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Re-released to celebrate their 25th anniversary, the extended versions of these movies are being screened until Thursday, Jan. 29.
Each of the movies — The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002), and The Return of the King (2003) — all have additional scenes that were cut when they were first released a quarter-century ago. At a total run time of 11 hours and 25 minutes, moviegoers are in for a long but rewarding theater experience.
But whether a longtime fan or newbie, seeing the LOTR trilogy — as dubbed by fans — on a big screen with Dolby Atmos sound is, almost literally, magical. The journey to Mordor feels even longer and more dangerous, the world of Middle-earth feels richer, and Legolas feels even cooler.
It is how every viewer should experience director Jackson’s version of author J.R.R. Tolkien’s world at some point.
Sets like Hobbiton and Rivendell (a home for some elves) are breathtaking, the makeup and prosthetics of the orcs still terrifying, and the costumes ethereal and otherworldly.
J.R.R. Tolkien wrote The Lord of the Rings. The News & Observer
The battle at Helm’s Deep was not only impressive for its use of practical effects and forced perspective, but because viewers could actually see the scene filmed at night, in the rain. Legolas riding a shield down castle steps as he’s firing arrows at orcs couldn’t be clearer — something that feels increasingly rare 25 years later.
Sure, some of the CGI is dated and a bit noticeable at times, like when Merry and Pippin are riding on Treebeard’s shoulders, but it’s easily forgiven when the rest of the movie visuals easily suck you in.
And it’s easy to forget that clunky CGI when the story continues to pay off in major ways. Like when that same duo finally convinces Treebeard and the other Ents to join the battle at Isengard, after seeing their tree friends were cut and burned down by villain Saruman and the orcs.
Frodo Baggins a360
But even if you don’t know what any of those words mean, you’ll still enjoy the movie, especially with the additional scenes that add even more depth and flavor.
I saw the movies at a south Charlotte AMC, but they’re also being shown at other Charlotte region theaters as well. Tickets can be purchased on the Fathom Entertainment website.
Extra scenes add depth
The extended versions of these movies make going back to the theatrical cuts difficult. That is not to say the theatrical versions are bad, but given the density of Tolkien’s work and Jackson’s movies, the additions give the story and many characters room to breathe.
Some additional scenes are short, but add levity and color to the movies, like Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee using elven rope, gifted by Galadriel, to rappel down a mountain in Two Towers.
Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and Frodo (Elijah Wood) in The Fellowship of the Ring. Wichita Eagle courtesy photo
It may not move the plot forward or feel necessary, but for a few seconds the audience had a good laugh when Sam, who thought he’d have to abandon the rope because of his superior knot skills, pulled it down with a light tug.
Orlando Bloom played Legolas in Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, which is now in theaters again with extended scenes. PIERRE VINET/NEW LINE PROD VNU
Other new scenes are longer and not only help build out author J.R.R. Tolkien’s world, but connect plot points to future story beats.
A more memorable extended scene occurs in Fellowship, when Frodo and Sam are in a forest, watching wood elves make the journey to the Undying Lands. It’s a moving scene, accompanied by a beautiful score that eventually makes the end of Frodo’s journey in Return of the King more rewarding and bittersweet.
And some characters, like Éomer, the nephew of King Théoden, benefitted from the extra footage showing him discovering his cousin, Théodred, wounded. Éomer’s exile from Rohan and eventual return during the battle of Helm’s Deep in Two Towers felt more emotional and triumphant.
Jackson’s commentary
But before the movies began, director Jackson gave some commentary, reflecting on the success of the movies, as well as sharing memorable behind-the-scenes moments.
While the movies were in production, Viggo Mortensen, who plays Aragorn, came to the set with a swollen, black eye from a surfing accident, Jackson said. Because of the injury, shots of Mortensen battling in the Mines of Moria in Fellowship of the Ring are from the side of his face.
Jackson said during this commentary that he was shocked that people would pay money to see the movies again in theaters. But he said he spoke to someone who said he was too young to see them in theaters when they came out, and who had only watched the DVDs and Blu-rays. The re-release was his first time he’d be able to see them on a big screen.
Peter Jackson, who won best director for “Lord of The Rings: The Return of The King,” poses for photographers in the press room at the 76th Annual Academy Awards on February 29, 2004. STAFF KRT
That enthusiasm poured over into the theater’s audience. People of all ages packed the seats, some dressed up, chatting before Howard Shore’s score sucked viewers into Middle Earth. Many shared their favorite characters or moments, or when and where they first dove into Tolkien’s work.
Despite movie-watching typically being an individual experience, the audience seemed connected for this trilogy. It felt reminiscent of something Frodo said to Sam in Return of the King:
“I’m glad you are with me, here at the end of all things.”
This story was originally published January 23, 2026 at 9:40 AM.
Jeff A. Chamer is a breaking news reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He’s lived a few places, but mainly in Michigan where he grew up. Before joining the Observer, Jeff covered K-12 and higher education at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette in Massachusetts.
As North Carolina begins preparing for a winter storm this weekend, Gov. Josh Stein said impacts from snow and ice could last for days. He said people should prepare for power outages that could last for days.
Much of North Carolina could see ice accumulation of a quarter inch or more, which could cause power outages and make travel treacherous.
“Our greatest concerns remain for travel and power outages that could last for days,” the governor said.
The governor said people should stay off the roads starting Saturday evening. Icy roads could last for days with cold temperatures in the forcast well into next week, he said.
Earlier this week, crews with the state Department of Transportation began treating the roads with brine and removing abandoned vehicles from the side of roadways in preparation for icy conditions.
Officials say high-rise vehicles have been prepped and are ready to be deployed for any rescue efforts, the forest service is prepared to remove any downed trees and aviation units from the State Highway Patrol and N.C. National Guard are ready to be deployed if necessary.
Equipment is also being prestaged, Daniel Johnson, the state’s transportation secretary said, in areas that are known trouble spots for rapid response.
Duke Energy is also bringing in crews from across the country to respond as quickly as possible to any outages that may occur, Stein said. At this time, the governor said there is no estimate as to how many people may lose power across the state, but everything that can be done is being done to ensure it is restored as quickly as possible to those impacted.
As of Friday morning, forecasters were predicting anywhere from a quarter of an inch to just under an inch could form on surfaces between 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday.
National Weather Service map
Estimated ice accumulations continue to edge up as the Charlotte area braces for two days of snow, sleet and freezing rain, according to the National Weather Service.
As of Friday morning, forecasters are predicting anywhere from a quarter of an inch to three-quarters of an inch of ice could form on surfaces between 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday.
Snow is far less likely, with an inch or less expected in the region.
The arrival time of the storm also continues to change, with projections now calling for sleet to start late in the afternoon on Saturday, forecasters say.
Mostly snow is expected north of Interstate 40 and mostly freezing rain is expected to the south.
“This is subject to change as we get closer to the event due to the transition line between snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain,” the National Weather Service says.
“The biggest concern is the ice threat as the current forecast supports a crippling ice storm for a good portion of the area. Ice covered roadways will become treacherous and impassable. Widespread power outages are likely due to the weight of the ice on tree limbs and power lines. The outages could last for days in some areas. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning commute.”
Extended power outages in subfreezing temperatures could result from the storm if power lines are impacted ice, AccuWeather meteorologists report. AccuWeather map
Sleet is expected to arrive in the Charlotte area around 5 p.m. Saturday, with wind gusts of around 23 mph. It will transition to a mix of sleet and freezing rain around 8 p.m. and “sleet could be heavy at times,” forecasters say. The low will be around 20.
On Sunday, there is a 100% chance of freezing rain and sleet that will continue through the night. Temperatures will again fall to around 20 degrees, forecasters say.
A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for both Carolinas and Gov. Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency for North Carolina.
“We urge people to get prepared now for what’s shaping up to be a very cold period for our state,” N.C. Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson said in a news release.
“Please don’t try to drive once the storm hits unless it is necessary. Please protect yourselves, your families and everyone responding to this storm by being patient and playing it safe.”
Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.
GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A group of volunteers is filling the gaps to help keep pets safe during the winter storm.
What You Need To Know
AJ’s Landscaping and the Animal League of Gaston County have been building outdoor pet houses for those in need since 2018
The group partners with the Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement
The initiative aims to keep pets safe during extreme temperatures, including the upcoming winter storm
Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement recommends people to bring dogs inside, if not they say outdoor shelter is essential
Melissa Lawing of AJ’s Landscaping and the Animal League of Gaston County are behind this effort that builds outdoor pet houses and offers straw for pets in need in the community.
Since its inception, Lawing said the group has built almost 800 outdoor pet houses.
This effort is in partnership with the Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement.
Capt. Kyle Yancey said he advises dog owners to bring their dogs inside, whether it’s a garage, home or a storage building during the storm. If that’s not possible, he said outdoor shelter is essential.
“We always encourage them to have some type of structure with four walls and a roof and preferably off the ground, so that they can have some insulation. So a lot of times the straw can be underneath the house. That helps insulate it. That can be straw inside the house,” Yancey said.
Volunteer Amanda Fifield spent part of her Friday helping build outdoor houses for pets ahead of the storm.
“My biggest concern is they’re not going to have enough shelter, and they’re not going to have any heat, and they’re going to freeze to death,” Fifield said.
Fifield said their effort has had an impact in the community.
“I think it’s making a difference for sure, because the dogs have a place to go,” Fifield said.
She recalls seeing the reaction of dogs when she has delivered dog houses and straw with Lawing before.
“To see the dogs as soon as they see the dog house or the straw, they just go right in after we get it all settled in, with all the straw and everything. They just go right in, and they’ll sit. Some get really excited, and they’ll jump around and jump in, jump out. You can tell it’s really loved,” Fifield said.
Kenneth White has noticed the difference firsthand. While he plans to bring his dogs inside of the house during the storm, he’s grateful for the outdoor dog houses and fence the group built for his pets.
“They have more room to play? They’re a whole lot more calm than they were before. It’s been a really big help,” White said.
On Friday people were also stopping by AJ’s Landscaping to pick up free straw, including Teresa Christopher. She said she was picking it up for someone else’s dog houses.
“If you cannot bring them inside. It is very vital to have it, to try to keep them warm,” Christopher said.
Fifield, who fosters dogs with medical needs, has witnessed the need for outdoor dog houses this week.
“The dog that I picked up the other day, he was an outside dog. He’s only five months old, and he was going to weather the storm outside all by himself. It just breaks my heart,” Fifield said.
The dog will now stay warm inside during the storm with three other foster dogs and her six dogs.
She plans to continue giving back by helping dogs who need an extra helping hand.
“I just want to do what I can to help out the dogs,” Fifield said.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A local business is sharing surveillance video to try to keep other people safe.
In the clip, you can see a man with a mask walk into Plumped med spa in the middle of the day in December and walk past the employees and customers at the front desk. He heads straight to the product area. We are told he grabbed about a thousand dollars worth of skin care items, shoved them down his pants, and then left. You can see in the video an employee try to stop him.
The business owner called CMPD and filed a report. If you know the guy, call police.
Indian students were threatened because of their race in 2024 at a NoDa pizza shop.
Google Maps
Eight Indian graduate students gathered inside Zambies pizzeria at the tail end of a night in NoDa when a man demanded they speak English and told them to “go back to their country” before brandishing an AR-15, according to federal court documents.
That man, 32-year-old Maurice Hopkins, was sentenced to more than three years in prison in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina on Thursday afternoon. Federal prosecutors found that he targeted the people, who had student visas, because of their race, color, religion and national origin. Hopkins first said the group didn’t belong here, threatened to punch them and then threatened to kill them.
The students’ lives forever changed that day, prosecutors said. All but one returned to India, saying they didn’t feel safe in Charlotte. Most never left campus again. They all declined to continue to be involved in the case because they feared the defendant, prosecutors said.
Hopkins was originally charged with interfering with federally protected activities, interfering with federally protected housing rights and having a firearm during the incident. In a plea deal, prosecutors with U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson’s Office dropped the last two charges.
Prosecutors asked U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn to sentence Hopkins to 48 months. Hopkins’ federal public defender asked for 36 months. She told Cogburn that Hopkins was in a mental health crisis and had “wholly adopted … vitriol being repeated by [President Donald] Trump or whoever” at the time of the June 8, 2024, incident.
He has since gotten mental health treatment and has transformed into a new man, she said.
Hopkins, speaking to Cogburn, said he took courses on anger management and anti-discrimination law while in jail and read the Bible and “The Art of Happiness” by the Dalai Lama. He compared his impending time in prison to the half-time of a football game, saying he wants to come out with a new game plan for his life.
Cogburn added three years of supervision to his sentence and ordered that he continue mental health treatment during that time.
This story was originally published January 22, 2026 at 3:57 PM.
Julia Coin covers courts, legal issues, police and public safety around Charlotte and is part of the Pulitzer-finalist team that covered Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina. As the Observer’s breaking news reporter, she unveiled how fentanyl infiltrated local schools. Michigan-born and Florida-raised, she studied journalism at the University of Florida, where she covered statewide legislation, sexual assault on campus and Hurricane Ian in her hometown of Sanibel Island. Support my work with a digital subscription
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Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is shown here at its recent opening in Columbus, Georgia. A new Rock Hill restaurant will open in February.
Mike Haskey
mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com
Raising Cane’s will open next month in Rock Hill, marking the chicken finger company’s first location in the Charlotte region. Hiring for more than 150 positions is about to begin.
The new restaurant at 520 John Ross Parkway will open Feb. 24. That’s the former Bob Evans spot on Dave Lyle Boulevard, just off Interstate 77. The new spot is part of the shopping center in front of the Regal Manchester movie theater.
Raising Cane’s offers cooked-to-order chicken fingers and house-made sauce, along with chicken sandwiches, fries, Texas toast and coleslaw. They offer individual combos and tailgate options, up to 100 fingers.
With the Rock Hill opening, Raising Cane’s will give 20 customers free food for a year. The Lucky 20 promotion is a raffle-style drawing that takes place when new stores open. They happen in front of the store just prior to opening, on opening day. There’s no purchase necessary to win.
The Louisiana-based restaurant began in 1996, and soon will surpass 1,000 locations. It is in more than 40 states.
Charlotte’s favorite dive bar is expanding — again.
Small Bar will open a third location at Joinery in Optimist Park, though an official opening date wasn’t made public, according to a news release sent to CharlotteFive.
It’s set to join more than a dozen other retailers — including Sharigato, Roz Cafe and Beauty Embrace brow studio — at the mixed-used apartment community, real estate developer Space Craft said in the release.
“Small Bar NoDa will serve as a lively third place for residents and neighbors and marks the brand’s third Charlotte location,” the company said.
The bar has existing spots in South End and the AvidXchange Music Factory. There’s one just across the border in Fort Mill, South Carolina, too.
A neighborhood dive bar will join more than a dozen retailers at the Joinery in Charlotte’s Optimist Park neighborhood. Kelsey Mard Photography NiceDay
Customers can expect lunch and dinner offerings alongside craft cocktails and cold beers. There will be plenty of games, karaoke and live DJ sets, too.
Additional information wasn’t immediately available. CharlotteFive has reached out to Small Bar and is awaiting a response.
Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.
Grab your morning coffee or enjoy a drink with friends at a new bar concept coming soon to Charlotte.
Plot Twist, an all-day coffee and cocktail bar, will set up shop near Trope Bookshop and Wiloe Home & Gift in Plaza Midwood, according to a news release sent to CharlotteFive.
The bar is slated to open in April 2026, though an official date hasn’t been announced.
“We’re flipping the script on everything you thought a coffee shop or a bar could be,” founder Nikki Velazquez wrote on Instagram.
Nikki Velazquez and her fiancé, Eric Flanigan, are opening Plot Twist, an all-day coffee and cocktail bar in Plaza Midwood. Courtesy of NiceDay
Velazquez, a seasoned hospitality professional, will run Plot Twist alongside her fiancé and business partner, Eric Flanigan, according to the release. She’s had a hand in launching concepts including Charlotte Beer Garden and, more recently, Tipsy Pickle.
Plot Twist marks her latest venture and first owner-operated concept.
Once an old auto shop, the space will be transformed into “a flexible third space that works just as well for daytime coffee and remote working as it does for casual evenings with friends,” the release said. Beyond morning brews, customers can sip on cocktails, mocktails, seltzers and THC drinks.
Housed in a former auto shop, Plot Twist can seat up to 50 people inside and 30 on the outdoor patio. NiceDay
Customers can look forward to beverages made with house-made syrups, seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients. Light bites including nuts and chips will also be available.
The 1,627-square-foot bar can seat up to 50 people, plus an additional 30 on the outdoor patio.
Plot Twist, a woman-owned coffee and cocktail bar, is opening soon in Plaza Midwood. This rendering shows off the expected style of the bar. Chastaine & Company, courtesy of NiceDay.=
Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.
Preparations are underway across North Carolina for a winter storm that is expected to bring snow, sleet, and accumulating freezing rain to most of the state this weekend, creating hazardous conditions that could last for several days.
After issuing a state of emergency declaration Wednesday, Gov. Josh Stein and other state officials spoke Thursday morning about what is being done to ensure impacts are as minimal as possible. Stein said the storm is expected to be “a massive disruption to people’s lives.”
“A winter storm is approaching, and now is the time to prepare,” Stein said. “Please get ready. Get everything you need in advance of the storm and have a plan in case your power goes out. I encourage all North Carolinians to stay home and off the roads this weekend unless absolutely necessary so first responders can do their jobs safely and effectively.”
Officials say the state has already activated its Emergency Response Team, and crews with the Department of Transportation are hitting roadways to pre-treat with brine, restocking salt supplies and making sure equipment is ready for whatever issues the storm may bring. Crews are also in the process of removing any abandoned or disabled vehicles from the sides of roadways, Stein said Thursday.
“From the mountains to the coast, our crews are already out brining roads and bridges ahead of the winter storm,” said Daniel Johnson, the state’s transportation secretary. “We’re asking everyone to do their part to prepare now and avoid travel once the storm hits so crews can safely clear the roads.”
Officials say high-rise vehicles have been prepped and are ready to be deployed for any rescue efforts, the forest service is prepared to remove any downed trees and aviation units from the State Highway Patrol and N.C. National Guard are ready to be deployed if necessary.
Equipment is also being prestaged, Johnson said, in areas that are known trouble spots for rapid response.
Duke Energy is also bringing in crews from across the country to respond as quickly as possible to any outages that may occur, Stein said. At this time, the governor said there is no estimate as to how many people may lose power across the state, but everything that can be done is being done to ensure it is restored as quickly as possible to those impacted.
In this file photo, Max and Kate Gaskins. with their three-month-old daughter Lana, fill a cooler with perishables after their Raleigh street lost power on Feb. 26, 2015, after a winter storm dumped several inches of snow in the Triangle causing power outages and downed trees in some neighborhoods.
Travis Long
tlong@newsobserver.com
Winter storms, particularly when ice is in the forecast, can lead to widespread power outages, which could leave homes dark and cold for days. With snow and ice likely across the state this weekend, many may wonder if a generator should be on their emergency supply list.
Here’s what to know if you’re weighing your options or considering purchasing a generator.
When to buy a generator
If you believe you could benefit from a backup generator, don’t wait. The closer we get to weather emergencies like ice storms or hurricanes, the lower the inventory at home improvement stores.
Whole-house vs portable generators
Whole-house generators: Can you and your family survive for up to two weeks without electricity?
If someone in your household relies on electrically powered medical equipment to survive — electric wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators, refrigeration for diabetes drugs — it’s worth looking into purchasing a whole-house generator that can run several appliances for relatively long periods.
Pricing factors include your home’s square footage, whether the generator will run off natural gas, liquid propane, diesel or solar, and other features such as whether the device comes on automatically or has to be turned on by hand.
Besides the cost of the generator, you’ll need to budget for professional installation, annual maintenance and fuel costs to ensure it works when you need it.
Total cost: Purchase and installation can run from around $4,000 to more than $20,000.
Portable generators: For nearly everyone else, deciding whether to get a generator and how big it needs to be requires an honest evaluation of your tolerance for discomfort, inconvenience and boredom.
If you don’t meet the need threshold for a whole-house generator but want back-up power beyond what’s available from running your car or charging a few devices with a handheld power bank, a portable generator is the solution.
Portable generators range in price from several hundred dollars to more than $10,000, depending on how many devices they can run simultaneously, whether they have inverters (best for use with sensitive electronics), how long they can go on a tank of fuel, what kind of fuel they use, whether they start with a switch or a recoil rope, and how much noise and pollution they emit.
Remember that generators are small internal combustion engines and must be properly maintained to run reliably. Even if you bought one last year before a hurricane and never used it, have it checked out before another storm looms.
Using a generator safely
Place the generator at least 20 feet away from the house, preferably under a shelter or shed, with the exhaust venting away from the home to prevent carbon monoxide from entering the house.
Never operate a generator inside the home or in an attached garage. Carbon monoxide kills.
Plug devices directly into the generator or use heavy-duty outdoor-approved extension cords to prevent overheating and fire.
Never refuel a generator while it’s running.
Which generator do you need?
Tools-and-equipment retailer Harbor Freight has a handy online questionnaire to help shoppers decide what type of generator to buy. It begins with how the machine will be used: for back-up or emergency power; recreational vehicles; outdoor recreation; or on the job.
From there, shoppers click through to determine whether they need low (under 3,000 watts), medium (from 3,000 to 8,000 watts) or high (more than 8,000 watts) of power.
A generator that’s too small can be overloaded and will either shut off automatically or overheat, potentially damaging the generator or the devices it was trying to charge. A generator that’s too big will cost more to buy and operate than needed.
Electricians advise that you list every appliance or device you want to operate off the generator, then get the wattage from the device or off the internet. Honda Power Equipment has a wattage estimator on its website but says to consider that you won’t be running every device all the time.
What is an inverter generator?
Both whole-house and portable generators can be inverter generators, which use an alternator to convert the alternating current from the generator into direct current that’s stored in the batteries of cell phones, tablets, laptops and other mobile devices.
Inverter generators are safer for those sensitive electronics but cost more.
What can low-power generators run?
Low-power generators are those under 3,000 watts. These can:
Run emergency lighting
Charge mobile devices
Run small refrigerators, microwave ovens, hair dryers, toasters, electric stoves, power tools, etc., though not all at the same time. Experts say a refrigerator only needs to run 15 minutes per hour to stay cool if the door is kept closed, so it can be disconnected to allow other appliances to run.
What can medium-power generators run?
Medium-power generators are those from 3,000 to 8,000 watts. These can run larger individual devices and more devices at once. They can power:
Televisions
Refrigerators
Mobile devices
Small air conditioners or other small appliances
Multiple lights
What can high-power generators run?
High-power generators are more than 8,000 watts. These are needed for larger, higher-wattage appliances such as:
Brooke Cain is a North Carolina native who has worked at The News & Observer for more than 25 years. She is the service journalism editor and writes about TV and local media for The N&O’s Happiness is a Warm TV blog.
Martha Quillin writes about climate change and the environment. She has covered North Carolina news, culture, religion and the military since joining The News & Observer in 1987.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Colleges and universities across North Carolina are preparing for potential winter weather that could disrupt travel, classes and campus operations statewide.
What You Need To Know
Weather experts predicting possible icy storm conditions across North Carolina this weekend
Several campuses are sharing their plans to keep students, staff and faculty safer amid the winter conditions
Some students said they feel safer knowing their learning institutions are taking steps to protect their campus community
UNC Charlotte is closely monitoring the forecast inside its Emergency Operations Center.
Christopher “Chris” Gonyar, the university’s associate vice chancellor for safety and security, said inside the center, UNC Charlotte’s emergency management team prioritizes planning ahead before an extreme weather event arrives.
“In the summer and spring, we’re looking at thunderstorms and tornadoes,” Gonyar said. “During the winter, we’re looking at snow/ice, wintry precipitation. They gather that information, then I’ll come into the Emergency Operations Center [where] they’ll give me an update or brief on what we expect the day to look like.”
UNC Charlotte has enrolled over 32,000 students and operates around the clock.
Gonyar said assessing potential impacts helps guide decisions about classes and events.
“We have to start making decisions about our campus operations before snow and ice start to fall,” Gonyar said.
Gonyar said preparation is key with responding to this weekend’s potential winter storm, stating the emergency management team is planning for what appears to be an “impactful winter weather event.”
“We’re taking a look at what that means for our campus operations. What are we doing about classes on Monday,” Gonyar said.
“UNC Charlotte has continued to grow over the years, so we are a 24/7, 365-day-a-year campus. It may surprise some folks, but we do have a small number of classes that occur on Sunday, and events over the weekend. We’re planning and preparing for how we maintain those operations or do we recommend those things are postponed.”
Many students stay on the campus grounds in residence halls that could be impacted by an ice storm.
“Making sure we have plans in place to continue to provide food and housing for the population that lives on campus,” Gonyar said.
Gonyar said safety remains the top priority when making operational decisions.
“The most important thing to us is the health and safety of the UNC Charlotte community,” Gonyar said. “Every decision we make is guided by that principle.”
“We would much rather err on the side of making a call considering safety and have it be all rain, then waiting on a decision until it’s too late and putting our community in harm’s way because they tried to get on a road to travel to make it to class or we didn’t cancel an event, so they try to get themselves to that event,” Gonyar said. “We always start with safety and security, then we look at operations and how that will be impacted by the decision that we make.”
Associate Vice Chancellor for Safety and Security at UNC Charlotte Christopher Gonyar, upper left, is monitoring the looming storm inside the Emergency Operations Center. (Spectrum News 1/Jennier Roberts)
UNC Charlotte student Xavier Deloach said he is stocking up on essentials and paying close attention to campus updates.
“Grocery shopping, stack up on food, toilet paper, tissues, lots of water,” Deloach said.
The business analytics major said he finds comfort in knowing UNC Charlotte has eyes on the potential ice storm.
“It makes me feel kind of safe they’re taking preparations for everyone,” Deloach said. “Make sure people are not going out here [unnecessarily].”
The university also operates The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City.
Gonyar said his team is also planning on ways to ensure that uptown community is safe during the expected weather storm.
“They do tend to have a lot of larger events that bring in folks from outside the state or community, so we have to think about those things as well. It’s not necessarily just our thousand acres in Northeast Charlotte,” Gonyar said.
In Union County, Wingate University has been making plans as forecasts raise concerns about freezing rain and sleet.
The campus serves over 3,600 students across two campuses in the Town of Wingate and in Hendersonville.
Associate Vice President of Campus Operations Glenda Bebber said their safety remains top priority for the learning institution.
“We can’t function without taking care of our students,” Bebber said. “They’re our No. 1 priority.”
Bebber said staff and leaders recently held an emergency preparedness meeting to determine next steps for operations in the event conditions worsen.
“We have several members across the campus who participated from academics, to operations, campus safety, academic support, dean of students, athletics, to make sure we can keep our students as safe as possible,” Bebber said.
Bebber said the leaders discussed the best path forward with how many students could be managed safely, in the event a power outage extends beyond a 24-hour period on campus.
“It’s mainly just a safety issue,” Bebber said. “Can we feed students, keep them warm, what access do they have to internet capabilities,” Bebber said.
Wingate has been making several preparations in the event the worst does occur.
Bebber said her team has 4,000 pounds of ice melt on deck to help create clear pathways to key buildings like the W.T. Harris Dining Hall and the Crowder Welcome Center. Those spaces will serve as campus shelters if power is lost.
Glenda Bebber, far left, the associate vice president of campus operations for Wingate University, and Director of Grounds Blake Center are prepping ice melt ahead of the expected winter storm. (Spectrum News 1/Jennifer Roberts)
“Our concern at this point is being able to get it out enough, as well as the temperatures for the ice melt to actually be effective,” Bebber said. “We also have several tons of sand on campus, so if the ice melt isn’t being as effective, we are prepared to put out sand to make a path to W.T. Harris Dining Hall, which we are staging to have students come in, serve food and have a warm place to go.”
Wingate University said “residential facilities do not have generators and will be without power” in the event of an outage event.
“We also have some heaters coming in that also have a generator power. We’re staging those [in shelters] to be able to provide additional heat source, should our students need to leave their residence halls or apartments and come somewhere that will be warmer,” Bebber said.
Grounds crews are also preparing for potential damage from ice.
“We got more of our hard hats for chainsaws,” said Blake Center, director of grounds at Wingate. “We don’t know if there’s going to be any fallen trees on campus because of the ice, so we went ahead and purchased that. All of our equipment is ready to go, depending on what is going to happen over the next 48-72 hours.”
T’Asya Jay is a student athlete at Wingate.
Jay is currently gearing up for possible power outages and travel challenges.
“Making sure everything’s charged, enough food in case power goes out, and I’m not able to go anywhere,” Jay said.
Jay is comforted knowing Wingate Univeristy is taking action ahead of the icy events.
“Makes me feel a lot better because I personally did not know they were going to do that,” Jay said. “Knowing they’re taking the right steps and making sure we’re all safe and protected and covered for the weather this weekend is good to know.”
In a campus community communications, Wingate University confirmed “classes will be remote on Monday for all programs on both campuses.”
The university also stated “students are encouraged to have fresh batteries for flashlights and phone charging backup” and “candles or any open flames are strictly forbidden and should not be used.”
Spectrum News 1 reached out to several additional colleges and universities in the state ahead of the weather events.
In a statement to our news team, UNC-Chapel Hill Strategic Communications Manager Erin Spandorf said the university is “closely monitoring the potential winter storm expected this weekend and assessing what preparations may be needed.”
According to the university, that includes “evaluating possible operating condition changes and taking appropriate steps to mitigate ice and/or snow impacts.”
Livingstone College also released an inclement weather plan, further stating no decisions have been made yet regarding Monday operations.
The college said it will continue to monitor conditions and share updates as they become available.
Livingstone also said safety remains the top priority and outlined plans for campus safety and emergency services, meal services, residence hall support and a warming center if power outages occur. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to monitor college email and the school’s website for the latest updates.
Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.
As the first winter storm of 2026 threatens to change weekend plans across Charlotte, local business owners and event planners are already preparing to put things on hold.
Several local restaurants, shops, and businesses have announced early closings or delayed openings for Friday, Jan. 23, Saturday, Jan. 24 and beyond. Many weekend events are also being postponed to keep everyone safe and off the icy roads.
Are you a business owner? If you would like to be added to our list, please email your adjusted hours or closing details to charlottefive@charlottefive.com.
Here is a running list of Charlotte businesses and events making adjustments due to the weather:
Due to the winter weather, some local Harris Teeter grocery stores will be open with modified hours keep staff safe. Check Harris Teeter’s Inclement Hours link on its website for details about your store.
Status: Several Publix locations are closing early due to winter storm Fern. Check the website’s Inclement Closings map to learn about your local location.
🥡 Charlotte-area restaurants closing early, opening late or pivoting
Status: The Accidental Baker will be closed on Saturday. Instead, a small batch of extras will be baked on Friday — first come, first served on the Friday goodies, so stop by early if you can (hours are 10 a.m-3 p.m.).
Status: The Batch House will be closed Saturday, but stop by on Friday to pick up some snow day goodies, such as banana pudding cheesecake slices, cinnamon roll takes and bakes and more. “Consider supporting us on Friday so we don’t feel such a huge loss for choosing to close on Saturday!” the bakery posted on Instagram.
The patio at Brazwells Pub on Montford Drive is a cozy spot where patrons gather to munch on elevated bar food with a cocktail or meet up for weekend brunch. Alex Cason CharlotteFive
Status: CHNO Coffee Co. will be closing early on Thursday (at 10 a.m.) and will be open Friday from 7 a.m.-10 a.m., then closed Saturday and Sunday. The February Tasting Menu will be postponed — if you bought a ticket, details will be emailed to you.
Status: Dulce Dreams is pivoting its weekend plans to Friday pre-order pickups instead. To get your order once you arrive Friday between 8 a.m.-2 p.m., text (704) 492-2390 and someone will pick it up.
Status: “The forecast won this round,” Napa posted on Instagram on Friday. Napa restaurants will be closed this weekend, including Napa on Providence, Napa at Kingsley and Napa Bistro & Wine Bar Stonecrest.
Status: Petty Thieves is planning to close at 7 p.m. Saturday and has postponed its Jason Moss and The Hosses show. The brewery will likely close Sunday.
Status: The nonprofit Block Love will open at 2 p.m. Saturday and remain open around the clock through 7 p.m. Monday to provide shelter and food for those in need.
Status: Freshlist’s Monday market has been moved up to Friday, Jan. 23. Go to stock up on groceries from 2 to 5 p.m. Verdant Bread will be on site on Friday, too — first come, first served.
Status: Armored Cow Brewing’s Saturday Chili Cook-Off has been moved to Saturday, Feb. 7. Contestants and judges can shift to the new dates without further adjustment, but if you can’t make the new date, contact the brewery at (704) 277-6641.
Status: Barrel and Fork has canceled Sunday’s Bourbon dinner due to the inclement weather threat. Its next planned event is a Tiki dinner in early March.
Status: The Battle Of The Bands has been postponed Saturday’s event until March 15. All previously purchased tickets and seat assignments will remain valid.
Status: This week’s Charlotte Men’s Basketball game against Tulane — originally scheduled for 2 p.m Sunday — has been moved to Friday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for Sunday’s game will be honored for the new date and time. Fans with questions should contact the Ticket Office at niner@charlotte.edu or 704-687-4949. The game will also maintain its slot on ESPN+ and be broadcast through Charlotte49ers.com/watch.
Snow in uptown Charlotte on Jan. 21, 2025. Alex Cason CharlotteFive
Status: The Charlotte Jewish Film Festival screening of “SWEDISHKAYT: YidLife Crisis in Stockholm,” scheduled for Saturday at the Carolina Theatre, has been canceled. The screening of “Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire,” originally scheduled for Sunday, has been postponed until Feb. 5 in the Sam Lerner Center for Cultural Arts.
Status: The theater has canceled “Topsy-Turvy Cinderella” performances at 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday. Shows have been added at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Feb. 1. Also canceled is “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show” at 3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday. New shows dates are 11 a.m. Feb. 14 and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Feb. 15.
Status: Hindu Center of Charlotte has rescheduled the event to 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 7. Event confirmation and ticket sales will be announced five days prior.
Status: Blumenthal Arts has rescheduled the 7 p.m. Saturday show to 7:30 p.m. Monday; the 1 p.m. Sunday show to 2 p.m. Tuesday; and the 6:30 p.m. Sunday show to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Ticket holder will receive an email with additional details.
Status: At Neighborhood Theatre, Jump (Van Halen Experience) has been rescheduled from Saturday, Jan. 24, to April 19. Stephen Kellogg and the Homecoming, which was scheduled for Sunday, has been canceled.
Status: Saturday’s comedy show at Primal Brewery Belmont has been postponed to January 31. Meantime, the brewery says to come by and pick up some beer to go.
Status: “The Prince of Egypt, The Musical,” performances scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., as well as Sunday, at 2 p.m. have been cancelled. Tickets can be exchanged via your reminder email.
Status: “Over the River and Through the Woods” weekend performance schedule has changed. Saturday’s show is canceled. Sunday’s tickets have been transferred to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 7. Ticket holders will be emailed with further instructions.
Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits. Support my work with a digital subscription
Melissa Oyler is the editor of CharlotteFive. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find her running, practicing hot yoga or snuggling with her rescue dogs, X and Charlie. Find her on Instagram or X: @melissaoyler. Support my work with a digital subscription
LENOIR, N.C. – Police in Lenoir say it took them just hours to make an arrest in a murder that happened Wednesday.
Officers say 34-year-old Preston Page shot and killed 32-year-old Conner Drum at a home on Tara Place SW around 9:30am. Page is charged with second degree murder.
Investigators say both men knew each other prior to the attack. Page is being held behind bars without bond.
Police say the investigation is on-going. If you have information about the incident, call the City of Lenoir Police Department at 828-757-2100 or Lenoir / Caldwell County Crime Stoppers at 828-758-8300. You can remain anonymous.
File photo for the Dowd YMCA on Morehead Street, which is the flagship the YMCA of Greater Charlotte
MARK HAMES
mhames@charlotteobserver.com
Parked outside the Charlotte Dowd YMCA, Antoine Turner reached into the backseat of his Chevrolet Camaro, past his five-year-old daughter and toward a Nike shoebox.
It held a kilogram of cocaine, court records show.
Turner, 46, handed it over to an unnamed person in exchange for a $10,000 down payment, according to court records. Later, he got $11,000 more.
Federal agents had funded it all, Turner later learned.
After working with the confidential informant, officials charged Turner with distributing cocaine at the YMCA just south of uptown on Feb. 15, 2023. Eight months later, agents set up a similar scheme outside the family-friendly, Christian-centered fitness center. That time, they charged Brian Ball in an unrelated fentanyl distribution case.
Drug deals outside Down YMCA
Turner pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine and was sentenced to two years in prison in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina Wednesday.
In a letter to U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn, Turner’s daughter, now 7, said she knew her dad was sorry and that she misses his cooking.
Dutch, the family dog, misses him, too, she wrote.
Hours after officials ushered Turner, who said he was too nervous to speak in court, out of the courtroom and back into handcuffs, Ball took his place.
The 44-year-old pleaded guilty to distributing six ounces of fentanyl. He tearfully apologized to Cogburn, his parents and his daughter, who was also in court.
Ball’s attorney told the judge that the confidential informant who asked him for the fentanyl was “like a brother” to Ball, and he thought the fentanyl would be used to ease him off his addiction. But the FBI had funded that $5,400 deal, too.
“You have to choose your mistakes wisely,” Cogburn said before allowing Ball to speak to his daughter.
“I love you. It’s OK, baby,” Ball said, speaking across four rows filled with teary-eyed family.
Julia Coin covers courts, legal issues, police and public safety around Charlotte and is part of the Pulitzer-finalist team that covered Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina. As the Observer’s breaking news reporter, she unveiled how fentanyl infiltrated local schools. Michigan-born and Florida-raised, she studied journalism at the University of Florida, where she covered statewide legislation, sexual assault on campus and Hurricane Ian in her hometown of Sanibel Island. Support my work with a digital subscription
Restaurants and chefs who are finalists will be announced Tuesday, March 31. Those who take the top prize will be honored at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 15 at Lyric Opera in Chicago.
In Charlotte, chef Robin Anthony of Omakase Experience by Prime Fish is among the nine semifinalists for Best Chef: Southeast, which had 20 chefs honored in all. The high-end omakase restaurant offers a 15-course tasting menu featuring seasonal sushi, appetizers and more with fish flown in fresh from Tokyo daily.
Chef Robin Anthony of Omakase Experience by Prime Fish is a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast. Andrew Colacchio
Other Carolina semifinalists for Best Chef: Southeast in NC include:
Matt Dawes of The Bull and Beggar in Asheville, a European-inspired small plates restaurant
Steven Devereaux Greene of Herons at The Umstead in Cary. The fine dining restaurant is Michelin recommended restaurant featuring seasonal ingredients, and a five-course tasting menu is available.
Cheetie Kumar of Ajja in Raleigh, a Mediterranean restaurant that was nominated for the James Beard Award Best New Restaurant in 2023.
Taylor Montgomery of Montgomery Sky Farm in Leicester, a working farm that offers dining only by appointment through chef’s tables and other culinary experiences.
Carolina semifinalists for Best Chef: Southeast in SC include:
Bintou N’Daw of Bintü Atelier in Charleston, which serves West African cuisine
Colin Marcelli of Renzo in Charleston, a pizza and natural wines restaurant
Heidi Vukov of Hook & Barrel in Myrtle Beach, a seafood-focused spot with small plates
Other James Beard semifinalists
Meherwan Irani and Molly Irani of Asheville-based Chai Pani Restaurant Group were named semifinalists for Outstanding Restaurateur. The Chai Pani Restaurant Group operates Chai Pani and Botiwalla, which also has a location in Charlotte at Optimist Hall.
The group is no stranger to accolades — Chai Pani’s Asheville location was the 2022 James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Restaurant, Irani has been a semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast five times, and chef Sahar Siddiqi was a semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast in 2023. Its Decatur, Georgia, location is also Michelin recommended.
Dean Neff of Seabird in Wilmington is among the semifinalists for Outstanding Chef. He also owns Zora’s Market & Kitchen, a fish market.
“This is a sign to keep pushing,” he said in a statement sent to CharlotteFive in which he thanked his team and the Wilmington community.
“We’ve had the ability to meet and work with people we love and trust through our restaurant and fish market, and these places give us a platform to have conversations about the people doing the hard work and our greater seafood system. We’re able to tell their stories, and all that goes into our local, sustainable seafood system and that helps diners to make better decisions about how they source seafood and furthers our progress with sustainability in aquaculture.”
Dean Neff is a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast. His wife, Lydia Clopton, is a pastry chef. Mallory Cash
In Charleston, Chubby Fish was named a semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant, and Hector Garate of Palmira Barbecue is a semifinalist for Emerging Chef.Weltons Tiny Bakeshop is a semifinalist for Outstanding Bakery.
Best New Restaurant semifinalists from the Carolinas were French restaurant Merci in Charleston and Peregrine in Raleigh, a contemporary American eatery with global influences.
“As a Bengali chef, cooking for 20 years and finally sharing what American food means to me, l’m overwhelmed by the support and how important it feels to be recognized for this,” Saif Rahman said in a statement.
“My first thought was of my father, who believed in me as a chef, and would have kissed me right now. We have dreamed of this, my team and I; seeing their excitement means the world to me.”
Saif Rahman is the chef at Peregrine in Raleigh, which is a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant. Forrest Mason
Honors in beverages — an increased area of focus for the James Beard Awards — were also given to a few South Carolina restaurants.
Stems and Skins in Charleston was recognized as a semifinalist for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program, whileGraft Wine Shop & Wine Bar in Charleston got a nod for Outstanding Bar.
Andrea Ciavardini-Royko of Jianna in Greenville, SC, was named a semifinalist for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service.
This story was originally published January 21, 2026 at 1:58 PM.
Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits. Support my work with a digital subscription
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA (WCCB) — A Winter Storm Watch is in effect from Saturday morning through Monday afternoon across portions of the piedmont, foothills and mountains.
A major winter storm will impact areas from Texas to the Carolinas. Arctic air will surge south at the same time moisture moves in from the Pacific and the Gulf. The clash of cold air and moisture will result in a significant winter storm. Who sees what precipitation type is still at question, although, the ice threat is increasing across the Carolinas.Timing:
Amounts:
Too early to know, but cold air and moisture will be there. It is still too early for specific numbers. The Weather Prediction Center is showing >80% chance of 3-4” of snow north of I-85 and around a 70% chance of at least a 1/4” of ice south of I-85. Totals could very well greatly exceed these numbers.
Impacts:
Freezing rain accumulation on trees and power lines could cause numerous to widespread power outages.
Horrible road conditions through at least midweek next week.
Cold Temperatures:
This is a big problem if we have prolonged power outages and snow or ice on the ground. It could take days and days to melt. I am forecasting single digit low temperatures early next week.
Better to prepare now:
Have enough food, water and medicine to last several days
Get flashlights and batteries
Put gas in your car – gas stations may lose power
Have an extra heat source – get a generator if you’re able. Get firewood. Have plenty of blankets.
Check your carbon monoxide and snow detectors (snow and/or ice accumulation can block vents so you want to make sure these are working)
