WNC Communities Look At Relaxing Restrictions
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Some communities in western North Carolina are preparing to enter phase one of the state's re-opening. Buncombe County is expected to start allowing some non-essential businesses to open their doors this weekend. The interim public health director said yesterday nearly 80 people have tested positive for coronavirus out of around 27-hundred tests administered in Buncombe. Haywood County leaders decided last night to relax quarantining guidelines for visitors coming in and out of the county
Teen Arrested For Waynesville Murder
(Haywood County, NC) -- A Waynesville teen is in jail for murder. Haywood County deputies found a Canton man shot to death on the side of a road in Waynesville's Shadow Woods subdivision early Monday. Eighteen-year-old Kevin Carey was arrested and put behind bars without bond. Investigators say there are no threats to the public.
Tourism Business Relief Included In Coronavirus Relief
(Asheville, NC) -- North Carolina's COVID-19 relief package is helping Buncombe County use hotel tax dollars to aid small businesses. State Senator Chuck Edwards sponsored the Buncombe County Tourism Jobs Recovery Act to be part of the spending plan. It will allow five-million-dollars in hotel taxes be used to help jump start certain tourism-related businesses or nonprofits once they're able to re-open again. Around ten-thousand people in the tourism industry have lost their jobs locally.
Earthquake Reported Near Hendersonville
(Hendersonville, NC) -- Reports of another earthquake are coming in around western North Carolina. A number of residents said they felt minor trembles Sunday night around nine. The U.S. Geological Survey says a 2.3 magnitude quake hit about seven miles outside of Hendersonville. It wasn't enough to do any damage. Another small earthquake was centered around the same area less than a week ago.
Two Asheville Chefs Named James Beard Finalist
(Asheville, NC) -- Two Asheville chefs are among the finalists in two national award categories. The James Beard Foundation announced yesterday Katie Button is a finalist for best chef in the Southeast. She is the executive chef of Curate [[cure-AH-tay]] in downtown. Ashleigh Shanti of Benne on Eagle is on a short list for Rising Star Chef of the Year. The winners will be announced later this summer.
State Extends Drivers License Renewal
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina drivers are being given extra time to renew their licenses this year. State lawmakers added in a provision in the coronavirus bill that extends the renewal time to five months after expiration. Renewals for vehicle registrations are being extended the same length. Also, school will start a week earlier than scheduled for next school year, according to guidelines in the bill.
Meck County Awaits State Guidance On Potential Re-Opening
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- Mecklenburg County leaders are still awaiting to see what the state's plan is on possible re-openings this weekend. NBC Charlotte says the county held a roundtable conversation with businesses yesterday to discuss what things will be like moving forward. Some questioned how the wearing of face masks could be mandatory due to availability. North Carolina's stay-at-home order runs up at the end of the week, and the governor may decide to move into phase one of re-opening.
UNC Charlotte Delaying Start Of Fall Class
(Charlotte, NC) -- UNC Charlotte is pushing back the start of its next school year. School officials announced yesterday the first day of class will be September 7th, or two weeks after the original schedule. The decision was made after speaking with public health and UNC system officials. North Carolina's K-12 public schools will start a week earlier than scheduled in August, according to guidelines set out in the new coronavirus relief bill.
York Prosecutor Arrested For DUI
(York County, SC) -- A DUI prosecutor in York County is accused of drunk driving. The state highway patrol says Jamie Nicholls wrecked his car after allegedly leaving the scene of another crash around Rock Hill Saturday night. There were no injuries, but Nicholls reportedly registered a blood alcohol level that's twice the legal limit. He was fired from his prosecution position with the 16th Circuit Solicitor.
State Extends Drivers License Renewals
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina drivers are being given extra time to renew their licenses this year. State lawmakers added in a provision in the coronavirus bill that extends the renewal time to five months after expiration. Renewals for vehicle registrations are also being extended the same length.
Driver Charged In Deadly Motorcycle Wreck
(Charlotte, NC) -- A woman is being charged in a deadly motorcycle accident in South End. She allegedly failed to yield while turning off South Boulevard late Monday morning. The motorcycle slammed into the car, throwing the driver off the seat. The CMPD charged the driver of the car with misdemeanor death by vehicle.
Third Grader Running 100 Miles For Charity
(Cabarrus County, NC) -- A Cabarrus County third grader is running for a greater cause. NBC Charlotte says nine-year-old C.J. Baucom committed in mid-April to run 100 miles in 30 days, all while raising money to help the Cooperative Christian Ministry. He's already run around 60 miles, and raised nearly half of his four-thousand-dollar goal. The ministry assists people who are having troubles with food, financing, or finding shelter.
Deadlines Pushed Back For Drivers License And Vehicle Registrations
(Raleigh, NC) -- Motorists in North Carolina now have longer to renew their drivers licenses and vehicle registrations. As part of the relief package signed by the Governor Monday, all renewal dates have been pushed back for at least another five months due to the coronavirus crisis. And taxpayers will also get a reprieve on interest and late fees on returns that were initially scheduled to be filed by April 15th.
NC Residents Urged To Start Working On Hurricane Emergency Kits Now
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Cooper has declared this week Hurricane Preparedness Week in North Carolina. Residents are being asked to put together and review emergency plans in advance of hurricane season, which runs from June 1st through November 30th. In addition to the usual items in an emergency supply kit, this year families are also urged to include COVID-19 PPE equipment, including hand sanitizer and face masks.
Historic Durham Shopping Mall To Close Effective Immediately
(Durham, NC) -- Citing extreme financial difficulties brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the owners of the Northgate Mall in Durham have announced they will be closing their doors permanently. Northwood Retail, the company that manages the property, said that the decision affects businesses that operate in the interior of the facility. Tenants operating outside the mall, but still on the Northgate property, will reopen when it is appropriate, according to a written statement released Monday. The Northgate mall was first built in Durham in 1960.
Wake County CARES Act Funds Divided Up
(Wake County, NC) -- The Wake County Commission has announced how it plans to spend some 194-million dollars it received from the CARES Act. In a statement released Monday, the County said most of the federal funds will be used to support efforts to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and front-line health care workers. The County will also allocate four-million dollars to help small businesses, one-million will go to independent contractors and around two-million dollars will go to help public housing. The Commission is expected to vote on the plan by May 18th.