UNC Charlotte Plans Memorial For WNC Native
(Charlotte, NC) -- UNC Charlotte is planning a memorial to honor a Waynesville native and several others who were victims of a campus shooting. Riley Howell lost his life while tackling the gunman who opened fire in his classroom last April. The Niner Nation Remembrance Commission recommended this week that the classroom be used as a place of reflection in the future. A memorial is also proposed for the front of the Kennedy Building.
Haywood County Investigators Still Looking For Fake Cop
(Haywood County, NC) -- Haywood County sheriff's officials are urging the community to be on the lookout for a cop impersonator. Investigators have been looking for a man who allegedly held a woman at gunpoint after pulling her over in an unmarked car with flashing lights. She was able to escape, but not after he followed her for a short time. Sheriff Greg Christopher said Wednesday it's okay to put on your flashers and interior dome light before driving to a well-lit area if you're unsure about the car pulling you over.
Most Of Asheville's Boil Water Advisory Lifted
(Asheville, NC) -- A boil water advisory is lifted for most residents in the city of Asheville. The advisory was put in place after a 24-inch water main busted at the East Asheville Pump Station late Tuesday night. The entire city system was initially under the advisory, but it was lifted for everyone except for parts of east Asheville yesterday. Residents have been advised to flush their lines for 30 minutes if there is discoloring in the water.
State Superintendent Makes Emergency Purchase For Reading Program
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina's state superintendent says he spent over 900-thousand-dollars to ensure elementary schools can test students under the Read to Achieve program with the Istation [[ eye station ]] program. A judge recently blocked the company from a multi-year contract with the state. The News & Observer reports superintendent Mark Johnston told the State Board of Education last night that it was strictly for an emergency situation so schools can continue the program. The details and legality of the contract with Istation are being worked out in court.
One Injured In Candler Shooting
(Candler, NC) -- Investigators are piecing together details of a Wednesday night shooting in Candler. Buncombe County deputies told WLOS-TV that one person was injured on Liberty Road. The victim's injuries weren't thought to be life-threatening. There have been no arrests made.
Buncombe Commission Denies Rezoning At Mobile Home Park
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County commissioners are against a plan to redevelop a mobile home park outside of Fairview. The Citizen-Times says the board voted this week to deny rezoning of six-and-a-half acres at the Fernwood Mobile Home Park for commercial use. The developer says he offered the residents a compensation package, but some of those who spoke at a public hearing said they still didn't know where they would go. Staff from the planning and development department initially recommended approval of the rezoning.
CMPD Releases Video From Scene Of Sandwich Shop Murder
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is looking for the public's help in the slaying of a sandwich shop owner. Scott Brooks was shot to death a month ago outside of Brooks' Sandwich House on North Brevard Street. The department released surveillance footage yesterday, which shows masked men outside the business on the morning of the shooting. You can find it at CMPD's Facebook page. A combined reward from the department and FBI of up to 21-thousand-dollars is being offered for tips.
Fire Damages Rock Hill Apartments
(Rock Hill, SC) -- Rock Hill fire officials are searching for the cause of a blaze that tore through an apartment complex last night. Flames broke out at Paces River Apartments on Riverchase Boulevard just before six. The fire damaged up to eight units and displaced close to 40 people. It appears everyone made it out okay.
Suspect Arrested In Fatal Christmas Eve Shooting Near Uptown
(Charlotte, NC) -- A suspect is in jail for a deadly Christmas Eve shooting just north of uptown. An employee was killed outside a Seven-Eleven on North Tryon Street. Investigators say the shooting happened after the employee and suspect were in an argument inside the store. Marvin Staton was arrested on second-degree murder charges.
Police Seek Three In Concord Mills Robbery
(Concord, NC) -- Investigators are looking for a trio accused in a Concord Mills Mall robbery. Concord Police say an 18-year-old was threatened with a gun and punched on Sunday in the parking lot outside Burlington Coat Factory. It happened just over a week after a 13-year-old girl was shot to death in the parking lot of the Dave & Buster's at the mall. Concord Police Chief Gary Gacek [[ gay-seck ]] told WSOC-TV that the mall area still remains safe in terms of crime stats.
CMS Changes Website Back To Older Version
(Charlotte, NC) -- A change to the CMS website may look familiar to the local school community. That's because the school district just reverted back to an older version. WSOC-TV is reporting people complained a new web design was too difficult to navigate through. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools shelled out nearly 240-thousand-dollars for the updated version, which lasted about half-a-year.
Rhule Introduced As Panthers' New Coach
(Charlotte, NC) -- New Panthers' coach Matt Rhule says he will work tirelessly to bring Carolina a championship. Team owner David Tepper officially introduced his new hire at the Panthers' practice bubble yesterday. Rhule is coming off a season where he led the Baylor Bears to a Sugar Bowl match-up against the University of Georgia. Rhule called the Panther's mantra of "Keep Pounding" not just a slogan, but a way of life.
Raleigh Cop Shot Last Year Returns To Duty Today
(Raleigh, NC) -- A Raleigh Police officer who was shot several times at close range returns to work today, one year to the day after he was critically injured. Officer Charles Ainsworth was trying to stop a suspected car thief on Western Boulevard when he was shot on January 9th, 2019. The Raleigh PD says Ainsworth has spent the past year recovering from a number of surgeries, as he's trained and strengthened his body and mind to return to service. The 26-year-old officer is a graduate of NC State and joined the police department in 2017.
Former Wake County Deputy Sues Sheriff, Claims Retaliation
(Raleigh, NC) -- A former Wake County Sheriff's deputy is suing Sheriff Gerald Baker, claiming he was fired for demoting one of Baker's friends. Richard Johnson filed suit this week, saying his firing as Chief of Operations was in retaliation for demoting one of the sheriff's friends before Baker became sheriff. Johnson says he and former Sheriff Donnie Harrison demoted Deputy Teddy Patrick for making homophobic and racially inappropriate comments during an in-service training session. Baker defeated Harrison in the 2018 election and did not swear-in Johnson as a deputy, effectively firing the veteran law enforcement officer.
Duke Hangs On For 73-64 Win At Georgia Tech
(Atlanta, GA) -- Duke recovered from a second-half dry spell to down Georgia Tech, 73-64 in Atlanta Wednesday night. The number-two Blue Devils gave up an 11-point halftime lead and trailed with just over six minutes to play before turning it around. Sophomore Tre Jones led Duke with 16 points while freshmen Cassius Stanley and Vernon Carey each put in 14. The Blue Devils are riding an eight-game winning streak to a 14-1 overall mark, 4-0 in the ACC.
Johnson Leads NC State To 73-68 Comeback Win Over Notre Dame
(Raleigh, NC) -- Markell Johnson's 27 points led NC State to a 73-68 comeback win over Notre Dame at PNC Arena Wednesday night. The Wolfpack made up a 12-point second-half deficit to even their ACC record at 2-2, and 11-4 overall. Junior forward D.J. Funderburk rang up 16 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
UNC Falls To Pitt, 73-65, 2nd Straight Home Loss
(Chapel Hill, NC) -- UNC let a 14-point first-half lead get away as the Tar Heels lost to Pitt, 73-65 at the Dean Smith Center Wednesday night. It's the Heels' second straight home loss. UNC has now lost six of its last eight games. Junior forward Garrison Brooks led the Heels with 21 points.
Charges Filed In Crash That Killed Seven-Year-Old Girl
(Guilford Co., NC) -- Charges are filed against the driver who caused the deadly crash that killed a seven-year-old girl. Yoslin Alonso is charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and reckless driving. Troopers say he was driving south on Harlow Drive in Guilford County last Saturday when he crossed the center line and collided with a car. Julianna Requejo-Croft was critically injured and later died at the hospital. Her parents and nine-year-old sister were also injured.
Davidson Co. Moving Towards Sanctuary County Status
(Davidson Co., NC) -- A proposal is moving forward for Davidson County to declare itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary. That means it won't let the Right to Bear Arms be infringed upon. County commissioners will consider the resolution at their next meet on January 14th. Wilkes and several other counties in North Carolina recently became Second Amendment sanctuaries.
Two People Wanted In Bermuda Run Bank Robbery
(Bermuda Run, NC) -- Deputies are looking for two men in connection with a bank robbery in Davie County. The scene unfolded yesterday afternoon at BB&T on Peachtree Lane in Bermuda Run. Deputies say two masked and armed men demanded money from the tellers. They took off on N.C. 158 toward Clemmons with an undisclosed amount of cash. Deputies are looking for a white, four-door sedan in connection with the hold-up.
Gaston Co. Man Accused Of Poisoning Wife Faces New Charges
(Gaston Co., NC) -- The Gaston County man accused of poisoning his wife with eye drops is facing new charges. A grand jury yesterday indicted Joshua Hunsucker on insurance fraud. He's already charged with first-degree murder and is facing a wrongful death complaint, filed by his former mother-in-law. State officials tied Stacy Hunsucker's death in 2018 to a 250-thousand-dollar insurance payout.
ACSO Continues Search For Teenage Girl
(Alamance Co., NC) -- Alamance County sheriff's deputies are searching for a 15-year-old girl who vanished several weeks ago. Deputies say Jynell Scott was last seen on December 16th at her home on Pillow Lane in Green Level. They believe she's in Durham. Anyone with information on Scott's whereabouts is urged to call ACSO.