North Carolina’s First Buc-ee’s Just Broke Ground on I-85 — Will Be Largest in Southeast

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North Carolina’s First Buc-ee’s Just Broke Ground on I-85 — Will Be Largest in Southeast

One of North Carolina’s most anticipated projects is finally moving forward. Construction has officially begun on the state’s first Buc-ee’s travel center in Mebane.

Local leaders joined Buc-ee’s executives this week to break ground on the massive facility at Exit 152 along Interstate 40 and Interstate 85.

The new location will be the largest Buc-ee’s in the Southeast, featuring a 75,000-square-foot store, 120 gas pumps, and approximately 600 parking spaces.

The travel center is being built within the 1,200-acre NC Commerce Park and is expected to open in November 2027.

Officials say the project will create between 200 and 300 full-time jobs, along with about 100 part-time positions. Hourly wages are expected to range from $18 to $33 depending on the role.

The Texas-based chain currently operates 54 locations nationwide and has developed a cult-like following for its Beaver Nuggets, brisket sandwiches, and massive convenience stores.

Traffic studies estimate the new location could generate more than 2,000 vehicle trips per hour during peak weekend periods. Unlike traditional truck stops, Buc-ee’s does not allow tractor-trailers.

For North Carolina residents, the groundbreaking marks the official start of a project that has generated years of excitement and will bring one of the country’s most popular travel destinations to the state for the first time.

Parents Urged to Stop Using Recalled Sloosh Sticks Immediately Due To Impalement Hazard

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Parents Urged to Stop Using Recalled Sloosh Sticks Immediately Due To Impalement Hazard

A nationwide recall has just been issued for more than 250,000 dive sticks that could cause serious injuries to children.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 254,000 Sloosh dive sticks have been recalled because they pose an impalement hazard.

According to the official recall, “The Sloosh water toys package contains 30 pieces, including five dive sticks.  The recalled dive sticks are made of hard plastic and are cylinder-shaped. Each stick measures approximately 7-inches in length and about 1-inch or less in diameter. They come in various colors and are packaged in a box with other pool diving toys in the Sloosh water toys package.”

Federal officials say the hard plastic dive sticks violate federal safety standards because they exceed allowable compression limits. If a child falls onto one in shallow water, the toy could cause serious piercing injuries.

The CPSC also warned that children retrieving the dive sticks underwater could suffer facial or eye injuries.

They were available through Amazon, Temu, Wayfair, Target Plus, and SHEIN between February 2019 and October 2025 for roughly $17 to $22 per set.

Consumers can identify the recalled products by looking for model number 40041, which appears on the packaging near the barcode and on one end of each dive stick.

The CPSC is advising consumers to stop using the recalled dive sticks immediately and contact the manufacturer for a replacement.

Weather Alert: Triple-Digit Heat Headed for Charlotte This Weekend

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Weather Alert: Triple-Digit Heat Headed for Charlotte This Weekend

The hottest weather of the year so far is arriving in Charlotte, with dangerous heat and humidity expected Thursday and Friday.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures will climb into the mid-to-upper 90s both days, while humidity will push heat index values into the triple digits.

On Thursday, Charlotte residents can expect a high near 96 degrees with a heat index reaching as high as 103.

The heat peaks Friday as a strong high-pressure system brings abundant sunshine and temperatures near 97 degrees.

Because this is the first major heat event of the year, many residents may not be prepared for the extreme conditions.

The elderly, young children, and those with heart, lung, or respiratory conditions are urged to limit time outdoors.

If you’re planning on spending an extended amount of time outside this weekend, make sure you wear breathable clothes and consider getting a small fan, personal air conditioner, or evaporative cooling towel.

Stay safe out there!

Charlotte Steakhouse Offering Upscale Alternative to Traditional World Cup Watch Spots

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Charlotte Steakhouse Offering Upscale Alternative to Traditional World Cup Watch Spots

As the FIFA World Cup kicks off this month, a popular Charlotte steakhouse is positioning itself as a destination for fans looking to watch the matches in style.

Sullivan’s Steakhouse just announced it will show every World Cup match from its bar and lounge while offering weekday happy hour specials throughout the tournament.

Available Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., their special happy hour menu will feature:

  • Beef Wellington Bites
  • Truffle Shaved Ribeye Cheesesteak
  • Filet Mignon Cheesesteak Eggrolls
  • Signature cocktails, including the famed Knockout Martini

The World Cup runs from June 11 through July 19 and is expected to attract millions of viewers across North America.

While North Carolina is not hosting any matches, several international teams are using our state as a training base. Germany will train in Winston-Salem, while Norway and star striker Erling Haaland will be based in Greensboro.

With soccer excitement building across the Carolinas, Sullivan’s is hoping to attract fans seeking a more upscale alternative to traditional sports bars during the tournament.

I-85 Traffic Stop Near Charlotte Leads to Seizure of 68 Pounds of Marijuana

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I-85 Traffic Stop Near Charlotte Leads to Seizure of 68 Pounds of Marijuana

A speeding stop on Interstate 85 in Gaston County led to a major drug seizure Tuesday after police discovered approximately 68 pounds of pure uncut marijuana inside a pickup truck.

According to the Belmont Police Department, officers stopped a Toyota Tacoma traveling southbound on I-85 on June 9 and identified the driver as Nathaniel Whitley of Canton, North Carolina.

Belmont officers requested assistance from the Mount Holly Police Department K-9 Unit. K-9 Cash alerted to the presence of drugs during an open-air sniff of the vehicle.

A search of the truck resulted in the seizure of approximately 68 pounds of marijuana, police said.

Whitley was arrested and transported to the Gaston County Jail, where he received a $250,000 secured bond.

The Belmont Police Department thanked the Mount Holly Police Department and K-9 Cash for their assistance in the case.

South Carolina Election Results: Runoffs Ahead, Incumbents Survive, and Surprises Emerge

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South Carolina Election Results: Runoffs Ahead, Incumbents Survive, and Surprises Emerge

South Carolina voters headed to the polls Tuesday, and the election results produced several closely watched races, two statewide runoffs, and a few surprises across the state.

The race for the Republican nomination for governor remains undecided and is now headed to a runoff after none of the candidates secured a majority of the vote.

With 89% of precincts reporting Tuesday night, Pamela Evette led the field with 29.3% of the vote, followed by Alan Wilson at 26.0%.

Ralph Norman finished third with 15.6%. Norman told supporters it appeared he had “come up short,” although he had not formally conceded Tuesday night.

Rom Reddy received 14.2%, while Nancy Mace finished with 12.3% and conceded the race.

While Norman fell short in the governor’s race, he topped a separate community poll conducted by the Move Silfab movement. He received the most votes as the person most responsible for bringing the controversial Silfab Solar project to Fort Mill.

On the Democratic side, Jermaine Johnson won his party’s nomination with 59.3% of the vote. He defeated Billy Webster and Mullins McLeod and will advance to the November election.

The Republican primary for South Carolina attorney general also failed to produce a winner and will move to a runoff. Stephen Goldfinch led with 40%, followed by David Stumbo at 36% and David Pascoe at 24%.

One of the most closely watched local legislative races was House District 26, where incumbent David Martin held off challenger Elizabeth Enns after a night of shifting results.

Martin finished with 54% of the vote compared to 46% for Enns, winning by roughly 350 votes out of 4,488 cast.

In Fort Mill, incumbent Debi Cloninger defeated challenger Scott Couchenour in the Republican primary for York County Council District 7.

Cloninger received 62% of the vote with 2,758 votes, while Couchenour earned 38% with 1,698 votes.

The results set the stage for several high-profile runoff elections in the coming weeks as South Carolina voters continue shaping the state’s political landscape ahead of November.

Chipotle Giving Away Free Entrées Tomorrow If You Wear This

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Chipotle Giving Away Free Entrées Tomorrow If You Wear This

Soccer fans can score a free meal at Chipotle next week by showing support for their favorite team.

To celebrate the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Chipotle Mexican Grill announced a buy-one-get-one-free promotion for customers who wear a soccer jersey to participating restaurants on June 11.

The one-day offer will be available from 3 p.m. local time until closing at participating Chipotle locations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Customers wearing any soccer jersey can receive a free entrée of equal or lesser value when purchasing another entrée.

The promotion is limited to five free menu items per check and is available while supplies last. Each free item requires the purchase of an entrée of equal or greater value, and the person redeeming the offer must be wearing a soccer jersey.

The giveaway comes as excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins June 11 and will feature matches across North America, including several games in Charlotte.

With World Cup fever beginning to spread across the Carolinas, soccer fans have one more reason to pull their jerseys out of the closet next week.

Town1 Breaks Ground: Huntersville Unveils Its Largest Development Since Birkdale Village

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Town1 Breaks Ground: Huntersville Unveils Its Largest Development Since Birkdale Village
via Town1.com

Huntersville officials and NASCAR legend Joey Logano broke ground this week on Town1, a massive mixed-use project – the most ambitious developments the town has seen since Birkdale Village.

Town1 will span more than 400,000 square feet of commercial space and introduce a new pedestrian-focused urban center just off I-77 at the Hambright Road HOV exit. The development’s heart will feature 75,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, designed around a walkable village core expected to attract steady foot traffic and anchor surrounding neighborhoods.

The project’s residential component is equally significant. Developers plan 300 modern farmhouse walk-up apartments with deck patios, 321 urban flats, and 75 townhomes, making Town1 one of the most substantial housing expansions in the Lake Norman region.

A five-story Class A office building will greet commuters entering Huntersville from I-77, signaling the town’s commitment to drawing new employers and strengthening its commercial base. Beyond the centerpiece retail and office spaces, Town1 will also offer expansive flex space, warehouse condos, and storage units, giving small businesses direct access to the interstate and the region’s booming economy.

via Town1

Town leaders expect the project to become a major economic driver, bringing new jobs, new tax revenue, and a vibrant community hub that complements existing destinations like Birkdale Village. With construction underway, Town1 is poised to reshape Huntersville’s landscape and establish one of the region’s next major live-work-play centers.e. With construction underway, Town1 is poised to reshape Huntersville’s landscape and establish one of the region’s next major live-work-play centers.

Should You Add Your Parents to Your Family Floater or Buy a Separate Policy?

Sharon Anderson
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Should You Add Your Parents to Your Family Floater or Buy a Separate Policy?

Choosing health cover for parents is a practical decision for the whole household. Their healthcare needs, age and medical history may differ from yours, so the policy structure matters as much as the sum insured.

A family floater can feel convenient, while a separate policy may offer clearer protection. The right choice depends on premium comfort, claim usage and long-term medical needs.

Understanding Family Floater Health Insurance

A family floater offers one shared sum insured for covered family members under a single health insurance policy.

Can You Include Your Parents in a Family Floater?

Many insurers allow parents to be included in a family floater, subject to age, health profile, underwriting and policy terms. While comparing health insurance plans, check eligibility, waiting periods, co-payment clauses and whether the shared sum insured is adequate for everyone.

Benefits of Adding Parents to a Family Floater

This option may suit families that prefer convenience, centralised records and one policy structure.

Single Policy for Easier Management

One policy makes administration simpler. You track one document, one renewal notice and one set of terms.

One Renewal Date and One Premium Payment

A common renewal date reduces missed-renewal risk and makes annual planning smoother for household insurance decisions.

Potential Cost Savings for Younger Parents

When comparing health insurance plans for the family, adding relatively younger and healthy parents to a floater may be more premium-efficient than buying separate policies.  

Simplified Documentation and Claims Tracking

A single policy file keeps hospitalisation records, claim updates, endorsements and renewal details easier to organise.

Drawbacks of Including Parents in Your Family Floater

Shared cover can become restrictive when medical needs differ widely across generations.

Higher Premiums for the Entire Family

Adding older parents may increase the floater premium because age and medical history influence risk assessment.

Reduced Affordability during Renewals

Renewal premiums may become harder to manage over time. Review long-term affordability before combining generations.

Greater Risk of Sum Insured Depletion

A major hospitalisation for one member can use a large part of the shared sum insured.

Limited Flexibility in Customising Coverage

Parents may need benefits that younger members do not, so one floater may not match every priority.

Understanding Separate Health Insurance

A separate policy gives parents their own sum insured, policy terms and benefits independent of your family floater.

Benefits of Buying a Separate Health Insurance Policy for Parents

A separate cover can work well when parents need focused protection and independent policy management.

Coverage Tailored to Senior Citizens

Senior-focused policies may include features suited to older adults, depending on insurer terms. Review inclusions carefully.

Independent Sum Insured for Parents

Parents get their own cover limit, so their claim does not reduce the cover available for your spouse or children.

No Impact on Your Family Floater Premium

Keeping parents on a separate policy may protect your family floater from premium changes linked to their profile.

Better Access to Age-Specific Benefits and Services

Some separate policies may offer wellness services, health check-ups or disease-management benefits suited to older policyholders.

Drawbacks of Separate Policies for Parents

Separate policies offer independence, but they also require disciplined tracking and comparison.

Higher Standalone Premiums

Individual or senior-focused policies may have higher premiums because they are assessed separately.

Multiple Policies to Manage

You need to monitor different policy documents, renewal dates, claim processes and communication, which requires organisation.

Separate Waiting Periods and Renewals

Each policy has its own waiting periods, renewal cycle and conditions. Read the wording before purchase.

Family Floater vs Separate Policy for Parents: Table Comparison

Here is a quick comparison to make the decision clearer before reviewing each option closely.

 

Factor  Family Floater with Parents  Separate Policy for Parents 
Management  Easier, single policy  Separate tracking needed 
Sum Insured  Shared by all members  Reserved for parents 
Premium Impact  May affect family premium  Independent premium 
Suitability  Younger, healthier parents  Older parents or specific needs 
Flexibility  Less customisation  More focused cover 

 

Convenience favours a floater, while independence favours separate cover. Your decision should reflect health needs, affordability and future claim possibilities.

Conclusion

Parents need health cover that stays practical as medical needs change. A family floater may suit households seeking convenience and shared administration, especially when parents are younger, and the sum insured is sufficient. A separate policy may suit parents who need focused benefits and independent protection. Compare policy wording, waiting periods, co-payments and renewal terms carefully, as benefits are subject to insurer guidelines.

Another Black Bear Spotted in Gastonia as Sightings Rise Across Charlotte Region

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Another Black Bear Spotted in Gastonia as Sightings Rise Across Charlotte Region

Black bear sightings are becoming increasingly common across the Charlotte region, with new reports emerging from both Charlotte and Gastonia in recent weeks.

Last night, a black bear was spotted near the Tryon Courthouse area in Gastonia before running into nearby woods, according to Taylor Sutton.

The sighting comes just weeks after another black bear was spotted in Charlotte’s Highland Creek neighborhood.

According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, a Charlotte resident submitted video of the sighting, showing a black bear eating from a bird feeder in Highland Creek.

Wildlife officials say the sightings are not unusual this time of year.

Bear activity typically increases between Memorial Day and early summer as young males travel long distances searching for territory. Those movements often bring bears into suburban neighborhoods and other unexpected locations.

The NCWRC says black bear populations have steadily expanded across North Carolina, leading to more sightings throughout the Piedmont region, including Mecklenburg County.

While many residents may be surprised to encounter a bear in the Charlotte area, wildlife officials stress that these appearances are usually temporary and are not cause for alarm.

To reduce conflicts, officials recommend following the BearWise program guidelines, including removing bird feeders, securing garbage, bringing pet food indoors, cleaning grills, and never feeding or approaching bears.

As development continues to expand into previously wooded areas, wildlife experts expect Charlotte-area residents to encounter black bears more frequently in the years ahead.

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