Top 10 Most Impressive Christmas Light Displays in Charlotte for 2017

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It’s now the last weekend to see many of the Charlotte region’s most impressive Christmas light displays.

Most of the biggest displays are in the South East part of the Charlotte region, including Indian Trail and Matthews, but we have some other epic displays in Gaston County and up in Concord.

Here are the top 10 biggest Christmas light displays in the Charlotte region (in no particular order):

#1 Christian Family’s Home in Concord

The Christian Family lights have already been featured on Today.com, WCNC, and even on Charlotte Stories. The entire display is synchronized to over a dozen different songs.

The two-story home includes thousands of colorful twinkle lights which outline the windows, garage, trees and bushes all of which dance and pulse to perfectly timed music.

Check out their other videos on their Facebook page here.

#2 The Entire Town of Mcadenville

Each holiday season, the tiny little Gaston County town of McAdenville displays its Christmas best and hosts an incredible holiday light show. Drawing a region-wide audience, visitors tour the streets of Christmas Town, USA, by foot and car, which is guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit.

#3 Myer’s Park’s Hillside Avenue in Myers Park

Most homes on Hillside Ave. pitch in to help hang giant lighted balls from the majestic oak-trees that line the street, it’s truly a sight to see.

They also have tents set up where they are taking donations for Charlotte’s Loaves and Fishes.

#4 Harbin Family Christmas Lights

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One of the biggest single-home displays (in terms of number of lights) would have to be at 10223 Summer House Court – the Harbin family house. Every year they go all out with a light-up nativity scene, giant Christmas tree, and pretty much every other inch of their front yard sparkling. They also accept donations for Make-A-Wish – don’t be stingy!

#5 7323 Sherwood Forest Drive, Charlotte

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There are several big displays in this neighborhood, but every year, 7323 Sherwood Forest Drive takes the cake. They even have a live Santa outside giving cars candy canes.

They also are taking up collections for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

#6 Zimnowski Christmas Light Show

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Another incredibly impressive light show that’s perfectly synced to music. You don’t want to miss the Zimnowski’s home at 15419 Hugh Mcauley Rd. Huntersville, NC 28078 (tune to 87.9 FM to see the lights sync with the music in your car)

#7 A Sweitzers Christmas

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Don’t miss 1001 Sunnyview Circle in Matthews if you’re visiting all the other homes in the South East Charlotte region. (tune in to 107.3 FM to see the lights and music together)

#8 Nikitas’ Christmas Wonderland

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The Nikitas’ home at 1417 Deer Spring Court in Indian Trail is back at it again this year.

They’ll be accepts donations for Hemby Children Hospital every night until Christmas.

#9 Garden Oak Lights

Over in Indian Trail, the lights at 4026 Garden Oak Dr., are continously synced to 94.5FM. They are taking donations and will give all proceeds to The National Foundation for Cancer Research.

#10 Fountainbrook Fallatts

Finishing up our list is another home in Indian Trail that also syncs their lights to music. Don’t miss 1028 Fountainbrook Dr. in Indian Trail. They are accepting donations for Union County Christmas Bureau.

Who do you think put up the best Christmas lights in Charlotte?

Charlotte Was Ranked The #1 Consumer in America of This Sweet Treat

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The Queen City just ranked #1 in Chick Fil A’s new report, “Which City Loves Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshakes the Most?”

In promoting the seasonal milkshakes (which are only available from Nov. 20th-Jan. 6th), Chik Fil A calculated which city loves the treat the most by dividing last year’s total milkshake sales into the population of each city.

Charlotte came in first place, ahead of #2 Idaho Falls, #3 Harrisonburg, VA, and #4 Bangor Maine. The only other southeastern cities that made the list were Charlottesville, VA at #8 and Charleston, SC at #9.

“At Christmastime in the Queen City, Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshakes are king! More of these milkshakes were sold throughout the 31 Charlotte-area Chick-fil-A locations than any other city in the country last holiday season,” the report notes.

How many Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshakes have you had so far this year?

Cam Newton Lit Up With Joy When The Train Honked Its Horn For Him

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During yesterday’s practice, Cam Newton seemed to be in an extra joyful mood.

While the team was getting their stretches in, Cam started pulling his arm up and down, (that thing you do on the highway to try to get truckers to honk their horn). After a few seconds of motioning, the train let out a powerful blast.

Cam’s face lit up as he screamed and jumped with excitement;

“Can I get a toot toot?”🚂

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The video is spreading like wildfire around the internet – it’s already been viewed over 100,000 times in less than 24 hours.

Hopefully his excitement will last through the playoffs and into the Super Bowl!

Hickory Police Asking For Help In Finding Endangered 26-Year-Old Female

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The Hickory Police just released an urgent alert asking for help in finding 26-year-old Summer Eckert.

She was last seen walking from the Catawba Valley Medical Center (810 Fairgrove Church Rd SW, Hickory, NC) this past Tuesday night.

Eckert is described as being a “white female with black hair and brown eyes. Eckert is 5’03” and weighs approximately 170 lbs. She was last seen wearing a black leather coat, dark blue knit wool sweater, black “Kiss” rock band t-shirt, faded blue jeans, tan shoes and in possession of a light green shoulder purse.”

If you have any information about Eckert’s whereabouts, please call Hickory Investigator S. Hudson at 828-261-2620 or E-Mail shudson@hickorync.gov.

Former Mayor Roberts Dances and Jonathan Stewart Motivates at Inspire The Fire (Video)

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Last night the surprisingly talented after-school program called “Inspire The Fire” held their annual winter concert – The Winter Xperience.

Inspire the Fire is a local nonprofit here in Charlotte, focused on bringing the arts to young people ages 10 to 21. The group meets twice a month to practice singing, dancing, acting, poetry, and visual arts. They’ve been inspiring thousands of children and teenagers throughout the Charlotte area over the past 2 decades.

Last night the group was able to perform their thanks to the continued support of Jonathan Stewart, Fantasia, and the former mayor of Charlotte, Jennifer Roberts, as well as dozens of volunteers, parents, and sponsors;

Find out more about Inspire The Fire on their website here.

ALDI Just Issued A Massive Recall For Listeria Infected Apples Sold in The Carolinas

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A massive recall has just been issued for ALDI apples due to a widespread Listeria contamination.

According to their press release, ALDI is recalling “an assortment of apples that were available for purchase in stores starting on December 13, 2017, due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Upon notification from the supplier, ALDI immediately removed the affected products from its stores.”

The potentially infected apples were sold in ALDI stores throughout Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, South Carolina and North Carolina.

The following apples are included in the recall:

 Fuji Apples, 3 lb. bag, UPC code: 033383087139
 Gala Apples, 3 lb. bag, UPC code: 033383086897
 Golden Apples, 3 lb. bag, UPC code: 033383081175
 Honeycrisp Apples, 2 lb. bag, UPC code: 079954000015
 Honeycrisp Apples, unpackaged, PLU sticker: 3283

ALDI said that any customers who bought one of the affected apples should discard it or return it to a store for a full refund as soon as possible.

Customers who have questions about this recall may contact Jack Brown Produce Inc. at 616-887-9568, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

Movement Mortgage Just Broke Ground On New $18 Million Fort Mill Corporate Center

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Movement Mortgage just broke ground on their new $18 million, 90,000-square-foot corporate center in Fort Mill, that will make room for over 700 new jobs.

According to their press release, the new building is being constructed next to their current headquarters and will soon be home to a larger IT team, more retail sales support, and their affiliates, including Movement Insurance. It will also include a larger gym, a fresh cafe and a new courtyard between the two headquarter buildings.

“Relationships matter and proximity matters. When we get team members face-to-face at the same location, we see exponential productivity,” Movement CEO Casey Crawford said. “Despite a contracting mortgage market, we’ve continued to take market share across the United States and we plan on continuing to grow in 2018 and well into the future. We want as many team members together in Fort Mill as possible to continue the great work that we’re doing.”

The company was originally founded in 2008 in Fort Mill with just 4 employees and have since grown to over 4,100 workers, including more than 650 at its Lancaster County headquarters. As one of the nation’s top 10 purchase mortgage lenders, Movement Mortgage now has licensed operations in 48 states.

The company will be constructing an additional 91,000-square-foot building off highway 160 as part of their expansion plans.

They will start hiring within the next few weeks, anyone interested can visit the company’s careers page here.

NASCAR Legend Richard Childress Uses Deadly Force To Defend His Davidson Home

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One of the biggest names in NASCAR just shot at 3 armed men who tried to break into his Davidson County home late Sunday night.

According to the Davidson County Sheriff’s office, Richard Childress and his wife, Judy, were upstairs when they heard a loud noise on the first floor, followed by their security alarm sounding.

Three armed masked intruders had just broken the glass to the front door, unlocked the deadbolt, and broke in.

After hearing the noise, Childress retrieved his gun and rushed downstairs. When he saw the masked men with what looked like guns in their hands, he fired several shots at them. The suspects then fled the home without any signs of being injured, according to police.

When officers arrived at his home, Childress told them, “the only reason he and his wife were here today was because of God and the Second Amendment.” According to North Carolina’s Castle Doctrine, a homeowner is allowed to use deadly force against home invaders.

Police released these images of the intruders and Childress is now offering a $10,000 reward for anyone with information leading to their arrest.

If you have any information about the break-in or the intruders, please call the Sheriff’s Office or Detective Sgt. Marc Hanna at 336-242-2100.

Luke Kuechly Was Just Selected For The Pro Bowl

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The Carolina Panthers have just announced that linebacker Luke Kuechly will be going to the Pro Bowl for the 5th consecutive season.

Luke has now tied Julius Peppers, Ryan Kalil, Steve Smith, Wesley Walls, and Michael Bateshim for the most Pro Bowl selections in franchise history.

According to the Panthers, “Kuechly has gone to the Pro Bowl every year except his rookie season in 2012, a year in which the Panthers weren’t represented in the annual all-star game.”

5th Pro Bowl for LUUUUKE!

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There were a total of 88 Pro Bowlers named on Tuesday, selected by a vote of fans, players and coaches.

The Kuechly was the only Panther to be selected for the Pro Bowl this year.

The Pro Bowl will air on ESPN and ABC Sunday, January 28 starting at 3 p.m. in Orlando, FL.

Charlotte’s New Mayor Says She Is Committed To Keeping The Panthers in Charlotte

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Yesterday Charlotte’s new Mayor Vi Lyles released a statement saying that she is “completely motivated” to keep the Carolina Panthers in the Queen City after Jerry Richardson sells the team.

This past Sunday, Richardson announced that he will be selling the Panthers at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season. His announcement came just days after the NFL launched an internal investigation into workplace misconduct allegations.

Charlotte currently has a 6 year ‘tether’ contract in place until 2019, meaning that whoever buys the team will have to keep the team here until June of 2019, and will then have the option of moving the team to a different city after the contract expires.

Lyles and members of the City Council are now committed to ensuring that doesn’t happen.

“The City of Charlotte values its long-running relationship with the Panthers after more than 22 seasons of NFL football,” Lyles said in a statement. “The Panthers are part of Charlotte’s fabric. We’ve celebrated victories and anguished over defeats. We understand transitions are inevitable, and we look forward to working with current and future ownership.”

In his announcement, Richardson said he won’t even start looking for a buyer until after the Panthers finish the regular season and postseason (and hopefully win the Super Bowl).