Power, Prestige, and the Pulse of Charlotte: Who’s Making Headlines Today?
It’s a day of gravity and movement in the Queen City. Drew Owens finds himself in custody after allegedly threatening schools in a case that will test the city’s resolve. Meanwhile, Phil Berger and Destin Hall step into Charlotte’s political theater to discuss funding priorities. Over in Ballantyne, restaurant luminaries like Chef Richard Cranmer of Zinicola continue to elevate the local dining scene, while Summit Coffee keeps the caffeine flowing. And somewhere between the past and the present, veterans like Glenn Proctor ensure that history isn’t just remembered—it’s honored.
From transit shifts to leadership summits, from crime reports to cultural coffeehouses, today’s news delivers a mix of high stakes and everyday moments. Here’s what’s happening in Ballantyne and beyond.
🚨 Breaking News & Public Safety
A Threat Too Close to Home: Charlotte Man Arrested for School Shooting Threats
Charlotte woke up to disturbing news as authorities took Drew Owens, 31, into custody for allegedly sending mass shooting threats to five Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, including Garinger High, Ardrey Kell High, Community House Middle, Hawk Ridge Elementary, and West Charlotte High—where his own father works as an ROTC instructor.
The threats, some of which included explicit racial violence, sent a ripple of fear through the community. Owens’ father revealed that his son had struggled since being kicked out of the house for drug-related issues in 2021. Law enforcement is investigating whether mental health or substance abuse played a role.
🚍 City & Transit
Charlotte’s Microtransit Experiment: Is It the Future?
A new microtransit service has rolled onto Charlotte streets today, aiming to replace certain buses along I-77 from Davidson to Northlake Mall. Think of it as Uber meets public transit: on-demand minivans, $2.20 a ride—but with strict limitations.
📌 Rules of the Road:
- Parents with young children? Bring your own booster seat.
- Shopping enthusiasts? Keep your bags compact.
- Feeling spontaneous? Not so fast—rides are confined to a specific zone.
Service runs until 7 p.m. daily and is bookable via the CATS app. Will this be the next great transit solution, or another bureaucratic misfire?
Council Eyes $93M Rail Plan
🚆 Charlotte’s Red Line dream inches closer to reality. At tonight’s City Council meeting, members will debate a $93 million plan to buy 22 miles of the O-Line Rail Corridor—a necessary step toward launching the long-awaited Red Line Commuter Rail connecting northern Mecklenburg County to Uptown.
But the conversation doesn’t stop at trains. Council members are also expected to appoint five new members to the Public Transit Advisory Committee, shaping the city’s transportation policies for years to come.
⚖ Politics & Power Moves
Phil Berger & Destin Hall Touch Down in Charlotte
North Carolina’s political heavyweights Phil Berger (Senate Leader) and Destin Hall (House Speaker) will address the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance today at 2 p.m. in Uptown.
🔥 Hot Topic: Charlotte is pushing hard for a one-cent sales tax referendum to fund roads and transit. Will the state legislature play ball, or will city leaders be left scrambling for alternatives?
🌉 Community & Heritage
Hickory’s Riverwalk Bridge: Back and Better
After a turbulent Hurricane Helene season left it damaged and out of commission, the Riverwalk Bridge over Lake Hickory is officially open again. Pedestrians and cyclists can once more take in the sweeping views of the Catawba River, reconnecting to nearby trails and parks.
Honoring the Past: Montfort Point Marines Visit Local School
History came to life at Tuckasegee Elementary as Montfort Point Marine veterans met with students to share their story—the first Black Marines to serve in the U.S. military, trained in segregation from 1942-1949.
🔥 Key Voice: Glenn Proctor, a Marine veteran, says their story is too often overlooked: “Our job is to continue to spread the awareness and make sure that our forefathers, our brethren, our history is not forgotten.”
Meanwhile, across the state line, the descendants of both enslaved and enslavers gathered at Brattonsville to honor 481 African-descended individuals buried on a former plantation site. A $40,000 grant has helped preserve and study this sacred ground.
⚽ Sports & Culture
Charlotte FC Battles the Rain, Draws 2-2 Against Seattle
It was a soggy yet spirited start for Charlotte FC in their 2025 MLS season opener, ending in a 2-2 draw against Seattle Sounders. The squad now turns its sights to Saturday’s home opener against Atlanta United.
🍖 Food, Drink & Local Business
Catawba Nation’s Wild Venison Giveaway
Here’s a plot twist: a deer problem in Tega Cay has led to free venison for Catawba Nation households. After sterilizing 200 deer and culling another 80 to control overpopulation, city officials have donated the meat to the community’s food program.
💡 Program Perks:
- Households receive monthly food allotments, but the venison is a free bonus.
- The initiative supports local food security and reduces waste.
The Middle Eastern Coffee Boom in Charlotte
From cardamom-spiced Yemeni coffee to Turkish brews, Charlotte’s coffee scene is shifting.
📍 Hot Spots:
- Kawa House (Plaza Midwood) – Cozy, late-night vibe.
- Haraz Coffee House – The first Yemeni café in Charlotte (opened in 2023).
- Vavella Coffee (University City) – Turkish coffee and pastries.
- Amoka (opening soon in NoDa).
This is more than caffeine—it’s cultural storytelling in a cup.
🎟 Upcoming Event: Live2Lead Ballantyne – March 7
💡 Leadership isn’t a title—it’s action. That’s the message behind Live2Lead Ballantyne, a high-impact summit featuring:
- Dr. John C. Maxwell – Global leadership guru.
- Jon Gordon – Best-selling author on teamwork and resilience.
- Michael Jr. – Comedian with a message.
- Valorie Burton – Positive psychology expert.
📍 AC Hotel Ballantyne | 📅 March 7, 2025
🎟 Strolling Ballantyne members get exclusive discounts! Register here: Live2Lead Ballantyne
🍝 Sponsor Spotlight: Zinicola – Handmade Italian, Done Right
Ballantyne’s Zinicola, helmed by Chef Richard Cranmer, brings authentic Italian cuisine to the neighborhood.
📍 14835 Ballantyne Village Way, Suite 140
📞 (980) 299-2979
🌐 zinicolaitalian.com
🍷 Read our review: A Family Legacy of Authentic Italian Dining
☕ Closing Thought from Jack Beckett, Senior Writer
Brought to you by Summit Coffee’s Basecamp Blend—fueling Strolling Ballantyne’s caffeine-fueled coverage, one over-poured espresso at a time. Get yours at Summit Coffee.
🚶♂️ Stroll With Us | #WeAreBallantyne
📩 Contact Strolling Ballantyne
