WBTV Charlotte

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police temporarily restricted food vendors from operating in Uptown after midnight due to concerns about crime. Michael Smith, CEO of Charlotte City Partners, noted that this restriction has resulted in less late-night loitering and a drop in violent crime. Despite the ban, Smith stressed that street vendors are crucial for supporting small businesses and maintaining the vibrancy of Uptown.

A North Carolina man, John Benfield, was arrested after crashing into a college cycling team on August 19 in east Tennessee. The crash occurred near Carter County and resulted in the deaths of two students, Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers, and injured seven others. Benfield faces multiple charges including vehicular homicide by recklessness.

Unlicensed and hazardous construction work was identified at the SouthPark Swim and Tennis Club, prompting former members Stephanie and John Cristiano to raise safety concerns. The person responsible for the work, Daniel Pasola, received over $24,000 from the non-profit club while serving as a board member; he is not a licensed contractor or electrician. State investigators later determined that the unpermitted construction posed significant fire and life safety hazards.

The Charlotte region is expected to experience increasing humidity starting Thursday, leading to extreme heat where temperatures will feel like 100-103 degrees. Storm chances are high on both Thursday evening across the Piedmont overnight and more widely on Friday evening and overnight, with potential for damaging winds and localized flooding. Conditions are forecast to improve by Sunday as humidity drops and highs return near average.

A former Florida police officer, Cory Waiters, was arrested and fired after allegations of misusing law enforcement databases. Investigators allege Waiters improperly accessed both DAVID and Flock systems, searching the same license plate 358 times between May and October 2025. He now faces felony charges including offenses against users of computers and official misconduct.

A deadly crash involving a car and Milligan University cyclists occurred on State Route 37 in Hampton, Tennessee. Two sophomores were killed during the training ride, and multiple others were injured. An individual named John Benfield was arrested and faces charges including vehicle homicide by recklessness.

Local transportation leaders in Charlotte are facing intense pressure over the proposed I-77 toll lane project, forced by a state budget provision that imposes a potential $60 million penalty if they withdraw support. Board members argue they need at least nine months for adequate evaluation, but the deadline has been set for early October. This financial duress has prompted some communities to reverse their votes in support of the project while opposition remains strong.

The Charlotte region anticipates a hot and muggy Thursday with possible afternoon thunderstorms. Friday is forecast to be the wettest day of the week, carrying risks of excessive rainfall and localized flooding across areas east of Charlotte. However, conditions are expected to improve significantly by Sunday, bringing sunshine and lower humidity following a passing cold front.

Three men were accused of killing 26-year-old Angelo Markantonakis on Christmas Eve 2024 in Kannapolis, N.C. Over a year and a half later, charges were filed against the suspects, including Justin Javan Roberts who was arrested in Charlotte. Two other men, Deonandre Isaiah Potts and Antonio Martez Woodward, are awaiting extradition from California to face first-degree murder charges.

The man accused of breaking into Greg Biffle’s house was identified as Terrell Williams, according to Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell. The sheriff stated that investigators tracked Williams to the home using methods including digital footprints and cell phone triangulation. Campbell also revealed that Williams had a prior arrest in Cobb County, GA, connected to a highly publicized homicide.

Hurricane Lala passed through Hawaii, causing significant devastation in Nāʻālehu on Hawaii Island, where debris and water unearthed headstones, caskets, and remains at a local cemetery. The area is now impassable due to mud, requiring community efforts for aid distribution and attempting to locate buried loved ones. Residents are struggling with profound grief while receiving support from donations of food, water, and propane.

Humidity levels dropped slightly in the Carolinas, making the heat more tolerable for a couple of days. Hot and muggy conditions are expected Wednesday through Thursday, but storm chances increase significantly Friday into the weekend, with localized flooding possible under heavy downpours. Drier conditions from both rain chances and humidity are forecast to return Sunday through Tuesday.

A mother was arrested after her 6-year-old was found with a loaded gun on a school bus in South Carolina. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department took custody of the AR pistol and charged the mother, Destar Hall, with unlawful conduct towards a child.

First Alerts have been issued for Friday and Saturday due to a strong cold front moving into the Carolinas region, bringing a significant threat of severe thunderstorms. The main concerns are damaging wind gusts and heavy rain that could cause isolated flooding in poor-drainage areas. Conditions improve through Tuesday as drier air moves in behind the system.

High-traffic areas in east Charlotte achieved a historic safety milestone in July, going the entire month without pedestrian or bicyclist fatalities. City officials credit this success to recent investments like improved crosswalks and intersections. The City of Charlotte plans maintaining this approach with further upgrades, including a $65 million initiative for Shamrock Drive and Eastway Drive.

A school bus carrying 42 students from Clark Middle School and Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School crashed into a vacant mobile home in Orangeburg County, S.C., after the driver ran off Shillings Bridge Road while attempting a left turn. Although no serious injuries were reported, the bus driver and 18 students were taken to a hospital for evaluation. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the incident.

North Carolina confirmed over 920 total cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the parasite cyclospora. The state reported that the increase in cases was linked to foods including parsley, cilantro, and lettuce, not to a specific fast-food chain. Health officials stated they are working with local partners to identify the cause of the rise.

Nearly two dozen dogs were rescued from an abandoned home in Charlotte, N.C., following a concern about possible animal abuse. Melissa Knicely of Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control led the rescue operation, which also uncovered deceased and underweight animals. Now, some of the 23 rescued dogs are available for adoption as the case remains under investigation.

Drone footage captured hundreds to thousands of sharks swarming off the North Carolina coast near Masonboro Island, with Adam Pflum taking the video which also included a manta ray or stingray. The article notes that weeks earlier, a 14-foot hammerhead shark washed up at Carolina Beach, where researchers observed signs of fishing activity.

A heat advisory was issued for several Charlotte-area counties due to sizzling conditions. Weather officials warned that extreme heat and high humidity could cause heat-related illnesses, with heat index values possibly reaching 105 degrees. Residents are urged by WBTV meteorologists to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks in air conditioning.