Winter Storm, Flu Deaths: Top News Of The Week

This past week, Patch readers in the Charlotte and Lake Norman area were captivated -- and for a few days, held captive by -- a winter storm that dumped as much as 6 inches throughout the region, and kept schools closed for three days. Readers also wanted to know more about the spread of flu across the state, a murder suspect's death after ambushing cops in a police station parking lot, the state of school segregation in area schools, and so much more.

Here are the articles that Patch readers were most interested in this past week:

Motorists Urged To Stay Off Roads As NC Declares Emergency

The entire state of North Carolina is under a state of emergency Tuesday night as snow and hazardous traveling conditions are predicted to reach just about every corner of the state through early Thursday, according to the governor.

North Charlotte Domestic Shooting Leaves Sheriff’s Deputy Dead

A homicide investigation is underway after a Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office deputy was shot and killed in an incident involving his wife, who is also a MCSO deputy, in north Charlotte Monday afternoon in what Charlotte police are describing as a case of domestic violence.

NC Flu Death Toll At 26, Charlotte Hospitals Clamp Down On Visits

Twenty-six people in North Carolina have died from the flu this season — including four deaths during the first week of the year, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Traffic Accidents Pile Up In Charlotte Metro Area

Charlotte police responded to nearly 200 traffic accidents, by 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, more than double the number of accidents reported on a typical day, the department said as it advised area residents to stay off the road.

Armed Murder Suspect Shoots CMPD Officer Outside Police Station

The murder suspect at the center of a regional manhunt was shot and killed late Thursday night after he attempted to ambush police at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Headquarters in uptown, shooting one officer in the leg.

Worst Drivers: NC’s Ranking In National Survey

North Carolina drivers tend to be impatient, careless and don't really like to obey traffic laws, according to a new report ranking the states the worst drivers behind the wheel released by CarInsuranceComparison.com, an auto insurance website.

School Segregation In Mooresville: What The Data Shows

While explicitly racist segregation of American schools has been outlawed, education across the country is still largely divided along racial lines. If they want, districts can rezone schools to either decrease — or increase — segregation.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Heading To Super Bowl, Winter Olympics

Usually, retirement means having a lot of downtime to fill. For NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr., however, it will soon mean a new line of work that will take him to Minneapolis and South Korea as a presenter for NBC Sports.

Suspects Wanted For Computer Theft From Mooresville Walmart

Mooresville Police are asking for the public's help in identifying suspects they say stole at least three computers from Walmart in December and January.

Retiring In North Carolina: See What This Study Says

North Carolina is a state beloved for its mountains, beaches and barbeque. When it comes to the best state for retirement, however, North Carolina ranks 28th in the U.S., according to a new study.

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