Arrests made at uptown July Fourth fireworks display + Carowinds’ probe into coaster closure expands

Andrew Nantais
·2 min read
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Hey, everyone! Drew here. Happy Hump Day!

Hope you all enjoyed the Fourth of July! Did you catch any fireworks or hit the beach over the holiday?

On to your news.

1. Chaos near uptown Charlotte’s Fourth of July fireworks show. Arrest made, guns seized.

Police made numerous arrests and seized four firearms when mayhem broke out in a crowd watching the nearby Charlotte Knights’ 4th of July fireworks show in uptown Charlotte.
Police made numerous arrests and seized four firearms when mayhem broke out in a crowd watching the nearby Charlotte Knights’ 4th of July fireworks show in uptown Charlotte.

Mayhem erupted in an otherwise peaceful crowd of tens of thousands enjoying the fireworks display in uptown Charlotte last night.

Police arrested 17 juveniles and seized four firearms after several fights broke out.

Joe Marusak has more from last night.

2. Family & Friends remember Charlotte teenager and standout athlete who drowned in Lake Norman

16-year-old Keith Austin was a student-athlete and honor roll student at South Mecklenburg High School.
16-year-old Keith Austin was a student-athlete and honor roll student at South Mecklenburg High School.

Family, friends and teammates are remembering 16-year-old Keith Austin who drowned in Lake Norman on Saturday.

“Just a genuine kid, athlete, student,” Austin’s football coach at South Mecklenburg High School Rick Norvell told The Observer. “He was inviting to everybody, super smart and that work ethic. I mean, kid would just head down and work.”

Chyna Blackmon shares more on Austin’s death.

3. Swiss builder of Fury 325 coaster arrives at Carowinds as cracked pillar probe expands

The Fury 325 roller coaster at Carowinds was examined Monday after a cracked pillar was discovered by a park visitor that shifted as cart full of riders passed.
The Fury 325 roller coaster at Carowinds was examined Monday after a cracked pillar was discovered by a park visitor that shifted as cart full of riders passed.

The investigation and repair of a fractured support column on Fury 325 at Carowinds expanded today.

Bolliger & Mabillard Consulting Engineers Inc., the company that designed and built the ride, said one of its representatives arrived at the park as part of the inspection process.

Catherine Muccigrosso reports on the latest surrounding Carowinds’ coaster closure.

4. Floods forced NC families to move. Kannapolis wants to stop people from living there again

About 30 people were evacuated on Tiffany Avenue in Kannapolis on Tuesday afternoon, city spokeswoman Annette Privette Keller said.
About 30 people were evacuated on Tiffany Avenue in Kannapolis on Tuesday afternoon, city spokeswoman Annette Privette Keller said.

A Kannapolis neighborhood may never be the same after experiencing damaging floods on June 20.

About 30 residents were forced to evacuate. Now, the city of Kannapolis wants to permanently vacate the land.

Terry Benjamin explains why.

5. Some more stories to read

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Drew Nantais is a Senior Growth & Engagement Producer for the Charlotte Observer.
Drew Nantais is a Senior Growth & Engagement Producer for the Charlotte Observer.