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From March Madness to WNC recovery: The Charlotte Observer’s best photos from March 2025

By The Pham
North Meck’s Carson Evans celebrates his basket on a drive down the lane against the Julius Chambers High School defense during second half action in the West Regional Championship game at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. North Meck defeated Chambers 64-56.
North Meck’s Carson Evans celebrates his basket on a drive down the lane against the Julius Chambers High School defense during second half action in the West Regional Championship game at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. North Meck defeated Chambers 64-56. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

Many Western NC families share daily struggles six months after Helene swept through communities. Some families are living in hotels, while others in temporary trailers.

“Well, I’ll tell you, I can’t really take a shower in the camper; I have to go somewhere else,” says Delia Lytle Bailey who lives in a donated trailer. “I can’t really cook. I don’t feel like I have a home.”

March Madness brings big smiles to some while tears for others.

North Meck boys brought home the NCHSAA 4A State Championship trophy after defeating New Hanover 59-56 at Lawrence Joel Veterans Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Panthers HC Dave Canales hypes along with the crowd at Charlotte FC’s home opening against Atlanta United at Bank of America Stadium. Farther north, Louie the Cardinal wins the ACC mascot championship race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord to kickoff the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Charlotte; team mascots compete on the famed quarter-mile at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

After 40 years of predicting the weather for WCNC, weatherman Larry Sprinkle - yes, Sprinkle is his last name - is leaving the station’s morning show.

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.

Smoke rises from the hillside of a mountain near Green River Cove Road in Saluda, NC on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Smoke rises from the hillside of a mountain near Green River Cove Road in Saluda, NC on Thursday, March 27, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Sabrina Mills sits outside of her home after it was destroyed by flood waters, in Swannanoa, NC on Friday, January 31, 2025. Mills, her husband, two sons and a son’s friend were able to seek safety on the roof after her son carved a hole in the attic using a chef’s knife and a hammer. The house was pushed behind its foundation, but was saved from being pulled into the rushing river waters by a tree line in the backyard. Mills and her family were rescued hours later by volunteers.
Sabrina Mills sits outside of her home after it was destroyed by flood waters, in Swannanoa, NC on Friday, January 31, 2025. Mills, her husband, two sons and a son’s friend were able to seek safety on the roof after her son carved a hole in the attic using a chef’s knife and a hammer. The house was pushed behind its foundation, but was saved from being pulled into the rushing river waters by a tree line in the backyard. Mills and her family were rescued hours later by volunteers. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Rising water pushed Sabrina Mills’ house right off its foundation and toward the raging river. Fortunately, the house hit a cluster of trees so it wasn’t swept away. Mills and her husband loved the privacy of their three-acre lot, but they’re not confident they’ll ever be able to move back.
Rising water pushed Sabrina Mills’ house right off its foundation and toward the raging river. Fortunately, the house hit a cluster of trees so it wasn’t swept away. Mills and her husband loved the privacy of their three-acre lot, but they’re not confident they’ll ever be able to move back. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Karen Schmid sits on a new mattress in a FEMA-provided trailer in Black Mountain in January. After Helene, Schmid stayed in hotel rooms in Charlotte, Marion and Asheville, with FEMA covering the cost through its Transitional Sheltering Assistance program.
Karen Schmid sits on a new mattress in a FEMA-provided trailer in Black Mountain in January. After Helene, Schmid stayed in hotel rooms in Charlotte, Marion and Asheville, with FEMA covering the cost through its Transitional Sheltering Assistance program. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
A violin airs out after flood waters destroyed Sabrina Mills’ Swannanoa house and most of their belongings. Despite the destruction, they recovered a few items not stolen by looters.
A violin airs out after flood waters destroyed Sabrina Mills’ Swannanoa house and most of their belongings. Despite the destruction, they recovered a few items not stolen by looters. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Protesters gather on the sidewalk during the U.S. Mail Not For Sale - Day of Action rally outside of the USPS Park Road office in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Protesters gather on the sidewalk during the U.S. Mail Not For Sale - Day of Action rally outside of the USPS Park Road office in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, March 20, 2025. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Michele Edwards wipes away tears as she explains how her dream wedding with fiancee Shann Fulton crumbled as their venue went into foreclosure just months before they were to be married. “We’re just going to buckle down. We’re not going to eat out, we’re not going to travel,” Edwards said. “It was a sacrifice, but we swallowed the pill because we looked at the end goal.” Over the past year, The couple sacrifices to save over $20,000 toward their dream wedding.
Michele Edwards wipes away tears as she explains how her dream wedding with fiancee Shann Fulton crumbled as their venue went into foreclosure just months before they were to be married. “We’re just going to buckle down. We’re not going to eat out, we’re not going to travel,” Edwards said. “It was a sacrifice, but we swallowed the pill because we looked at the end goal.” Over the past year, The couple sacrifices to save over $20,000 toward their dream wedding. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty signs a model car at the Darlington Raceway 75th Anniversary Exhibit at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty signs a model car at the Darlington Raceway 75th Anniversary Exhibit at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Charlotte’s longest-serving TV weatherman Larry Sprinkle is celebrating 40 years of predicting the weather at WCNC.
Charlotte’s longest-serving TV weatherman Larry Sprinkle is celebrating 40 years of predicting the weather at WCNC. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
North Meck Vikings Exzavier Young celebrates the team’s victory with a member of the coaching staff following the teams 59-56 victory over New Hanover in the boys NCHSAA 4A State Championship game at Lawrence Joel Veterans Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC on Saturday, March 15, 2025.
North Meck Vikings Exzavier Young celebrates the team’s victory with a member of the coaching staff following the teams 59-56 victory over New Hanover in the boys NCHSAA 4A State Championship game at Lawrence Joel Veterans Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC on Saturday, March 15, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
The Lake Norman girls basketball team celebrate their 43-41 victory over Wakefield in the girls NCHSAA 4A State Championship game on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC.
The Lake Norman girls basketball team celebrate their 43-41 victory over Wakefield in the girls NCHSAA 4A State Championship game on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
North Meck Vikings head coach Duane Lewis acknowledges cheers of fans following the teams 59-56 victory over New Hanover in the boys NCHSAA 4A State Championship game at Lawrence Joel Veterans Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC on Saturday, March 15, 2025.
North Meck Vikings head coach Duane Lewis acknowledges cheers of fans following the teams 59-56 victory over New Hanover in the boys NCHSAA 4A State Championship game at Lawrence Joel Veterans Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC on Saturday, March 15, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Lake Norman’s Addison Buoniconti, left, and Samantha Shehan, right, fight for control of a loose ball with Wakefield’s Aly Schaffer, center, during the NCHSAA 4A State Championship game on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC. Lake Norman defeated Wakefield 43-41.
Lake Norman’s Addison Buoniconti, left, and Samantha Shehan, right, fight for control of a loose ball with Wakefield’s Aly Schaffer, center, during the NCHSAA 4A State Championship game on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC. Lake Norman defeated Wakefield 43-41. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
North Meck’s Carson Evans celebrates his basket on a drive down the lane against the Julius Chambers High defense during second half action in the West Regional Championship game at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. North Meck defeated Chambers 64-56.
North Meck’s Carson Evans celebrates his basket on a drive down the lane against the Julius Chambers High defense during second half action in the West Regional Championship game at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. North Meck defeated Chambers 64-56. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Panthers HC Dave Canales gets the crowd hype during the coronation ceremony before Charlotte FC’s home opening match against Atlanta United at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
Panthers HC Dave Canales gets the crowd hype during the coronation ceremony before Charlotte FC’s home opening match against Atlanta United at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Louie the Cardinal wins the ACC mascot championship race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on Monday, March 10, 2025. To kickoff the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Charlotte, team mascots compete on the famed quarter-mile at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Louie the Cardinal wins the ACC mascot championship race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on Monday, March 10, 2025. To kickoff the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Charlotte, team mascots compete on the famed quarter-mile at Charlotte Motor Speedway. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
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