Local and State Headlines for Tuesday, January 29th, 2019

Winter Storm Blows Through Today (Asheville, NC)

Winter Storm Jayden is expected to dump significant snow in parts of Western North Carolina today. Haywood, Swain, Graham and Northern Jackson counties are under a winter storm watch through 7 p.m.   Other areas in the region under a winter storm advisory could see between one to three inches of snow. The National Weather Service says wind chills overnight will be dangerously low.  

SC Man Pleads Guilty In Asheville Beating Death (Asheville, NC)

A South Carolina man is heading to prison for more than six years for beating an Asheville man to death. Andrew Zapf entered a guilty plea to voluntary manslaughter in Buncombe County court yesterday. WLOS-TV says Jerry Langford was found dead in his west Asheville home nearly three years ago.  District Attorney Todd Williams said he agreed to the plea after a key witness in the case was charged with a serious violent crime.  

Suspect In Jail For Four Assaults (Asheville, NC)

An Asheville man is in jail for assault charges in four different cases this month.  Investigators say Christopher Conley was accused of punching a caregiver at Mission Health multiple times ten days ago.  He also allegedly assaulted a police officer when she responded to a domestic violence call at his home on January 17th.  Two other misdemeanor assaults were reported in the last two weeks.  

Armed Robbery Suspect Charged With Another Crime (Asheville, NC)

An Asheville man arrested over the weekend for an alleged armed robbery is facing more accusations.  APD investigators say Shamauri Shivers was charged yesterday for robbing a woman at gunpoint.  This comes after his weekend arrest for allegedly holding up the Hot Spot on Asheland Avenue at gunpoint.  He was arrested while running away from the scene.  

Two Men Face Indecent Liberties Charges In Spruce Pine (Spruce Pine, NC)

Two men are facing charges of indecent liberties with a minor in the Mitchell County town of Spruce Pine.  One suspect was arrested last September on five counts after a school resource officer reported sexual misconduct complaints.  WLOS-TV says the four-month investigation revealed allegations against an Asheville man in Spruce Pine as well.  He was arrested on two counts of indecent liberties last week.  

Lieutenant Governor Moves Closer To Candidacy In Governor's Race (Raleigh, NC)

Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest is heavily considering running for governor.  The Republican said yesterday he is forming an exploratory committee to run for the seat.  U.S. Representative Mark Meadows has already voiced support for Forest if he decides to try to unseat Democrat Governor Roy Cooper in 2020.  A campaign spokesman called the announcement a formal step towards running for governor.

Mother Arrested For Murder Of Infant (Charlotte, NC)

A Charlotte woman is being charged in the murder of her infant daughter.  The seven-month-old was found unresponsive at a home on Galena View Drive in north Charlotte early Monday morning.  She died at Atrium Health.  Raeonna Watson was taken to jail on murder charges.

Eight Schools Selected For Safety Screenings (Charlotte, NC)

Safety screenings at area high schools are coming up soon.  CMS officials randomly selected eight high schools yesterday to be part of the first wave of screenings.  The chief information officer for the district says parents will be notified once the screenings begin and when they end.  Measures for increased school security heightened last fall when a student was shot to death inside Butler High School in Matthews.  

Ambassadors Needed For NBA All-Star Weekend (Charlotte, NC)

There are some jobs opening up surrounding the NBA All-Star Weekend in Charlotte.  The regional visitor's authority and the NBA are coordinating an effort to seek out 150 people with knowledge of the area to be All-Star Ambassadors.  The positions center around providing hospitality for visitors needing information on directions, social functions and hotel services.  The pay ranges from eleven to 15-dollars-an-hour. 

Woman Believes Carcass Is Her Dog (Charlotte, NC)

A Charlotte woman believes a carcass she found on her front porch was that of her missing dog.  Ally Montier told NBC Charlotte that her two pugs were stolen twice in a span of six months between late 2017 and last April.  She says she thinks the carcass she found last Sunday is one of the pugs and someone is trying to send a message.  Officials are examining the remains to see if it's a dog.  

City Still Mulling Four-Year Council Terms (Charlotte, NC)

Discussions about possible four-year terms are continuing for Charlotte city council members.  WSOC-TV is reporting that a consultant told the council at its Raleigh retreat that a four-year term is the best for a city the size of Charlotte.  The idea is scheduled to be discussed again at a strategy meeting next week.  The measure to move the term length from two to four years could come up for voters in a November referendum.

Woman Says She Was Raped By An Inmate On Work Release (Wake Co., NC)

Raleigh police are investigating claims that a woman was raped by a Wake County inmate who escaped on work release.  WRAL reports that the woman says 26-year-old Darius Wilcher raped her in the bathroom of the Burger King on New Bern Avenue where he worked.  He fled from his job after co-workers told him the police wanted to talk to him about a sexual assault.  Wilcher was caught hours later, but no charges have been filed yet.

Two Duke Frats Are Suspended For Hazing Allegations (Durham, NC)

Two Duke fraternities accused of hazing are suspended.  The Chronicle reports that Duke chapters of Delta Tau Delta and Pi Kappa Phi were suspended, while new member activities at Sigma Phi Epsilon were halted.  The university says they're investigating alleged hazing incidents, but didn't get into the specifics.  The vice president for student affairs said hazing is a violation of university policy, state law, and they take these allegations very seriously.

Police ID 2 Men Found Dead In A Burning Greensboro Apartment (Greensboro, NC)

Police are releasing the identities of two men found dead in a burning Greensboro apartment.  The bodies of 55-year-old Kevin Hugh Moore and 44-year-old Lewis Franklin Humphrey were found inside the apartment last week, it isn't known how they were killed.  Eighteen-year-old Chris Collins is charged with murder, kidnapping and arson.  Police still haven't given a possible motive.

Raleigh Ranks Sixth Best City In The World For Beer (undated)

According to a new ranking, Raleigh is one of the top beer cities in the world.  Vinepair-dot-com reports that as far as beer travel goes, there are only five cities in the world that are better than Raleigh.  They say Wake County has a taste for craft beer specifically naming Brewery Bhavana, Bond Brothers, and Gizmo Brew Works as hot spots.  Austin, Texas topped the list at number one.

Former Duke Advisor Who Resigned Over An Email To Chinese-Speakers Apologizes (Durham, NC)

The former Duke advisor who resigned after sending an email encouraging Chinese-speaking students to only speak English is apologizing.  Assistant Professor Megan Neely sent the email to more than 50 students on Friday.  That email is now being investigated by the university.  The Duke Asian Students Association said the email was racist and called for decisive action.  Neely says she deeply regrets the hurt her email caused, and said that wasn't her intention.

Gov. Roy Cooper Warns About Sub-Freezing Temp's (Raleigh, NC)

Governor Roy Cooper is warning residents to be extra cautious as the state gets blasted with snow and sub-freezing temperatures.  There is a Winter Weather Advisory in the mountains, which could get up to three inches of snow today.  In the Piedmont Triad, a mix of rain and snow is expected, causing slick roads and hazardous driving conditions.  The black ice could also prompt school delays.

Man Accused Of Stealing, Setting Fire Inside Of High Point Walmart (High Point, NC)

A man is accused of stealing from a Walmart in High Point and then starting a fire in the store.  It happened yesterday afternoon at the Walmart on South Main Street.  Police say Daniel Dailey shoplifted and set a fire in the men's department.  He was arrested on several charges, including larceny, arson and resisting arrest.  The store was closed for the rest of the day. 

Stokes Co. Schools Operate In "Shelter In Place" Mode (Stokes Co., NC)

Stokes County schools are back to their regular schedules after operating in a "shelter in place" mode.  The district announced yesterday morning that a threat was made against West Stokes High School, prompting all schools to shelter in place.  The precaution was lifted at the end of the day.  Stokes County sheriff's deputies and King police officers are investigating. 

Two Men Charged After Garbage Truck Crash In Davidson Co. (Davidson Co., NC)

A garbage truck driver is in serious condition after rolling his truck down an embankment in Davidson County.  The accident happened Friday afternoon on Bethesda Road, between Emily Lane and Tall Pines Road.  State troopers say the driver was not paying attention.  He was charged with failure to maintain lane control and a seatbelt violation, and his passenger was also charged for not wearing a seatbelt.

Man Accused Of Licking Women's Buttocks In Kernersville (Kernersville, NC)

A man is accused of sneaking up on women in Kernersville and sticking his face in their buttocks.  Stefan Shuford was arrested on multiple charges, including assault on a female and sexual battery.  The incidents were reported along South Main Street last Friday.  Police say in some cases, Shuford licked the women's buttocks, too.  He is behind bars in Forsyth County on a 50-thousand-dollar bond.


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