Forest Forms Opening Night Offers First Look at Fort Mill’s Newest Outdoor Art Exhibition at ASCG

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Forest Forms Opening Night Offers First Look at Fort Mill’s Newest Outdoor Art Exhibition at ASCG

The Anne Springs Close Greenway invites art and nature lovers to an exclusive preview of Forest Forms, a new outdoor art exhibition, during a special premiere on Friday, September 12 from 5:00 to 8:00PM at the Greenway Canteen at the Lake Haigler entrance. Celebrate the debut with festive drinks, hors d’oeuvres, live music and an exclusive first look at this immersive outdoor exhibit. This one-night-only Opening Night Fundraiser invites guests to embark on an enchanting first look journey through Forest Forms, a captivating exhibit featuring eighteen large-scale sculptures by acclaimed artist Huelani Mei

The Forest Forms exhibition at the Anne Springs Close Greenway, presented in partnership with Visit York County, and part of the Charlotte International Arts Festival, opens to the public on Saturday, September 13, and will remain on display through January 11, 2026.

Forest Forms Opening Night at Anne Springs Close Greenway:
Date: Friday, September 12, 2025
Time: 5:00 – 8:00PM
Location: Greenway Canteen, Lake Haigler Entrance
Address: 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill, SC
Tickets: https://e.givesmart.com/events/JoO/
Learn more about Forest Forms: https://www.ascgreenway.org/visit/forest-forms

Earthquake Strikes The North Carolina Rainforest Early This Morning

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Earthquake Strikes The North Carolina Rainforest Early This Morning

A 1.3 magnitude earthquake just struck the NC rainforest this morning at 4:41 am.

The quake had a depth of 1.9 km and an epicenter of 35.142°N 82.899°W, just west of Rosman, NC, in the heart of the NC rainforest.

Earthquakes have been increasing in frequency around the Charlotte region over the past few years. Last year, we experienced the largest earthquake in over 100 years when a 5.1 magnitude quake hit Sparta, NC, and since then, dozens of aftershocks have continued to rattle our state.

According to USGS.gov, “Moderately damaging earthquakes strike the inland Carolinas every few decades, and smaller earthquakes are felt about once each year or two.”

Have you felt any of the quakes?

Update – Feds Seize 156 Pounds of Fentanyl in South Carolina – Enough To Kill 35 Million People

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Update – Feds Seize 156 Pounds of Fentanyl in South Carolina – Enough To Kill 35 Million People

UPDATE 7/24/2025:

According to a press release from the department of justice, the 2 brothers operating the tractor trailer with the fentanyl inside, were just indicted yesterday.

26-year-old Alberto Rios-Landeros and 23-year-old Chris Guadalupe Rios-Landeros have now been indicted on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. Both now face a maximum penalty of up to life in prison.

Original article 7/16/2025:

Federal agents recently seized over 156 pounds of fentanyl in Lexington County, South Carolina, as part of a major anti-drug operation.

According to the DEA, just two milligrams of fentanyl—about the size of a few grains of salt—can be lethal. One kilogram (2.2 pounds) of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. Therefore, the 156 pounds seized in Lexington County—roughly 71 kilograms—could have potentially killed over 35 million people.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), working with SC state and local partners, also recovered 44 pounds of methamphetamine and a firearm. One suspect was arrested but not yet identified.

The operation is part of a nationwide crackdown that has already yielded substantial results. So far in 2025, authorities have confiscated nearly 44 million fentanyl pills, 4,500 pounds of fentanyl powder, and 65,000 pounds of methamphetamine across the country.

“Our DEA agents are doing historic work to keep our communities safe from deadly drugs like fentanyl and dismantle the cartels selling them,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi in an official Justice Department press release. “I want to remind all Americans to exercise extreme caution: a pill can kill.”

Officials say the Lexington County case highlights the scale and urgency of the ongoing fentanyl crisis. They continue to emphasize collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies in curbing drug trafficking.

Summary of Other Recent DEA Operations:

  • Lexington County, SC: Seized 156 lbs of fentanyl, 44 lbs of meth, a firearm; one arrest.

  • Gainesville, GA: Seized 705 lbs of meth hidden in cucumbers; two arrests.

  • Minneapolis, MN: Recovered 889 lbs of meth and a handgun; three arrests.

  • Kern County, CA: Shut down meth lab; seized 240 lbs of crystal meth and 151 gallons of liquid meth; five arrests.

  • Fresno, CA: Seized 24 lbs of carfentanyl disguised as pills—largest in Northern California.

  • Galveston, TX: Found 1,700 lbs of meth worth $15M hidden in a vehicle.

  • Austin, TX: Seized 783 lbs of meth inside a truck carrying blueberries.

  • IN/KY/AZ (multi-state): Confiscated 59 illegal firearms, 74 lbs meth, 11 lbs fentanyl, 11 lbs cocaine; 23 arrests.

  • Miami, FL: Seized $10M in crypto linked to the Sinaloa cartel.

  • El Paso, TX: Found 115 lbs of meth in a GPS-tracked vehicle.

  • Omaha, NE: Dismantled poly-drug ring; seized guns and fentanyl pills.

Flight Attendant Sentenced For Filming Teenage Girl in Bathroom on Flight From Charlotte

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Flight Attendant Sentenced For Filming Teenage Girl in Bathroom on Flight From Charlotte

Former American Airlines flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson III has just received an 18-year-and-six-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography.

On a flight from Charlotte to Boston, a 14-year-old girl was directed by Thompson to an unoccupied first-class lavatory. Investigators found that Thompson led her there and then claimed he needed to wash his hands and fix a broken toilet seat. When Thompson left, the teen entered the bathroom and noticed red stickers on the underside of the open toilet seat lid. Hidden beneath, Thompson’s iPhone was recording video, officials confirmed. The girl photographed the stickers and concealed device before exiting. She promptly reported the incident, triggering the investigation.

Thompson was then arrested in his Virginia home, where agents uncovered hundreds of AI-generated child sexual abuse images in Thompson’s iCloud account. Images of four other girls, captured on earlier flights, were also found.

The victim’s family filed a lawsuit against American Airlines, alleging the airline knew or should have known Thompson posed a danger. They claimed other crew members’ failure to seize his phone allowed potential evidence destruction. American Airlines settled with the family.

According to a press release from the Justice Department, this case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

First Raising Cane’s in Charlotte Region Coming to Rock Hill

Charlotte Stories
-
0
First Raising Cane’s in Charlotte Region Coming to Rock Hill

Raising Cane’s is entering the Charlotte region for the first time with a new restaurant planned for Rock Hill.

This marks the company’s first confirmed deal in the region as it begins expanding across Charlotte and surrounding communities, according to the Charlotte Business Journal.

The popular chicken fingers chain will build a 2,800-square-foot standalone location with a drive-thru at 520 John Ross Parkway, replacing the former Bob Evans site.

The Rock Hill location signals Raising Cane’s broader push into the Carolinas’ competitive fast-casual dining market.

North Carolina Awards $204 Million for Water Infrastructure Upgrades Across 27 Counties

Charlotte Stories
-
0
North Carolina Awards $204 Million for Water Infrastructure Upgrades Across 27 Counties

North Carolina has approved over $204 million in funding for 48 water infrastructure projects across 27 counties, aiming to enhance public health, environmental safety, and climate resilience.

The investments will improve drinking water and wastewater systems, remove PFAS contaminants, identify and replace lead service lines, and strengthen infrastructure against future storms. The funding comes from the State Revolving Funds (SRF) and federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) programs, which offer low-interest loans and grants for critical utility upgrades.

“At DEQ, we’re committed to ensuring everyone in North Carolina has access to clean water,” said Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson in a press release. “This funding will address aging infrastructure and improve public health for communities large and small.”

Key awards include:

  • Fayetteville Public Works Commission (Cumberland County): $20.5 million to install PFAS-removal technology at the Glenville Lake Water Treatment Plant.

  • Town of Bryson City (Swain County): $9.2 million to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant.

  • City of Lexington (Davidson County): $13.7 million for solids handling improvements at its regional wastewater plant.

  • City of Graham (Alamance County): $3.4 million to address PFAS at the Graham-Mebane Water Treatment Plant.

  • City of Lenoir (Caldwell County): $6.6 million for wastewater and lead service line projects.

  • City of Sanford (Lee County): $9.3 million for sewer rehabilitation and lead line inventories.

  • Town of River Bend (Craven County): $6.3 million for Phase II drinking water improvements.

Additionally, Carolina Water Service, Inc. will receive $5.5 million for six PFAS and lead mitigation projects across Cumberland, Gaston, Moore, and Pender counties.

These projects were selected from 133 eligible applications, which collectively sought $1.57 billion in funding. Awards were finalized by the State Water Infrastructure Authority during its July 16 meeting.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) notes that these investments are vital for maintaining safe, sustainable, and modern water systems statewide.

For a full list of awarded projects, visit the NCDEQ Division of Water Infrastructure website.

Charlotte Firefighter Wins 6 Gold Medals, Breaks 2 World Records at World Games

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Charlotte Firefighter Wins 6 Gold Medals, Breaks 2 World Records at World Games
via City of Charlotte

Charlotte firefighter Holly Forbes Johnson has just earned global recognition after winning six gold medals and breaking two world records at the 2025 World Police & Fire Games in Birmingham, Alabama.

The 48-year-old mother of three competed in four individual freestyle events and anchored two record-breaking relays. Her 200m freestyle relay team finished more than 20 seconds faster than the previous world record.

A full-time firefighter at Firehouse 38, Forbes Johnson also serves on Charlotte Fire’s dive and swift water rescue team. She hadn’t raced internationally in over 20 years before returning to competition with what she called “a nudge from God.”

“I grew up in the water,” Johnson said in a press release. “Swimming was my world long before I joined the fire service. It has always been a part of who I am. When I heard the Games were coming to my hometown of Birmingham, it just felt like a sign. I knew I had to go for it.” 

Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson praised her determination and commitment. Forbes Johnson joined the department in 2016 at age 40, becoming the oldest female to graduate from Recruit Class 99.

Now back on duty, she returns not just with medals, but with the pride of representing Charlotte — and the joy of coming home to her biggest fans: her three sons.

Massive Recall Issued for Over 5 Million Above-Ground Pools After 9 Children Drown

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Massive Recall Issued for Over 5 Million Above-Ground Pools After 9 Children Drown

More than five million aboveground pools sold across the U.S.—including hundreds in Charlotte—are being recalled following nine reported child drownings.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued the recall on July 21, 2025, warning that compression straps running outside the pool structure can act as footholds for children, allowing unsupervised access to the water. The hazard affects 48-inch and taller aboveground pools manufactured by Bestway, Intex Recreation, and Polygroup.

The recalled models were sold at major retailers such as Walmart, Lowe’s, Target, Costco, and Amazon from 2002 through early 2025. The CPSC said the nine drownings occurred between 2007 and 2022, involving children ages 22 months to 3 years.

Consumers are urged to contact the manufacturers to receive a free repair kit that includes a rope replacement for the hazardous strap. Until then, the CPSC advises keeping children away from affected pools or draining the water completely to prevent access.

The recall does not include pools where the strap runs behind the vertical support poles, a design considered less hazardous.

Pool owners can verify whether their model is affected by reviewing the CPSC’s recall list, which includes brand names, model numbers, and images illustrating the problematic strap designs.

For more information, visit cpsc.gov/recalls.

Summer Swarms: Mosquito Season Intensifies Across Charlotte Region

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Summer Swarms: Mosquito Season Intensifies Across Charlotte Region

As summer intensifies across the Carolinas, mosquito season is peaking — and it’s not just about itchy bites and outdoor annoyance, it’s also diseases. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the state recorded over 900 cases of tick- and mosquito-borne illnesses last year alone.

Charlotte is now entering the height of mosquito season, with August forecasted to bring the worst of the season. Residents are likely to notice increased swarms, particularly in warm, humid areas and near standing water.

Officials say the most commonly reported mosquito-borne illnesses in the state include:

  • West Nile Virus

  • Eastern Equine Encephalitis

  • La Crosse Encephalitis

Though relatively rare, these diseases can cause serious health complications. Public health experts stress the importance of taking precautions. Tips to repel and prevent mosquito bites include:

Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Discovered in South Carolina

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Discovered in South Carolina

A confirmed case of Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as brain-eating amoeba, has been reported in South Carolina, state health officials said this month. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) has not disclosed the exact location of the case.

“The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) was made aware of one case of Naegleria fowleri in our state the week of July 7. Naegleria fowleri is not required to be reported to DPH. The agency does not track infections from the amoeba and does not provide information about or comment on individual cases,” said SCDPH in a press release.

What to Know About the Amoeba

The Naegleria fowleri amoeba thrives in warm freshwater, including lakes, rivers, and hot springs, especially during the summer months. It can also appear in poorly chlorinated tap water, although this is far less common.

Infection occurs when water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nose—typically during swimming, diving, or water sports—and travels to the brain, where it destroys tissue.

Symptoms and Progression

Early symptoms typically appear within one to 12 days of exposure and may include:

  • Sudden fever

  • Severe headache

  • Nausea and vomiting

These symptoms quickly worsen, often leading to seizures, hallucinations, and coma. Most cases result in death within five days of symptom onset.

Public Health Response and Testing

South Carolina does not require public testing for Naegleria fowleri, and health departments are not obligated to issue public notifications when a case is confirmed.

Federal officials continue to emphasize that while the amoeba is present in natural freshwater environments, infections remain extremely rare.

Safety Tips for Freshwater Activities

To reduce the already low risk, the CDC advises:

  • Avoiding jumping or diving into warm freshwater during summer

  • Using nose clips or keeping your head above water in freshwater lakes and rivers

  • Avoiding digging in or stirring up sediment in shallow, warm freshwater areas

Although the infection is rare, it remains one of the most serious waterborne illnesses in the United States. Residents are encouraged to remain cautious, especially during periods of high heat when water temperatures rise.

For more information on Naegleria fowleri, visit CDC.gov/naegleria.

1...125126127...1,311Page 126 of 1,311