One Dead In Blue Ridge Parkway Wreck
(Haywood County, NC) -- The Haywood County sheriff's office is investigating a deadly wreck on the Blue Ridge Parkway. WLOS-TV is reporting a car drove off an embankment near North Carolina Highway 215 yesterday afternoon. One person was killed. Details of exactly what happened are still being investigated.
State House Plans Vote On Born Alive Bill
(Raleigh, NC) -- The state House is planning to vote on the Born Alive bill next tomorrow. House Speaker Tim Moore said last week that he'll call for a vote to override Governor Cooper's veto of the bill. It would require a doctor to preserve the life of a baby born alive during an abortion attempt. Republicans will need support from some Democrats or at least some to be absent to have enough votes to override the veto.
Sex Offender Arrested At Henderson County Park
(Henderson County, NC) -- A registered sex offender who was spotted at Jackson Park in Henderson County last weekend is back in jail. Investigators say Polk County deputies spotted the Columbus man while he was watching a softball game between Henderson County Seniors and the sheriff's office. The game was a benefit for Special Needs Sports. Billy Weesner was arrested on a charge of a sex offender unlawfully on premises.
DOT Working On I-40 Resurfacing
(Sylva, NC) -- The DOT is resurfacing I-40 in Haywood County. Crews began shutting down one lane around mile marker 15 yesterday as part of the nearly 34-million-dollar rehab project. Work is expected to continue towards the Tennessee state line throughout the summer. The rehab includes removing and replacing old asphalt, as well as installing a new median barrier wall.
Waynesville Man Busted With One-Thousand Xanax Pills
(Asheville, NC) -- A Waynesville man is facing charges after a state trooper allegedly busted him with other one-thousand Xanax pills. Peyton Jordan was initially pulled over for speeding in the Asheville area on Saturday, but ran into more trouble when the pills were found. He is now charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to manufacture and sell. Xanax is used to treat anxiety and can be highly addictive.
Jackson County Residents Urged To Spay, Neuter Pets
(Jackson County, NC) -- Animal organizations are urging people in Jackson County to spay or neuter their pets. WLOS-TV says the county's animal shelter euthanized six sick cats over the weekend because there's no room left there. An official with one no-kill shelter said spaying and neutering is how to dig out of this hole, while also changing people's attitudes.
Gas Station Clerk Killed During Armed Robbery
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating an armed robbery that turned deadly at a west Charlotte gas station. A longtime clerk was gunned down by a masked man inside a Shell Station on Freedom Drive early Monday morning. Investigators are looking through the store's surveillance footage to get a clear view of the suspect. The CMPD and FBI are offering a combined 15-thousand-dollars for information leading to an arrest.
North Carolina Smoothie King Stores Closed Over Racial Slurs On Receipts
(Charlotte, NC) -- The doors are closed at two Smoothie King franchises in Charlotte while the company investigates what appear to be racial slurs for customers' names on receipts. The CEO of the Texas-based chain closed the stores Sunday night until both staffs can undergo sensitivity training. A black customer at one store saw the name line on his receipt as "n-word to go." An Asian customer at the other location got a receipt with "jackie chan to go." Smoothie King CEO Wan Kim said in a statement that both employees have been fired.
Mooresville Police Chief Placed On Administrative Leave
(Mooresville, NC) -- Mooresville's police chief is on administrative leave with pay. The town manager placed Damon Williams on leave yesterday as an internal personnel investigation in the police department heads into a final review. It is reportedly not based on any allegations of criminal activity. Williams started as police chief in Mooresville three years ago.
SC Trooper Released From Hospital After Shooting
(Rock Hill, SC) -- A South Carolina state trooper who was shot in Rock Hill Sunday night is out of the hospital. Trooper Paul Wise tried pulling someone over for a seatbelt violation on India Hook Road. The suspect led the trooper on a short chase before exiting the car and the two exchanged gunfire. Trooper Wise will be on administrative duties when he's able to return to work. The suspect remains in a Charlotte hospital.
Jury Selection Begins Today In Charlotte Murder Trial
(Charlotte, NC) -- Jury selection is expected to begin today in the Charlotte trial of a man accused of killing a college baseball player. Jahzion Wilson is facing murder charges for allegedly shooting Zachary Finch to death while he was trying to buy a cell phone nearly two years ago. Finch was in his senior season at the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky at the time of his death. A co-defendant pleaded guilty to lesser charges last year in exchange for testimony.
Portion Of New I-77 Toll Lanes Open
(Charlotte, NC) -- A section of the new I-77 toll lanes is now open. NBC Charlotte is reporting some drivers say they were unprepared because the North Carolina DOT launched the opening last weekend without saying a word. The section runs from Hambright Road to Exit 36 in Mooresville. The DOT is encouraging drivers who use the lanes to allow extra time to get used to it.
Wake County Approves 10% Property Tax Increase
(Raleigh, NC) -- Property taxes are going up ten-percent in Wake County. County Commissioners approved the increase on a 6-1 vote Monday night, with Commissioner Sig Hutchinson casting the only vote against the hike. The higher tax rate means county property taxes on a 300-thousand dollar house will go up by nearly 200 dollars a year. Commissioners approved a higher tax rate than the county manager recommended in order to provide more money for the Wake County Public School System.
Shooting At Smithfield Shopping Center Sends 1 To Hospital
(Smithfield, NC) -- One person is in the hospital after a shooting at a shopping center in Smithfield Monday night. Police say it happened a little after 9:30 p.m. at the Pine Needle Shopping Center. Officers found a person who'd been shot a number of times. There's no word on the identity or gender of the person, who was rushed to the hospital.
Overturned Cement Truck Closes I-540 Off-Ramp At Apex All Day
(Apex, NC) -- A freeway off-ramp in Apex was closed just about all day Monday after a cement truck overturned. The truck rolled on the off-ramp from Interstate 540 to Highway 64 around 9:30 a.m., injuring the driver who was trapped in the cab. The ramp re-opened shortly before 4 a.m.
State House Plans Vote On Born Alive Bill
(Raleigh, NC) -- The state House is planning to vote on the Born Alive bill tomorrow. House Speaker Tim Moore said last week that he'll call for a vote to override Governor Cooper's veto of the bill that would require a doctor to preserve the life of a baby born alive during an attempted abortion. Republicans will need support from some Democrats or at least some to be absent to have enough votes to override the veto.
Chirba Chirba Food Truck Recovered
(Durham, NC) -- Durham's popular Chirba Chirba food truck is no longer stolen, but it needs a lot of work. The truck that was stolen sometime overnight Sunday has been recovered but thieves took the propane tank and generator and they damaged interior cords and wires. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help handle the cost of damages not covered by insurance. Durham Police want to hear from anyone who saw the Chirba Chirba truck between 2 and 8 a.m. Sunday.
Teen Attacked By Shark Off North Carolina Coast
(Atlantic Beach, NC) -- A North Carolina teenager is recovering from a shark attack at Atlantic Beach. Seventeen-year-old Paige Winter of New Bern was swimming at Fort Macon State Park this past Sunday when the shark bit her. She made it to shore and was airlifted to a regional hospital with deep lacerations to her leg, pelvic area and hand. Her family says despite the attack, Paige remains an "unwavering advocate for the marine life" and wants people to continue to respect sharks.
Reidsville Man Accused Of Shooting Two People, One Fatally, In Eden
(Eden, NC) -- A Reidsville man is under arrest on suspicion of murder. Police say J'mes Troxler shot two people in Eden Sunday night, killing one of them. Shaquille Madison of Virginia was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim is expected to be okay.
Gas Leak Causes Road Closure In Greensboro
(Greensboro, NC) -- No injuries are reported after a gas leak in Greensboro. It was reported yesterday evening on Rehobeth Church Road, between Glendale Drive and Castlebrook Road. The area is temporarily closed. It's not yet clear when the road will reopen.
Burlington Police Ask For Help Locating Missing Teen
(Burlington, NC) -- Burlington police want people to be on the lookout for a missing teenager. Fifteen-year-old Kenyon Leathers was last seen Friday morning. Police say he could be in Durham. Leathers is described as a light-skinned African American with short black hair. He was last seen wearing a black and white striped shirt and black basketball shorts.
Report: McCoy To Sign With Panthers
(Undated) -- The Carolina Panthers are reportedly signing six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Multiple outlets report McCoy agreed to a one-year contract with Carolina. He joins Pro Bowlers Dontari Poe and Kawann Short on the Panthers' front line. Tampa Bay released the 31-year-old McCoy in May.