Cooper Prohibits Companies From Shutting Off Utilities
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper is giving a break to North Carolinians who may be struggling to pay their bills during the coronavirus pandemic. He issued an executive order yesterday that prohibits companies from shutting off utilities for non-payment over the next 60 days. Cable and internet companies are encouraged to do the same. Cooper thanked companies like Duke Energy and Dominion Energy for already stopping disconnections.
Coronavirus Death Reported In Cherokee County
(Raleigh, NC) -- A death related to the coronavirus is being reported in western North Carolina. Public health officials said yesterday a woman in her 80s from Cherokee County has died. Statewide case numbers have risen to over 15-hundred, with ten deaths. There are around 190-thousand cases nationwide.
Suspect Shot To Death Outside Buncombe Courthouse
(Buncombe County, NC) -- One man is dead in a deputy-involved shooting outside the Buncombe County courthouse. Investigators say Shane Kent of Asheville fired shots towards a law enforcement officer from inside an SUV Tuesday morning. A deputy shot back and killed Kent at the scene. His motive remains unclear. One officer was injured in the shooting, his injuries considered non life threatening.
Mission Health Requires Staff To Wear Masks
(Asheville, NC) -- Some staff at Mission Hospital are now required to wear face masks. Officials at Mission Health and HCA Healthcare decided this week to implement a face mask mandate for any staff working in patient care areas. This goes for any employees whether they are working cases connected to COVID-19 or not. The Citizen-Times reports the hospital sent an email to employees this week.
Bad Wig Bandit Arrested In Georgia
(Columbus, GA) -- A man suspected in several North Carolina bank robberies is in Georgia jail. Patrick Alexander is allegedly the man known as the 'bad wig bandit.' Investigators say he targeted banks in the Charlotte area and a BB&T in Hendersonville earlier this year while wearing different wigs. Alexander was caught when military personnel ran his ID as he tried entering Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia on Monday.
Some Snow Expected In Mountains This Morning
(Asheville, NC) -- Some winter weather is expected to hit higher elevations of the Smokies as the calendar hits April today. Some areas close to the Tennessee border could see a couple of inches of snow before the system moves out this morning. Roads in counties along the border could be slippery. Temperatures should rise into the 40s by the afternoon.
Coronavirus Cases Top 400 In Mecklenburg County
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- The number of coronavirus cases in Mecklenburg County is up to 420. The News and Observer reported last night that case numbers increased to over 15-hundred statewide, with ten deaths. Governor Cooper is also giving a break to North Carolinians who may be struggling to pay their bills during the coronavirus pandemic. He issued an executive order yesterday that prohibits companies from shutting off utilities for non-payment over the next 60 days.
Toddler Injured In Kannapolis Drive-By Shooting
(Kannapolis, NC) -- Police are looking for a gunman who critically injured a toddler in Kannapolis last night. Someone inside a dark-colored sedan reportedly fired shots into a home on Buick Avenue before driving away towards Dale Earnhardt Boulevard. A three-year-old was taken to Atrium Health with serious injuries. The child's parents weren't harmed.
Bad Wig Bandit Caught In Georgia
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte-area bank robbery suspect known as the 'bad wig bandit' is in jail. Patrick Alexander is accused of bank robberies in Huntersville, Belmont and Gastonia between December and January. Police have also connected him to a Circle K robbery in Charlotte. Alexander was caught when military personnel ran his ID as he tried entering Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia on Monday.
CMS Approves Benefits For Hourly Employees
(Charlotte, NC) -- CMS hourly employees can still receive benefits through at least May 15th. The board of education approved the measure during an emergency virtual meeting yesterday. The decision comes after Governor Cooper extended school closures until mid-May, which leaves employees like bus drivers and cafeteria staff without a way to work remotely. Superintendent Earnest Winston says they're working hard to adapt to the world that is changing around us.
Meck Parks Shutting Down Courts And Playgrounds
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- Courts and playgrounds are being closed at Mecklenburg County parks. WSOC-TV says park employees have been locking up areas like tennis and basketball courts to keep groups of people from gathering during the stay-at-home order. Residents are still welcome to use park areas for exercise, but are urged to practice social distancing of at least six feet and gather in groups of no more than ten.
Food Lion Donates Millions For Coronavirus Response
(Salisbury, NC) -- Salisbury-based Food Lion is joining the fight against the coronavirus. The company announced a donation of more than three-million-dollars yesterday. The money will go to UNC Health research, a food program, and an emergency care fund for employees and their families.
Judge Orders Wake County Sheriff To Start Issuing Pistol Permits Again
(Wake County, NC) -- The sheriff of Wake County has been ordered by a judge to start issuing pistol permits again. This comes after Sheriff Gerald Baker announced last week that he was suspending all pistol permit applications because of a backlog created by the coronavirus scare. In response, a local gun rights group threatened to file a lawsuit against the Sheriff's Office. The judge's ruling ordered Wake County to begin issuing pistol permits "in as timely a fashion as possible."
North Carolina Department Of Revenue Suspends Late Penalties On Another Category Of Taxes
(Raleigh, NC) -- The North Carolina Department of Revenue announced Tuesday that there will be no penalties for late filing or payment of North Carolina sales, use and withholding taxes through July 15th. The state revenue department has already suspended penalties for late payments on individual, corporate, partnership, trust and estate taxes. Last week, North Carolina followed the Internal Revenue Service's lead in extending the deadline for filing all taxes from April 15th until July 15th.
Two Killed, One Injured In Shootout Between Family Members
(Johnston County, NC) -- Authorities in Johnston County are investigating a triple shooting in which two people were killed and another person was injured. It happened early Tuesday morning in the Archers Lodge area near Clayton. Detectives say the three individuals, who knew each other, got into an altercation and multiple shots were fired. Officers arrived to find a man and woman dead at the scene. A third person, described as the woman's father, was treated for a bullet wound to the arm. His injuries were not considered life threatening.