative result carried more symbolism than House District 105.

Democrat Ken McCool defeated Republican Rep. Tricia Cotham by roughly 57% to 43%.

Cotham was elected as a Democrat in 2022 before switching to the Republican Party in 2023.

Her switch gave Republicans a veto-proof supermajority and helped them override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper on issues including abortion, education and election law.

Now her Mecklenburg seat has flipped back.

Her defeat also means every state House member representing Mecklenburg County will be a Democrat.

Democrats also picked up a Republican-held state Senate seat in Cabarrus County, while Democrat Mark Carver defeated Republican Rep. Donnie Loftis in Gaston County.

But North Carolina Voters Didn’t Vote Straight Party

One of the most interesting results came farther down the ballot.

Even while voters elected Cooper by a landslide and handed Democrats the state House, they approved all three Republican-backed constitutional amendments.

The amendments expand photo-ID requirements to mail voters, lower the constitutional cap on the state income tax to 3.5%, and require limits on local property-tax increases.

That is another sign Tuesday wasn’t simply voters checking one party all the way down the ballot.

North Carolina voters backed Democrats for many candidates while simultaneously approving policies generally favored by Republicans.

Democratic Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls also won reelection, preserving one of the court’s two Democratic seats. Republicans still hold a 5-2 majority.

Charlotte Voters Approved All Three Bond Packages

Inside Charlotte, voters approved the city’s three bond packages.

That includes $280 million for transportation, $125 million for affordable housing and $20 million for neighborhood improvements.

Democrats also maintained their 9-0 majority on the Mecklenburg County Commission.

Those results were far less surprising than what happened in the surrounding congressional and legislative districts.

What Happened?

The simplest answer is that 2026 produced a national Democratic wave.

Democrats won both houses of Congress while taking Senate seats in states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Kansas and Ohio.

Associated Press voter polling found widespread frustration over prices, inflation, the economy and the country’s direction. Concerns about the Iran war and government corruption also played roles nationally.

But the Carolina results also show important local differences.

North Carolina moved broadly toward Democrats at nearly every level, including Congress and the General Assembly.

South Carolina was much more selective.

Its voters reelected Republicans across most statewide offices and kept Republican control of state government, yet rejected the GOP Senate nominee and dramatically narrowed Republican margins in several congressional and legislative districts.

Atrium Health Agrees to $1.8 Million Settlement – Patients Now Eligible For Payouts

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Atrium Health Agrees to $1.8 Million Settlement – Patients Now Eligible For Payouts

Thousands of Atrium Health patients across the Charlotte region could be eligible for cash payments as part of a $1.8 million class-action settlement involving the health system’s online patient portal.

The settlement resolves allegations that Atrium Health used tracking pixel technology on its website and, for a limited period, shared certain personal and health-related information with third parties, including Meta and Google. Atrium denied wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement.

The settlement applies to patients who had a MyAtriumHealth or MyCarolinas account at any time between Jan. 1, 2015, and April 10, 2024.

Eligible patients fall into one of two groups:

Group 1: Patients who accessed their online portal between Jan. 1, 2015, and July 31, 2019, are eligible to receive a proportional share of the settlement fund after attorney fees and administrative costs are deducted.
Group 2: Patients who had an account during the settlement period but did not access it during those earlier years may receive up to $10. Payments may be reduced if approved claims exceed the group’s $300,000 allocation.

Patients must submit a claim to receive a payment.

Eligible patients can submit a claim online or by mail through the court-approved settlement website. Claims must be filed by September 28, 2026. Alternatively, you could have a claim advisors handle it for you here.

The settlement administrator’s mailing address is:

Julie Roberts, et al. v. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration
P.O. Box 225391
New York, NY 10150-5391

Gastonia Man Arrested For Murder After Multi-Agency Manhunt and Foot Chase

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Gastonia Man Arrested For Murder After Multi-Agency Manhunt and Foot Chase

A Gastonia man has just been arrested for murder and a slew of other charges after a police foot chase into a neighborhood and through the woods, authorities said.

Gaston County Police arrested Jeffery Martin shortly after midnight Tuesday following a multi-agency manhunt involving K9 teams, drones and tactical officers. He now faces first-degree murder and two attempted murder charges.

The investigation began around 9:30 p.m. Monday at 1027 Old Church Road in southern Gaston County.

Officers responding to a shooting found one person dead at the scene. Police have not publicly identified the victim.

A witness gave officers information identifying a suspect, along with a vehicle description and direction of travel.

Police soon spotted the vehicle near Crowders Creek Road and attempted a traffic stop.

The driver refused to stop, according to investigators, leading officers on a pursuit that ended on Stallion Way off Hoffman Road. Martin allegedly abandoned the vehicle there and ran into the surrounding neighborhood.

K9 Teams Track Suspect Into Woods

The escape triggered a large search involving Gaston County Police, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Gastonia Police and Belmont Police.

Gaston County activated its Emergency Response Team and Drone Team while K9 officers began tracking Martin.

Shortly after midnight, officers found him hiding in a wooded area and arrested him without incident.

Detectives later charged Martin with:

  • First-degree murder
  • Two counts of attempted first-degree murder
  • Larceny of a motor vehicle
  • Possession of a firearm by a felon

He was booked into the Gaston County Jail and is being held without bond.

Police have not released additional details about what led to the shooting or the circumstances behind the two attempted murder charges.

Anyone with information can contact Detective Bishop at 704-866-3320 or Crime Stoppers at 704-861-8000.

Carolinas Midterm Results Begin Tonight — Here’s When to Expect the First Numbers

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Carolinas Midterm Results Begin Tonight — Here’s When to Expect the First Numbers

If you’re watching tonight’s midterm results, South Carolina should start reporting first — shortly after 7 p.m.

North Carolina follows about 30 minutes later, with some of the biggest batches of votes expected between 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. By late evening, many Charlotte-area races could have a clear picture. Close contests could take much longer.

Here’s what voters across both Carolinas should expect.

South Carolina Results Start After 7 P.M.

South Carolina polls close at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Anyone already in line at 7 p.m. can still vote.

The South Carolina Election Commission says unofficial results will begin appearing after polls close as counties report their totals. Early voting, absentee and Election Day ballots are included in election-night results.

That means voters in York, Lancaster and Chester counties could begin seeing results shortly after 7 p.m.

Results will continue changing throughout the evening as additional precincts report.

South Carolina does not make those numbers official Tuesday night.

County election boards will review provisional ballots and certify results on Friday, Nov. 6. Statewide and multicounty races are scheduled for final state certification on Nov. 11.

North Carolina Starts About 30 Minutes Later

North Carolina polls remain open until 7:30 p.m.

The first numbers could be significant because counties are expected to report absentee and early-voting ballots near the beginning of the night.

According to the State Board of Elections:

  • 7:30-9 p.m. — absentee-by-mail results begin reporting
  • 7:30-9:30 p.m. — early-voting totals arrive
  • 8:30 p.m.-midnight — Election Day precinct results increasingly appear

The state’s results dashboard is expected to refresh every five to 10 minutes.

For Mecklenburg, Union, Gaston, Cabarrus and other Charlotte-area counties, that means substantial vote totals could appear relatively early.

But early results should not automatically be treated as a prediction of the final outcome. Different counties and voting methods can favor different candidates, and Election Day precincts arrive at different speeds.

By 9 P.M., The Picture Should Be Much Clearer

The most informative stretch will likely come between 8 and 10 p.m.

By then, South Carolina should have been reporting for several hours, while North Carolina should have released most early-voting totals and begun adding large numbers of Election Day precincts.

North Carolina officials expect precinct results to continue arriving through midnight. Any polling-place extension could also delay reporting within an affected county.

Very close races may remain unsettled after everyone goes to bed.

North Carolina can still add eligible provisional ballots, cured absentee ballots and certain military and overseas ballots during the post-election canvass.

Election Night Results Aren’t Official

North Carolina county boards will certify results on Nov. 13 after audits and reviews of remaining eligible ballots.

The State Board is scheduled to certify statewide and multicounty contests on Nov. 24.

South Carolina moves faster, with county certification scheduled for Nov. 6 and state certification Nov. 11.

For people simply trying to follow who is winning tonight, however, the timeline is much simpler:

South Carolina starts around 7 p.m. North Carolina starts around 7:30 p.m. And between roughly 8 and 10 p.m., the Carolinas’ midterm picture should begin coming into focus.

Charlotte-Area Travelers Will Be Able To Fly to Florida for Just $49 Starting This Month

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Charlotte-Area Travelers Will Be Able To Fly to Florida for Just $49 Starting This Month

A beach vacation from the Charlotte area is about to get a lot cheaper.

Discount airlines Avelo Airlines has just announced plans to launch three nonstop flights from Concord-Padgett Regional Airport to Florida, with flights starting at just $49.

Beginning in mid-November, travelers will be be able to fly nonstop to Fort Myers, Orlando, and Tampa aboard Avelo’s Boeing 737 aircraft. The new routes launch between Nov. 18 and Nov. 20 and will operate several days each week.

Located about 25 miles northeast of Uptown, Concord-Padgett Regional Airport offers shorter security lines, easier parking, and a quicker airport experience.

The new routes include:

  • Fort Myers – Starts Nov. 18
  • Orlando – Starts Nov. 19
  • Tampa – Starts Nov. 20

The new flights continue Avelo’s expansion in the Carolinas, giving local travelers more nonstop vacation options at budget-friendly prices.

You can book your flights starting in November on Avelo’s site here.

Charlotte-Area Drivers Warned as Peak Deer Crash Season Arrives

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Charlotte-Area Drivers Warned as Peak Deer Crash Season Arrives

Charlotte-area drivers are entering the most dangerous stretch of the year for deer collisions.

Mecklenburg County recorded 1,709 animal-related crashes this year, the highest total in North Carolina. Those crashes injured 70 people, according to NCDOT.

Every year, that risk climbs sharply from October through December, when deer movement during the annual rut, or deer mating season forces male deer to travel farther while searching for females.

Officials recommend all drivers to install basic deer whistles at least until the fall rut is over.

Dawn And Dusk Are The Biggest Risk

Deer are most active around sunrise and sunset, putting their busiest hours directly against morning and evening commutes.

They are also not limited to rural roads. White-tailed deer are common in suburban areas with woods, mature trees and patches of undeveloped land.

That makes parts of Mecklenburg, Union and surrounding counties especially vulnerable to sudden crossings.

Statewide, animal strikes account for about 8% of all reported crashes, with deer responsible for most of them.

If You See One Deer, Expect Another

NCDOT recommends slowing down immediately when a deer appears near the road.

Deer often travel in groups, so another animal may follow seconds after the first one crosses.

Drivers should use high beams when conditions allow and watch closely near wooded areas, streams, bridges and railroad tracks.

Most importantly, do not swerve sharply to avoid a deer. NCDOT warns that leaving your lane or losing control can cause a more serious crash.

If a collision happens, move safely off the road and call 911. Drivers should not approach an injured deer.

For Charlotte-area drivers, the biggest warning is simple: watch the shoulders closely, especially around dawn and dusk.

York County’s Secret ‘Project Utopia’ Revealed as German Chemical Manufacturer

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York County’s Secret ‘Project Utopia’ Revealed as German Chemical Manufacturer

York County has just unveiled their latest ‘code name’ project — and once again, it involves a major industrial operation.

At Monday night’s York County Council meeting, it was revealed that ‘Project Utopia’ is MÜNZING North America, a German specialty chemical manufacturer planning a $17 million headquarters and manufacturing facility in Clover. The project would add 56 jobs averaging about $145,475 per year, a new research building and expanded North American headquarters operations.

The proposal follows an increasingly familiar pattern in York County.

Over the past several years, county leaders have recruited or incentivized chemical manufacturing, biopharmaceutical production, and massive data centers — often introducing the projects publicly under code names before identifying the companies behind them.

MÜNZING’s Project Utopia would add about $15.5 million in new construction and relocate another 10 existing positions.

The company is seeking a 20-year FILOT agreement and a 40% special-source revenue credit during its first 10 years. The company also considered remaining in New Jersey or relocating to North Carolina’s Research Triangle.

The public first knew the expansion only as Project Utopia.

That is hardly unusual in York County.

Silfab Became The Most Controversial Example

Silfab Solar was first discussed through back-room deals in late 2022, and the public wasn’t made aware of their intended operations and planned chemicals until late 2023, with grandiose promises of a $150 million investment and 800 jobs at a massive Fort Mill chemical factory.

York County approved an incentive agreement for the company after county staff told the company they could build their chemical manufacturing operation on a Light Industrial district, despite the fact that this was in clear violation of the zoning code.

Before any permits were issued for Silfab to build their factory, the York County Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously ruled that their proposed operations were prohibited in light industrial. Circuit Judge William McKinnon upheld that decision in July 2026.

York County maintains that they do not have to abide by the rulings of the BZA or Judge William McKinnon and they can overrule the zoning code if they deem it necessary for economic reasons.

York County Also Went Big On Data Centers

Another project originally introduced under a code name was Project Cobra.

It later became QTS Data Centers, which initially announced a $1 billion campus near Lake Wylie.

The project has since grown dramatically. York County now says QTS plans more than $8 billion in long-term investment, with nine buildings in various stages of development.

The county approved the FILOT in 2023 and later changed its zoning code to accommodate taller QTS buildings.

Then, this summer, York County Council approved a nine-month moratorium on new data centers.

The county said it needed time to study concerns including electricity demand, utility rates, water consumption, noise, pollution and impacts on neighboring properties.

QTS was exempt because the York County Council claimed that its existing plans already had ‘vested rights’.

In other words, York County approved one enormous data-center campus before later deciding it needed to stop and study the broader impacts of that type of development.

A $1.5 Billion Biopharma Plant Followed

County leaders also pursued what was initially called Project Palmetto Rock, another company whose identity remained confidential during early incentive discussions.

It was eventually revealed as Swiss pharmaceutical manufacturer Octapharma.

The company plans a $1.5 billion biopharmaceutical manufacturing complex on part of the failed Carolina Panthers headquarters site in Rock Hill.

The facility would manufacture medicines derived from human plasma and cell-line proteins and is expected to create roughly 1,500 jobs. South Carolina also approved a $65 million state grant for site preparation, construction and road improvements.

Project Utopia Joins A Growing Pattern

MÜNZING is not Silfab, and there is no indication the Clover company has the same zoning or regulatory problems.

It is also already an established York County manufacturer, and its proposed salaries are exceptionally high.

But Project Utopia adds another specialty chemical operation to a growing list of high-impact industrial projects county officials have aggressively pursued.

Within just a few years, York County has recruited a massive chemical-based solar plant, an $8 billion data-center campus, a $1.5 billion plasma-processing facility and now another specialty chemical expansion.

Several arrived first under names such as Project Cobra, Project Palmetto Rock and Project Utopia.

And in at least one case — Silfab — the county’s original interpretation that allowed the manufacturing use was later rejected by its own zoning appeals board and upheld by a circuit judge.

Project Utopia still requires additional Council approval before its incentive agreement becomes final.

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