Walmart Investing $300M in Gaston County, Bringing 300 New Jobs

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Walmart Investing $300M in Gaston County, Bringing 300 New Jobs

National Distribution Hub cltWalmart just announced plans to build a massive new $300 million, 1.2-million-square-foot fulfillment center in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, creating more than 300 jobs.

The new facility will ship large items such as patio furniture and lawnmowers directly to customers, with some deliveries arriving as soon as the next day.

The fulfillment center represents a major addition to Walmart’s footprint in North Carolina, where the company already operates more than 214 stores, Sam’s Clubs, and seven supply chain sites. Walmart employs over 62,300 people statewide and supports more than 88,000 jobs through North Carolina-based suppliers.

“As our eCommerce business continues to grow, this new fulfillment center will play a critical role in helping us serve customers faster,” said Karisa Sprague, senior vice president, Supply Chain, Walmart US in a press release. “We’re excited to join the Kings Mountain community and proud to create long-term career opportunities where associates can grow and build their future with Walmart.”

The Kings Mountain project is expected to generate more than $20 million in annual payroll for the area and grow the state’s economy by nearly $791 million over 12 years. The expansion is supported by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG), which may reimburse Walmart up to $3.7 million over that period, contingent on meeting hiring and investment goals.

Walmart’s new facility will be part of a continued trend of logistics investment across the Carolinas, reflecting growing e-commerce demands and regional growth.

Rabid Skunks Confirmed in Rock Hill — Public Urged to Report Exposure

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Rabid Skunks Confirmed in Rock Hill — Public Urged to Report Exposure

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has just confirmed two rabid skunks were found in Rock Hill.

The first skunk appeared near Bookout and Percival roads. No people were exposed, but two dogs were, and they will now be quarantined under the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.

The second skunk, located near Bynum and Richland avenues, exposed one person, who has since been referred to a healthcare provider for treatment.

Both animals were submitted for testing on September 30 and confirmed positive for rabies on October 1.

These mark the seventh and eighth rabid animals found in York County this year. In 2024, York County recorded six of South Carolina’s 81 total cases.

Statewide, there have been 77 rabid animal cases so far in 2025. Since 2002, the annual average has been approximately 144.

“To reduce the risk of getting rabies, always give wild and stray animals plenty of space,” said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program manager. “If you see an animal in need, avoid touching it and contact someone trained in handling animals, such as your local animal control officer, wildlife control operator, or wildlife rehabilitator.” 

DPH urges residents to ensure pets are up to date on rabies vaccinations and to avoid contact with wildlife. Concerns about potential rabies exposure should be reported to DPH immediately at (803) 896-4680 or after hours at (888) 847-0902 (Option 2).

$1 Off Per Gallon for Prime Members in Charlotte Area Today Only

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$1 Off Per Gallon for Prime Members in Charlotte Area Today Only

Amazon Prime members can save big at the pump today, Friday, October 3, with a one-day offer of $1 off per gallon at BP, Amoco, and ampm stations across the Charlotte area.

To qualify, Prime members must link their Amazon account to BP’s Earnify rewards program. Once linked, the discount will automatically apply when customers enter their phone number at the pump or use the Earnify app.

The deal includes:

  • A 90¢ promotional bonus

  • A 5¢ standard Earnify discount

  • A 5¢ Amazon Prime discount

That totals $1 off per gallon, valid on up to 35 gallons of fuel. All fuel grades are eligible, and no minimum purchase is required.

Even after today’s promotion ends, linked Prime members will continue to get 10¢ off per gallon at participating locations.

Customers can find eligible gas stations using the Earnify app, which also helps users track rewards and fuel discounts. While the app isn’t required to redeem today’s deal, it offers additional convenience.

South Carolina Man Forces Closure of Popular Mountain Pass After Ignoring Warnings and Getting Stranded

Charlotte Stories
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South Carolina Man Forces Closure of Popular Mountain Pass After Ignoring Warnings and Getting Stranded
via San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office

A South Carolina man caused the temporary closure of one of Colorado’s most iconic off-road trails on Wednesday after attempting to drive a Kia Telluride up Black Bear Road and getting stuck.

Despite warnings from locals, the man continued up the treacherous, one-way trail above Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride, where he lost control and wedged the SUV near a switchback.

According to the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle’s unstable position made it too dangerous for others to pass, forcing officials to close Black Bear Pass and Bridal Veil Road until a tow truck could safely remove it.

The vehicle became stuck approximately three or four switchbacks above the falls, near the historic Bridal Veil Falls Powerplant. Officials noted that the driver ignored advice not to take the vehicle up the notorious overlanding trail, which is closed to rental vehicles and typically used by Jeeps and serious off-roaders.

Black Bear Road, aka Black Bear Pass, climbs to an elevation of 12,840 feet and is closed each winter due to hazardous weather. The road reopened Thursday afternoon around 4:30 p.m. after the SUV was successfully towed.

Bridal Veil Trail remains open, but temporary closures impacted access to the popular Via Ferrata climbing route.

Charlotte Rents Fell 0.2% Last Month – September 2025 Rent Report

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Charlotte Rents Fell 0.2% Last Month – September 2025 Rent Report

The latest Charlotte rental report has just been released, including data through September 2025.

  • Rents in Charlotte fell 0.2% in September, compared to a 0.4% decrease nationwide.
  • Year-over-year rent growth in Charlotte now stands at -1.7%, up from -3.1% one year ago.
  • Today the median rent in Charlotte is $1,286 for a one-bedroom unit and $1,402 for a two-bedroom unit. And the citywide apartment vacancy rate stands at 9.1%, up 0.9 percentage points from this time last year.

The National Outlook:

Rents fell 0.4% across the nation in September, consistent with typical seasonal patterns. Rental demand is trending down as we approach the winter, and amid another year of elevated housing production, prices are dropping accordingly. This pattern should persist for several more months, and will result in the third straight year of soft market fundamentals for the rental housing sector.

You can read the full report on Apartment List here.

Charlotte Flight Collides With Delta Jet – Passenger Hospitalized

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Charlotte Flight Collides With Delta Jet – Passenger Hospitalized

A Charlotte flight collided with another aircraft late last night in a frightening incident at LaGuardia Airport. The crash involved two CRJ-900 jets operated by Endeavor Air for Delta Air Lines.

Flight 5047 had just arrived from Charlotte when the wing of flight 5155, headed to Roanoke, struck its cockpit. The right wing of flight 5155 slammed into the nose and windshields of flight 5047, according to recorded pilot audio.

The collision occurred at the intersection of taxiways M and A. The FAA confirmed that flight 5155 had been instructed to yield before crossing, but an investigation is underway to determine what went wrong.

One flight attendant injured her knee and was hospitalized.

Flight 5047 carried 57 passengers; flight 5155 had 28 – the non-injured passengers were bused to the terminal and offered hotel accommodations and meals.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages the airport, is assisting with the investigation.

Top 10 Cities in North Carolina With The Most Ghost Sightings

Charlotte Stories
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Top 10 Cities in North Carolina With The Most Ghost Sightings
possible ghost sighting in New Bern, NC

With Halloween approaching, North Carolina’s haunted history is under the spotlight.

Using data from GhostsofAmerica.com, we found the 10 cities in North Carolina with the most reported ghost sightings. These are not the usual metaphorical ghosts of past sports losses, but actual reported supernatural experiences.

From eerie encounters in historic mansions to mysterious apparitions in historic districts, the top city in North Carolina is is Camp Lejeune, with 45 recent sightings, followed by Salisbury with 29 and Winston Salem with 26:

Here’s one of the latest stories from Camp Lejeune:

“My husband went to the logistics school on Camp Johnson. Driving down the road early in the morning, he said that he saw a man who looked like Mark Twain lecturing marines there. He thought he hallucinated it, or maybe it was a ghost. Driving on Camp Johnson it is always eerily quiet. There’s definitely a presence there at the base. Electronics do not work properly. It’s a very eerie feeling. We have heard stories. A friend, who had to stand duty once on Camp Johnson, heard footsteps around the corner. He went to check it out and saw a marine in an older uniform standing there. The marine sidestepped him as he continued walking and slowly disappeared.” – Tara

What to Do When Your Pet Needs Urgent Care in North Carolina

Sharon Anderson
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What to Do When Your Pet Needs Urgent Care in North Carolina

It sneaks up on you. One moment your dog is running laps in the yard, ears flapping like a flag in the wind. The next, he’s limping toward the porch, paw tucked tight, eyes wide with pain. Cats do it too. They hide their sickness until it crashes down all at once. You don’t get a warning. You just get that sinking weight in your stomach and the scramble to decide if you need help now or later.

That decision is hard, especially when it’s after hours or your regular vet can’t see you for days. Do you wait it out? Do you rush across town to an emergency room that may keep you in a lobby for hours? This is where the middle ground matters most. Knowing you can walk into a clinic built for urgent cases can make the difference between panic and action.

The Role of Walk-In Urgent Care

If you’re in North Carolina and your pet gets hurt or sick, you’ve got more than two choices. Beyond routine check-ups and high-pressure ER visits, there’s a third option that fills the gap. Walk-in vet urgent care for dogs and cats gives you a way to act fast when your pet needs medical attention but isn’t on the brink of collapse. It’s for the cut that needs stitches, the stomach ache that’s turning into real distress, the sudden swelling that makes you uneasy. The walk-in systems of services like UrgentVet mean you don’t wait for an opening days away, and you don’t dive headfirst into the high costs and intensity of emergency hospitals.

This approach works because it’s built on common sense. Not every injury is life-threatening, but neither is it safe to ignore. The ability to step in quickly, get an exam, and decide on treatment gives pet owners the peace of knowing they didn’t gamble with time.

Signs Your Pet Needs Urgent Care

Every animal has tells. Some are obvious. Repeated vomiting. Diarrhea that won’t stop. Wounds that bleed more than they should. Limping that doesn’t improve after rest. Struggling to breathe. These aren’t things you monitor for days. They’re signs you grab your keys and go.

Other signals are quieter. A cat that disappears under the bed and refuses food. A dog that won’t get up, won’t wag, won’t drink. Behavioral changes are easy to dismiss as mood or age, but animals live in rhythm. A sudden break in that rhythm is often the body’s alarm. It doesn’t take medical training to notice something is off. It takes paying attention.

Why Urgent Care Feels Different

Emergency rooms are built for chaos. Bright lights. Constant noise. The gravity of severe cases pulling the air out of the room. That setting is right for a hit-by-car moment, but it’s not the best place for a dog with a cut paw or a cat with a fever. Urgent care calms the environment. Appointments move faster. Rooms are private. Stress doesn’t stack on stress.

Owners sometimes forget that their own nerves transfer to their pets. Anxious humans make anxious animals. By lowering the temperature, urgent care helps everyone breathe. Calm pets heal better. Calm owners make sharper decisions.

What to Expect In North Carolina Clinics

Step in the door and the process feels clear. You choose a time online or just show up. Staff bring you to a private exam room instead of a crowded hall. The vet team partners with you, asks questions, and digs into what’s happening. Diagnostics, treatment, and medication can all happen right there. Once it’s done, they update your regular vet so the record continues without a gap. You go home with answers and a plan, not just more worry.

It’s structured, but it doesn’t feel rigid. The design is practical. Get in, get treated, get out, keep moving. That structure lets nearly all pets return home the same day, which is what most owners want more than anything.

The Economy of Care

Money always enters the room. Emergency visits in North Carolina can spike into thousands before you’ve caught your breath. Routine visits still carry weight on the wallet. Urgent care bridges that gap. It uses the same diagnostic tools you’d expect, like X-rays or ultrasounds, but without the heavy price tag of a hospital built for extreme cases. It’s scaled to the need. That balance creates space in the pet care economy. Families don’t have to choose between financial survival and medical help for their animals.

How to Decide In the Moment

When the panic hits, ask yourself a few things. Is my pet breathing normally? Can they stand? Is the bleeding under control? If the answer to those is no, head straight to emergency. If the answers are yes but the problem is serious enough that waiting feels reckless, urgent care is the right move.

Nobody gets this perfect. Even seasoned owners have rushed in only to find the issue minor. But that’s not failure. That’s caution doing its job. A wasted trip is better than a lost pet. The line between urgent and emergency shifts, but the goal never changes: don’t gamble with your pet’s life.

A Practical Solution

Urgent care in North Carolina is more than a convenience. It’s a practical answer to a real gap. Pets don’t schedule their accidents. They don’t warn you before they get sick. As an owner, your role is to recognize the signs, make the call, and act before the problem deepens.

These clinics exist because animals live in the in-between. Not every scare is an emergency. Not every limp is nothing. Urgent care is for the space in the middle, where most of life actually happens. And when your pet lands there, knowing where to go turns panic into a plan.

What Can the Panthers and Charlotte FC Gain from the Coca-Cola Sponsorship Renewal?

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What Can the Panthers and Charlotte FC Gain from the Coca-Cola Sponsorship Renewal?

charlotte fc win over chicagoCoca-Cola Consolidated’s renewed partnership with the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC is more than just a transactional business deal. It empowers two of the Carolinas’ largest sports franchises with shared community initiatives, more efficient operations, and a stronger fan base. 

Such collaborations yield improvements that span from team uniformity to infrastructure advancements in the stadium. Each area affects how the teams play, how their fans feel, and how their city develops around them.

Suddenly, Things Change in the Game

Beverage partnerships are often viewed as a logo on a cup, but they go deeper. This renewed deal will go toward better stadium services and new infrastructure, creating a smoother game-day experience. The energy created by the fans is more intense in the stands than on the stage. With the influx of sponsorship dollars coming to the game in the form of comfortable seating, food, and entertainment, teams experience a boost in both focus and confidence. 

Analysts and bettors closely study such patterns, looking for correlations between team morale, crowd behavior, and player consistency. The most trusted offshore sportsbooks use trends like these to develop odds for matches. Because their running costs remain low, they generally offer better value, offering bigger odds and smaller fees on winning bets.

Additionally, these sites typically offer more competitive betting prices due to their lower operating costs, which enables them to provide more value to bettors. Just as the sites above demonstrate, the competitive advantage that this partnership can bring to both teams is evident in the efficiency, structure, and precision it can provide in the way they work.

The Power of Community Integration

Coca-Cola Consolidated’s long history in the Carolinas gives this renewal real warmth and meaning. The partnership naturally extends into community projects and environmental efforts that make a difference locally. Fans show their support through recycling at games, sustainability activities, and charity events. This shared pride helps them feel even closer to their team.

These programs foster relationships that connect audiences in good times and bad. The company’s social commitment helps build an image of cohesion between the two teams. For the players, the feeling of support can reinforce discipline, motivation, and teamwork. The team will be a reflection of the community.

Business Stability and Development

Renewal of this sponsorship ensures stable income, which in turn maintains the balance of operations even in uncertain periods. A reliable sponsor allows management to look far forward without compromising on technology, medical staff, or travel support. 

Established brand partnerships can be used to attract other commercial opportunities.  Coca-Cola’s renewed commitment to the stadium will encourage renewed interest from merchandise providers, vendors, and hospitality services. The brand exposure will also provide the Panthers and Charlotte FC with a better commercial identity. This creates a cycle of attention, recognition, and revenue that ensures the clubs stay competitive.

Reputation Through Strong Partnerships

With a renewed Coca-Cola agreement, both clubs are now taken seriously when it comes to long-term expansion. Coca-Cola Consolidated is already on Panthers-branded 16-ounce cans sold in Charlotte stores, which provides the team with daily exposure outside of the game days. 

Coca-Cola also sponsors the Military Cup Tournament, which Charlotte FC hosts, and this directly links the club to real events that honor service members. That sort of connection provides the club with a sense of community purpose.

The teams added new front-of-house recycling systems during the stadium renovation. They showed their commitment to environmental responsibility while modernizing the venue. When fans, sponsors, and players see these changes tied to a trusted brand, they view both clubs as progressive, connected to their city, and grounded in the real world.

The Stadium as a Modern Arena

Bank of America Stadium is continually transforming into a modern sports facility. The renewal includes investments in concessions, distribution of beverages, and energy-efficient systems. Smart drink outlets, increased seating options, and new tech make it a smoother experience for all visitors. 

The partnership brings in sustainability practices that reduce waste and increase recycling efficiency. 

These changes cut costs and lead by example for other venues around the country. Coca-Cola Consolidated and Tepper Sports & Entertainment have a shared vision of progress that emphasizes practicality. 

How Collaboration Creates a Greater Whole

The renewal of the partnership with Coca-Cola Consolidated is a testament to sound management, commitment to local industry, and a clear understanding of the path to innovation. The Panthers and Charlotte FC have a strong ecosystem of support where each element supports the other.

The renewal of the sponsorship is a convergence between vision and execution. It shows how strategic planning, community engagement, and smart resource allocation can create an ecosystem for athletes to flourish and fans to feel involved. Each goal scored and each cheer inside the stadium reflects a part of that collective effort, which only shows that success in all its forms is a result of collaboration.

How to Pick the Perfect Career for You

Sharon Anderson
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How to Pick the Perfect Career for You

Selecting the right career path can make you feel anxious. There are so many choices, and you may feel your qualifications are not the right match! Whether you have studied at a conventional college, online college such as Learn Now or completed a degree at university, you can find find the perfect job (if you follow the steps below)!

Look Inward First

Start with your fabulous self.

What lights you up? When do you lose all track of time? Make a list of these passions. Remember classes that fascinated you and think about volunteer work or jobs where you thrived. You want to ensure that you make the best possible decision and don’t regret it later so take the time to concentrate on yourself.

Ask yourself:

  • How do I hope to help the world?
  • What impact matters most to me?
  • What work spaces would make me smile?
  • What lifestyle sounds ideal for me?

Gain Valuable Experience

Alongside education, experience is so important to get you off to a good start. Find relevant opportunities while still in school and be prepared to knock on many doors offering your services. Try the following:

  • Intern or work part-time in your field.
  • Volunteer with local organizations making a difference.
  • Attend industry events and conferences.
  • Join professional associations.
  • Complete relevant projects and coursework.

Hands-on experience builds your abilities and network, confirming you’ve chosen wisely.

Make a Plan

With your passions, target careers, required education, and experience plans clarified, map out goals after finishing school. This will help you have a plan to work with and give you some structure:

  • What are your 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year aims?
  • What can you do now to work toward those goals?
  • Who can mentor you along the way?
  • How will you keep expanding your skills and connections?

Having a plan will keep you focused as you embark on following your chosen path.

Stay Flexible

While plans are helpful, keep an open mind too. As you gain experiences, your interests can evolve in wonderful ways. What appealed at 18 may be very different at 25. Allow your career aims to change as you grow and be prepared to go off in a different direction in the opportunity arises.

Few end up in the exact job first envisioned. And that’s fantastic. Follow what sparks you in the present. The right fit will emerge on your journey to happiness and you may be surprised at the outcome.

Remember it is never too late to study and if you need to go back to college or online learning to gain more A-Levels it doesn’t matter.  Twelve months down the line could put you in a better position. Distance learning from home could make it even more attainable.

Conduct Insightful Interviews

Informational interviews with working professionals provide priceless knowledge to guide decisions.  Let their experience help you.

Here are tips for having meaningful informational interviews:

Pick Their Brain

Ask thoughtful questions about their career experiences and role:

  • Why did they choose this field? Is it what they expected?
  • What do they enjoy day-to-day? What are the challenges?
  • How did they get started? What education and experience helped them?
  • What advice do they have for someone new to the industry?
  • Who else do they recommend you speak with?

Listen closely for their passion and the realities of their work. Does it fit your interests too?

Do Your Homework

Always be prepared and before your chat ensure you have the following in place:

  • Research the person and their company.
  • Prepare engaging questions showing you value their time.
  • Be ready to explain your career considerations and why you wanted to connect.

Doing your homework makes the conversation more fruitful.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

Within a day, send a thank you note recapping key insights from your discussion.

Stay in touch by:

  • Sharing related articles or ideas.
  • Congratulating them on news about their work.
  • Asking additional follow-up questions.

Nurture the relationship started.

Expand Your Network

At the end, request introductions to other helpful contacts.

Your network grows exponentially each time you interview. Tap into your contacts’ colleagues and connections too.

Shadow Professionals at Work

Job shadowing provides invaluable exposure to careers you’re interested in. Observing a professional for a day or more reveals their responsibilities and environment firsthand.

Here are tips for making the most of job shadowing:

Do Your Homework

Research the role and company you’ll be observing. Understand their products, services, values, and culture. Show up informed and excited to dive in.

Observe Thoughtfully

Notice how the role aligns with your passions, personality, and abilities. Pay attention to the work environment and culture. Could you thrive here? What might be challenging if it was your job?

Ask questions all day long to understand what you are seeing.

Offer Your Help

Look for small ways to assist without interfering. Offer to take notes, brainstorm ideas, or lend a hand with tasks as needed. Show initiative and eagerness to help.

Reflect on Valuable Insights

At the end of the day, reflect on what you learned. What surprised you? How did the experience expand your thinking about this career?

Be sure to send a thoughtful thank you note recapping your key takeaways.

Talk with Friends and Family

Friends and family can provide helpful perspectives as you consider career options after education. Their support and insights can guide you towards rewarding paths.

Here is how to gain their wisdom:

Ask About Strengths

What talents and abilities do they see as natural for you? Things that come easily? Knowing your strengths helps identify careers for you to thrive in.

Inquire About Interests

What topics always grab your attention and passion? When do they see your engagement sparked? Following your interests makes work and learning more joyful.

Discuss Values

What matters most to you? Helping people? Creativity? Leadership? Lifestyle? Understanding your priorities guides you to meaningful work.

Remember, It’s Your Life

While welcomed, consider input thoughtfully. Ultimately you must trust yourself to make the best decisions for the life you desire.

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