Jessica Banov

2 weeks ago | charlotteobserver.com | Jessica Banov

At the age of 14, Margaret Van Bruggen was planning her own funeral, down to the dress she would wear. That's one of the first stunning details in Théoden Janes' story about the then-freshman at Covenant Day School in Matthews. Her heart's mitral valve was deteriorating quickly due to a staph infection that came out of the blue. Spoiler alert: She's OK now, thanks to a life-saving, ground-breaking operation at Duke Children's Hospital and Health Center in Durham.

3 weeks ago | charlotteobserver.com | Jessica Banov

Two weeks ago, the city of Charlotte was rattled over news of an indicted council member. Last week, the turmoil continued with the revelation that Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is going to retire at the end of the year. He also released details of his "separation agreement" with the city, worth $305,000, that the city has yet to disclose itself.

1 month ago | newsobserver.com | Jessica Banov

Federal prosecutors say Charlotte City Councilwoman Tiawana Brown misused COVID pandemic relief funds to, among other things, throw herself a $15,000 birthday party with a horse-drawn carriage and throne. Thursday, she and her two daughters were charged with wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy. They're accused of lying on loan applications for pandemic-era relief programs to secure over $124,000.

1 month ago | newsobserver.com | Jessica Banov

Keith Lee has 17 million followers on TikTok and almost 3 million more on Instagram. A visit to a restaurant can immediately generate new fans, both in-person and virtually, and an influx of new diners. As Rolling Stone describes it, this is known as "the Keith Lee effect."So let's just say that when Lee revealed he was bringing his "Familee Food Tour Show" to North Carolina, it was a big deal, wrote reporter Chyna Blackmon, who documented his visits in Raleigh, Charlotte and other NC spots.

1 month ago | newsobserver.com | Jessica Banov

A man shot Tuesday night in Raleigh has died from his injuries, and another man is charged with his murder, police said Thursday. Raleigh police said they responded to a shooting Tuesday night about 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Colleton Road and Oakwood Avenue. A man, identified Thursday as Jamael Truesdale, 35, had been shot. He was taken to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Police say Perez Keyes, 32, has been charged with murder.