Biltmore Estate Furloughs Over Two-Thousand

(Asheville, NC) -- Nearly all of the employees at the Biltmore Estate are being furloughed. CEO Bill Cecil, Junior said yesterday there's been a 95-percent drop in revenue since the estate closed down amid the coronavirus pandemic. Around 22-hundred of the estate's 25-hundred employees are now temporarily out of work. The staffing measures are considered temporary until more operations resume.

Nurses Petition Mission Hospital For Coronavirus Training

(Asheville, NC) -- Nurses are urging Mission Hospital for training on proper COVID-19 protocol. The Citizen-Times reports around 700 nurses have signed an online petition to ensure they're informed of how to properly use and remove protective gear, while also pushing for greater communication on potential contacts with coronavirus patients. The petition is expected to be delivered today. Employees are now being screened for their temperature upon entering the hospital.

NC Coronavirus Cases Top 17-Hundred

(Raleigh, NC) -- Coronavirus cases continue to rise in North Carolina as testing increases across the state. The News and Observer reported last night there are now more than 17-hundred cases in the state, with just over 200 hospitalizations. Close to 70 cases are being reported in western North Carolina. The number of deaths also rose to 15.

Ingles To Hire Five-Thousand

(Asheville, NC) -- Black Mountain-based Ingles is hiring. The grocery store chain announced this week it is looking to add five-thousand more employees at its locations and distribution centers. Associates who test positive for COVID-19 will now receive a separate two-week paid leave period. Ingles is also planning to throw in a one-time bonus for employees who were hired before March.

Asheville Distillery Busy Making Hand Sanitizer

(Asheville, NC) -- An Asheville distillery is partnering with Dogwood Health to make hand sanitizer. Cultivated Cocktails Distillery started making the product with the approval of North Carolina's Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission last month. Dogwood is using part of its recent ten-million-dollar donation for COVID-19 response to help Cultivated Cocktails produce the sanitizer and distribute it at no charge. Southeastern Container in Enka is providing the bottles.

Teachers Greet Students From Cars

(Asheville, NC) -- Some Henderson County teachers are showing how much they miss their students. Educators and kids alike in North Carolina and across the country are in an unprecedented time of online learning away from the classroom. The Citizen-Times says teachers from Marlow Elementary School in Mills River hit the road last week to wave to their students. They decorated their cars with different signs to go on a parade through the town's communities. The state's public schools are currently closed through May 15th.

Second Coronavirus Death Reported In Mecklenburg

(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- Another death from COVID-19 is being reported in Mecklenburg County. The news from public health officials yesterday marks the second person to die from the virus locally, with 15 reported across the state. The News and Observer said case numbers rose to over 17-hundred last night in North Carolina. Mecklenburg County has the most by far with 465.

Alma Adams Doesn't Approve Trump's Response To COVID-19

(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte congresswoman says she's not happy with the Trump administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Democrat Alma Adams told the Charlotte Observer yesterday the country's response would have been much swifter if the U.S. Senate had removed the president from office in January. Trump stands by how he has handled the situation and feels it would've played out the same even without the impeachment. Republican Congressman Ted Budd has accused Adams of taking political cheap shots.

Teen Arrested For Matthews Murder

(Matthews, NC) -- A teen is now in jail for a murder in Matthews. Investigators say one man died a day after being shot while driving on Highway 74 two weeks ago. The victim crashed his truck into a building at the Matthews Township Office Park. The 17-year-old suspect was arrested on the charge of murder in Stallings yesterday.

CMS To Begin Fourth Quarter Instruction

(Charlotte, NC) -- Fourth quarter instruction is about to begin for CMS students. The district says new content will be going out by Monday, April 6th. Learning packets will be made available for pick-up for students between Pre-K and 3rd grade. Papers will be at the district's meal distribution sites. Students will be working from home until at least May 15th across the state.

CMPD Seeks Second Suspect In McDonald's Robberies

(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is looking for another suspect accused of five robberies at Charlotte McDonald's restaurants. The first suspect was arrested last Friday and charged with around 20 counts, including robbery and second-degree kidnapping. Investigators say the suspects threatened employees at four area locations last week, plus one crime that dates back to December. The at-lrage suspect is identified as 23-year-old Jeremy Thrasher.

Harris Teeter Giving Out Hero Bonus

(Matthews, NC) -- Matthews-based Harris Teeter is giving out what it calls a 'hero bonus' to its hourly employees. The grocery store chain announced yesterday it plans to pay two-dollars above the standard base rate of pay for hours worked the first three weeks of this month. Harris Teeter's president says their valued associates have worked tirelessly to ensure communities have the essentials, and this is another way to convey gratitude. The company is also in the midst of adding more than two-thousand more employees.

Sheriff's Deputy Who Thought He Had Allergies Dies From Coronavirus

(Raleigh, NC) -- Included among the 17-coronavirus deaths reported in North Carolina Wednesday was a 43-year-old Montgomery County Sheriff's deputy. In a written statement, Sheriff Chris Watkins said Deputy Bud Phouang [[ Fong ]] died Tuesday night while being treated at the intensive care unit of a hospital in Pinehurst. The deputy was only admitted on Monday after experiencing what he thought were seasonal allergy symptoms. He later tested positive for COVID-19. The 14-year veteran of the force was married with five children.

Police Need Help In Locating Homeless Durham Woman

(Durham, NC) -- Police in Durham are asking the public for help in locating a woman who has been missing since January. Investigators say 37-year-old Lakeysha Lassiter is believed to be homeless. They say she has been known to frequent areas around Liberty Street, Holloway Street and East Durham. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Durham Police Department.

Warning To Watch Out For Scammers Targeting Those Sheltering-In-Place

(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina law enforcement officials are warning residents to keep their guard up against scammers who are looking to take advantage of people staying at home and practicing social distancing. One of the most popular scams, according the Better Business Bureau, is a 'Social Distancing Coupon' that comes online from a major franchise like Starbucks. They warn it's a fake and not to click on the link.

Harris-Teeter Workers To Get A Hero Bonus

(Raleigh, NC) -- Kroger, the parent company of Harris-Teeter, has announced the awarding of a 'Hero Bonus' for all of its front-line workers who are on the job through April 18th. The two-dollar-an-hour addition to the standard pay rate covers all grocery stores, supply chain manufacturers, and factory and call center workers. Harris-Teeter operates some 150-stores in the state of North Carolina.

Rockingham, Wilkes Counties Report First COVID-19 Deaths

(Rockingham Co., NC) - Rockingham and Wilkes counties are reporting their first coronavirus-related deaths. A patient in Rockingham County with underlying health conditions died yesterday of complications from the virus. Wilkes County's first deadly case was also a patient in their 60s with underlying health conditions. Forsyth and Guilford counties have also reported two deaths linked to COVID-19.

First NC State Prisoner Tests Positive For COVID-19

(Tillery, NC) - The first North Carolina state prisoner tests positive for COVID-19. The male prisoner is behind bars at the minimum custody unit of the Caledonia Correctional Complex in Tillery. He's in his 60s and is now in isolation. The prison is being treated by licensed medical staff.

Non-Essential City Services Suspended In Winston-Salem

(Forsyth Co., NC) - Winston-Salem is suspending its non-essential city services amid the coronavirus pandemic. Canceled services include bulk item collections, brush and limb collections, environmental code enforcement and off-street parking enforcement.

Sheetz Announces Free Meals For Kids

(Winston-Salem, NC) - Sheetz is handing out free meals for kids during the COVID-19 outbreak. The meals include a turkey sandwich, a bag of chips and a drink. Families who are interested can inquire at the register. The meals are limited to one per kid, per day, while supplies last.

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