State House Democrat Urges Polygraph For Top Republicans
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina's top House Democrat is challenging some GOP leaders to take a lie detector test. Representative Darren Jackson claims Republicans, including the House Speaker, lied when they said there would be no votes taken on September 11th. The state House voted to override Governor Roy Cooper's veto of the budget on that day when many Democrats were absent. The News and Observer reports that Jackson says he'll pay for House Speaker Tim Moore and two other legislators to take a polygraph in order to prove they didn't intentionally mislead him. Moore said this isn't the Maury Povich show.
Large Crowd Expected For Public Hearings In Asheville
(Asheville, NC) -- The Asheville City Council is expecting a big crowd at its meeting tonight. Public hearings will be held on a possible hotel construction moratorium and potentially moving back to at-large elections. The 5 p.m. meeting has been moved into the Banquet Hall of the U.S. Cellular Center in anticipation of a large turnout from the public. Interested citizens can show up at four to sign up for comments.
State Rules Line Of Duty Death For Assistant Fire Marshal
(Asheville, NC) -- The state's Industrial Commission is issuing a rare ruling in the death of an Asheville assistant fire marshal. WLOS-TV says the death of Karen Shuart is considered a line of duty death. She served for 25 years in the Asheville Fire Department before passing away from cancer earlier this year. The state has made a similar ruling only two previous times in North Carolina's history. Fire Chief Scott Burnette says the ruling significantly honors Karen and the sacrifice she made serving the community.
WCU Providing Counseling After Three Students Die In One Week
(Cullowhee, NC) -- Western Carolina University is providing support for students in the wake of multiple recent deaths. Two students died in car accidents, while another was found dead in a residence hall all in the same week this month. The school's Chancellor for Student Affairs told WLOS-TV that counseling and psychological services are available to all faculty and students who need to talk about any grief. A candlelight vigil for one student was held on campus last night.
Two Hit-And-Run Suspects Arrested In McDowell County
(McDowell County, NC) -- Two suspects are facing charges in hit-and-run connected to the theft of store clerk's SUV in McDowell County. Investigators say the suspects stole the car from outside Samir's convenience store in Nebo last Thursday. The victim tried to chase after the pair, but was hit in the process. He's in the hospital with injuries. The suspects have since been arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, and hit-and-run among other charges.
City Hopes To Hire New Asheville Police Chief By December
(Asheville, NC) -- A new police chief in Asheville could be in place by January. City officials announced yesterday they have a goal of hiring a new chief to replace Chris Bailey by the end of the year. He is stepping down after spending less than two months on the job. An outside firm is searching for candidates at no extra cost since Bailey resigned so soon.
Man Stabbed To Death In Uptown
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a homicide in Uptown. A man was found stabbed multiple times on West 10th Street last night. Investigators say the victim and several suspects had an argument on North Smith Street before the stabbing. It marks the city's 79th homicide in 2019, up from 57 last year.
Toddler Critical After Near-Drowning
(Gaston County, NC) -- A toddler who was found in a pool last weekend in Gaston County is clinging to life. Police say two-year-old Grayson Brannon was unresponsive when he was pulled from a pool in the Holly Hills Drive neighborhood. He was last listed in critical condition at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte yesterday. The family told the Gaston Gazette that Grayson fell into the water while making mud pies.
Cam To Sit Out Next Game For Panthers
(Charlotte, NC) -- Quarterback Cam Newton will miss the week four start for the Panthers. Head coach Ron Rivera said yesterday that they don't want another setback with Newton's foot injury and will rest him for the game in Houston. Backup QB Kyle Allen threw four touchdowns in Sunday's win over Arizona. He'll start again as Carolina looks for its second victory of the season.
Arrest Made In Murder Of Store Clerk
(Charlotte, NC) -- A suspect is in jail for allegedly killing a Charlotte store clerk in June. The CMPD says the 50-year-old victim was gunned down during a robbery at a Shell gas station on Freedom Drive. Desmin Logan was arrested yesterday on a charge of murder. The clerk had worked at the west Charlotte store for 17 years.
Charlotte Man Arrested For Impersonating Officer
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte man who directed traffic at an accident scene last Friday is accused of impersonating an officer. Antoine Jones was suited up in a law enforcement uniform and had a gun on his hip at the scene on East W.T. Harris Boulevard. He allegedly told the CMPD that he worked for the FBI, but a quick check revealed he's never worked for a law enforcement agency. Jones was arrested the next day.
City Approves Money For Airport Projects
(Charlotte, NC) -- Some changes are coming to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport ahead of next year's Republican National Convention. The city council is using four-million-dollars in airport fees and rent money to install new monuments outside the airport. The convention begins in August 2020. City officials expect the projects to be wrapped up by then.
Water Main Break Repairs To Keep Lanes Closed In Raleigh
(Raleigh, NC) -- A stretch of Brier Creek Parkway in northwest Raleigh will still be slow going today. Crews have been working on repairs since a water main broke last Thursday night. City officials expect work to be finished today. In the meantime, the westbound left and right turn lanes on the 79-hundred-block of Brier Creek Parkway will remain closed, with two center lanes open to traffic into early today.
Granville County Sheriff Suspended During Investigation
(Oxford, NC) -- Granville County Sheriff Brindell Wilkins is on suspension while he's being investigated on two felony obstruction of justice charges. Wilkins is accused of being involved in a plot to kill a former deputy he believed was going to release a recording of the sheriff using racist language. A grand jury indictment claims in 2014, Wilkins told someone on a phone call, "The only way you gonna stop him is kill him." Wilkins denies the allegations but agreed to the suspension.
6 With Ties To Triangle Arrested In Trafficking, Prostitution Sting
(Graham, NC) -- Six people with ties to the Triangle are facing charges in a prostitution and trafficking roundup in Alamance County. They're among more than two-dozen arrested in a sting announced Monday. Sheriff Terry Johnson said North Carolina is eighth in the U.S. for human trafficking and his office will continue conducting crackdowns in an effort to change that. Johnson said he'd like to see North Carolina's law make prostitution, particularly soliciting prostitution a felony.
Health Officials: Fayetteville Meningitis Case Appears To Be Isolated
(Fayetteville, NC) -- Cumberland County health officials say a case of meningitis in Fayetteville appears to be isolated. The Cumberland County Department of Public Health confirmed on Monday that a member of the Methodist University community who was put in the hospital over the weekend has meningitis. But health officials say they haven't found any other suspected cases of the illness. People who might have been exposed are now on a course of preventive antibiotics.
No Injuries When South Fork School Bus Hits Parked Truck
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- No one is hurt after a school bus crashed into a parked pickup truck. Winston-Salem police say 35 students were on the bus from South Fork Elementary when the collision happened yesterday, shortly after 3 p.m. The bus was reportedly making a turn at the 4600-block of Country Club Road when it hit a Ford F-150. No one was in the truck at the time.
Police Looking For Two 'Armed And Dangerous' 19-Year-Olds From High Point
(High Point, NC) -- Police in High Point are searching for two 19-year-olds they consider armed and dangerous. They're searching for the teens in connection to a shooting in the 700-block of Park Street. That's where a 33-year-old man was found shot six times on a porch around 11:30 yesterday morning. He was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Demetrius Gainey Junior and Myron Reynolds is asked to contact 911.
Over Two Dozen People Facing Charges After Human Trafficking Sting
(Alamance County, NC) -- Over two-dozen people are facing charges after the Alamance County Sheriff's office conducted a three-day operation to catch those engaged in human trafficking. Specifically, officials were investigating cases of human trafficking that occurred through prostitution last week. Of the 27 people arrested, five were from Greensboro. Two were from Winston-Salem and one was from High Point.
Worker Injured When Wall Falls While Tearing Down GMAC Building
(Winston Salem, NC) -- A worker is injured after a wall at a Winston-Salem building fell. The worker left the scene in an ambulance shortly before noon yesterday. The GMAC building is being torn down so an apartment complex can be built in its place. Details about the worker's condition have not been released.
Greensboro Establishes First Chief Creative Economy Officer
(Greensboro, NC) -- The City of Greensboro now has a Chief Creative Economy Officer. Ryan Deal was selected for the role. He will oversee the newly-established Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs. The creation of the office and its leadership is part of the cultural arts master plan called "Creative Greensboro" that was adopted by the City Council toward the end of 2018.