The Charlotte Observer week in review

Denny Hamlin’s father dies in Gaston County house fire

Dennis Hamlin, father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, died from injuries sustained in a house fire Dec. 28 in Stanley, North Carolina, Gaston County officials confirmed. He was 75. Denny Hamlin’s mother, Mary Lou, 69, was transferred to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Burn Center where she is receiving treatment. Fourteen fire departments responded to the Blacksnake Road residence, finding the home nearly halfway destroyed. It took nearly two hours to extinguish the blaze due to the absence of fire hydrants in the area, requiring water to be trucked in. Dennis Hamlin had been instrumental in his son’s racing career.

Reported by Briah Lumpkins, published Dec. 29

Mint Hill officers shot, released from hospital

Two Mint Hill police officers who were shot during a child custody exchange dispute Dec. 26 have been released from the hospital, according to police. Both officers were struck by gunfire above the neck, authorities say. The incident occurred at Edible Arrangements in the Mint Hill Commons shopping center. Tjamel Ali Hamlin II, 36, died at the scene during an exchange of gunfire, and a firearm was recovered, police say. One officer is a lieutenant with 13 years of experience, while the other has six months of service. The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation is conducting an independent investigation.

Reported by Mark Price, Rebecca Noel, published Dec. 27

Charlotte hospitals restrict visitors amid flu surge

Charlotte hospitals are implementing visitor restrictions as North Carolina experiences a significant spike in flu cases. Novant Health will temporarily restrict hospital visitors under age 13 at its North Carolina facilities while Atrium Health has added restrictions at certain facilities, generally limiting children 12 and under with some exceptions. State data shows influenza-like illness climbed from 1% of emergency department visits in early November to 5% by mid-December, with hospital admissions for flu-like symptoms jumping 493% during that period. The H3N2 subvariant currently makes up nearly 90% of total U.S. cases and appears more contagious than other strains. Vaccination rates in Mecklenburg County have dropped to just under 20%, lower than the typical 30-50% range for this time during flu season. Health experts say it’s not too late to get vaccinated, as North Carolina’s flu season isn’t expected to peak until late January, though cases are anticipated to rise further after the holidays due to increased gatherings.

Reported by Evan Moore, published Dec. 29

Crisis Assistance Ministry founder looks back

Caroline Love Myers reflects on founding Crisis Assistance Ministry 50 years ago, starting from a part-time church position in 1975. The organization opened April 16, 1975, after Myers visited a similar ministry in Winston-Salem for inspiration. Initially operating from a scout hut behind Dilworth Methodist Church, the nonprofit quickly became overwhelmed with people seeking help during the 1974-75 recession. Myers coordinated volunteers and resources to assist with evictions, utility shutoffs, and food assistance. The organization moved to its current Spratt Street location in 1988 and has since become the city’s primary agency for housing insecurity. Now 92, Myers retired in 2000 but remains proud of the organization’s legacy and her family, including three granddaughters working in environmental science.

Reported by Jeff A. Chamer, published Dec. 30

Transport company to lay off 87 NC workers

Railcrew Xpress, a Missouri-based company that transports railroad crew members, will lay off 87 workers and close eight offices across North Carolina by Feb. 27 due to a cancelled contract with CSX, one of the largest transcontinental freight operators in the U.S. The Charlotte location on S. Ramsey Street will close, affecting 18 employees, while Rocky Mount and Hamlet will see the largest layoffs with 27 and 25 people, respectively. The contract cancellation also impacts Georgia and Florida, where 55 and 82 workers will be laid off, bringing the total to 224 job losses across three states. Founded in 2005, Railcrew Xpress drives train engineers and conductors to freight trains and operates in 25 states with over 2,000 employees.

Reported by Desiree Mathurin, published Dec. 30

Sycamore Taproom to close temporarily in January

Sycamore Taproom will temporarily close Jan. 5 “to allow space for processing and reimagining the community space,” owner Sarah Taylor announced in a letter to the Charlotte community posted Dec. 30. Taylor’s husband and former co-owner, Justin Tawse Brigham, 44, was charged Dec. 11 with statutory rape of a child under 15, first-degree burglary, and indecent liberties with a child, authorities say. Taylor has begun divorce proceedings and removed Brigham from any stake in the business. Since the arrest, Sycamore products have been pulled from shelves at many Charlotte-area stores, and its taproom at Charlotte Douglas International Airport was dropped. Taylor plans to partner with organizations dedicated to child safety and protection while continuing the brewery’s philanthropic work.

Reported by Heidi Finley, published Dec. 30

This story was originally published December 31, 2025 at 5:25 PM with the headline "The Charlotte Observer week in review."