Asheville Budget Announced
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville City Council is rolling out its 190-million-dollar budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The spending plan, announced yesterday, includes construction of a new fire station and funding for the Transit Master Plan. It also keeps the city's current tax rate. The fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th.
WNC Educators Take Part In 'Education Truth Tour'
(Asheville, NC) -- Western North Carolina educators are taking part in what they called the "Education Truth Tour." This after thousands of people marched in Raleigh last month in support of more funding for public education. About a dozen teachers and support staff took part in the event yesterday in Asheville while lawmakers in Raleigh worked to finalize the state budget.
Gov. Cooper Proclaims June As Pride Month
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper is proclaiming June as Pride Month. He says he hopes to "promote diversity and ensure that North Carolina is a welcoming place for all." Governor Cooper made the proclamation yesterday.
Developer Sues Over Proposed Apartment Complex In Asheville
(Asheville, NC) -- A developer is suing Buncombe County after its plans for an apartment complex on Moffitt Road were rejected. The county Board of Adjustments turned down the proposal for the 214-unit complex in April 2018. The developer, RAB Builders, filed a federal suit against the county, saying it didn't follow its own rules when it rejected the proposal.
Buncombe Co. Man Robbed At Gunpoint In River Arts District
(Asheville, NC) -- An investigation is underway after a man was robbed at gunpoint in Asheville's River Arts District. The scene unfolded early Monday morning. The victim tells "WLOS" a black SUV forced his vehicle to stop, and then a group of men got out and assaulted him. The victim says he took off toward the bridge on Haywood Road and called 9-1-1. Police said they will comment on the case sometime today.
Man Rescued After Crashing Car Into Pigeon River Dies
(Canton, NC) -- A man who was rescued after crashing his car into a river in Canton has died of his injuries. Mario Gordillo died Monday after five days on life support, according to his employer, Anderson McNair General Contractors. The company has set up a GoFundMe page for Gordillo to help with funeral expenses. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Search Continues For Teen Missing In South Fork River
(Gaston Co., NC) -- Gaston County emergency crews are continuing their search for a teenager who vanished along the South Fork River in Spencer Mountain. Fourteen-year-old Ethan Britt and another teen went for a swim in the river Monday evening when they got separated. One of the teens got stuck on an island and was rescued the following morning. Britt, however, still hasn't been found. Crews say the water levels are much higher than normal because of the recent rainfall in the area.
UPDATE: Teenage Surfer In Shark Attack ID'd
(Ocean Isle Beach, NC) -- We're learning the name of the teenager who was attacked by a shark at Ocean Isle Beach. Nineteen-year-old Austin Reed was bit on his right foot and is recovering at a hospital in Wilmington. The attack happened Monday afternoon. Officials say the teen is expected to be okay.
Cause Of Death Released In Charlotte Woman's Disappearance
(Charlotte, NC) -- Mecklenburg County officials are announcing the cause of death of a Charlotte woman whose body was found floating on Lake Wylie. Vatsla Watkins was reported missing on March 19th. Her body was found floating near Buster Boyd Bridge later that month. Officials yesterday say she drowned. They do not suspect foul play.
New Cosmetics Store Opens At SouthPark Mall
(Charlotte, NC) -- A cosmetics company is opening up a new store at SouthPark mall in Charlotte. Morphe is setting up shop near Sur La Table and Dillard's. It's expected to open sometime this summer, but an exact date hasn't been announced.
Man Who Killed 3 Muslim UNC Students To Be Sentenced Today
(Chapel Hill, NC) -- The man who killed three Muslim students in Chapel Hill is to be sentenced today. Craig Hicks has pleaded guilty to killing Deah Barakat, his wife, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, and her sister, Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha in February of 2015. The 50-year-old Hicks is expected to be sentenced to three life terms.
Gov. Cooper: Making Headway Fighting Opioid Crisis
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper says North Carolina is making headway in fighting the opioid crisis. Cooper offered that optimistic view at Tuesday's Opioid Misuse and Prevention Summit. The Department of Health and Human Services noted that, since the state launched its Opioid Action Plan two years ago, dispensing opioids is down 24-percent, use of opioid addiction drugs is up 15-percent, and opioid-related emergency room visits fell for the first time in a decade last year. But opioid abuse is still a nightmare, with five North Carolinians dying from drug overdose every day.
U.S. 401 Could Re-Open By Late July
(Wake County, NC) -- Repairs to re-open U.S. 401 could be finished by late July, a month earlier than NCDOT's original estimate. ABC11 reports NCDOT said Tuesday that crews working to repair and rebuild U.S. 401 near the Franklin-Wake County line are on pace to finish by the end of July. NCDOT said earlier this week the highway would be closed until the end of August. Drivers are having to detour down NC-98 while the road is closed.
Triangle One Of Nation's Hottest Job Markets
(Raleigh, NC) -- A new survey finds the Triangle is one of the hottest job markets in the nation. The survey by talent management firm Manpower rates the metro area second in the country for job creation. The survey finds 24-percent of employers plan to add workers in the coming months. That's second in the U.S., behind only Charlotte, at 37-percent.
Log Truck Driver Killed In Randolph Co. Crash
(Randolph Co., NC) -- A log truck driver is dead after a crash in Randolph County. The accident happened yesterday afternoon on Parks Crossroads Church Road, near Old Siler City Road. State troopers say Marion Batchelor lost control of his big-rig and overturned. He was rushed to a local hospital where he died. Troopers say it's not clear what caused him to veer off the road.
Two More Arrests Announced In Two-County Chase
(Rowan Co., NC) -- Two more men are in custody after a dangerous high-speed chase through two counties last weekend. The Rowan County Sheriff's Office yesterday announced the arrests of Juvonta Lafond and Demtrious Lane on several charges. A third man, Albert Britford, is also in custody. The chase started along Highway 52 in Rowan County before it hit speeds of over 100 miles-per-hour and wrecked. The men took off running.
Person Shot In Greensboro
(Greensboro, NC) -- A person is recovering after being shot in Greensboro. Officers responded to the Cavalier Inn on West JJ Drive yesterday evening. The unidentified victim was taken a local hospital. It's not yet clear whether they'll survive. Police have not identified a possible suspect or a motive in the shooting.
Axe-Throwing Spot To Open In Greensboro
(Greensboro, NC) -- Greensboro's first axe-throwing club is opening soon. It'll be located in the Golden Gate Shopping Center on Golden Gate Drive. The club is expected to open sometime in late summer or early fall. Axe-throwing is a new trend that allows customers to throw small axes at giant wooden targets.