Asheville Officer Charged With Simple Assault
(Asheville, NC) -- An Asheville police officer is being charged with simple assault. The SBI has been investigating Senior Police Officer Anthony Sorangelo over an arrest of an intoxicated man on Hendersonville Road in February. The police department requested an investigation by the state into alleged force used during the arrest. Sorangelo was charged and placed on suspension yesterday, pending the investigation's final outcomes.
Group Seeks To Block Vance Monument Removal
(Asheville, NC) -- A North Carolina group is attempting to stop the potential removal of the Vance Monument in Asheville. The Sons of Confederate Veterans sent out a letter Sunday in opposition to the removal since it's publicly owned and would violate a state protection act. The city and Buncombe County leaders are in the process of creating a task force to decide what to do with the Vance Monument. The city attorney says two other monuments scheduled to be removed are exempt from state law since they're privately owned.
Health Board Calls Racism A Public Health Crisis
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County's health and human services board is declaring racism as a public health crisis. The board pointed out yesterday that oppression can be linked to the number of COVID-19 cases among minority populations in Buncombe. Chairman Frank Castelblanco says the playing field needs to be level to give more opportunities to people of color. Health officials plan to shift power to community organizations who can do work at the ground level.
No One Injured In Asheville Apartment Shooting
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville police are looking for suspects who opened fire on each other outside an apartment complex yesterday. Investigators say two buildings and two cars at the Palisades Asheville Apartment Homes were hit with bullets when people from two parties started shooting from the parking lot. No injuries were reported. The gunmen allegedly drove off before officers made it to the scene.
New NC Coronavirus Cases Continue Climb
(Raleigh, NC) -- The seven-day average of new coronavirus cases is at a high in North Carolina. State health officials revealed numbers yesterday that show an average of around 14-hundred new cases a day from June 22nd through 29th. Of the 63-thousand-plus total cases, around 45-thousand people are presumed to be recovered.
Union County School Board Member Resigns Over Social Media Posts
(Union County, NC) -- A Union County school board member is stepping down over controversial social media posts. Board chair Melissa Merrell said yesterday that recent insensitive posts made by board member Travis Kiker were shocking and inappropriate, although there's no word on the content of the comments. Kiker submitted a resignation letter, saying his service would be a distraction to the district's priorities. The school board also announced the creation of a citizens' committee to discuss diversity and acceptance of students.
Tega Cay To Continue With July 4th Activities Despite Police Warning
(Tega Cay, SC) -- July Fourth festivities are still on for Tega Cay despite a plea from the police department. Chief Steven Parker sent a letter to city officials earlier this month with concerns over the potential size of a crowd for the parade and fireworks since surrounding areas have canceled activities. He voiced potential issues with the amount of personnel needed to handle a large crowd and the continued spread of coronavirus. A city spokesperson told WSOC-TV yesterday that events for this weekend are going to continue.
Gastonia Man Arrested For Hotel Murder
(Gastonia, NC) -- A Gastonia man is being charged with murder. Officers say a woman was shot to death at the Woodsprings Suites on Wren Turnpike in Gastonia Monday morning. WSOC-TV reports the man allegedly told an employee at the front desk of the hotel that he shot someone. He reportedly claimed self-defense. Police arrested the man for first-degree murder.
One Dead In West Charlotte Shooting
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a deadly shooting in west Charlotte. Investigators told WBTV one person was shot to death at a convenience store on Tuckaseegee Road Monday afternoon. Another victim was taken to the hospital with critical injuries. There's no word yet on any arrests.
Children's Hospital To Test Potential COVID-19 Treatment
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte is about to begin testing a drug for potential COVID-19 treatment. The hospital says it's one of 30 nationwide that have been selected to study the effectiveness of remdesivir. An infectious disease doctor says they're optimistic the anti-viral drug is a good option for pediatric patients. The clinical trial will begin within a couple of weeks.
High School Sports Remain On Current Restrictions
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina's high school sports are expected to remain in current restrictions a while longer. Athletes are limited to no contact at this time, with no more than 25 people allowed for outdoor conditioning. The commissioner for the state's high school athletic association said yesterday that an initial transition into another phase on July 6th won't be happening at this point. The state remains under its Phase Two re-opening plan until July 17th at the earliest.
Health Department Eases Visitation Restrictions At Some LTC Facilities
(Raleigh, NC) -- A recent decision by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will ease visitation restrictions at congregate living facilities as long as the visitations are outdoors. The ruling, that went into effect Friday, applies to facilities like adult care centers, intermediate care communities and psychiatric treatment facilities. It does not apply to nursing homes.
Several Confederate Monuments And Statues Come Down In Triangle
(Raleigh, NC) -- More and more confederate monuments are coming down in cities and municipalities in the Triangle area. Crews began removing a confederate statue from Battle Park in Rocky Mount on Monday. This after the city council approved its relocation last month. Another statue was removed over the weekend in the Franklin County town of Louisburg. Two civil war naval cannons were relocated from the State Capitol grounds in Raleigh on Monday and taken to Ft. Fisher. And crews working to remove the base of a 75-foot obelisk from downtown Raleigh, discovered a 126-year old time capsule. The artifact was turned over the State Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
More People Getting Bitten By Snakes During Pandemic
(Cary, NC) -- Health care providers across central North Carolina have been reporting a recent increase in snake bites. One veterinary clinic in Cary says cases of snake bites are up 25-percent over the same period a year ago. And doctors at Wake Med report they have treated 73-snake bites so far this year. Officials are attributing the uptick to more being at home during the COVID-19 lockdown and doing more outdoor activities.
Lt. Gov Files Lawsuit Against Gov For COVID-19 Orders
(Raleigh, NC) - North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest is filing a lawsuit against Governor Roy Cooper for his executive orders during the coronavirus pandemic. Forest said yesterday, quote, "this is the only option left on the table as all others have been exhausted." He added that they are not interested in the substance of Governor Cooper's executive orders, rather his "lack of authority" under the Emergency Management Act to shut down the state. Forest says Cooper did not follow the law and receive a majority concurrence from the state council about the orders.
Gov. To Announce How Schools Will Operate In August
(Winston-Salem, NC) - Governor Cooper plans on giving folks a better idea of what to expect this upcoming school year. North Carolina heath officials are considering several different factors, including positive COVID-19 cases, tests performed and hospitalizations. Governor Cooper said "Getting children back to school to learn is a high priority, but they must be able to do so in the safest way possible." A decision is expected by tomorrow.
Alamance Co. Leaders Want Graham's Confederate Monument Removed
(Graham, NC) - Several Alamance County leaders want the Confederate monument in Graham moved. In a letter yesterday, Burlington Mayor Ian Baltutis, Elon University President Connie Book and several others called on county commissioners to relocate the statute to a place where it can be given historical context. The letter was signed by 50 community leaders, who called the monument a source of conflict in the community and a symbol of racism.
Annual July 4th Celebration In Winston-Salem Canceled
(Winston-Salem, NC) - Winston-Salem's annual July 4th celebration is canceled. Organizers of the Independence Day fireworks show at Truist Stadium announced the news yesterday, citing coronavirus restrictions. Current state regulations limit gatherings at sports facilities to 25 people or less.
Home Point Home 'Severely Damaged' In Fire
(High Point, NC) - A High Point home is severely damaged after a fire. It broke out Monday evening in the 36-hundred-block of Shadow Ridge Drive. The fire department shared photos of the home's roof nearly gone and smoke pouring out. A nearby home was also damaged. No one was hurt, and there's no word yet on what started the fire.