Local and State Headlines for Thursday, March 21st, 2019

Maggie Valley Man Accused Of TN Murder

(Morristown, TN) -- A Maggie Valley man is being accused of a Tennessee murder. Jacob Marzullo was arrested on a charge of second-degree murder for allegedly killing a man at an Econo Lodge in Morristown, Tennessee on Monday night. Investigators say he was confronting the victim about an alleged theft. There was no word on cause of death.

Woman Details Allegations Against Eblen Charities Co-Founder

(Asheville, NC) -- A woman who accused an Eblen Charities co-founder of sexual abuse is detailing some of those allegations. Shelly Love Baldwin told CNN this week that Bill Murdock abused her as a freshman and promised them a future together while she was a student in Buncombe County. Murdock denies there was a sexual relationship, but did plead guilty to indecent liberties around 30 years ago. Eblen Charities told the Asheville Citizen-Times that the board will be discussing the news at a meeting this week.

Stroupe Murder Trial Delayed Again

(Henderson County, NC) -- The murder trial of Phillip Stroupe is delayed again in Henderson County. Stroupe was arrested in McDowell County in July 2017 after investigators believe he shot a Mills River man in the head. Superior Court Judge Robert Bell has removed Stroupe's lead counsel, so the trial will not begin in May as scheduled. It had been delayed once before, from January.

Henderson County Residents Oppose Highway Widening

(Henderson County, NC) -- Some residents are fighting back against a proposed widening of North Carolina Highway 191 in Henderson County. Close to a dozen people spoke in opposition to the DOT project at yesterday's commission meeting. The highway is set to be expanded to four lanes between Highway 280 in Mills River and Mountain Road in Twin Brooks, or roughly five miles. Opponents argue that the project will cause safety concerns and drop property values.

Smoke Leads To Hotel Evacuation

(Asheville, NC) -- Firefighters say an Asheville hotel was evacuated late Wednesday night due to possible fire. WLOS-TV is reporting that smoke filled a room and hallway at the Clarion Inn near Asheville Regional Airport. The parking lot was full of engines responding to the scene. Investigators haven't said what kind of damage was done.

Lawmakers Make Push To Support Hemp Industry

(Raleigh, NC) -- State lawmakers are making proposals to help grow the hemp industry in North Carolina. New regulations were introduced yesterday in the Senate for the Farm Act. A nine-member board has been proposed that will help hemp farmers receive their permit. Western North Carolina State Senator Chuck Edwards is a co-sponsor in the legislation.

Fire Rips Through Lake Wylie Home

(Lake Wylie, SC) -- Fire officials are investigating the cause of a blaze that heavily damaged a Lake Wylie home last night. Massive flames broke on Carroll Cove Road just before seven. It took less than half-an-hour for firefighters to control it. There were no injuries.

Panthers Begin Work On Practice Bubble

(Charlotte, NC) -- Work is beginning on the new practice bubble for the Carolina Panthers. The Charlotte Observer is reporting the team confirmed the news that efforts began this week at the practice facility behind Bank of America Stadium. Panthers' owner David Tepper previously said he wanted the team to be practicing in the climate-controlled environment by the upcoming season. South Carolina lawmakers passed bills this week that would promise Carolina incentives if they build a permanent facility in York County.

One Injured In South Charlotte Shooting

(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a shooting in south Charlotte. The victim was found on Walsh Boulevard near Highway 51 last night. Paramedics said the person's injuries were life-threatening. No arrests have been made.

Worker Accidentally Shot At Quarry

(Lincolnton, NC) -- Lincolnton Police are investigating an alleged accidental shooting that happened at the Lake Norman quarry. The sheriff's office says the victim was shot while he was working on a crane tower yesterday. There were close to around ten people working when gunfire erupted. The victim was taken to the hospital, but the condition isn't known.

Charlotte Man Admits Guilty In Large Tech Scam

(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte man is admitting that he helped steal millions in a tech support scam. Federal prosecutors yesterday said Bishap Mittal pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and awaits sentencing. Mittal and his co-conspirators placed pop-up ads on computers that froze the screen, which prompted unsuspecting residents to call up a tech center for help and pay to have it repaired. The suspects ended up stealing around three-million-dollars.

Former Rep Turns Himself In

(Raleigh, NC) -- Police say a former state representative turned himself in Wednesday for filing false campaign reports. A Mecklenburg County grand jury indicted Rodney Moore earlier this week on nine counts, while his treasurer was indicted on one. The State Board of Elections found that Moore left out over 140-thousand-dollars in receipts and expenditures from his reports from 2010 to 2017.

Former UNC Chancellor Is Named President Of USC

(Los Angeles, CA) -- Former UNC Chancellor Carol Folt is landing on her feet with a big new job in California. In January, she announced plans to step down in May, but was forced out by the UNC Board of Governors before February. Yesterday, she was appointed to serve as president of the University of Southern California. Folt will be USC's first female president.

Deadly Hit And Run Arrest

(Nash Co., NC) -- A Nash County man is facing charges for a deadly hit and run. Zebulon police say on Sunday, an SUV crashed head on with a small sedan while trying to pass another car on Highway 97. The driver of the sedan died at the hospital, he was a father of three. Yesterday, 39-year-old Corey Morgan was arrested for felony hit-and-run, failing to give aid to an injured person, unsafe passing in oncoming traffic and filing a false police report. Morgan is being held on 250-thousand-dollars bond.

Another NC Husband Charged With His Wife's Murder

(Brunswick Co., NC) -- Another North Carolina husband whose wife's body was found in the woods is facing murder charges. Holden Beach police say Judy Brock, who had been missing since last week, was found dead yesterday in a wooded area of Sampson County. Her husband, 71-year-old Philip Brock was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He's behind bars in Brunswick County without bond and is due in court this morning.

Nash County Murder Suspect Due In Court Today

(Pima Co., AZ) -- The Nash County man accused of killing his wife is due in court today. Diana Keel was found dead in the woods last week, and her husband Lynn Keel was arrested in Arizona for her murder. Court documents show that he was arrested 34-miles from the Mexico border with camping equipment, canned food, medicine and a knife in his truck. Search warrants also shed new light on the crime scene. They say when Diana was found in the woods, she was only wearing underwear and a gold ring on her left hand wedding finger.

Wake County Makes A Big Budget Ask For Transportation Costs

(Wake Co., NC) -- Wake County schools are asking for extra money to fix up aging school buses. This week, the board of education requested nearly five-million-dollars for unanticipated transportation expenses next year. They want to replace the engines in nearly 250 of the county's 900 available buses. There may be a roadblock as far as getting the funding approved, but county officials are working on that.

Fattest Cities North Carolina

(undated) -- A number of North Carolina metro areas are on the list of America's fattest cities. Wallethub recently released their rankings of the hundred most populated cities based on 19 indicators of weight-related problems. Durham-Chapel Hill ranked 55th and Raleigh ranked 66th overall. Winston-Salem, Asheville, Charlotte and Greensboro all ranked higher on the list. The survey showed that among the top metro areas, Raleigh has the highest number of physically active adults.

Winston-Salem School Evacuated After Sudden Illness

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A sudden stomach illness is to blame for sending several Winston-Salem elementary students home. Petree Elementary School was evacuated yesterday afternoon after two-dozen kids and one adult got sick. It happened just after lunchtime. Hazmat, fire and public health crews responded.

Woman Stabbed On Winston-Salem Greenway

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Winston-Salem police are looking for the person who attacked a woman on a greenway. It happened yesterday afternoon near South Broad Street and Salem Avenue. Police say the woman was knocked down, and when she tried to fight back, she was stabbed twice in the back. She's expected to be okay. The attacker took off on a scooter. Anyone with information is urged to come forward.

Teenager Seriously Hurt In Winston-Salem Hit-And-Run

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A 17-year-old boy is recovering after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Winston-Salem. The accident happened Sunday night on Cleveland Avenue. Police say the boy was crossing the street when he was hit by a white Dodge Charger. The driver took off. The teen was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Anyone with information is urged to call police.

Children Hurt In Davie Co. House Fire

(Davie Co., NC) -- Two children are recovering after a house fire in Davie County. It happened Tuesday night on Legion Hut Road. Fire crews had to bust through windows to get to the seven and eight-year-old kids, who were trapped in a bedroom. They were rushed to Brenner Children's Hospital. Two adults and five children total were in the home when the fire broke out. The house was destroyed.

Greensboro Bakery Considered Best In State For Cupcakes

(Greensboro, NC) -- A Greensboro bakery is being recognized for its top-notch cupcakes. Strange Carolinas, a travelogue website, says Maxie B's Bakery and Dessert Cafe is the best place in North Carolina to a get a cupcake. Readers were asked to rank their favorite places from a list of bakeries. Cornerstone Bakery in Hickory came in second place, followed by Short Street Cakes in Asheville.


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