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Gun-sniffing dog coming to Northlake Mall + Bomb threat forces evacuation of North Carolina Zoo

Hey, everyone! Drew here. Happy Monday!

The Charlotte Observer Mobile Newsroom is off to our next stop — the communities in the Beatties Ford Road corridor — and we’re excited to meet them.

Beginning next month, The Observer will be at the Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library. We will be in residency there for the next six to eight weeks to learn more about this community, the issues they care about and to cover it in ways we’ve never done before.

To kick things off, the branch will host “Meet the Charlotte Observer Staff “ Monday, April 3, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 2412 Beatties Ford Rd. We invite the community to come and tell us about your neighborhood and your concerns. Bring your questions and conversation and learn more about how we do our jobs.

We look forward to seeing you there!

1. Northlake Mall adds gun-sniffing dog, more security after recent shootings

Northlake Mall officials called Tuesday’s shooting in the parking lot outside Macy’s a “reckless act,” and said other crimes committed in recent months “have shaken our community.”
Northlake Mall officials called Tuesday’s shooting in the parking lot outside Macy’s a “reckless act,” and said other crimes committed in recent months “have shaken our community.”

Northlake Mall is ramping up security after three shootings in three months.

The north Charlotte shopping destination is adding five security measures, including a gun-sniffing dog, as soon as next month, according to the Spinoso Real Estate Group.

“We have been proactively working with the CMPD to ensure the safety of our retailers, employees and customers while working to prevent these events from happening in the future,” Spinoso CEO Carmen Spinoso said in a statement.

Catherine Muiccigrosso has the scoop.

2. Bomb threat forces evacuation of North Carolina Zoo. Juvenile to be charged.

The entrance to the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro.
The entrance to the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro.

The N.C. Zoo in Asheboro was evacuated earlier this morning following a bomb threat.

The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office said it received a call at 10:43 a.m. that a park representative had received a bomb threat “through electronic means.”

By 1:30 p.m., the zoo posted on its website that all school groups and employees had been evacuated.

Marth Quillin continues to update this story.

3. Spring cleaning could pay off: There’s a missing NC lottery ticket worth $100K

There was a lucky powerball winner in Fort Mill, S.C.
There was a lucky powerball winner in Fort Mill, S.C.

Check your junk drawers. They might be holding the lottery’s latest unclaimed prize: a ticket worth $100,000.

Someone, somewhere bought the winning Powerball ticket at Lake Wylie Mini Mart in Gastonia on Oct. 5, according to the North Carolina Education Lottery.

The winner has one week to find the ticket and take it to lottery headquarters in Raleigh by April 4 at 5 p.m.

Julia Coin shares more details on the missing ticket.

4. Updated Panthers mock draft: Will Carolina select C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young at No. 1?

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (QB15) is seen during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 04, 2023
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (QB15) is seen during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 04, 2023

The 2023 NFL Draft is officially one month away.

Carolina was busy at multiple pro days last week as it weighs its options at the top of the draft. Everyone’s got their own opinion on which young quarterback the Panthers should pick, but which move is the right one?

Mike Kaye runs you through his latest mock draft and shares some insight.

5. Some more stories to read

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Drew Nantais is a Senior Growth & Engagement Producer for the Charlotte Observer.
Drew Nantais is a Senior Growth & Engagement Producer for the Charlotte Observer.