Biden Supports Unionization Of Mission's Registered Nurses
(Asheville, NC) -- Presidential candidate Joe Biden is standing behind unionization efforts from Mission Hospital registered nurses. Votes are being counted in mid-September after a group petitioned for a union election more than five months ago. Biden said last night he supported the nurses' aim to create a safer and more equitable workplace. The potential union group called on federal officials this week to investigate workplace hazards at Mission Health and other HCA-owned facilities.
Residents Stranded After McDowell County Flooding
(McDowell County, NC) -- Heavy rain is causing major problems in parts of McDowell County. WLOS-TV reports four homes were left stranded after a bridge washed out Monday night on Locust Cove Road. Emergency crews have been helping bring supplies to the residents. It took only two hours for four inches of rain to fall.
Haywood Schools Still Closed After Hack
(Haywood County, NC) -- Haywood County Schools are closed again today in the wake of a ransomware attack on its computer system. District officials said the National Guard arrived yesterday to start investigating the attack and exactly what was harmed. Student Chromebooks were not affected, but they can't be used at this time since the system's network is shut down. A third-party suspect requested ransom after accessing the network on Monday.
Cawthorn Speaking During RNC Tonight
(Hendersonville, NC) -- A western North Carolina congressional candidate is slated to speak tonight during the Republican National Convention. Madison Cawthorn won the Republican primary in the 11th Congressional district, and will go up against Democrat Moe Davis in November. President Trump's website lists Cawthorn as one of 20 speakers tonight, including Vice President Mike Pence. The president said during his visit to Mills River this week that Cawthorn is going to be a star of the party.
Asheville Police Looking For Arson Suspect
(Asheville, NC) -- Investigators are looking for a suspect accused of setting fire to an Asheville home. The blaze damaged a duplex on East Chestnut Street on Monday. Asheville police have charged Conor Elliott with arson and burning personal property. There were no injuries in the fire.
Charlotte Man Accused Of Shooting At Trump Supporters
(Fort Mill, SC) -- A Charlotte man is accused of firing a gun toward Trump supporters in Fort Mill. Investigators say luckily no one was injured when the suspect shot at a crowd gathered along the Sutton Road overpass on I-77 Monday. The suspect was caught after he abandoned his car around four miles away near the interstate. Fort Mill police charged him with six counts of assault and battery.
Gaston Confederate Statue To Stay At Courthouse For Now
(Gaston County, NC) -- Gaston County's Confederate statue is going nowhere for now. The board of commissioners voted earlier this month to sign off ownership of the monument to the Sons of Confederate Veterans, but the group refused to sign the deed. The refusal comes in light of the fact that the county agreed to pay to have it moved. The statue will remain in front of the Gaston County courthouse until commissioners make another move.
American Airlines To Furlough 19-Thousand
(Fort Worth, TX) -- The coronavirus pandemic is causing more big changes at American Airlines. The company announced yesterday it plans to furlough 19-thousand employees by the beginning of October, including more than eight-thousand flight attendants. Nearly 24-thousand employees have already accepted buyouts, taken absences or retired early as plane travel nearly grinded to a halt during the public health emergency. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is American's hub in the southeast.
Lincoln County Deputies Leave Hospital After Shooting
(Lincoln County, NC) -- Two Lincoln County deputies injured in a shooting this week are now out of the hospital. A man allegedly opened fire and hit the pair while they attempted to serve warrants at a home near the Gaston-Lincoln county line on Monday. Other deputies returned fire, killing the man. The injured deputies are out of the hospital and should fully recover, but they'll stay on administrative leave during the SBI's investigation.
Meck's COVID-19 Positivity Rate Continues Decline
(Charlotte, NC) -- The positivity rate of COVID-19 tests is continuing to inch downward in Mecklenburg County. Health officials said yesterday the rate is hovering just under six-and-a-half percent over the last week, which brings it closer to the five-percent goal desired to make decisions on re-opening. Hospitalizations have also been trending downward. The Charlotte Observer says last Saturday's number of 133 was the lowest since June.
Utility And Rent Help Coming
(Raleigh, NC) -- Money is on the way to help those struggling to pay utility bills and rent in Charlotte. Governor Roy Cooper announced yesterday a 175-million-dollar statewide initiative with funding through three programs. A large chunk of the money is coming from the state's Office of Recovery and Resiliency, while the rest comes from the CARES Act and a federal Community Development Block grant. Cooper said we must help keep people in a safe, stable place to call home. Local governments will help distribute the money.
Seven New Clusters Reported In A Single Day At UC State
(Raleigh, NC) -- Health officials at NC State identified seven new clusters of the coronavirus Tuesday. School officials say all of the positive infections were among students who live in either on or off campus housing in Raleigh. At last report, there were 63 students who had tested positive for the virus within the recent clusters. The University announced Monday, that all undergraduate classes will be offered virtually for the rest of the fall semester.
Dr. Mandy Cohen Wants Student Codes Of Conduct To Be More Strictly Enforced
(Raleigh, NC) -- State Health Officer Dr. Mandy Cohen says the state's colleges and universities should be doing more to hold students accountable for their actions on and off campus. At a news conference Tuesday, Cohen blamed returning students gathering in large groups without social distancing or wearing face masks for increased viral spread and more clusters being identified. Cohen suggested enforcing student codes of conduct as one way of curbing the spread.
Slight Increase In New COVID-19 Cases Reported On Tuesday
(Raleigh, NC) -- Data released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services showed there were one-thousand-345 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, an increase of 62-over the day before. There were also one-thousand patients being treated at hospitals across the state, an increase of 52-from Monday. Of the more than 157-thousand people who have tested positive since the outbreak first began five months ago, 25-hundred-70 have died. The positive test rate in North Carolina is seven-point-four percent.
Outbreak Forces Cumberland County To Recruit More Nurses
(Cumberland County, NC) -- Cumberland County health officials have issued a call for more nurses. This after an outbreak was reported Tuesday of 183-new coronavirus cases and 14-deaths within the last three weeks. The increase has placed a strain on county's epidemiological clinic. The Cumberland County Health Department is now looking to hire Licensed Practical and Registered Nurses for temporary positions.
Cooper Announces Emergency Relief Program For Renters
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper has announced an allocation of 175-million dollars to help struggling North Carolina residents pay their rent and utilities. At a news conference Tuesday, Cooper said 94-million of that amount will be distributed by the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency to prevent evictions and support rent and utility payments. Fifty-four-million will go to combat homelessness and 28-million will be divided among cities and counties.
COVID-19 Cases Reported At Trinity, Providence Grove High Schools
(Randolph Co., NC) - The Randolph County School System is moving forward with its current plan after positive coronavirus cases on two campuses. The COVID-19 cases were reported Monday at Trinity and Providence Grove high schools. Everyone who was exposed is not allowed back on campus for 14 days and will learn remotely instead.
Lake Higgins Reopened After COVID-19 Exposure
(Greensboro, NC) - Lake Higgins in Greensboro is back open after a staff member was exposed to COVID-19. The employee who was exposed to the virus last reported to work on Wednesday, August 19th. Offices, bathrooms and other facilities at the lake have since been sanitized. City officials reopened the lake on Tuesday.
Man Who Fled During Traffic Stop In Greensboro ID'd
(Greensboro, NC) - Greensboro police are identifying the man who shot himself after a traffic stop last week. Officers say 34-year-old Theotis Kindell of Orlando was the passenger in a vehicle that was stopped on West Meadowview Road last Tuesday. Kindell reportedly took off before shooting himself nearby. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Several warrants have been obtained for Kindell, including possession of a firearm by a felon, drug trafficking, and possession of a controlled substance.
Winston-Salem Ranked Top City For Retirees
(Winston-Salem, NC) - Winston-Salem is considered one of the best cities for retirees. That's according to new rankings released this month by "Forbes." The Twin City, along with Asheville and Raleigh, earned spots in the top 25. Winston-Salem was recognized for its below-average cost of living and home prices.
Over A Thousand People Win NC Lottery Top Prize
(Undated) - Over a thousand North Carolinians are bringing home a jackpot after an unusual lottery drawing. The North Carolina Education Lottery says the Carolina Pick 4 drawing drew four nines on Monday. This number combination led to one-thousand-303 people winning the top prize of five-grand. Additionally, one-thousand-and-95 people won the second place prize of 25-hundred bucks. Officials say the draw set a record for a single Pick 4 drawing after nine-point-two-million dollars in prizes were won.