A massive effort is now underway to eradicate lyngbya, an invasive aquatic plant, from Lake Norman.

Lyngbya has been detected as far north as Lake Norman State Park in Troutman, where it is most dense, and as far south as Duke’s McGuire Nuclear Station in Huntersville. This invasive plant has already spread across approximately 10 acres of Lake Norman.

The NC State Extension is leading the treatment due to its expertise in studying the same algae in Lake Gaston. The treatment plan involves distributing a copper-based underwater algicide via airboat, targeting the lyngbya at a cellular level.

According to the Lake Norman Marine Commission, “The chemical protocol that will be utilized at Lake Norman includes chelated copper based algaecides…these algaecides have a bright blue hue and will be observed in the water directly following applications”

Eradicating lyngbya is estimated to require a four-year treatment program. Legislators in the N.C. General Assembly are working to secure funding for lyngbya treatment in 2025 and beyond. Annual monitoring will continue indefinitely upon completion of the project.

On Friday, June 21, 24 Foundation will launch its inaugural Dam to Dam standup paddleboard race on the waters of the Catawba River.

“Dam to Dam will be an epic experience and cool opportunity to raise funds and awareness for supportive oncology programs and services in our community,” said Spencer Lueders, founder of 24 Foundation and creator of Dam to Dam. “This is a new way to come together for a common goal in making a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.”

Participants will paddle 24 miles from the Mountain Island Lake Dam to the Lake Wylie Dam. The 11-hour journey will be filled with camaraderie, challenges, and meaningful connections. No paddleboard experience is necessary, but an application is required as the event will be limited to 36 paddlers for its inaugural year. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 11 at 24foundation.org/damtodam. Applicants will be notified by March 18 if they have been chosen to participate.

“The intent of this application process is not to find the best and most experienced paddlers, but ‘why’ you want to participate and what this experience will mean to you and those you are paddling for,” said Lueders. “This experience will transcend individual accomplishments, symbolizing resilience, hope, and solidarity within the cancer community.”

Each paddler selected must commit to raising a minimum of $1,500 by Wednesday, June 19. All gear – a paddleboard, paddle, and personal floatation device – will be provided for each participant. The event will be fully supported with stocked support boats, multiple rest stops, a catered lunch, transportation to the event start, and a post-paddle celebration.

The demand for cancer support services is greater than ever, and 24 Foundation has raised more than $27 million to date. Through its signature fundraiser – 24 Hours of Booty – Superhero Stomp 5K, 10K and Kids Fun Run, 24,000 Meter Row-A-Thon, Bourbon for Booty, and Dam to Dam, 24 Foundation is committed to bringing the community together throughout the year to make an immediate impact on the lives of people affected by cancer.

Added Katherine Murphy, executive director of 24 Foundation, “Whether you are a cancer survivor, caregiver, or someone who wants to make a difference, you are in for something very unique and special with Dam to Dam. This is what we do at 24 Foundation. We want you to be part of it.”

Are you considering a move to Charlotte, NC? Charlotte is a city that dates back before the American Revolution and offers decades of vibrant history, otherwise known as the Queen City. Charlotte allows residents a mix of Southern charm and modern sophistication that is hard to come by these days, with its economic development, expanding skyline, and well-rounded arts and culture.

We’ve compiled a short list of the top neighborhoods to live in Charlotte, taking note of their growth over the past three years and median closing prices, to help you find a neighborhood that is the right fit for you. 

Discover the perfect blend of history, charm, and modern living in these Charlotte, NC neighborhoods. If you believe your favorite neighborhood deserves a spot on our list, let us know!

Methodology

To create this list, we analyzed the median home closing prices for each zip code in March 2024 and compared them to the median prices over the past three years. We then ranked the zip codes based on their percentage growth to identify the neighborhoods with the highest increases.

The Charlotte IKEA in University City is about to host a Trivia Night with a ton of free giveaways. The first round of game night will be on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, from 5 to 7 pm.

It will be taking place at the Swedish Restaurant within the IKEA store, providing an opportunity for attendees to enjoy dinner before the game begins. Additionally, IKEA Family members can avail themselves of hot entrées for $3.99 on Tuesdays.

Check-in for the event starts at 4:30 p.m., with the trivia game commencing promptly at 5:00 p.m. This schedule ensures a smooth flow for all participants. It’s important to note that all participants must present their IKEA Family card or number to play. Due to limited space, interested individuals are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.

The event is family-friendly, catering to participants of all ages. Participants also have the chance to win “As-Is” items from IKEA during the Trivia Night, adding an element of excitement to the event.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has again delayed the completion date for the I-485 toll lane project. A significant portion of the 17-mile stretch is now expected to be finished by summer 2025.

Work on the 485 toll lanes began in 2019 and they were projected to be finished by late 2020. Since then, officials have changed and added work to the project. They have also faced pandemic-related issues like worker shortages and supply chain delays, causing the completion date to be pushed back.

“Substantial completion” of the long-anticipated 17-mile, I-485 express lanes is now anticipated for spring or summer 2025, according to @NCDOT.

The new lanes costing $346 million were to open in 2022, but in 2021 a 2-year delay was announced.#ncpol https://t.co/j3AjNAfy52

— NC Travel Industry Association (@NcIndustry) May 20, 2024

When finished, one express lane will open in each direction of I-485 between I-77 and Highway 74 in Matthews. Crews are also adding an extra lane in each direction between Rea Road and Providence Road, widening the Ballantyne Commons Parkway bridge, building an interchange at Weddington Road in Matthews, and improving the existing interchange at John Street. The original cost was $289.5 million, but will likely be much higher after all the NCDOT delays.

This will become the third major toll-road project around the Charlotte region. It is joining the I-77 toll lanes up to Lake Norman and the Monroe Expressway.

Stay alert for potential strong storms throughout the day.

Early this morning, a line of powerful thunderstorms moved into the mountains. These storms will reach the Charlotte region later this morning through midday.

Some of these storms could turn severe. Be prepared for frequent lightning, heavy rain, and gusty winds. High temperatures will be in the low 80s.

The area outlined in blue remains primed for strong to severe storms over the next several hours. Main hazards will continue to be damaging wind gusts and hail.#scwx #gawx #ncwx https://t.co/LslGlrds79

— NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) May 27, 2024

The longest race of the NASCAR season was cut short by nasty weather yesterday, but not before fans witnessed plenty of excitement on the track.

The Coca Cola 600 faced a significant interruption when rain drenched the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Despite efforts to dry the track and resume racing, NASCAR decided at 11:30 p.m. to call it a night. This decision handed Christopher Bell his second win of the 2024 season, overshadowing his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Ty Gibbs, was in pursuit of his first NASCAR Cup Series victory.

Due to inclement weather, high humidity and the likelihood of resuming action after 1 a.m. with the track-drying process, the race has been declared official.

Christopher Bell is the winner of the 65th Coca-Cola 600.#CocaCola600 | #AmericasHomeForRacing pic.twitter.com/280NnKi37i

— Charlotte Motor Speedway (@CLTMotorSpdwy) May 27, 2024

The rain arrived just as Kyle Larson was poised to reclaim his ride from Justin Allgaier. Allgaier was filling in while Larson competed in the rain-delayed Indianapolis 500. Larson, who helicoptered in after racing in the Indy 500 earlier in the day, didn’t get a chance to enter his NASCAR ride. The race came to a standstill due to weather cautions.

Ty Gibbs led most of the first stage until William Byron surged to the front. Byron won the first stage with Gibbs close behind. The early stages saw minimal incidents. The only caution occurred when B.J. McLeod spun out 10 laps before the first stage break. This prompted a quick dash to the stage finish, which Byron successfully secured.

Strategic pit stops positioned Bell in the lead at the start of the second stage. The defending Coca-Cola 600 champion Ryan Blaney hit the wall on lap 148. His car stalled on pit road, triggering a caution. Shortly after the restart, Noah Gragson’s wreck ended his day prematurely. The battle for the lead intensified between Byron and Bell throughout the second stage. Ultimately, Bell’s persistence paid off. He clinched the lead, a move that proved decisive when the race was halted.

Bell’s strategic maneuvers and resilience in challenging conditions secured his triumph at the Coca-Cola 600. This marks another milestone in his impressive 2024 season.

An escaped ape is currently at large in South Carolina, prompting an alert by authorities to be on the alert.

The Colleton County Sheriff’s Office announced via social media that they are actively addressing the situation involving “the loose primate/ape” wandering around Mallard Street in Walterboro.

⚠️Update: If you live in the area of Hiers Corner Rd/Mallard Street please monitor your pets while they are outside as a precaution. There is a primate on the loose that could be stressed and we ask you to not approach it. Thank you. #chsnews

— Colleton County Sheriff’s Office (@ccsocares) May 24, 2024

Colleton County Animal Control has joined forces in the search operation of the escaped animal.

The animal’s owner is reportedly collaborating with authorities and seeking additional support to secure its capture.

A bystander released the following video of the suspected ape:

Residents residing in the vicinity of Hiers Corner Road and Mallard Street are advised to exercise caution with their pets outdoors as a preventive measure, as per Colleton County deputies.

Individuals are urged to contact the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office promptly at 843-549-2211 if they spot the animal.

Postino, all-day restaurant and wine café known for its cult-like following, is set to open its first Charlotte location this summer. The new location will be at The Bowl at Ballantyne, a prominent development featuring top restaurants, retail stores, and a live music venue.

Occupying a 5,213-square-foot space, the 198-seat restaurant, including a 56-seat outdoor patio, aims to embody Postino’s warm, come-as-you-are culture and appeal to a broad audience. The café will offer an ever-changing selection of boutique wines, craft brews, and cocktails, paired with a diverse menu of bruschetta, panini, salads, and charcuterie boards.

Postino draws its name from the Italian word for postman, a nod to the original 1940s post office where the first location opened over 20 years ago.

“As one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, it’s clear that there is so much to love about the Charlotte area: from the sense of modern sophistication to the bustling streets and dynamic arts and culture scene,” said Postino Co-Founder and CEO Lauren Bailey. “And we are so lucky to have found the perfect space at The Bowl at Ballantyne™, which, without a doubt, will become the ultimate destination for dining, shopping, and entertainment as it continues to grow. We couldn’t be more eager to dive into the passionate Queen City community.”

Postino will be located at 15210 Bowl Street, Suite 103, Charlotte, NC 28277. For more information visit postinowinecafe.com.

Residents and tourists along Myrtle Beach and the Carolina Grand Strand, are witnessing an unusual and spectacular sight—the ocean has turned an enchanting shade of Caribbean blue. This phenomenon has sparked a flurry of social media posts and discussions.

Typically, Myrtle Beach waters appear brown this time of year due to churned-up sediment, phytoplankton, and sewage spills floating closer to the surface. These microorganisms and sediment refract light differently, making the water look “dirty” or brownish. NASA’s Ocean Biology Processing Group explains that the scattering and absorption of sunlight by suspended particles and phytoplankton influence the water’s color.

This year, however, the Atlantic Ocean has remained surprisingly calm, with no tropical storms or hurricanes to stir up the waters. Additionally, light offshore winds have allowed sediment to settle near the ocean floor. Consequently, locals and visitors are mesmerized by the clear, beautiful blue waters.

 

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