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Ben Sharrer isn’t necessarily predicting the dynasty will continue.

But he said his Myers Park High girls’ swimming team is not short on talent again this year.

The Mustangs open their bid for a fourth consecutive state championship this weekend, competing in the West 4A Regional swim and diving meet at Mecklenburg Aquatic Center.

Charlotte’s uptown swim venue will be taken over by high school athletes, with diving championships Friday, and swim regional competition Friday and Saturday.

The first step toward winning a fourth consecutive 4A girls’ state title is at this weekend’s regional, and Myers Park appears to be equal to the task.

“This is a very good team,” said Sharrer, the 24-year-old coach who succeeded veteran Mimi Goudes last year, when she stepped away after 15 seasons at the helm of the Myers Park program.

Sharrer said the Mustangs are particularly strong in the relays, as is customary for Myers Park.

“The top girls are insanely fast,” he said. “And we’ve got flexibility. I can switch girls around from event to event, and we remain strong.”

The Mustangs’ big name is junior Avery Klamforth, the defending state champion in the 200-yard individual medley. Klamforth, a University of Texas commit, also finished second last year in the 100 breaststroke.

“Avery is incredible,” Sharrer said. “I can put here in just about any event, and she steps up.”

And there’s distance swimmer Katherine Guenther, a sophomore who ranks among the state’s best in the 500-yard freestyle.

But a lot of the buzz around this Myers Park team focuses on a pair of freshmen — Karina Plaza and Emma Grace Richardson.

The name “Plaza” might be familiar to swim fans, as Karina’s older sister, Sofia, was a Myers Park standout who graduated last year and now competes at the University of Florida.

Plaza is the No. 1-ranked swimmer in the state in the 100 backstroke and ranked fourth in the 200 IM. Richardson has been a standout in the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly.

Yes, it’s a wealth of riches at Myers Park.

“The two freshmen are sensational,” Sharrer said. “Their times have been unbelievable.”

Sharrer said he doesn’t think his team is weighed down by the pressure of trying to win a fourth straight state title.

“They have a lot of confidence,” he said. “They’ve always focused on winning.”

Besides, he added, they’re not newcomers to being in the spotlight.

“A number of our swimmers have competed in major national events, even the Olympic Trials,” he said. “They’ve been exposed to pressure-type events.”

And, he added, “They really enjoy swimming and being a team. This is a group that really has fun doing this.”

It’s not as if the rest of the swimming world will stay out of the pool this weekend.

N.C. Prep Swimming has Charlotte Catholic ranked as the No. 1 dual meet team in Class 4A, and the Cougars are likely to give Myers Park stiff competition this weekend — along with other traditional powers, like Marvin Ridge and Hough.

And Providence High swimmer Joslyn Bolton is favored to capture the 50 and 100 freestyle events, which would give the Panthers plenty of team points.

Defending boys’ West Regional champ Marvin Ridge is the favorite there again, with Myers Park, Ardrey Kell and Providence expected to put up the toughest competition.

Lake Norman Charter is the defending boys’ and girls’ team champion in 3A. Pine Lake Prep appears to be the favorite in the 1A-2A competition.

The West Regional swim and diving championships are Friday and Saturday at Mecklenburg Aquatic Center.

Diving competition for the 4A, 3A and 1A/2A meets is at 12:30 p.m. Friday.

The 1A/2A swim events are at 5 p.m. Friday. Swim competition in 3A begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. And the 4A swim competition begins at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Experts say the growing trend is likely to continue as Charlotte leaders seek solutions for vacant office buildings.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The U.S. is experiencing a record-breaking number of development projects that are converting office buildings into apartments, and Rentcafe reports Charlotte is one of the top cities leading the trend.

Experts say the growing trend is likely to continue as Charlotte leaders seek solutions for vacant office buildings.

Charlotte’s total office vacancy rate currently sits at about 25%, according to a Cushman & Wakefield report. Local leaders and developers are working to reduce that number by repurposing existing spaces, with several projects underway in the city.

One notable example is the old Duke Energy Headquarters on Brooklyn Village Avenue and Church Street, which is now being rebranded as Brooklyn & Church.

“Brooklyn & Church is a really good example of residential and retail. We also have the Johnston Building being converted into more than 240 hotel rooms,” said James LaBar, the senior vice president of economic development with Charlotte Center City Partners.

Rentcafe notes several office-to-apartment conversions are in the pipeline in the Queen City,

LaBar believes that such conversion projects will help balance live, work, and play spaces in Uptown, reducing the office vacancy rate.

“This idea of taking older offices or vintage offices and converting it into almost anything else has gained a lot of popularity,” he said.

While remote work continues to affect demand for office spaces, many employers are starting to require in-office attendance again. Patrick Gildea, a vice chairman with CBRE, said the office leasing rates are on the rise.

"The demand is picking up, but there’s a certain segment of office buildings that are functionally obsolete due to a variety of reasons,” Gildea said.

Gildea predicts buildings that can't be renovated into modern office space will either turn into an adaptive reuse project or be demolished. However, he acknowledged that only certain office buildings have the physical characteristics that can be converted into apartments.

“There are only so many buildings that functionally have the physical characteristics that can be converted into multi-family,” Gildea explained.

Despite the challenges, Charlotte’s metro area is seeing an influx of office-to-residential conversions. According to Rentcafe, nearly 1,800 rental units are in the pipeline, more than doubling last year’s figures.

Both LaBar and Gildea agree that more incentives from local and state governments are needed to encourage adaptive reuse projects, given the complexity of these conversions for developers.

Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.

You can stream WCNC Charlotte on Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV, just download the free WCNC+ app to get the news that impacts you.

The purpose was to bring dental care to kids in a community who may not have access to it.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On Friday, some students in Charlotte received free dental care during an event put on by TeamSmile and other organizations at Druid Hills Academy.

The goal was to bring dental service to kids in a community that may not have access to it. North Carolina data shows one out of every five kindergarten-aged students have tooth decay. In Mecklenburg County, roughly 25% of children are found to have untreated cavities, most of them coming from low-income families.

“There are students and children all across America but particularly in our metropolitan [area] in Charlotte who might not have access to dental care,” said Andrea Frohning, an event organizer with Dentsply Sirona.

Local dentists, dental organizations, dental schools, and volunteers brought together $800,000 worth of services to provide necessary care to students. That care spanned from cleanings and cavity fillings to extractions - services that could typically cost thousands of dollars.

Organizers said these services will go a long way in these student’s lives.

“We’re doing this service because we know how important it is for students to have good oral health -- which leads to good attendance in school,” shared Tangela Williams, an event organizer and Program Chairman with the Uplift Your Local Committee of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Rho Psi Omega Chapter.

If your child needs dental care, Mecklenburg County is hosting a similar event on February 8, 2025. Click here for more details.

Contact Anna King at aking2@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

You can stream WCNC Charlotte on Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV, just download the free WCNC+ app to get the news that impacts you.

Stonelake Capital Partners has purchased a 123,140-square-foot industrial building in Charlotte, N.C. Albany, N.Y.-based Steins Fiber sold the property for $13.5 million, Mecklenburg County public records show.

Avison Young arranged the transaction on behalf of the buyer, while Piedmont Properties represented the seller.

The deal marks Stonelake Capital Partners’ second off-market industrial purchase in the metro. The company entered the Charlotte industrial market in late 2024, with the acquisition of a fully occupied, 402,390-square-foot facility. At the time, Stonelake Capital Partners paid $51 million for the property, which is situated within the Concord Airport Business Park. That transaction was also arranged by Avison Young.

READ ALSO: Industrial Real Estate’s Future Depends on Adaptability

The property is at 6000 Old Concord Road and it’s fully leased to Foundation Building Materials and Dixie Plywood & Lumber Co., CommercialEdge shows. The asset allows easy access to interstates 485, 85 and 277. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is within 13 miles, while Concord, N.C., is 22 miles away.

The building features 22-feet clear heights, 13 dock high doors, one grade level door, LED lights, skylights, a fenced truck court and potential for outdoor storage space of as much as 2 acres. Avison Young’s Principals Chris Skibinski, Henry Lobb, Vice president Abby Rights and Associate Broker Jewell Gentry worked on behalf of the buyer. Partner Will Jenkins, Director of Investments Marc Hedrick and Investment Associate Jack Harvey with Stonelake Capital Partners also assisted. The seller was represented by Piedmont Properties’ President Scott Hensley.

Strong industrial activity

Industrial properties traded at one of the lowest average sale prices in the South region, of $79 per square foot, a recent CommercialEdge report shows. Charlotte’s industrial sales volume stood at $781 million, outperforming Baltimore ($486 million) and Memphis ($362 million). The metro maintained its position as one of the South’s tightest markets, with an industrial vacancy rate of 5.4 percent, below the 7.5 percent national average.

In December, INDUS Realty Trust acquired a majority stake in a 21-building industrial portfolio with assets in Charlotte and Charleston, N.C. Dubbed The Carolinas Portfolio, the 4.3 million-square-foot collection is valued at $575 million. Earlier last year, LM Real Estate Partners paid $97 million for an approximately 1.4 million-square-foot industrial property in the area, in a deal brokered by Avison Young.

At least five people aboard the American Airlines regional jet that plunged into the Potomac River after a midair collision on Wednesday night had ties to Charlotte, including the jet's four-person, Charlotte-based flight crew and one passenger.

They leave behind children, spouses, fiancés and other close family and friends. In some cases, friends and relatives have set up online fundraisers for the families.

Elected officials have offered condolences, including Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, who asked the Charlotte community "to wrap our arms around our neighbors who have been impacted by these tragic events."

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein also released a statement saying he and his wife, Anna Stein, were "praying for all involved — including the families of the Charlotte-based crew members."

Officials said there were no survivors when American Eagle Flight 5342 collided with an Army helicopter conducting a training exercise near Reagan National Airport shortly after 9 p.m. The fiery crash sent both aircraft plummeting into the icy river below.

The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The helicopter had three soldiers onboard.

Here's what we know so far about the five victims with ties to Charlotte:

Mary Jo Shaffer

Mary Jo Shaffer was among the 60 passengers aboard Flight 5342. She leaves behind a husband, Nathan, and two young boys, ages 3 and 1.

"She was a radiant soul, a devoted wife to Nathan, and an incredible mother to her two beautiful boys," friends wrote on a GoFundMe page raising money for the family.

"She dedicated her life to creating a warm, loving home filled with laughter and care. Her boys were her greatest pride and joy, and she dreamed of watching them grow into the amazing individuals she knew they would become."

As of Friday afternoon, nearly $244,000 had been donated to the online fundraiser.

Bill Melugin, a Fox News correspondent, shared on X that he was friends with Shaffer and her husband.

"I met them both when they were dating when I was working in Charlotte, NC. Always smiling, such a sweetheart. Heartbroken for Nate. We go from joking in our fantasy football group chat to this horrible news," he wrote.

Melugin also shared a statement from Shaffer's husband:

"I'm still waiting to wake up from this nightmare, but I fear this is the truth. Wendy was not just beautiful on the outside, but was a truly amazing woman through and through. She was the best wife, mother and friend that anyone could ever hope for. Her love, kindness, and strength touched everyone she met. We will miss you more than words can express, Wendy Jo. I love you endlessly! Rest in peace, my love."

Ian Epstein

Ian Epstein, 53, was a flight attendant on board Flight 5342. Writing on Facebook, Debi Epstein confirmed his death, saying that she did so "with a very heavy heart and extreme sadness."

Debi lives in Harrisburg, according to her Facebook page, and said she and Ian have two children. He also leaves behind a sister and her husband, and two nieces.

"Please pray for Ian and our family as we travel to DC. We will update when plans are made," she wrote.

According to his Facebook page, Ian worked for PSA Airlines and lived in Charlotte.

Danasia Elder

Danasia Elder, 34, was a flight attendant on board Flight 5342 and leaves behind a husband and two children, ages 13 and 4.

"Please keep our family in your prayers as we grieve such a sudden and unexpected loss," her brother, Dajour Brown wrote on a GoFundMe page.

As of Friday afternoon, the online fundraiser had raised more than $44,000.

Her brother-in-law, Brandon Payne, described her to WSOC-TV as "very bright, very smart."

"She was an entrepreneur," he said. "This flight attendant thing was kind of like one of her dreams she wanted to do."

Jonathan J. Campos

Jonathan J. Campos, 34, was the pilot of Flight 5342. His aunt, Beverly Lane, told The New York Times he had wanted to become a pilot from the time he was 3 years old.

"I think he wanted to be free, and be able to fly and soar like a bird," she told the news outlet.

She said he was raised in Brooklyn and had worked for PSA Airlines for eight years, allowing him to travel from his home base in Florida.

She said she had spoken with Campos for the last time on Wednesday evening just before his flight. She said he was looking forward to spending time with family on a Caribbean cruise planned for early February.

Samuel Lilley

Samuel Lilley, 28, was the co-pilot and first officer on board Flight 5342. His father, Timothy Lilley, was also a pilot, and confirmed his son's death in a post on Facebook.

"I was so proud when Sam became a pilot," he wrote. "Now it hurts so bad I can't even cry myself to sleep. I know I'll see him again but my heart is breaking. He was doing great in his career and his personal life. He was engaged to get married in the fall ... It is so devastating to lose someone that is loved so much."

In a text to The New York Times, Timothy Lilley said his son had grown up in Savannah, Ga., and learned to fly in 2019.