In the heat of July: Here are The Observer’s best photos for July
By The Pham
Bailey Griggs performs with her band at The Shore Club at Tega Cay in Tega Cay, S.C., on Friday, July 12, 2024. Bailey recently found out that she will not be able to attend her senior year of high school at Cramerton Christian Academy in Gastonia because of her live music performances at venues that serve alcohol.
KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH
Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
July had record hot temperatures that on some days reached near 100 degrees.
But the blistering summer heat did not stop The Charlotte Observer and The Herald’s visual journalists from capturing fascinating images.
They included everything from former President Donald Trump’s Charlotte rally at Bojangles Coliseum, an athlete training for the Paralympics triathlon in Paris, and pets acupuncture, to a Gastonia high school senior singer banned from her school because she performs at venues that serve alcohol.
Every day visual journalists bear witness to the people in our communities and their stories. Some images are pleasant, while others are painful and heart-wrenching to produce.
Our mission is to document truthfully, fairly and with compassion.
Bailey Griggs performs with her band at The Shore Club at Tega Cay in Tega Cay, S.C., on Friday, July 12, 2024. Bailey recently found out that she will not be able to attend her senior year of high school at Cramerton Christian Academy in Gastonia because of her live music performances at venues that serve alcohol. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Brian Mack, right, cuts his son’s hair, B.J., at House of Hoops Barbershop in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, July 1, 2024. B.J. uses NIL money for dad to open barber shop in Charlotte Khadejeh Nikouyeh Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Valerie Kinloch, the president of Johnson C. Smith University, is entering her second year leading her alma mater and is pushing the school into what she calls its “new era of excellence.” She’s pictured here in her office in Charlotte on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Carson Clough trains for the Paralympics triathlon while his service dog, Calder, keeps an eye on him at Alexander Graham Middle School in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday, July 6, 2024. Khadejeh Nikouyeh Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Carson Clough trains for the Paralympics triathlon at Alexander Graham Middle School in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday, July 6, 2024. Khadejeh Nikouyeh Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Dr. Meredith Binder preforms cold laser therapy on a dog named Olive on June 25, 2024. The cold laser therapy is a post acupuncture treatment aimed to reduce inflammation and increase blood flow to the targeted areas. In 2013, Binder started Ashi Mobile Animal Acupuncture & Rehabilitative Medicine, providing in-home services to ensure a relaxed and nurturing environment for her patients. Preston Jenkins pjenkins@charlotteobserver.com
Trump supporters standing on the side of the road to try and get a glimpse of the former President Donald Trump as he is arriving in his motorcade before the rally at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte on July 24, 2024. PRESTON JENKINS pjenkins@charlotteobserver.com
Former President Donald Trump’s right ear still has a small bandage covering the wound he sustained during an assassination attempt in Butler, PA. The Former President Trump spoke at a rally at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
A supporter listens intently as former President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Former President Donald Trump walks to the podium to speak as supporters cheer at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Jay M. Robinson wide receiver Brian Rowe, a top NC talent who has committed to the University of South Carolina, poses for a portrait after practice in Concord, NC on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Adrienne Heath, 44, stands next to a plane at the Rock Hill-York County Airport similar to one she flew as a youth. That opportunity came in the summer of 1994 for her and several dozens Rock Hill teens aged 14 to 17. The teens, most from lower economic backgrounds, participated in HiTek Aviation One, a summer youth employment program, which operated through the then-Catawba Regional Planning Council. Tracy Kimball
“We used to swing on these [vines] when we were little,” says Wayne Johnson, Vice President of the St. Lloyd Presbyterian Cemetery Foundation. “This is going to be part of the art in our cemetery,” Johnson continues when talking about plans to keep vines in place during the renovation of one of St. Lloyd Presbyterian’s cemeteries in the Grier Heights neighborhood in Charlotte on Monday, July 8, 2024. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
CMPD police officers responded to the scene of an officer-involved shooting south of Charlotte airport at the graveyard at Steele Creek Presbyterian Church. CMPD determined it was a self-inflicted and the officer died JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
The Lamplighter Inn was supposedly the site of a supportive housing operation called “Vermelle’s Place.” After many broken promises residents Ellen Miller soon found out “Vermelle’s Place” doesn’t exist, and have been left to find housing someplace else Preston Jenkins pjenkins@charlotteobserver.com
Knights of Columbus volunteer Vince Williams carries a wall hanging to be stored Friday at Family Promise of York County. The homeless shelter has sustained damage to its roof after a May hail storm. Tracy Kimball tkimball@heraldonline.com
Gary Carter cuts Andrew Garcia’s hair on Wednesday. Garcia has been coming to Gary’s Barber Shop for three years now. At the end of the month, Carter is closing his barbershop at the end of the month; it’s been there for 59 years. PRESTON JENKINS pjenkins@charlotteobserver.com
Nyle Erving, an Air Force soldier, participates in the wide receiver drill at the “USAA’s Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp” in the Bank of America Stadium on July 25, 2024. 100 of U.S. Service members trained like the Carolina Panthers for a day at the Panthers’ stadium. They participated in drills such as the 40-yard dash, broad jump, three-cone shuttle, receiving gauntlet, and the QB arm challenge. This is the first time the boot camp has been hosted on the Panthers’ field. PRESTON JENKINS pjenkins@charlotteobserver.com
Malik Clark, a wide receiver at Rock Hill High School gestures to a crowd Thursday after signing day at the school. Clark will play for Florida State University. The senior four-star wideout is rated as the state’s top receiver and No. 2 overall high school football recruit by 247Sports. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
Former Olympic gold medalist swimmer Cullen Jones jumps into the Life Time outdoor pool on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Jones earned two Olympic gold and two Olympic silver medals and represented Team USA in the Olympics in 2008 and 2012. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
This story was originally published August 6, 2024 at 3:36 PM.
![“We used to swing on these [vines] when we were little,” says Wayne Johnson, Vice President of the St. Lloyd Presbyterian Cemetery Foundation. “This is going to be part of the art in our cemetery,” Johnson continues when talking about plans to keep vines in place during the renovation of one of St. Lloyd Presbyterian’s cemeteries in the Grier Heights neighborhood in Charlotte on Monday, July 8, 2024.](https://www.charlotteobserver.com/public/latest-news/nkx56p/picture290797454/alternates/FREE_1200/July%20Best%20009.JPG "July Best 009.JPG")
