Joe Marusak
LightNews LightNews
banner
jmarusak.bsky.social
Joe Marusak
@jmarusak.bsky.social
410 followers 420 following 530 posts
Pulitzer Finalist reporter covering breaking news, Lake Norman and a lot more for The Charlotte Observer. Grew up in Rhode Island, Tar Heel by choice since 1989.
Posts Replies Media Videos
jmarusak.bsky.social
$2 Powerball ticket near Lake Norman lands largest national prize, officials say

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
$2 Powerball ticket near Lake Norman lands largest national prize, officials say
The winner matched the numbers on all the white balls – 6, 19, 22, 28 and 48. That beat odds of 1 in 11.6 million, according to the lottery.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:15 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Mooresville mayor sued by ex-assistant police chief over late-night encounters

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Mooresville mayor sued by ex-assistant police chief over late-night encounters
The lawsuit stems “from a deliberate and coordinated campaign by senior officials” to “silence, discredit and remove” Falzone, he alleges.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:44 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Stop at Charlotte snack bar ends with woman winning a lottery jackpot

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Stop at Charlotte snack bar ends with woman winning a lottery jackpot
The scratch-off ticket had images of sparkling diamonds. The woman beat odds of 1 in 1.5 million, according to the lottery ticket game page.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:21 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
People with measles visited Charlotte Lidl store, area QuikTrip, officials say

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
People with measles visited Charlotte Lidl store, area QuikTrip, officials say
Others may have been infected and should call their local health department for guidance, officials urged.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:04 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Clues in snow led to arrests of break-in suspect, accomplice, NC sheriff says

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Clues in snow led to arrests of break-in suspect, accomplice, NC sheriff says
“Despite winter storm conditions, deputies and canine Levi followed the suspect’s track from the business,” sheriff said.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:15 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Robbery suspect fired at officers during pursuit in Charlotte, CMPD says

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Robbery suspect fired at officers during pursuit in Charlotte, CMPD says
The driver crashed, and police and one of their dogs caught up with him when he ran. He faces multiple charges.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 7, 2026 at 1:00 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
NC teen died of exposure in heavy snow, brutal temps, medical examiner rules

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
NC teen died of exposure in heavy snow, brutal temps, medical examiner rules
Temperatures averaged 19.4 degrees, and winds were 6 to 16 mph, with gusts up to 23 mph, police said, citing the National Weather Service.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:04 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
1 dead in I-485 wreck in Charlotte on Friday, Medic says. Highway is closed.

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
1 dead in I-485 wreck in Charlotte on Friday, Medic says. Highway is closed.
The wreck happened near the Oakdale Road exit, according to Medic. No information has been released by police.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:08 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Billy Graham Library reopens with new offerings, replica of his US Capitol statue

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/living/relig...
Billy Graham Library reopens with new offerings, replica of his US Capitol statue
A new permanent feature in “The Journey of Faith” tour is a section on the Rev. Billy Graham’s statue in the U.S. Capitol.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:03 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Snow shocks Lake Norman area Thursday, covers ice left from weekend monster storm

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/weather...
Snow shocks Lake Norman area Thursday, covers ice left from weekend monster storm
Large, fluffy flakes fell for nearly 45 minutes near Interstate 77 Brawley School Road exit 35 and wasn’t letting up toward noon.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:43 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Longtime Lake Norman pizzeria has a new owner, but same homemade recipes, pies

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/living/food-...
Longtime Lake Norman pizzeria has a new owner, but same homemade recipes, pies
“A place I called home when my kids were little,” new owner says. “A place I met some of my closest friends. So many memories, good times.”
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:12 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Catawba Indians to build $120 million thoroughbred racetrack near $1B NC casino

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Catawba Indians to build $120 million thoroughbred racetrack near $1B NC casino
“Expanding into horse racing represents a natural evolution of our gaming enterprise,” officials with the Rock Hill-based tribe said.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:00 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Planners, neighbors urge denial of Texas developer’s Lake Norman community

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/busines...
Planners, neighbors urge denial of Texas developer’s Lake Norman community
The developer’s rezoning request calls for removing a greenhouse and accessory buildings for the proposed community.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:18 AM
jmarusak.bsky.social
New details revealed about proposed $200 million Lake Norman mixed-use community

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/busines...
New details revealed about proposed $200 million Lake Norman mixed-use community
The development would rise at a prime intersection in Huntersville, according to the developer’s plans.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:17 AM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Snow triggers road mishaps across Charlotte + train vs. tractor-trailer in Gastonia

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/weather...
Snow triggers road mishaps across Charlotte + train vs. tractor-trailer in Gastonia
Nobody was hurt in the Gastonia incident. Medic responded to 33 wrecks, including a collision that hospitalized two with life-threatening injuries.
www.charlotteobserver.com
January 31, 2026 at 10:25 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Where is Jim Cantore in North Carolina during the snowstorm? Over 1M people know

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/weather...
Where is Jim Cantore in North Carolina during the snowstorm? Over 1M people know
Weather Channel ‘harbinger of doom’ shows up at the nation’s most intense weather events, this time in the massive North Carolina snow dump.
www.charlotteobserver.com
January 31, 2026 at 5:10 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
‘Significant snowfall’ in Charlotte may reach 11 inches during dangerous chill

Read my updates at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/weather...
‘Significant snowfall’ in Charlotte may reach 11 inches during dangerous chill
The high temperature on Saturday is forecast to be in the lower 20s, followed by single digits, National Weather Service forecasters said.
www.charlotteobserver.com
January 31, 2026 at 2:44 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Loss of some flight instruments preceded deadly Biffle NC plane crash: new NTSB report

Read our report at: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nasca...
Loss of some flight instruments preceded deadly Biffle NC plane crash: new NTSB report
The investigation of the December crash in Statesville that killed seven people is ongoing.
www.charlotteobserver.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:56 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Despite sleet, snow and ice, NC city asks residents to conserve water

Read my update at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Despite sleet, snow and ice, NC city asks residents to conserve water
Drought lingers statewide, and the city’s water supply is down to about six months, officials said in a statement.
www.charlotteobserver.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:29 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Decomposing body found in Charlotte fire after flames erupted, officials say

Read my updates at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Decomposing body found in Charlotte fire after flames erupted, officials say
“The death appears to be unrelated to the fire,” Charlotte Fire Department officials said on social media. One person was also hospitalized.
www.charlotteobserver.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:23 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
See Charlotte developer’s new Lake Norman luxury apartment community

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/busines...
See Charlotte developer’s new Lake Norman luxury apartment community
The outside includes a pool, a pétanque court under a large oak tree, a Monarch butterfly garden and a fireside lounge.
www.charlotteobserver.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:32 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Huge plumes of smoke billowed from flames on a Lake Norman boat, video shows

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Huge plumes of smoke billowed from flames on a Lake Norman boat, video shows
The boat caught fire during the ice storm that shut down the Charlotte region over the weekend, according to Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue.
www.charlotteobserver.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:10 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
NC Gov. Stein calls agents’ killing of ICU nurse in Minneapolis ‘a travesty’

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
NC Gov. Stein calls agents’ killing of ICU nurse in Minneapolis ‘a travesty’
“He should still be alive right now. There must be a transparent investigation and accountability. This senseless violence must stop.”
www.charlotteobserver.com
January 25, 2026 at 2:39 AM
jmarusak.bsky.social
Matthews fire battalion chief charged with burning a former restaurant

Read my story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Matthews fire battalion chief charged with burning a former restaurant
The chief was placed on leave pending an administrative investigation, according to a town statement.
www.charlotteobserver.com
January 24, 2026 at 7:57 PM
jmarusak.bsky.social
‘Life threatening’ ice storm state of emergency to begin for Mecklenburg County

Read my updates at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/weather...
‘Life threatening’ ice storm state of emergency to begin for Mecklenburg County
NWS: Charlotte could see up to a debilitating three-quarters of an inch of ice from the winter storm that moved into the mountains Saturday.
www.charlotteobserver.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:41 PM