Today’s headlines: Panther opening uptown restaurant
Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury and was placed on injured reserve. But it looks like he’s got something to keep him busy until then.
He posted an Instagram photo yesterday showing plans for a restaurant at the historic Charlotte Fire Station No. 4 in Fourth Ward. The name: CJ’s 4th Ward Fire House.
A photo posted by Charles Johnson (@cjgeorgia99) on Sep 29, 2015 at 12:33pm PDT
The Observer’s Katherine Peralta reported that property records show the building was purchased in March for $1.6 million by a group called Randy Watson Holdings LLC. Randy Watson is a character from the movie “Coming to America” and Johnson’s Twitter handle.
He bought it from another fictional character: Alfred Pennyworth Co. LLC, a corporation under which Panthers center Ryan Kalil is registered. Alfred is the butler in “Batman.”
The fire station, which was built in the mid-1920s, gained attention last year after former Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon pleaded guilty to a federal public corruption charge. During the investigation in 2012 and 2013, FBI agents pretended to be businessmen trying to open a nightclub or bar at the fire station location, according to court documents.
RAIN RAIN, GO AWAY: Did you enjoy seeing the sun for a little bit yesterday? Don’t get too used to it.
#Joaquin now Major at 115 mph. pic.twitter.com/4jffuDGgHa
— Brad Panovich (@wxbrad) October 1, 2015
Hurricane Joaquin, which was recently upgraded to a Category 3 hurricane, could bring as much as 4-8 inches of rain to the Charlotte area starting today and going into the weekend. That could cause some minor flooding, especially in low-lying areas near streams and creeks.
Remember: Don’t try to drive or walk through flooded streets/sidewalks. Turn around, don’t drown.
CHECKERED FLAG: Race car driver Tony Stewart announced that he’s retiring from NASCAR after the 2016 season. But that doesn’t mean he’s done with racing. He is part owner of Stewart-Haas Racing and wants to be involved with SHR’s new Formula 1 team. He also hopes to continue racing in one-off events in other series – whether it’s sprint car, modified cars or even NASCAR’s Xfinity or Truck series.
Tony Stewart: "I'm not retiring from racing…just from the Cup series." @davidscott14 story: http://t.co/wbQR6XHFKI pic.twitter.com/KFaP4DYM08
— Mike Persinger (@mikepersinger) September 30, 2015
MISS YESTERDAY’S DEBATE?: That’s OK. You can watch the live stream below.
In short: They sparred over school funding (specifically a mailer sent out by the Clodfelter campaign) and economic development, but agreed on many other things, like the streetcar, the need for affordable housing and food trucks.
Photo: Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published September 30, 2015 at 9:26 PM with the headline "Today’s headlines: Panther opening uptown restaurant."