Hurricane Impacting North Carolina Today
(Undated) -- Eastern North Carolina is bracing for Hurricane Dorian. Coastal areas are expected to feel the force of tropical storm winds today, with storm surges reaching four to seven feet in some places. Dorian intensified back into a category three hurricane last night while it was centered off the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina. Dozens of counties are under either a hurricane or tropical storm warning.
Forest Service Re-opens Nantahala River
(Swain County, NC) -- The Nantahala [[ nan-ta-HAY-la ]] River at the gorge is open to the public again. The U.S. Forest Service originally anticipated a much longer closure after landslides pushed down debris which blocked large portions of the river in late August. Crews removed 76-hundred tons of debris since then, allowing Forest officials to give the go-ahead to re-open the river to kayakers and paddlers. The Nantahala Outdoor Center will be back in business today as well.
Baby Born To Murder Victim Dies
(Asheville, NC) -- A baby born to an Asheville murder victim is dead. Tiyquasha Simuel was pregnant when she was shot to death near the Deaverview Apartments in June, just two weeks after she testified in the murder trial of Nathaniel Dixon. The boy survived the shooting, but passed away last Friday. Simuel's murder is still unsolved.
Obama Comments On NC Gerrymandering Ruling
(Raleigh, NC) -- Former President Barack Obama is supportive of a gerrymandering ruling out of North Carolina. A state court ruled Tuesday that North Carolina's political maps are unconstitutionally partisan and must be redrawn before 2020 elections. Obama says the ruling is a big win for voting rights and voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around. The Republican-led legislature drew up the current district maps two years ago, after previous maps were also ruled unconstitutional.
Retirement Community Residents Flee Coast For WNC
(Henderson County, NC) -- Some hurricane evacuees are calling the mountains home for the next few days. WLOS-TV is reporting around 160 residents and staff from a Charleston retirement community are staying at Henderson County's Kanuga Conference Center as Hurricane Dorian makes its way past the Carolinas. It's unclear exactly when they'll head back until any damage can be assessed. The local non-profit Hearts with Hands plans to heads toward the affected areas with supplies.
WNC State Senator Running For Re-Election
(Henderson County, NC) -- A western North Carolina state senator is seeking re-election. Republican Chuck Edwards announced his intentions yesterday to run for a third term representing the 48th district. His support of small business growth and conservative policies will continue to be platforms for the 2020 election. The 48th consists of south Buncombe, Henderson and Transylvania counties.
Man Shot To Death After Wreck
(Charlotte, NC) -- One man is dead in a shooting that happened just after a wreck in north Charlotte last night. Officers found the victim lying in a parking lot on West Sugar Creek Road near North Tryon Street. The CMPD says the a driver shot the man while they were arguing after a two-car accident. The suspect reportedly stayed on the scene.
Nearby School Districts Cancel Class Due To Potential Weather
(Charlotte, NC) -- Some nearby school districts aren't taking any chances with the weather. Anson County Schools and Chesterfield County Schools in South Carolina both canceled classes today due to potential damage from Hurricane Dorian. Not much impact is expected in Charlotte. The National Weather Service is calling for conditions to be breezy the next two days, with a slight chance of rain.
CMPD Investigates Homicide Behind Food Lion
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a homicide in the woods behind an east Charlotte Food Lion. Investigators say a woman was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds around 9 a.m. yesterday. Nearby Eastway Middle School on Norland Road was placed on lockdown for a short time. Officers are unsure if she was shot at the scene or somewhere else. The search is on for a suspect.
Suspect Accidentally Sets Up Drug Deal With Deputy
(Iredell County, NC) -- A suspect is accused of trying to set up a drug deal with an Iredell County deputy on Facebook. Investigators told WSOC-TV that the man was trying to message a woman who happened to have the same name as the deputy. Undercover officers set up a meeting with the suspect at Loves truck stop in Statesville and arrested him at the scene on Tuesday.
County Using Money To Help Lake Arbor Residents
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- Mecklenburg County is joining in efforts to help dozens of families being kicked out of their apartment homes. The owners of the 300-unit Lake Arbor complex in west Charlotte recently sent out notices to residents to leave so repairs can be made. County leaders decided yesterday to use one-point-eight-million-dollars in emergency funds to help with relocation efforts. The United Way of Central Carolinas has raised 130-thousand-dollars.
Dorian Could Lead To 700,000 Power Outages, Including Triangle
(Raleigh, NC) -- Duke Energy says Hurricane Dorian's winds could lead to 700-thousand power outages across North Carolina, including the Triangle. Duke Energy's five-thousand linemen across the Carolinas will get help from about four-thousand linemen from 23 states and Canada. Some 15-thousand linemen are positioned at Raleigh's Walnut Creek Amphitheatre, waiting for the storm to pass so they can respond to where they're needed most. Duke Energy says it could take several days to restore power after it's knocked out.
Triangle First Responders Head To Coast To Help Dorian Victims
(Raleigh, NC) -- Dozens of first responders from the Triangle are heading to the coast to help people who will take Hurricane Dorian's first blows. They're members of North Carolina Task Force 8, which includes about 40 people from the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill fire departments, as well as Wake County EMS. The crews expect to spend up to ten days in the eastern part of the state.
Triangle, Central NC Schools Closing Ahead Of Hurricane Dorian
(Undated) -- Most school districts in the Triangle and across Central North Carolina will close or end classes early today and some will be closed Friday as well. Schools are closed in Wake County and Durham, while Chapel Hill-Carrboro city schools will release three hours early today. Cumberland County, Edgecombe County, Johnston County, Nash-Rocky Mount, Robeson County, and Wayne County schools are closed today and Friday.
Hurricane Dorian Command Center Set Up At Ft. Bragg
(Ft. Bragg, NC) -- A major command center is set up at Fort Bragg. The Federal Emergency Management Agency set up the command center so lifesaving supplies can be deployed to victims of Hurricane Dorian. FEMA has around 250 trailers staged and at least 150 are filled with water. Eighty trailers are loaded with food and all the supplies are ready to roll out at a moment's notice.
Evacuated UNCW Students Staying At UNCG
(Greensboro, NC) -- Students evacuated from the University of North Carolina - Wilmington campus are staying at UNC - Greensboro. More than 50 students were evacuated yesterday. They're staying at the Kaplan Recreation Center at UNCG. University officials say they have plenty of supplies to accommodate the students and will take it "day by day."
Handgun Found In 15-Year-Old's Backpack
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Winston-Salem police say there is no known threat after a handgun was found in a student's backpack. It was found yesterday at Mount Tabor High School. The 15-year-old student is expected to face charges. Police say the firearm was never displayed and there is no known threat to fellow students or staff.
UPDATE: Arrests Made In Shooting Death Of Greensboro Father
(Greensboro, NC) -- Two men are under arrest in the shooting death of a Greensboro father. Christopher Babunga was gunned down in late August near his apartment on Hahns Lane. Family members says he's a refugee from Africa and has three children. Vincent Jackson and Ahshad Hill-Martin were both arrested on suspicion of murder.
N.C. Folk Fest This Weekend
(Greensboro, NC) -- Organizers of the N.C. Folk Festival say it's going on rain or shine. The second annual event kicks off tomorrow in downtown Greensboro. The multicultural fest includes music, food, crafts and much more. It wraps up Sunday.