Congressional Leaders Speak On Iran's Attack
(Washington, DC) -- North Carolina congressional leaders are reacting to Iranian missile attacks. Ninth District Representative Dan Bishop says it's a good prospect with a great outcome if there are no American casualties. He commented on Twitter after the Pentagon revealed last night that Iranian missiles hit two bases in Iraq that housed U.S. troops. President Trump said afterward that all was well. Western North Carolina congressman Mark Meadows urged the country to pray for the soldiers overseas and their families back home.
Cherokee Looking In Virginia For Resort Location
(Cherokee, NC) -- The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is looking out-of-state for a new hotel resort and casino. WLOS-TV is reporting a 350-acre piece of land is being eyed in southwest Virginia near Bristol along I-81. Cherokee Principal Chief Richard Sneed says the plan includes a concert venue and indoor water park as part of the resort. Virginia's General Assembly must first legalize gaming before a casino opens.
Two Men Ordered To Pay Artist For Vandalism
(Asheville, NC) -- Two men are being ordered to pay an Asheville artist thousands for damage done to his artwork. Police say Raphael Morales vandalized a piece by Jonas Gerard at the Asheville Regional Airport early last year. Morales and Lazlo Redman were also accused of throwing black paint on another Gerard piece around a year ago. A judge ordered the two men to pay Gerard around 34-thousand-dollars yesterday as part of their punishment.
DOT Closing U.S. Highway To Clean Rockslide Debris
(Swain County, NC) -- The North Carolina DOT is continuing to clean up debris from a rockslide in Swain County. Contract crews are expected to remove loose debris from the mountainside on the western end of the Nantahala Gorge to help reduce risk of another slide. Highway 19/74 will be entirely closed in the area all day Thursday. Debris initially fell onto the highway last Saturday morning.
Asheville Transit Making Bus Route Changes
(Asheville, NC) -- There are some bus route changes in Asheville this week. Officials with the Asheville transit system told WLOS-TV that you can now be taken from the east to west part of the city in one ride. The system is also being linked directly to the campuses of UNC-Asheville and A-B Tech.
New Restaurant Bringing 60 Jobs
(Fletcher, NC) -- Around sixty new jobs are being added in Henderson County with the opening of a new restaurant. The Hendersonville Times-News says LongHorn Steakhouse is opening a location on New Airport Road in the town of Fletcher in late January. Prospective employees can head to Jobs-dot-LongHornSteakhouse-dot-com. The only other LongHorn restaurant in western North Carolina is in Asheville.
Bishop Comments On Iran's Attack On Military Bases
(Washington, DC) -- Ninth District Congressman Dan Bishop says it's a good prospect with a great outcome if there are no American casualties in Iraq. He commented on Twitter after the Pentagon revealed last night that Iranian missiles hit two bases in Iraq that housed U.S. troops. President Trump said afterward that all was well. The attacks were retaliation for the U.S. airstrike that killed a top Iranian general last week.
Panthers Hire Baylor's Rhule As Head Coach
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Panthers next head coach is coming from the college ranks. Baylor University head coach Matt Rhule reportedly agreed to a seven-year contract worth up to 70-million-dollars to become Carolina's fifth coach in its franchise history. Panthers' owner David Tepper said he was "so frickin' happy" during a phone call with Rhule which was posted to Twitter yesterday. Rhule was the offensive line coach for the New York Giants in 2012.
UNCC Commission Recommends Classroom Closure After Shooting
(Charlotte, NC) -- A commission created after the deadly shooting on UNC Charlotte's campus last year is recommending some changes. The Niner Nation Remembrance Commission submitted a report yesterday that endorses prohibiting two spaces at Kennedy Hall from being used as classrooms. One room is where the gunman opened fire last April, while the other room is adjoining. The commission suggests using the rooms as areas for contemplative space instead.
Kings Mountain Man Arrested For Toddler's Death
(Kings Mountain, NC) -- A Kings Mountain man is facing charges in the death of a toddler. The two-year-old boy died on Monday at a Charlotte hospital after being airlifted from Kings Mountain with life-threatening injuries. His mother's boyfriend was arrested and taken to Cleveland County jail on murder charges. The child's father told WBTV the boy was beaten.
Man Wanted In Rowan County Killed By Deputies
(Randolph County, NC) -- A man wanted in Rowan County is dead in an officer-involved shooting outside the North Carolina Zoo. Investigators say 21-year-old Troy Chase Caster led deputies on an hour-long chase yesterday from Rowan County into Asheboro. Caster and deputies reportedly exchanged fire multiple times during the chase. Deputies shot him after he lost control at a maintenance area outside the zoo. Caster allegedly fired shots at a cab driver Monday after hitching a ride from Concord to China Grove.
Meck Commissioners Approve Voting Equipment
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- Mecklenburg County is bringing in new voting equipment. County commissioners approved a recommendation by the elections board last night to purchase equipment made by ES&S. It features a touchscreen that prints off a ballot. The ballot contains the voting results and a bar code, which is read by a tabulator. It will cost up to 11-million-dollars for the new equipment.
NC-Based Marines Deploying To Middle East
(Camp Lejeune, NC) -- More than two-thousand Marines based in North Carolina are on their way to the Middle East as increasing tensions between the U.S. and Iran trigger a rise in America's military presence. The Marine Corps Times reports about 25-hundred troops with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune are deploying to the Mediterranean. This is the second major contingent of forces from North Carolina deploying to the Middle East. About 35-hundred soldiers from the Army's 82nd Airborne stationed at Fort Bragg are now in the region.
Bicyclist Killed In Downtown Raleigh Crash
(Raleigh, NC) -- One person is dead after a bicycle and a car collided in downtown Raleigh Tuesday night. It happened around 9:30 p.m. near the intersection of McDowell and Lenoir streets. Police say the driver of the car stayed at the crash site while officers investigated and they don't anticipate any charges against the driver. Investigators say it doesn't appear that speed or alcohol played a role in the crash that killed the cyclist.
Democratic Presidential Candidate Steyer Coming To Raleigh
(Raleigh, NC) -- Another Democratic presidential candidate is coming to the Triangle this week. Tom Steyer's campaign announced Tuesday that the California businessman will visit Raleigh on Saturday. Steyer is the second White House candidate to visit this month. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg made campaign stops in Raleigh and Fayetteville last Friday.
'Canes Down Flyers, 5-4 In OT
(Raleigh, NC) -- The Hurricanes snapped a two-game losing streak with a 5-4 overtime win over the Flyers at PNC Arena last night. Dougie Hamilton scored the game-winner to move the 'Canes another point ahead of the Flyers in the Eastern Conference standings. After the game, Carolina announced it's forward Justin Williams to a one-year contract that will bring the former captain back for the rest of this season.
Ten People Hurt In Columbus Co. Bus Vs. Big Rig Wreck
(Columbus Co., NC) -- At least ten people are hurt after a big-rig crashed into a school bus in eastern Carolina. The driver tells police he reached down for a cigarette and lost control. It happened yesterday morning in Columbus County. Two of the ten victims were airlifted to the hospital. There's no word yet on if the truck driver was charged.
Macy's Closing Winston-Salem Store
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Macy's is closing a store in Winston-Salem. The retail chain says it's closing its Hanes Mall location. However, it will be open for at least eight more weeks for a clearance sale. The company is closing under-performing stores across the country. All regular Macy's employees will be moved to other stores.
Arrest Made In Graham Shooting
(Graham, NC) -- A 21-year-old man is under arrest in connection with a shooting that seriously injured a teenager. It happened at an apartment complex in Graham Monday night. Abdur-Rahman Waheed is accused of shooting 19-year-old James Blackwell in the head. He was identified as the suspect and arrested for assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury. Blackwell is being treated for life-threatening injuries.
First Watch Opening In Greensboro
(Greensboro, NC) -- First Watch is opening a location in Greensboro. The breakfast and lunch chain is going in at Wendover Commons. It will serve breakfast, brunch and lunch daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. First Watch opened its first Triad location last year in Winston-Salem. Another restaurant is coming to Clemmons in March.