Carlos Hernandez

The high-stakes world of collegiate basketball ignites with passion and intensity as the Jumpman Invitational returns to Charlotte's Spectrum Center for its third thrilling installment. Esteemed programs with Jordan Brand heritage face off in a spectacle that has quickly become a tradition. The University of North Carolina's women's team, ranked No. 19, prepares to take on the Florida Gators, with both teams bringing their A-game to the court in what is expected to be a quintessential display of basketball prowess, according to QC News.

A somber event took place in Watauga County yesterday evening, resulting in the death of a man after a collision with a pickup truck. The incident occurred around 6:15 p.m. along Highway 321 near Frank Hodges Drive. According to a report by WBTV, the man was identified as 39-year-old Tyler McClure Vance, who tragically died at the scene.

Carowinds, the beloved amusement park, has made a significant announcement regarding the retirement of three of its rides. The park officially announced on its blog that Nighthawk, Scream Weaver, and Drop Tower will be making their final bows. The statement left visitors with a sense of nostalgia as they prepare to say farewell to these attractions. The park hinted at the retirements as part of a broader initiative to enhance visitors' experiences, including the promise of a "record-breaking" water ride set to debut in 2026, as reported by WCNC.

For those residing in or near the beach communities of Englewood and Don Pedro/Knight Islands, be aware that the local sand drop-off sites have announced a change of schedule due to the upcoming holiday season. The sites typically function to accommodate the communities' needs for sand, essential for coastal resilience and mitigation projects.

In Western North Carolina, a Catawba man was sentenced to a decade behind bars for his role in trafficking narcotics, specifically fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to a statement by Dena J. King, the U.S. Attorney for the district. Antoine Durel Reid, 39, received a 10-year prison term which will be followed by five years of supervised release. The conviction ties back to a series of events chronicling Reid's involvement in drug activities that culminated in his arrest and subsequent guilty plea.

A school bus carrying students from Albemarle Road Middle School in Charlotte was struck by gunfire on Monday, a chaotic scene caught on the bus's on-board camera. The footage, released by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, illustrates the alarming moment when the vehicle was hit by rounds while driving down the road, prompting students to duck for cover. The students were not harmed by gunfire but two individuals suffered cuts from shattered glass, QC News reported.

Concord residents should take note of the upcoming holiday closures and changes to city services as Christmas and New Year festivities are upon us. According to an announcement on the City of Concord's official website, government offices will be closed from next Tuesday to Thursday for Christmas, and on January 1st, 2025, for New Year's Day. During these times, several city services will operate on modified schedules.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is calling on residents to add their voices to the shaping of their community's future. With the growing diversity of Union County in recent years, the need for a comprehensive Rural Land Use Plan has become apparent, one that fairly balances the varied interests of the area. The plan aims to mediate between the preservation of the county's rural character and the demands of development, addressing essential needs from schools and parks to healthcare facilities and businesses.

Amid the bustle of holiday shoppers hunting for last-minute gifts, two distinct crimes have reminded us of a less merry aspect of the season—criminal exploitation. York County has found itself in the national spotlight following a sophisticated scam operation, while a more light-fingered larceny has toy lovers in Gastonia raising eyebrows.

A 50-year-old woman has been apprehended in Union County following allegations of financial exploitation involving senior citizens. Hattie Sturdivant faces serious charges after reportedly befriending and then draining over $200,000 from an elder's bank accounts, disclosed by WBTV. The victim, a resident of an Indian Trail area assisted living facility, was allegedly manipulated by Sturdivant who was employed at the time in a different facility in Mecklenburg County.