North Carolina
North Carolina neighbors report a noisy party — but instead of the owners, police found the ‘lawn guy’ hosting
A massive party at a $4.3 million mansion in Weddington, North Carolina — allegedly held without the owner’s permission — landed one man in jail. WSOC-TV reports that 37-year-old Michael Brown broke into a client’s home and held a graduation party for his son while the owners were away. Brown was charged with breaking and entering, property damage and obtaining property by false pretenses. He has since posted a $10,000 secured bond.
Brown, however, maintains his actions weren’t criminal. “I didn’t break the law, I just broke some rules, probably, with my owners…but I didn’t break the law,” he told WSOC-TV reporters.
Officers say they were called to the million-dollar mansion on Twelve Mile Creek Road last Saturday night after neighbors reported blocked roads, loud noise and a traffic hazard. When they arrived, they say Brown first claimed to be the homeowner, then the homeowner’s grandson, before finally admitting he was the landscaper.
Don’t miss
Landscaper defends actions, but family say he crossed the line
Brown claims the party was a graduation party for his son and his son’s friends. He told reporters that they were aiming to create a “positive environment” and generate a little income.
But deputies found far more than just a wholesome celebration. “It was mostly teenagers and young adults. We estimate anywhere from three to four hundred people were at the house, and a lot of underage drinking was going on,” Lieutenant James Maye stated.
Deputies also seized more than $3,000 in entrance fees, which Brown says was used to cover security costs. He strongly denied charging a cover fee or telling police he owned the home.
“I never spoke to them about anything, about who stayed there or who owned the place. It wasn’t my right to tell them that, because it’s private property,” Brown told reporters.
The homeowners’ son, Jante Burch, claims Brown has taken advantage of his parents’ generosity and insisted his parents didn’t know about the party, saying, “He’s a liar, number one; clearly he told multiple stories to the officers.”
While Brown insists he won’t lose the Burch family as a client, Burch disagrees.
“In fact, not only has he lost a client, he’s probably lost all of the other clients that he had gotten in that neighborhood,” Burch [told reporters}(https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/homeowners-son-speaks-out-after-massive-unauthorized-party-familys-mansion/LRDCKMMRZBBJJHAITWL3JKOSLU/).
Brown has since posted a $10,000 bond and faces charges of breaking and entering, property damage, and obtaining property by false pretenses. There’s no public record yet of any court appearance or scheduled hearing date; the case appears to still be in the pre-trial phase.
Read more: Americans are ‘revenge saving’ to survive — but millions only get a measly 1% on their savings. Here’s how to quickly earn 280% more on your cash
How to vet in-home service providers
Incidents like this raise big legal and financial questions for homeowners. If a party is thrown at your home, who is responsible if something goes wrong? If a party is thrown on your property without your consent, you’re typically not liable for damages or illegal behavior that occurs, as long as you didn’t authorize it or turn a blind eye to it.
Still, proving that you didn’t know can be difficult, which is why vetting service providers is so important. And this situation highlights just how quickly trust can be abused when the wrong person gains access to your home. Here are a few ways to protect yourself when hiring someone to work in your home:
-
Check references: Ask for references and search for online reviews. A legitimate business should have a visible online presence and a verifiable track record.
-
Verify licenses and insurance: Landscapers and contractors are usually required to carry liability insurance and may need a license. Double-check the requirements in your state and verify they have the required documentation.
-
Be cautious: Just because someone seems friendly and trustworthy doesn’t mean they are. Don’t provide more access than needed, and set up security cameras when you’re away.
-
Watch for red flags: Avoid anyone who pressures you for cash payments, can’t provide references, doesn’t have a business name, or seems evasive when you ask about past clients.
Above all, trust your instincts. If something feels off, it likely is. Installing security cameras while you’re away and changing the locks after ending a relationship with a service provider can help limit your risk and ensure your property remains secure.
What to read next
Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Good evening, North Carolina. We’re wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook.
Your Weather Planner
Charlotte, Triad and mountains
A soggy and chilly weather setup is established around the region. We will have rain at times tonight and tomorrow morning and then look for clouds and lingering drizzle at times tomorrow afternoon.
Another wave of showers is looking likely later Wednesday into Wednesday night.
The bottom line is we are in a wet, raw, chilly period of weather. Highs will run well below average the next several days, and rain totals will likely be 1-3 inches in many areas. Overall flooding potential looks low.
Central North Carolina
Showers will remain dominant through Tuesday afternoon. Expect morning lows Tuesday in the upper 40s ahead of an afternoon high in the low to mid-50s.
Winds will be breezy through the day with 20 to 30 mph gusts possible. A break in the rain may be possible early Wednesday before another batch of showers moves in Wednesday evening and continues through early Thursday.
Much of central North Carolina should see around 1 to 3 inches of rain this week.
Eastern North Carolina
An area of low pressure will track up the coast through Tuesday. That will also make for a windy Tuesday. Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible at the Outer Banks, up to 40 mph for the Crystal Coast and up to 20-30 mph for the rest of eastern North Carolina.
Coastal flooding will also be possible at high tides through midweek. That could impact N.C. 12 along the Outer Banks, especially around Buxton and on Ocracoke. Some roads in eastern Carteret County may flood as well.
We may get a break in the rain Tuesday night into much of Wednesday before another wave of rain arrives for late Wednesday and early Thursday.
Much of eastern North Carolina should see around 1 to 3 inches of rain this week.
Get your full forecast: Charlotte | Triad | Triangle | Coastal | Mountains
Today’s Big Stories
1. 13 shot at Halloween party in southeastern N.C., 2 killed
Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins’ office said in a news release that 13 people were shot. He said that homicide investigators and others were at the scene of the party in a rural area outside of Maxton, about 95 miles southwest of Raleigh near the South Carolina border. Deputies found Jessie Locklear Jr., 49, and Nehemiah Locklear, 16, both of Lumberton, dead at the scene.
2. Attendance dips at N.C. State Fair. A look at the numbers
Food vendors and carnival workers are packing up their candied apples, cotton candy, games and giant stuffed prizes, marking the end of the 2025 North Carolina State Fair season. This year, there were 946,811 total fairgoers during the fair’s 11-day run, according to figures from the state’s Department of Agriculture. That is nearly 8,000 fewer than the past 10-year average and more than 50,000 less than last year.
3. Salisbury police chief says bystander likely saved officer’s life during knife-wielding assault
Salisbury Police Chief Patrick Smith is praising a bystander’s courageous actions that he says likely saved an officer’s life during an assault Sunday evening. The officer and bystander were injured by a knife-wielding suspect at a Cookout on East Innes Street, police said. The suspect faces multiple charges.
4. Greensboro officer’s near-death experience highlights why impaired driving can be fatal
Looking back at photos of his totaled police cruiser, Greensboro police Cpl. Nicholas Walton says he’s lucky to be alive. Two years ago, a drunken driver traveling at 80 mph crashed into the back of Walton’s car as he was parked on the side of the road. He came away from the crash with no serious injuries and says he’s one of the lucky ones.
5. Category 5 Hurricane Melissa will make landfall in Jamaica Tuesday
Hurricane Melissa is a powerful Category 5 hurricane in the Caribbean Sea. It’s expected to remain a powerful storm as it makes landfall in Jamaica Tuesday. Melissa formed on Tuesday, Oct. 21, becoming the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Melissa will begin to turn northward soon as it approaches Jamaica.
Your Notes for Tomorrow
- Gotham Awards for film nominations announced
- Monthly House Price Index/Housing Vacancies/Consumer Confidence Index
- Senate Armed Services nominations hearing of Brendan Rogers to be Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment, James Caggy to be Assistant Secretary of the Defense for Mission Capabilities, Joseph Jewell to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology, and Marc Berkowitz to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy
In Case You Missed It
For most, the State Fair means delicious fried food, games and fun, but for workers behind the scenes, these long days can stretch from sunrise to beyond sunset. That’s where the North Carolina Campers on Mission comes in. It’s a group that has spent decades quietly working behind the scenes to make sure the people who make it happen are supported.
The Virginia Cavaliers escaped with a 17-16 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels, needing overtime to prevail. The Cavaliers stopped the Tar Heels on a two-point conversion, which would have given North Carolina the win if successful. However, running back Benjamin Hall was inches short of reaching the pylon.
North Carolina controlled the flow of the contest, but ultimately, three turnovers, including an interception in the end zone, proved to be too much for the Tar Heels to overcome.
Not only was it a missed opportunity for North Carolina, but it also prevented the Duke Blue Devils from making up ground, despite being on a bye week.
Keeping all of that in mind, here is how the result of this game affects the Blue Devils’ chances of qualifying for the ACC Championship game later in December.
Obviously, it was not the end result that the Blue Devils were hoping for, but there are certainly reasons to feel positive from Duke’s perspective.
For one, the Cavaliers looked quite vulnerable in this contest, as they were outgained by nearly 100 yards, took six sacks, and were overall completely inept offensively.
Quarterback Chandler Morris’ performance was quite concerning, as he completed 20-of-35 pass attempts for 200 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He threw errant passes all game, including two consecutive misses near the goal line that were rudimentary throws.
The win sends the Cavaliers to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play. However, watching this game, it is apparent that Virginia is not as good as its record.
Despite the victory furthering the Cavaliers’ control of their own destiny, Duke’s confidence should not waver when considering Virginia’s current position in the conference.
Virginia’s last three wins have come with a combined margin of victory of eight total points, which included a game-winning safety against Washington State last week and a game-clinching stop in overtime on Saturday against North Carolina.
Additionally, the Blue Devils will have their chance to take matters into their own hands when they host the Cavaliers on Nov. 15.
If Virginia plays remotely close to how it did on Saturday, unlike North Carolina, Duke will take advantage of every opportunity the Cavaliers present. Darian Mensah is light-years ahead of Gio Lopez, who was putrid, despite having ample opportunities to take control of the game.
Virginia was fortunate Lopez was the signal caller on the other side on Saturday. The junior quarterback attempted 5.8 yards per pass, and throwing two costly interceptions.
Duke is still within striking distance, and fortunately for the Blue Devils, they will have their opportunity to deal with Virginia themselves in a few weeks.
As always, make sure you stay up to date with all Duke content by following us on Facebook, by clicking HERE and following us on X (formerly Twitter) HERE
CAMPBELL COUNTY, Va. – A man from North Carolina has been arrested and charged with damaging property at Lynchburg Regional Airport, according to the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office.
Shortly after midnight Thursday, deputies found the suspect on airport grounds attempting to break through the glass doors to enter the building. Deputies approached and took him into custody without incident.
The suspect has been identified as 20-year-old Landen Ray Hayden of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Investigators determined that Hayden, who was intoxicated at the time, unlawfully entered airport property and caused significant damage. This included overturning several drums containing cleaning fluid used by airport staff in daily operations.
Hayden faces the following charges:
-
Felony property damage
-
Trespassing
-
Underage possession of alcohol
-
Public intoxication
-
Contaminating waterways
The Campbell County Sheriff’s Office is working closely with Lynchburg Regional Airport officials as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office at 434-332-9574, Central Virginia Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900 or www.cvcrimestoppers.org, or submit a tip online at www.p3tips.com. Tips may remain anonymous, and information leading to an arrest could be eligible for a cash reward.
Copyright 2025 by WSLS 10 – All rights reserved.
Man shot to death inside vehicle in Detroit, police say
San Francisco’s North Beach divided over proposal to loosen zoning rules
Human trafficking fugitive arrested by police and FBI in Miami Beach
Simons scores 25 points, Celtics earn first victory by beating the Pelicans 122-90
Police officer, suspect, two victims injured in police shooting, Denver Police Department says
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
How and Where the National Guard Has Deployed to U.S. Cities
NYC voters embrace democratic socialism as AOC, Sanders stump for Mamdani
How has irregular migration to the EU changed in 2025?
People are having fewer kids. Their choice is transforming the world’s economy
PHOTOS: The making of Trump’s White House ballroom, a look at the construction progress
-
New York4 days agoVideo: How Mamdani Has Evolved in the Mayoral Race
-
World1 week agoIsrael continues deadly Gaza truce breaches as US seeks to strengthen deal
-
News6 days agoVideo: Federal Agents Detain Man During New York City Raid
-
News7 days agoBooks about race and gender to be returned to school libraries on some military bases
-
Technology1 week agoAI girlfriend apps leak millions of private chats
-
Politics1 week agoTrump admin on pace to shatter deportation record by end of first year: ‘Just the beginning’
-
News1 week agoTrump news at a glance: president can send national guard to Portland, for now
-
Business1 week agoUnionized baristas want Olympics to drop Starbucks as its ‘official coffee partner’