Asheville Jobless Rate Continues Drop
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville's unemployment rate is continuing its decline. The U.S. Labor Bureau reported jobless numbers fell to two-point-six-percent in December, which marked the lowest rate for the city since 1999. It's also one of the lowest rates in the state. Close to 25-thousand job openings are still available in Asheville.
No Arrests Expected In Asheville Overdoses
(Asheville, NC) -- There may be no charges in the case of multiple drug overdoses at an Asheville resort. Six people were hospitalized over the weekend after they were reportedly found overdosed in a room at the Grove Park Inn. The Asheville Police Department told the Citizen-Times yesterday that there was nothing to indicate any arrests would be made at this point. There were drugs found in the room.
Hendersonville Man Sentenced To Life For Murder
(Hendersonville, NC) -- A Hendersonville man is heading to prison for murder. Kenneth Mills was sentenced to life without parole last Friday for shooting a man to death at Sullivan Park in Hendersonville more than three-years ago. A bystander reportedly videoed some footage from the scene. The trial lasted around a week.
New State Rep Takes Office In Buncombe House Seat
(Asheville, NC) -- A new state representative is serving Buncombe County's District 114. Caleb Rudow was recently sworn-in to take the place of Minority Whip Susan Fisher, who retired. The Democrat is already planning to run for the seat once the remaining term runs up later this year.
Foul Play Ruled Out In Haywood County Death
(Haywood County, NC) -- Foul play is being ruled out in a Haywood County death. Crews pulled the body of a 40-year-old Clyde man from the Pigeon River outside Canton on Sunday. Investigators told WLOS-TV yesterday that foul play isn't suspected, but the autopsy report is still incomplete.
Attendance Soars At WNC State Parks
(Chimney Rock, NC) -- Attendance numbers are up by a decent amount at some western North Carolina state parks. Chimney Rock saw a jump of over 30-percent in 2021 from the year before, and easily surpassed record numbers in 2019. Lake James State Park also reported a 30-plus-percent increase year-to-year. Overall, visitor numbers in the state park system as a whole in 2021 were the most ever.
Kannapolis Man Arrested For Mother's Murder
(Kannapolis, NC) -- A Kannapolis man is behind bars for his mother's murder. Rowan County deputies found the suspect's mother stabbed to death in a yard on Bostian Oaks Lane Monday morning. Her son was arrested down the street and taken to jail without bond for the murder charge.
Face Masks Now Optional In Cabarrus Schools
(Cabarrus County, NC) -- The face mask mandate is changing for Cabarrus County Schools. The school board voted last night to make masks optional, while they will still be required on buses. Some parents and students protested before the meeting with hopes the district would drop its mandate. The decision was based on improved COVID metrics within the school system.
Two CMS Administrators Re-assigned After Investigation
(Charlotte, NC) -- Two school administrators are taking on different positions after a CMS investigation. A probe began several months ago after a Hawthorne Academy student was suspended for reporting a sexual assault. The school district announced yesterday that the principal and assistant principal are being permanently re-assigned.
Shots Fired Into Multiple Charlotte Homes
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is looking for suspects in a shooting northeast of uptown. Investigators say shots were fired into four homes on Umstead Street Sunday night. Two cars were also damaged. There were no injuries reported, while the search is continuing for the gunman.
Changes Underway At Bank Of America Stadium
(Charlotte, NC) -- Renovations at Bank of America Stadium are wrapping up as the inaugural season for Charlotte's new soccer team approaches. The vice president of Tepper Sports helped unveil some of the recent changes yesterday, including massive LED screens outside the stadium along Mint Street. Field-level seating is also being added. Charlotte FC plays its first home match on March 5th.
Two Airlines Flying Out Of CLT Merging
(Charlotte, NC) -- Passengers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport will see some airline changes soon. A merger was announced yesterday between Frontier and Spirit Airlines, which both fly out of CLT. It's too soon to tell exactly how the merger will affect flights locally. Passenger numbers at Charlotte's airport are making a comeback after the pandemic caused a plummet in 2020.
LaMelo Heading To NBA All-Star Game
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Hornets' LaMelo Ball is heading to the NBA All-Star Game. The second-year point guard was named to the Eastern Conference team yesterday after Kevin Durant dropped out over an injury. The game will be played on February 20th in Cleveland. Ball is averaging 20-points-a-game this year after winning Rookie of the Year honors last season.
Worries About Frozen Roads Prompts School Districts To Delay The Start Of Classes Today
(Raleigh, NC) -- Concerns about black ice on the roadways this morning has prompted several Triangle area school districts to announce 2-hour delays. They include Durham, Orange, Chatham, Grandville and Halifax Counties, as well as Weldon city, Person and Vance Counties. Motorists are advised to drive with caution, especially on bridges, overpasses and elevated surfaces where ice may have frozen over due to falling temperatures.
Wake County Man Charged In Fatal Hit And Run Sunday On I-540
(Raleigh, NC) -- A Wake Forest man is now in custody facing multiple charges in connection with a fatal hit-and-run on I-540 near Creedmoor Road late Sunday. Twenty-four-year-old Sharod Ruffin is charged with felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, after he allegedly struck a stranded motorist and seriously injured a AAA worker who had been dispatched to help her. The motorist died at the scene, while the AAA worker was treated for serious injuries at a nearby hospital. The North Carolina Highway Patrol says more charges are pending.
Raleigh Mayor Baldwin And Wake County Health Officials To Discuss Possibly Ending Mask Mandates
(Wake County, NC) -- Later today, Wake County health officials will meet with Raleigh Mayor Mary Ann Baldwin to discuss the possibility of ending masks mandates. This, as the number of new COVID-19 cases across the state continued to decline, an indication that the Omicron surge may have peaked. On Monday, there were four-thousand-727 new infections reported, a decrease of nearly 45-hundred from the day before. North Carolina's test positive rate remained at 19-point-three-percent.
General Assembly Resumes Work On Creating New District Maps As Ordered By The State Supreme Court
(Raleigh, NC) -- At the North Carolina General Assembly Monday, lawmakers began discussions on how to comply with a state supreme court order to re-draw the Republican created Congressional district maps before a February 18th deadline. The High Court ruled last Friday that the current maps were intentionally drawn to disenfranchise black voters and ensure more GOP electoral victories. Both sides agreed to start redistricting negotiations next week.
New Area Code Coming To Southeast North Carolina Later This Year
(Raleigh, NC) -- Parts of southeast North Carolina will soon be getting a new area code. According to the State Utilities Commission, the new 472 area code was recently approved to provide overlay for the current 910 area code. However, 472-will only be available for new customers in Fayetteville, Jacksonville, Lumberton and Wilmington. Customers who currently have 911-service will not have to change.
Number Seven Duke Upset By Virginia In A One Point Thriller
(Durham, NC) -- After a sound thrashing of North Carolina in Coach K's final appearance at the Dean Dome Saturday, the Duke Blue Devil's fell to Virginia last night in a crushing 69-68 defeat. The loss brought an end to Duke's five game winning streak. After squandering a 12-point lead over the Cavaliers, Virginia's Reece Beekman nailed a 3-pointer with just 1-point-1 seconds left in the game to seal the win at Cameron Indoor Stadium.