In their 2024 preseason home opener, the Carolina Panthers lost to the New York Jets 15-12 on a warm, humid evening in Charlotte. Neither team played their starters, leaving the game’s outcome largely inconsequential.

The Panthers’ only touchdown came on the final play when reserve running back Dillon Johnson scored from two yards out. The extra point wasn’t attempted, highlighting the limited significance of the final score.

Carolina’s offense struggled throughout the game, managing just 156 total yards. Johnson, however, was a standout, rushing for a game-high 83 yards—over half of the Panthers’ offensive output. He also scored the team’s first touchdown in their last four games.

Chau Smith-Wade learning, inside out, and outside inhttps://t.co/OclBfa4vvm

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 18, 2024

The Panthers were short-handed, with only two available running backs, Mike Boone and Johnson. The offensive line faced similar challenges, with four linemen joining the roster this week, including Mason Brooks and Ike Boettger. Despite the short preparation time, the line showed promise, particularly starting right guard Anderson, who logged 37 snaps and earned high run-blocking and pass-blocking grades.

For the Jets, the game featured a few field goals, with the Panthers only closing the gap with their late touchdown.

While preseason results carry little weight, the primary goal remains ensuring players stay healthy and ready for the regular season.

A Lake Norman mansion has just set a new record in Mooresville with its $10.75 million sale this past week.

The property at 149 S Longfellow Lane, spanning over 8,100 square feet, is now the town’s most expensive home sale ever.

Located on a 1.17-acre waterfront lot in The Point community, the Longfellow Lane mansion features five bedrooms, five-and-a-half bathrooms, a pier and boat dock, a pool, a hot tub, and an outdoor kitchen. It also includes pool jets for swim training, a golf simulator, and 44 solar panels.

This record sale highlights the ongoing surge in North Carolina’s luxury housing market, with a recent record setting home hitting the market for $49.99 million – the most expensive single-family home listing in our state’s history.

Laura Pegram of Ivester Jackson Christie’s International Real Estate handled the sale.

With less than two weeks until the official start of the CMS school year, the district is currently 82 drivers short, according to a new report by WCNC.

The situation mirrors the bus driver challenges the district faced last year, with CMS now working to fill 35 driver vacancies, while an additional 47 drivers are on various types of leave.

With less than two weeks until the first day of school, CMS is 82 drivers short. Transportation Director Adam Johnson says the district hopes to have about 10 trainees on board, but CMS is warning parents about possible bus delays. https://t.co/eupkFixlsv

— WCNC Charlotte (@wcnc) August 16, 2024

School officials say that 10 new drivers are currently in training and will be ready for the first day of school on August 26.

If the driver shortage remains in it’s current state, families should expect bus delays of 15-20 minutes.

Early this morning, escaped murderer Ramone Alston was captured at a hotel on Cloverleaf Parkway in Kannapolis after the reward on his capture was increased from $35k to $50k yesterday. The arrest, occurring shortly before 2 a.m., involved FBI Charlotte SWAT agents, Kannapolis Police, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police. Alston was taken into custody without any injuries.

Following his capture, Jacobia Crisp, a female acquaintance, was arrested in Alamance County. Crisp faces charges of felony aiding and abetting a fugitive, according to the NC Department of Adult Correction.

Alston, who escaped Tuesday morning from correctional officers at a Hillsborough hospital, evaded authorities for two days. Hundreds of law enforcement and public safety officials were involved in the search. He fled into nearby woods after freeing himself from leg restraints while still handcuffed.

Alston, 30, was serving a life sentence for the 2015 murder of a one-year-old child in Chapel Hill. His escape occurred around 7 a.m. when he was being transported to UNC Gastroenterology in Hillsborough. Despite extensive searches around the UNC Hospitals Hillsborough campus, he managed to remain at large until this morning.

Alston will now face charges for felony escape from prison. He is being transferred to a high-security unit in the state prison system, where he will resume serving his life sentence and await court appearances for his recent escape.

The investigation continues to uncover his movements during the escape, any additional accomplices, and any other crimes he may have committed while on the run. Authorities conducted door-to-door searches and examined over 580 acres, including neighborhoods, woods, and creeks, as they worked to recapture Alston.

Law enforcement agencies at local, state, and federal levels are intensifying the search for convicted murderer Ramone Alston, 30, who escaped from state custody in Hillsborough this morning. Alston, serving a life sentence for the 2015 murder of a one-year-old child in Chapel Hill, managed to flee while being transported for a medical appointment.

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (DAC) initially offered a reward of $25,000, but this morning, they increased it to $35,000.

The escape occurred around 7 a.m. when Alston freed himself from leg restraints and, still handcuffed, ran into nearby woods after the prison transport van arrived at UNC Gastroenterology at 460 Waterstone Drive. Alston was not treated before escaping.

Authorities, led by Orange County Emergency Services Director Kirby Saunders, have searched over 580 acres, focusing on the area around the UNC Hospitals Hillsborough campus. Door-to-door searches and examinations of neighborhoods, woods, and creeks are ongoing. Officials believe Alston may have received assistance in his escape.

Anyone with information about Alston’s whereabouts is urged to contact Orange County Public Safety Communications at 919-732-5063.

Charlotte is about to transform into the magical world of Oz this Summer.

CharlOz, UNC Charlotte’s new celebration of L. Frank Baum’s Oz books, films, and the Land of Oz amusement park, is almost here. The festival, featuring speakers, Oz character drawing demos, a Land of Oz exhibition, music, Oz gaming, puppet shows, and meet and greets with Land of Oz characters, will run from September 26 to 29, 2024. Events are held at both UNC Charlotte campuses and other locations, including Knight Theater and ImaginOn.

Children’s events will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ImaginOn. Most events are free. The Charlotte Symphony will provide orchestral backing to the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz, on September 27 and 28.

CharlOz Venues:

• Knight Theater
• Popp Martin Student Union Art Gallery
• J. Murrey Atkins Library
• Projective Eye Gallery
• Belk Theatre
• ImaginOn
• The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City

CharlOz Schedule:

Thursday, September 26:

• Knight Theater: 7 to 9:30 p.m.: Talk and book signing by Gregory Maquire
• Popp Martin Student Union Art Gallery: Student art exhibition “Oz Illustrations”

Friday, September 27:

• J. Murrey Atkins Library: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Talks, demos, tutorials
• Popp Martin Student Union Art Gallery: Student art exhibition “Oz Illustrations”
• Projective Eye Gallery: Land of Oz exhibition

Saturday, September 28:

• ImaginOn: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Family activities and author talks
• Popp Martin Student Union Art Gallery: Student art exhibition “Oz Illustrations”
• Projective Eye Gallery: Land of Oz exhibition

Sunday, September 29:

• The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City: Screenings, talks, and performances
• Projective Eye Gallery: Land of Oz exhibition

For more information, visit CharlOz website here.