2 More Aftershocks Rattle South Carolina, Bringing Total To 6 Quakes In Less Than 1 Week

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2 More Aftershocks Rattle South Carolina, Bringing Total To 6 Quakes In Less Than 1 Week

2 more aftershocks have now hit South Carolina, bringing the total number of quakes to 6 in less than a week.

The rumbling of the Palmetto State started when a significant 3.3 magnitude earthquake struck South Carolina the day after Christmas, followed quickly by 2.5, 2.1, and 1.7 magnitude aftershocks.

According to the USGA, the quakes had epicenters roughly halfway between Lugoff and Elgin, SC – all about an hour south of Charlotte.

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? 

Gastonia Man Robs Waffle House, Flees in Pickup Truck, Then Shoots at Police

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Gastonia Man Robs Waffle House, Flees in Pickup Truck, Then Shoots at Police

An armed robbery at a Waffle House in Gastonia resulted in a large police chase and a shootout between police and the robbery suspect.

According to Gastonia Police, a “black male suspect” robbed the Waffle House on Franlkin Blvd this evening at about 6:30pm. The suspect then drove away in a black Doge Ram pickup truck with a USMC sticker on the back.

Police pursued the suspect to a neighborhood off West Rankin Road when the suspect began firing at officers. Gastonia Police then returned fire and the suspect once again fled in his truck. officers located truck in area of W. Rankin Ave near N. King St. Suspect fired at officers, & GPD officers returned fire.

Gastonia Police will continue to post updates about the incident on their Twitter account as new information is confirmed:

Police are warning locals to avoid the area around West Rankin Ave near North King Street.

UPDATE 9:40pm 12/29/2021:

According to Gastonia Police, “The suspect remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone who sees the suspect’s black Dodge Ram truck that is dark on the top half and possibly white or silver on the bottom half, with a USMC sticker on the back window, and a non-functioning left taillight should immediately call 9-1-1 and NOT take any enforcement action on their own.”

Dunkin Donuts and Red Cross Joining Forces in NC To Exchange Coffee for Blood

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Dunkin Donuts and Red Cross Joining Forces in NC To Exchange Coffee for Blood

January is National Blood Donor Month, a time to recognize the  importance of giving blood and platelets while honoring those who roll up a sleeve to help patients in need. To celebrate, Dunkin Donuts is teaming up with the American Red Cross to provide 25,000 vouchers for a  free Medium Iced Coffee and a Classic Donut for Red Cross blood and platelet donors in North Carolina. 

Throughout January, presenting donors will receive a voucher for a free Medium Iced Coffee and a free Classic Donut, redeemable at Dunkin Donut locations throughout the Charlotte region.

As COVID-19 continues to affect everyday life, people may not be thinking about blood donation. However, blood and platelets are needed each day to help patients battling disease and facing the  unexpected. Donating blood is an easy way to care for each other and ensure hospitals have the blood products patients rely on. 

“As the pandemic wears on into the New Year, blood donations remain essential to the health of our communities,” said Angela Powley, Regional Donor Services Executive, American Red Cross. “Our collaboration with Dunkin’ allows us to thank our donors with a special gift this January and helps ensure blood products are available for patients.” 

To schedule an appointment to donate blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. 

President Biden Signs Bill Allowing Completion of $273 Million Kings Mountain Casino Project

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President Biden Signs Bill Allowing Completion of $273 Million Kings Mountain Casino Project

This past Monday, President Biden signed into law the ‘National Defense Authorization Act’, which included the ‘Catawba Nation Indian Nation Lands Act‘ – an act that essentially gives federal protection for the $273 million Kings Mountain casino resort complex.

The Catawba Nation opened a temporary gambling facility this past July with 1,000 slot machines while a legal battle was waged by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (owners of the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort), who claimed the site of the new casino was being built on their land.

“The Catawba Indian Nation Lands Act reaffirms the U.S. Department of Interior’s action recognizing our historical and ancestral ties to North Carolina,” Catawba Nation Chief Bill Harris said in a press release. “Congress, Interior, the State of North Carolina and a federal court have now all confirmed what the Catawba people have said from the beginning – these lands are the ancestral homelands of the Catawba people, and we intend to use them to improve the life of all the people in the community.”

With the official recognition of the Federal Government, the Catawba Nation can now move on to the second phase of the casino resort complex in Kings Mountain, with timing and specifics expected to be announced soon.

Once all phases are complete, the casino will include over 195,000-square-feet with 1,796 electronic gaming devices and 54 table games in the main casino, as well as a 1,500 room hotel, several restaurants with seating for 940 people, and a full concert and event venue.

Here are some newly released images of what will soon be the closest casino to Charlotte:

The facility will be located at northwestern quadrant of the intersection of Kings Mountain Blvd. and I-85 (Exit 5) in Kings Mountain, about 30 miles west of Charlotte:

What do you think about the new casino?

Buyer Demand Remains Strong – Increased New Listing Activity Heading Into Year End

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Buyer Demand Remains Strong – Increased New Listing Activity Heading Into Year End

Home sales around the Charlotte region ticked up in November, rising 2.1 percent year-over-year as 4,604 homes sold, compared to 4,510 homes sold this time last year. Year-to-date sales figures show that more than 54,000 homes have been sold across the 16-county region through the end of November. Though inventory was challenged throughout the year, the low mortgage rate environment along with continued increases in new listing activity has kept sales steady, even at yearend. Sales figures included in this report reflect single-family and condo/townhome transactions only according to data from Canopy MLS.

Pending sales, which signal buyer demand was steady in November, rising 11.9 percent year-over-year as buyers drove 4,751 homes under contract. New listing activity showed seller confidence strong as displayed by an 8.7 percent year-over-year increase or 4,513 new listings last month. The steady rise in new listing activity should help buyers with more choices over the long term.

“Despite low inventory and affordability challenges, home sales continue to show how attractive the region is to newcomers and I don’t see the demand for homes decreasing anytime soon.” said David Kennedy, president of Canopy Realtor® Association/Canopy MLS. ” Rising rents along with inflation’s effect on retail prices, may also have prospective buyers looking at the pros of fixed, consistent mortgage payments and realizing that buying while rates are still low, makes home ownership a strong investment.”

Inventory in November fell 37.9 percent year-over-year leaving 3,639 homes for sale at report time, or 0.7 months of supply, which is approximately 21 days of supply, showing how critically challenged inventory is across the 16-county region.  Last November there were more than 5,800 homes for sale or 1.3 months of supply.

Low inventory amidst rising demand continues to cause prices to rise. Both the median sales price ($354,000) and the average sales price ($409,327) rose 22.1 percent and 17.4 percent year-over-year respectively, while the average list price rose 13.4 percent year-over-year to $398,779.  This brought the original list price to sales price ratio to 100.1 percent in November, as sellers received well over asking price for their homes.

The overall sales pace was brisk throughout November, as days on market showed homes averaged 20 days on market until sale, compared to 26 days on market this time last year.

One of America’s Largest Shooting Ranges Is Located Just West of Charlotte

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One of America’s Largest Shooting Ranges Is Located Just West of Charlotte

According to the National Rifle Association, the Foothills Public Shooting Complex (just west of Charlotte) is now the largest shooting range in the Southeast, and one of the largest in America.

The entire complex includes three 50-yard pistol ranges, two skeet/trap and pistol ranges, a 250-yard rifle range, a 3-D archery range, training classrooms, armory, visitors center, and gift shop.

The $3.5-million project was built through a partnership between Cleveland County (providing 82 acres of land), and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (providing $1.9 million in public funding).

Charlotte Stories was given access to their drone flyover video of the entire complex;

They are located just outside of Gastonia in Cherryville, NC at 283 Fielding Rd. – about a 45 minute drive from Uptown Charlotte;

Foothills Public Shooting Complex

You can find out more on their Facebook page here.

What do you think of the new complex?

 

3.3 M Earthquake and 3 Aftershocks Just Rocked South Carolina

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3.3 M Earthquake and 3 Aftershocks Just Rocked South Carolina

A significant 3.3 magnitude earthquake rattled South Carolina yesterday afternoon, followed by 2.5, 2.1, and 1.7 magnitude aftershocks.

According to the USGA, the quakes had epicenters roughly halfway between Lugoff and Elgin, SC – all about an hour south of Charlotte.

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.”

Did you feel the quakes? 

Teen Charged With Attempted Murder of Officer After This Morning’s East Charlotte Shooting

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Teen Charged With Attempted Murder of Officer After This Morning’s East Charlotte Shooting

A Charlotte teenager is now being charged with the attempted murder of a police officer after a violent encounter this morning in East Charlotte.

According to CMPD, the incident occurred at about 7:20 am this morning when police received a call about a car break-in at the Woodland Estates Apartment complex off Winged Elm court, just south of Albemarle Rd.

When officers arrived, they spotted who they believed to be the suspect of the break-in and a foot chase ensued. The suspect shot a firearm at the police while running away from them and hit one of the officers. The officer returned fire but did not hit the suspect.

The CMPD officer who was shot was taken to Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was apprehended and is now being charged with robbery and the attempted murder of a police officer.

CMPD Deputy Chief Coerte Voorhees gave a media interview this morning describing the incident in more detail:

Since the officer discharged his weapon, CMPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau is conducting an investigation, as is standard procedure. The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave.

Mecklenburg County Residents Among Top Earners in North Carolina

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Mecklenburg County Residents Among Top Earners in North Carolina

A recent analysis by financial technology company SmartAsset identifies the places in North Carolina where residents earn the most money. The study analyzes data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Five-Year American Community Survey to determine the counties with the highest earners. These rankings are a contributing factor in an overarching study on the places with the most purchasing power.

For a look at how the leading counties in North Carolina compared, check out the table below:

Rank County, State Cost of Living Median Income Median Income Index
1 Wake, NC $46,205 $80,591 48.92
2 Union, NC $46,688 $80,033 48.45
3 Orange, NC $43,784 $71,723 41.57
4 Currituck, NC $43,047 $69,964 40.12
5 Cabarrus, NC $40,999 $67,328 37.94
6 Chatham, NC $41,220 $67,031 37.69
7 Mecklenburg, NC $41,401 $66,641 37.37
8 Camden, NC $43,473 $64,572 35.65
9 Durham, NC $39,835 $60,958 32.66
10 Iredell, NC $39,490 $60,955 32.66

 

The full study results, methodology and interactive map can be found here: https://smartasset.com/mortgage/cost-of-living-calculator#northcarolina/median-income

The PGA Championship Is Returning to Charlotte For The Second Time in History

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The PGA Championship Is Returning to Charlotte For The Second Time in History

The PGA of America has announced that the legendary PGA Championship will be returning to Charlotte for the second time in history. One of the world’s 4 major golf tournaments will be returning to Quail Hollow Club once again in 2025, according to a press release from the PGA.

“We had an incredible Championship – for spectators and players alike – in 2017 at Quail Hollow Club, and we can’t wait to return in 2025,” commented Kerry Haigh, the PGA’s Chief Championships Officer. “It is a spectacular layout for a major championship that rewards quality play as well as providing strategic challenges that test the best players in the world.”

In 2017, the Quail Hollow Club joined Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (1936) and Tanglewood Golf Club of Winston-Salem (1974) as the only North Carolina venues to host a PGA Championship.

The 2025 PGA Championship at Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club will be played in the month of May, but exact dates for the tournament have not yet been determined.

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