Reynolds Fire Chief Killed in Accident (Asheville, NC)
A accident near I-40 in Statesville has claimed the life of the Reynolds Fire Department chief. Troopers say Richard Sales died when his car went down an embankment and crashed off I-40 in Statesville Sunday morning around 9:30. Firefighters say Chief Sales was heading out to a safety conference in Wilmington for the week.
Hickory Night Club Shooting Leaves One Dead (Hickory, NC)
Hickory Police are investigating a deadly shooting that happened at a bar early yesterday. It was close to 2 a.m. when officers were called to The Vault Bar and Lounge and found four people suffering from gunshot wounds. One man died later at Frye Regional Medical Center. Another victim is still reported to be at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for injuries. No suspects have yet been named.
Suspect In Jail For Setting Four Fires (Buncombe County, NC)
One man is in Buncombe County jail for allegedly starting four fires. Arrested was 25-year-old Adrian Watts, who now faces an array of charges ranging from first degree arson to burning personal property. The fires all broke out around the same time early Friday morning in Leicester, North Asheville and Asheville. Two residents were able to safely get out of their home on Audubon Drive. No one was reported injured in any of the blazes.
Mission Health Employee Arrested For Embezzlement (Asheville, NC)
A Waynesville woman is accused of embezzling more than 100-thousand-dollars from Mission Hospital. An arrest warrant reveals that Megan Mintz converted funds for her own personal use from the hospital system while she was employed there. She was released from jail and expected to appear in court this morning.
Henderson Community Discusses Gun Safety (Henderson County, NC)
Talks over school and gun safety are continuing in Henderson County. Sheriff Charles McDonald organized a public meeting at Fruitful Seasons Pistol Packing on Spartanburg Highway. The sheriff recently said he wants to add armed guards at every school in Henderson County. Saturday's meeting drew a crowd to the gun shop, which offered conceal-carry and home defense fundamental classes next month.
Cradle Of Forestry Opens For Season (Pisgah National Forest, NC)
One popular visiting spot in the Pisgah National Forest is back open. The Cradle of Forestry near Brevard is expected to offer more activities and events this season. The increase in programming will lead to an uptick in admission to the site, which reportedly attracted more than 55-thousand people last year. The Cradle of Forestry is the site of the country's first forestry school.
Tryon Musician Entering Rock Hall (Tryon, NC)
A Tryon soul-singing native is heading to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame almost 15 years after her death. Nina Simone joins other acts like Bon Jovi and The Cars in this year's class induction Saturday in Cleveland, Ohio. She gained popularity in the late 50's with a Billboard hit and later became a voice of the civil rights era. The city of Tryon had a bronze statue of her likeness placed in a small downtown park eight years ago.
Another Teenager Arrested In Deadly Armed Robbery (Charlotte, NC)
A fourth teenage suspect is in jail for the murder of a Charlotte woman last week. The 36-year-old victim was shot and killed in the middle of an armed robbery at her Vista Villa apartment. Sixteen-year-old Ziaya Jackson became the fourth teenager charged with murder when she turned herself in yesterday. The CMPD arrested a 15-year-old suspect on Friday after the first two suspects were sent to jail the day before.
Teenager Sought In Deadly Shooting (Charlotte, NC)
The CMPD is on the lookout for an 18-year-old suspect accused of killing a man in northwest Charlotte. Jacob Hernandez was reported missing last Thursday. His body was found a day later in woods off Rhyne Station Road. Investigators have charged Jaime Melendez Suarez with murder. They believe Hernandez was shot on South Boulevard before being left miles away near I-485.