NC Man Charged With Felony ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’ After Deputies Find Booby-Trapped Rd

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Satellite image of 96 Titleist Dr via McDowell Co GIS

A McDowell County man is now facing multiple felony charges after deputies discovered a trip-wire that was “connected to a device that was pointed toward the road”, according to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office.

Cooper was arrested at the home he shares with his girlfriend at 96 Titleist Drive, Marion, about 80 miles northwest of Charlotte. Cooper allegedly struggled with deputies during the arrest, injuring a detective’s leg, the warrant reports.

Detectives charged 52-year-old Joseph D. Cooper with three counts of felony possession of a weapon of mass destruction, felony possession of a firearm by a felon, misdemeanor resisting a public officer, and misdemeanor assaulting a government official.

Winter Weather Advisory Issued For Charlotte Region Tonight

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A fast-moving storm system will reach the Charlotte region tonight, bringing a wintry mix to our region. Temperatures will stay unusually cold Friday, with many communities stuck in the 30s.

Rain arrives overnight, with snow and ice accumulating in the northern and western parts of the Charlotte region.

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory for parts of North Carolina, calling for 2–4 inches of wet snow through early Friday afternoon.

Slick spots may form Friday morning in the mountains and foothills before conditions improve around midday. This system is not expected to become a major winter storm, but cold air and early timing could still create hazardous travel.

Charlotte will see a cold, soaking rain, while mountain communities face the highest risk of icy roads during the morning commute. Drivers across the region should allow extra time and watch for rapidly changing conditions.

North Carolina Emergency Management officials remind all residents to: 

Armed Hijacker Seizes NC-Based Mission Plane Before Dramatic Safe Landing in South Sudan

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A plane owned by North Carolina–based Samaritan’s Purse was hijacked Tuesday in South Sudan by an armed man who forced a mid-flight diversion before being arrested. No injuries were reported.

The Cessna Grand Caravan was carrying medical supplies from Juba to Maiwut when the gunman, identified as Yasir Mohammed Yusuf, emerged from the rear cabin and demanded the pilot fly to Chad.

Instead, the pilot safely landed in Wau, where security forces quickly detained the hijacker. Only the pilot and one crew member were on board.

Yusuf is from the disputed Abyei Administrative Area, an oil-rich region claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan. Hijackings of humanitarian aircraft are uncommon but underscore lingering instability in the region.

Boone-based Samaritan’s Purse said it will continue medical flights in South Sudan and praised authorities for the rapid response as the investigation moves forward in a press statement they released today:

“A Samaritan’s Purse plane, which is based and operating only within Africa, was involved in a hijacking incident on Tuesday, Dec. 2, with a pilot and one staff member on board. The Caravan aircraft was en route to Maiwut, South Sudan, to deliver medicines to be used by our mobile medical unit based there. The pilot was eventually able to land the plane in Wau, South Sudan, where the armed hijacker was taken into custody by the National Security Service of South Sudan.

We praise God that no one was seriously injured, and we are grateful to the security forces for their support and swift action on the ground to resolve the situation and bring a safe outcome.“

$450 Million Fort Mill Hospital Approved Amid Atrium Health Protests

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Atrium Health has officially approved a $450 million plan to build a major new hospital in Fort Mill, accelerating competition in a rapidly growing part of York County.

The vote came during a tense Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority meeting Tuesday, where protestors demanded the system honor past commitments before launching new projects.

The specific plans for the new hospital include a 200,000-square-foot, four-story main hospital featuring 60 beds, four operating rooms, and 15 emergency bays. The campus will also include a 73,000-square-foot medical office building. Site work is expected to begin in 2026, with the hospital opening by mid-2029.

Atrium previously pledged on-site affordable units and a 14-acre land donation for 400 additional apartments. None of the housing has been built, and the land has not been transferred, fueling frustration as Atrium moves forward with a new multimillion-dollar expansion.

The new Fort Mill hospital will bring additional healthcare access to York County, but the backlash underscores growing concerns about transparency, public funding, and unfulfilled promises as Atrium broadens its regional footprint.

 

Gastonia PE Teacher Arrested For Felony Indecent Liberties With Student

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via Gaston County Sheriff’s Office

A Gastonia PE teacher has just been charged with two felony counts of indecent liberties with a student under the age of 16, according to the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office.

Arrest warrants issued on December 1st, stating that on November 1, she “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously” took or attempted to take indecent liberties with a child under 16 for “arousing and gratifying sexual desire.”

Powell was booked into the Gaston County Jail Monday afternoon and is being held without bond on a judicial hold. She remains listed as a pretrial detainee. Her first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday at 2 pm.

Victoria Lynn Powell, 31, was suspended with pay on November 14, 2025. She joined the district in August 2021 and is employed under a 10-month contract through 2026.

7 Low-Maintenance Landscaping Ideas for Busy Families

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If you are always on the go to keep your yard tidy, it’s like chasing after your own tail. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to make your outdoor space easy to manage. Your weekends will not be filled with weeding or mowing grass. These seven simple landscaping tips will save you a lot of time and energy, and families like yours can enjoy a beautiful yard, hassle-free.

  • Use Native Plants

Native plants are your best friends. They know your local soil and climate, so you don’t have to do much. A reliable landscape company can also help you pick the best native options for your area.

When you pick native flowers and shrubs, you will see more butterflies and birds, and you won’t have to water or feed them often. You can try black-eyed Susans, daylilies, or switchgrass. They just grow and keep blooming, season after season.​

If you live somewhere dry, pick drought-resistant natives. If you are in a rainy zone, get plants that drink up water without rotting. Check what grows naturally near you, and you have found your answer.

  • Replace Grass with Groundcovers

Not every inch of your yard needs to be lawn. Ground cover plants spread across the soil, stop weeds, and look intentional. You mow way less because you are planting less grass in the first place.

Options include creeping thyme, sedums, or moss. These grow low, look lush, and handle foot traffic just fine. Some ground covers even smell amazing when you step on them. They are especially useful in shady spots where grass struggles anyway.

The payoff? You dont need to mow more often, and your yard looks more interesting than a plain expanse of green.

  • Mulch Everywhere

When you spread mulch across your garden beds, it stops weeds from taking over, keeps soil moist, and makes your whole yard look polished. You are not fighting with nature; you are working with it.

Mulch comes in different types. Wood chips work great around trees. Shredded bark looks tidy around shrubs. Rubber mulch lasts longer if you want something that sticks around.

The best part is, once you lay it down, you are pretty much done. Weeds have a much harder time pushing through, so you will spend less time pulling them out by hand.

  • Grow Lots of Perennials

Why keep planting new flowers every spring when Perennials do the work for you? They come back year after year and fill beds with color. Lavender, sedum, echinacea, and daylilies are your best friends; they are pretty and easy to care for. You plant them once, and every year you get fresh blooms with almost zero effort. Even if you forget to care for them, they bounce back strong.

  • Add Hardscape for Easy Fun

Hardscaping is just a fancy word for the non-plant stuff in your yard, such as patios, pathways, rock gardens, and decking. These elements look sharp and require almost zero maintenance once they are in. A gravel pathway through your yard looks fantastic and costs you nothing to keep up.

  • Try Container Gardening

Containers or raised garden beds are flexible and simple. You can put them wherever you want, move them when needed, and control the soil and water. You only have to care for what’s inside. Let your kids pick flowers or veggies for their own pots. Watching them grow is pure fun.

  • Get Automatic Watering

Busy families need tech to help out sometimes. Drip irrigation systems and hose timers take care of watering for you. Just set it once and it will water your plants while you work, play, or sleep. No more worrying about dry plants on hot days.

Easy Yard Upgrades That Save Time

A low-maintenance yard is not about doing less. It’s about making smarter choices so your outdoor space supports your life instead of adding more work to it. When you use plants that thrive on their own, add practical hardscape, and automate the basics, your yard becomes a relaxing place instead of a long weekend project.

These ideas reduce your stress, and you spend more quality time outside with family. Start with one change, then build from there. A simple plan is all you need to enjoy a clean and welcoming outdoor space all year.

Charlotte Rents Fell 1.4% Last Month – November 2025 Rent Report

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Historically November is the slowest month for the rental market, and 2025 was no different. Nationwide, rents fell one full percentage point last month, bringing year-over-year rent growth down to -1.1% and today’s median rent a full 5.2% lower than the market’s 2022 peak. Vacancies remain elevated and at the highest level since at least 2017. Apartment construction is past its peak but shaky housing demand has left the rental market soft for three consecutive winters.

Rents fell in nearly every large metropolitan area across the country. Locally:

  • Rents in Charlotte fell 1.4% in November, compared to a 1% decrease nationwide.
  • Year-over-year rent growth in Charlotte now stands at -2.1%, up from -3.2% one year ago.
  • Today the median rent in Charlotte is $1,255 for a one-bedroom unit and $1,369 for a two-bedroom unit. And the citywide apartment vacancy rate stands at 9.1%, up 0.7 percentage points from this time last year.

HGTV Picks Charlotte for 2026 Dream Home – Winner Gets Keys and $100K

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Photo: Laurey Glenn

HGTV has officially revealed its Dream Home 2026 — a fully furnished waterfront retreat on Lake Wylie in Charlotte — with the sweepstakes winner set to receive the home and $100,000 in cash.

The newly built, 3,000-square-foot home sits on a secluded peninsula and features three bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, and sweeping lake views. Knotts Builders constructed the property, with interior design by Brian Patrick Flynn.

“This year’s HGTV Dream Home showcases the beauty of Lake Wylie and the unmatched lifestyle of this lakeside destination,” said Howard Lee, Chief Creative Officer & President, US Networks in a press release. “We’re thrilled to invite viewers to explore this stunning retreat and enter for a chance to make it their own.”

Photo: Laurey Glenn

The home includes a two-story dock, earth-toned interiors, custom millwork, stone accents, and a chef’s kitchen with an over-grouted stone backsplash.

Photo: Laurey Glenn

The main suite offers a spa-style bathroom and lake views, while added touches include a morning room, pet-wash station, and garage pantry access.

Photo: Laurey Glenn

Lake Wylie’s location — 20 minutes from uptown Charlotte and close to Belmont and Fort Mill — adds regional appeal to the annual HGTV showcase.

Sponsors for the 2026 home include Spectrum, Sherwin-Williams, Husqvarna, SimpliSafe, Trex, VELUX, Stanley Steemer, Wayfair, and Snuggle.

The sweepstakes opens December 16, 2025, and runs through February 13, 2026. Fans can enter daily at HGTV.com and FoodNetwork.com. A one-hour special about the home will air January 1, 2026, on HGTV and stream on Max and Discovery+.

Photo: Laurey Glenn

U.S. Men’s National Team Announces Charlotte Showdown Ahead of 2026 World Cup

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via US Soccer

The U.S. Men’s National Team just announced plans to come to Charlotte for one of its key matches ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to a press release just sent out by US Soccer, the Allstate Continental Clásico will now take place Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte.

“For us, this is a massive opportunity to challenge ourselves against some of the top teams in the world. These are incredible matches for the players and for the fans,” USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino said. “We are so happy to be playing in our new home of Atlanta, and of course to be competing in the great cities of Charlotte and Chicago ahead of the World Cup.”

The annual showcase features the USMNT against a top rival from the Americas. Previous opponents included Mexico in 2023 and Brazil in 2024. This year’s opponent will be announced soon, and the match will air on TNT, HBO Max, Telemundo, Universo, and Peacock.

The Charlotte game is part of a four-match preparation series that also includes meetings with Belgium, Portugal, and Germany — three World Cup-qualified powerhouses. Belgium brings Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois; Portugal will feature Cristiano Ronaldo; and Germany arrives with stars like Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala.

Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 5 at 10 a.m., with presales beginning Wednesday, Dec. 3.

The announcement adds another major international soccer event to Charlotte’s growing sports calendar as the city builds momentum toward the 2026 World Cup.

New Residential & Retail Tower Just Announced For Ballantyne’s $1 Billion Makeover

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via City of Charlotte FOIA

Ballantyne’s transformation continues as Northwood Ravin moves forward with another major residential 26-story high-rise tower and more retail space.

The Charlotte developer has just filed plans for a new mixed-use apartment high-rise at 14180 Stream Way, expanding the growing Ballantyne skyline.

The Nov. 24 filing outlines a multifamily tower with ground-floor retail and a walkable urban streetscape. The 3.1-acre site—now a temporary parking lot—is bordered by Stream Way, Upper Avenue, Bowl Street, and Mid Street.

 

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A post shared by The Bowl at Ballantyne (@thebowlnc)

The parcel sits between The Amp Ballantyne and Oro Ballantyne, Northwood’s recently delivered 26-story tower with 356 units. This marks the company’s third residential high-rise at The Bowl, following Oro and Towerview at Ballantyne, a 16-story tower and mid-rise totaling 212 units.

The new project will integrate with The Bowl, a 70,000-square-foot entertainment district featuring restaurants, retail, live music, and park-style amenities.

via City of Charlotte FOIA

The tower is part of Ballantyne Reimagined, Northwood Office’s $1 billion redevelopment reshaping the former corporate park into a dense urban district. The initiative includes new residential towers, a stream park, an amphitheater, and expanded retail corridors, rivaling areas like SouthPark and Birkdale Village.