Asheville Close To Settlement In Pedestrian Beating (Asheville, NC)
The city of Asheville is soon expected to settle a lawsuit with a pedestrian beaten by an Asheville Police officer last year. Mayor Esther Manheimer says logistics are still being worked out and it could be signed as early as this week. Johnnie Rush was the accused jaywalker at the center of a police bodycam video that was released earlier this year, showing former officer Chris Hickman beating and choking him. Hickman is facing a felony assault charge in the case.
Deputy Cleared In Fatal Shooting (Macon County, NC)
A Macon County deputy who shot and killed a man in April is being cleared. The deputy fired his gun through the window of a home near U.S. Highway 64 in Franklin when a man inside pointed a shotgun towards him and refused to drop the weapon. The sheriff's office was called out to the home for a dispute between neighbors. Circuit District Attorney Greg Newman says the deputy reacted in the only way that he could to defend himself.
Trump Plans Sanctions For Release Of Pastor (Black Mountain, NC)
President Trump is imposing sanctions against two Turkish officials for the continued detainment of a former Black Mountain pastor. Andrew Brunson has been accused there of being a spy and helping a terrorist organization. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Trump isn't happy with Turkey's decision. An appeal to have him released from house arrest this week was rejected.
Food Poisoning Symptoms Increase In Transylvania County (Transylvania County, NC)
An outbreak of food poisoning symptoms in Transylvania County is growing. Public health officials told WLOS-TV that the symptoms could be spreading from person to person. Patients started showing up at the Transylvania Regional Hospital on Monday and those symptoms have persisted the past few days. Officials hope to identify the illness by the end of the week.
Escaped Rutherford County Inmate Caught (Robeson County, NC)
A Rutherford County inmate who left a work release assignment this week is back in jail. James Pittman was found more than a day later on the other side of the state in Robeson County. He was last reported seen at U.S. 221 and I-40. Pittman has been serving time as a minimum custody inmate since 2014, but he's now been moved to a higher custody facility.
Flash Flood Watch Extended To Friday (WNC)
A flash food watch for Western North Carolina is now in effect through Friday morning. Meteorologists expect the threat of heavy rainfall and flash flooding to persist until then. Localized amounts of rain could still reach up to six inches across the mountains and the foothills. A short break on Friday morning may make way for more thunderstorms later in the afternoon.